Open Access Article

Drivers of Carbon Emissions in South Asia: Analyzing Economic Growth, Urbanization, Tourism, Industrialization, and Renewable Energy

Authors

Rehana Kousar(1) Rehana Kousar Affiliation M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan Other articles by this author , Muhammad Sharyar(2) Muhammad Sharyar Affiliation M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan Other articles by this author , Mahnaz Muhammad Ali(3) Mahnaz Muhammad Ali Corresponding author Affiliation Associate Professor, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan Email addressmahnaz.ali@iub.edu.pk Other articles by this author , Rana Sharjeel Akhtar(4) Rana Sharjeel Akhtar Affiliation M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Economics and Business, Semarang State University, Sekaran Campus Gunungpati Semarang 50229 Central Java, Indonesia Other articles by this author

  1. M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
  2. M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Economics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
  4. M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Economics and Business, Semarang State University, Sekaran Campus Gunungpati Semarang 50229 Central Java, Indonesia

https://doi.org/10.36923/jcmi.v6i1.617

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Abstract

Rising CO₂ emissions pose a global challenge, including in South Asia. This study examines the determinants of CO₂ emissions—economic growth, urbanization, tourism, industrialization, renewable energy, agriculture, and forest area—using panel data (1990–2021) from South Asian countries. Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) and panel unit root tests reveal long-run relationships. Urbanization, tourism, and agricultural value-added significantly increase CO₂ emissions, while economic growth, renewable energy, and forest area negatively correlate with emissions. The findings suggest that energy-intensive urbanization, tourism, and agricultural expansion drive emissions, whereas renewable energy adoption and forest conservation mitigate them. Policymakers must prioritize sustainable urbanization, green tourism, and renewable energy transitions to curb emissions while fostering economic development.

Article information

Keywords
CO2 EmissionsEconomic Growth,Urbanization,Tourism,renewable energy useagriculture sectorSouth Asia
Section
Articles
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025)
Submitted
April 10, 2025
Accepted
May 23, 2025
Published
June 22, 2025
Corresponding author
Mahnaz Muhammad Ali
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