This study examines the effects of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on energy intensity among the member countries of the European Union between 2000 and 2021. This relationship is deemed ...important in elucidating whether there is a process of filtering out energy-intensive companies where the use of FDI is employed to lead out production and improve energy intensity in the source country of the investment. To estimate this relationship, we employ feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) and panel corrected standard error (PCSE) for robustness purposes. Additionally, we complement our results with an estimation of the Granger causality relationships between our variables. Our findings reveal a highly significant trend wherein outward FDI from European Union countries tends to reduce energy intensity, thereby enhancing the productivity of the source countries of the investment. Conversely, only the technological productivity ratio exhibits a unidirectional causal relationship with energy intensity, while GDP per capita and natural resource rents serve as causes of energy intensity and vice versa. From this study, some policy recommendations can be derived whereby the European Union can continue to incentivize this filtering process to ensure better technological advancement in its production system, thereby improving the efficiency of the European industrial fabric.
•Outward foreign direct investment and energy intensity are mainly analyzed.•European Union countries were studied between 2000 and 2021.•Outward foreign direct investment contributes to improving energy intensity.•Ad hoc energy regulations could contribute to the renewal of European Productivity.
In this paper, we examine the relationships among outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), the adoption of green technologies, and the generation of municipal waste among European Union countries ...from 2000 to 2022. This relationship is situated within the context of transitioning to green economies and theoretically aligns with the pollution haven and halo hypotheses, which suggest that engaging in FDI has environmental impacts. By employing FGLS (Feasible Generalized Least Squares) and PCSE (Panel Corrected Standard Errors) estimation techniques to ensure robust estimators, our findings indicate that OFDI contributes to a reduced generation of municipal waste, thereby filtering out companies that generate externalities and facilitating the transition to cleaner economies within the framework of green economies. This process can be further facilitated by the adoption of green technologies; however, the operationalization of the variable used in our estimation may not accurately reflect this relationship. To strengthen the progress made during this transition process, governments should promote policies that encourage the adoption of more sustainable processes and technologies, thereby reducing waste generation. This entails supporting the most efficient companies and encouraging the transformation of firms that still rely on polluting production processes.
•Municipal Waste generation is studied among European Union Countries.•FO Hypothesis is presented based on OFDI impacts on waste generation.•OFDI has significant and consistent negative results for municipal waste generation.•OFDI filters waste-generating capital while retaining less waste intensive capital.•Incurring OFDI contributes to the transition toward green societies in Europe.
This research investigates the environmental impact of foreign financial inflows directed towards the development of environmental technologies and the transition from fossil fuel to renewable ...resources. The study focuses on the load capacity factor and ecological footprint as indicators, examining data spanning from 1990 to 2022 across 17 Latin American countries. The analysis employs a STIRPAT model as a starting point and employs second-generation estimation methods. Additionally, panel causality tests proposed by Dumitrescu and Hurlin are utilized to explore the causal relationships among the variables. The findings of this study indicate that foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America does not result in pollution, with particular significance observed in mitigating the ecological footprint. The interaction between FDI and environmental technologies demonstrates minimal impact on environmental quality. Conversely, the adoption and adaptation of renewable infrastructure in Latin America's transition toward green economies positively affect environmental sustainability. The study highlights the necessity and desirability of implementing measures to promote green FDI to enhance the positive effects of foreign capital investments in the development of green technologies.
•The relationship between FDI and the environment is explored for Latin America.•Several indicators for environmental sustainability are employed, focusing on the load capacity factor.•FDI does not incur environmental degradation, while green technologies contributes to environmental sustainability.•Latin American countries should promote green FDI to enhance the sustainable development of the region.
This study investigates the connection between nonrenewable energy productivity, renewable energy productivity, and air quality degradation in Taiwan from 2002 to 2019. We specifically emphasize the ...novel contribution of analyzing the productivity of renewable energy consumption. Robust estimation models, namely Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) and Robust Standard Estimation, are employed for comprehensive analyses. Our findings reveal a strong correlation between nonrenewable energy productivity and increased air pollutants, highlighting the significant impact of fossil fuels on air quality deterioration. Although renewable energy productivity demonstrates a negative association with air degradation, its effect is not statistically significant. This can be attributed to Taiwan's continued reliance on non-renewable energy sources within the overall energy mix. Hence, reducing dependence on fossil fuels is crucial for improving air quality. Importantly, the identified relationships have long-term implications, underscoring the necessity of persistent policy measures that promote renewable energy transition and emissions reduction over time. Our research emphasizes the urgency of addressing fossil fuel dependency to mitigate air pollution and highlights the potential benefits of enhancing renewable energy efficiency to achieve cleaner and healthier environments.
Fig. 1: Graphical abstract. Display omitted
•Renewable Energy Productivity and carbon capture patents variables are explored in respect to air degradation.•NARDL model is employed under several model specifications.•There is a significant correlation between nonrenewable energy productivity and an increase in air pollutants.•Renewable energy productivity, while reducing air degradation, it bears no significant effect.•Increases in air degradation granger causes a higher renewable energy productivity.
The primary aim of this work is to prognosticate and evaluate the trajectory pertaining to the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) contingent upon the income levels prevalent ...within a diverse cohort of 349 countries. Employing Holt's forecast method, we classified SDGs in three bundles, namely higher needs, basic needs, and governance. Our analysis concludes that nations endowed with greater income levels exhibit a discernible amelioration in their SDGs indices, while countries with low and lower middle‐income strata manifest an alarming worsening of their trends. These empirical findings bear significant implications for policymakers ensconced within nations committed to the achievement of these goals, supranational institutions, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and scholars. The widening developmental gap urges for greater institutional attention from the international community before the situation further deteriorates. Tailored policies and strategic initiatives might effectively address the idiosyncratic challenges faced by these nations. Concurrently, fostering international cooperation and collaborative endeavors stand as potent prerequisites, substantively bolstering the concerted pursuit of sustainable development goals and enduring sustainability for the entirety of humanity.
This study analyzes air pollution through the effects of China’s
FDI
in 27 European countries over a 20-year period, with a focus on the impact of environmental tax revenues (ETRs) and the ...environmental context in China. The relationship is estimated through spatial regressions that account for the presence of air pollutants in neighboring countries. The findings suggest that China’s
FDI
in Europe does not contribute to air pollution but rather has a positive impact. The presence of environmental charges filters out non-polluting investments, which has a non-linear relationship with PM
2.5
pollution rates. The study also concludes that air pollution is closely linked to the global environmental context, highlighting the positive effects of international agreements in the fight against climate change. Specifically, the study finds a link between China’s efforts to address its polluting activities and their impact on European air quality.
Huntington´s disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Reliable information about nutritional status, especially body composition from individuals with HD is critical for clinical care and ...research. The ease of application and portability of multiple frequencies bioelectrical impedance analysis (mfBIA) make it an attractive tool for measuring body composition, but its accuracy in HD is unknown.
To evaluate the accuracy of mfBIA vs. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in HD.
Cross-sectional, observational, and single-center study. HD severity was measured using motor subscale of the unified Huntington´s disease rating scale (m-UHDRS) and the total functional capacity (TFC). Body composition was measured in terms of fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI). Using Bland-Altman plots, we analyzed reliability between DEXA and mfBIA using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and bias estimates for all.
We included 16 patients with HD, 7 men, and 9 women, median age of 58.5 (32;68) years, TFC: 10 (3;13), and m-UHDRS: 31 (7;85). The reliability between mfBIA and DEXA were high for FFMI in men: 0.88 (95% CI 0.17-0.98), and women: 0.90 (95% CI 0.61- 0.98); for FMI, men: 0.97 (95% CI 0.83-0.99), and women: 0.91 (95% CI 0.68-0.98). Compared to DEXA, mfBIA slightly overestimated FFM, FM, FMI and FFMI in men and underestimated FFMI in women.
mfBIA is an easy-to-use, safe, non-invasive, accurate method for measuring body composition and nutritional status in patients with mild-moderate HD.
This paper focuses on examining the effects of per capita environmental technology development on the load capacity factor (
LCF
) within the context of OECD member countries during the period ...spanning 1990 to 2021. To investigate these relationships, we employ the AMG estimator and FM-LS estimator. Additionally, we explore the validity of the load capacity curve for these countries and estimate the inflection points in the income per capita-environmental sustainability relationship. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that there is no significant impact of environmental technologies on environmental sustainability. Furthermore, we observe a negative influence on the development of environmental technologies, which can be attributed to the negative externalities associated with their implementation and the lack of societal adoption. Moreover, our estimations reveal an inflection point at $45,251.90 in terms of
GDP
per capita, beyond which the sustainability condition of the studied countries improves.
