Sustainable Energy Frameworks Crucial for Environmental Sustainability in Developing Asia

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has highlighted the importance of green innovation and strong environmental policies in promoting sustainable energy systems in developing Asian countries. The research, conducted by Salman Ahmad and his team at the Nanjing University of Science and Technology, used Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) models to analyze data from 16 developing Asian nations spanning 1990 to 2021. The findings show that a 1% increase in green innovation reduces ecological footprints by 1.10% (DOLS) and 2.14% (FM-OLS), while a 1% rise in renewable energy enhances environmental sustainability by 5.47% (DOLS) and 2.68% (FM-OLS).

Key Takeaways:

  • Green innovation has a positive impact on energy structures and environmental sustainability, with a 1% increase reducing ecological footprints by 1.10% (DOLS) and 2.14% (FM-OLS).
  • Environmental policies also have a significant impact, with a 1% increase in environmental policies reducing ecological footprints by 12.05% (DOLS) and 18.56% (FMOLS).
  • Renewable energy adoption enhances sustainability, with a 1% rise in renewable energy increasing environmental sustainability by 5.47% (DOLS) and 2.68% (FM-OLS).
  • Non-renewable energy use harms environmental sustainability, with a 1% increase in non-renewable energy increasing ecological footprints by 4.21% (DOLS) and 1.26% (FM-OLS).
  • The study's findings underscore the importance of green innovation and strong environmental policies in promoting sustainable energy systems in developing Asian countries.
  • Salman Ahmad, lead researcher, emphasized the critical need for increasing investments in green technologies and strengthening environmental regulations to improve environmental sustainability and achieve climate goals in Asia.

Statistics:

  • 1990-2021: Data spanned 16 developing Asian nations over 31 years.
  • 1% increase in green innovation: reduced ecological footprints by 1.10% (DOLS) and 2.14% (FM-OLS).
  • 1% increase in environmental policies: reduced ecological footprints by 12.05% (DOLS) and 18.56% (FM-OLS).
  • 1% rise in renewable energy: increased environmental sustainability by 5.47% (DOLS) and 2.68% (FM-OLS).
  • 1% increase in non-renewable energy: increased ecological footprints by 4.21% (DOLS) and 1.26% (FM-OLS).

Sources:

  • Pathways To Environmental Sustainability In Developing Asia: Insights From Environmental Policy, Green Innovation and Energy Structure. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025;216.
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.
  • Salman Ahmad, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, School of Economics and Management, Nanjing 210094, People's Republic of China.
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-and-sustainable-energy-reviews/.