نقش مصرف انرژی های سبز و سرمایه انسانی در ظرفیت بار محیط زیست ایران

Purpose

Most studies conducted in Iran have used indicators such as air pollution emissions (CO2 emissions) and ecological footprint (EF) to assess environmental sustainability. However, these two indicators have limitations and do not show the different dimensions of the environment. They only focus on the consumption and demand for resources and neglect the supply of resources. Recently, a new indicator called carrying capacity has been used in environmental economics studies to assess environmental sustainability. This indicator shows how much load the environment can bear to meet human needs and economic activities. Therefore, in this study, the impact of human capital and green energy on carrying capacity for sustainable development was investigated during the period 1990-2021.

Methodology

In previous studies conducted in Iran to investigate the impact of human capital and green energy, indicators such as co2 and EF were used, and due to the shortcomings of these indicators, in this research, the load capacity index was used. This index, unlike the CO2 index, which only examines the emissions caused by fossil fuels, as well as the ecological footprint index, which only shows the demand side of resources and ignores the supply side, this index shows the supply side in addition to the demand side. data and in other words the load capacity factor comparing the biological capacity and the ecological footprint shows an ecological threshold, so it makes a comprehensive research on environmental sustainability assessment possible and that so far in Iran, the impact of human capital and green energy on The load capacity index has not been checked.

In this study, the documentary method was used to collect information. The research was conducted based on annual data from the period of 1990 to 2021 in the Iranian economy. The EViews software was used to estimate the model. It should be noted that the data on the variables related to the research were extracted from the World Bank and global footprint Network.

To estimate the model, the GMM time series econometric method was used, because the model used in this study is dynamic and meets the conditions of the generalized moment. In fact, GMM is used for time series models that are linear and satisfy the conditions of generalized moments and secondary properties. Using this method to estimate models can have many advantages.

Findings and Discussion

The estimation results show that the estimated model is in good condition in terms of statistical indicators. The null hypothesis of the Sargan test cannot be rejected, and therefore it can be said that the instrumental variables used in the estimated model are valid because the null hypothesis of the Sargan test implies the validity of the instruments.

In view of the linearity of the model, all estimated coefficients indicate elasticity. The coefficient of carrying capacity of the previous period had a positive and significant impact on the coefficient of carrying capacity of the present period. In other words, with a 1% increase in carrying capacity in period t-1, the carrying capacity in period t increases by 0.64%. This result is in line with research theories and is in good agreement with the results of previous studies.

With an increase of 1% in human capital, carrying capacity increases by 0.28%. Considering the p-value corresponding to the T statistic of the human capital coefficient, it can be stated that human capital has a positive and significant impact on environmental carrying capacity in Iran. The consumption of green energy has a positive and significant impact on carrying capacity. In such a way that an increase of 1% in the consumption of green energy increases carrying capacity by 0.13%. Renewable energies have the least impact on the environment and the ecosystem. Therefore, the use of these energies reduces the ecological footprint.

The economic growth variable has a negative and significant impact on carrying capacity. In other words, with an increase of 1% in economic growth, carrying capacity decreases by 0.72%. With increasing economic growth, pressure on the environment increases and leads to a decrease in ecological sustainability. The trade variable has a negative impact on carrying capacity. In such a way that with an increase of 1% in trade, carrying capacity decreases by 0.24%. According to theoretical bases, the impact of trade openness on the environment can have positive or negative effects.

Conclusion and Policy Implications

The results of the study showed that the effect of green energy on the carrying capacity coefficient is positive.

In general, environmental changes and the reduction of its sustainability due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions are one of the important factors in the occurrence of climate change and events, environmental hazards, natural disasters, and serious damage to the environment. The expansion of the use of renewable energy as a clean energy source can play an important role in reducing environmental pollution and the major emission of pollutants. Using green energy and replacing it can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from consumption and production sectors. Green energy is reliable and if developed correctly, it can lead to environmental sustainability and reduce environmental destruction.

Based on the results, human capital has a positive and significant impact on the carrying capacity coefficient. Education and training of human capital is one of the ways to achieve sustainable development and improve the environment. On the other hand, the use of human capital increases awareness, research, development, and green technologies. By creating incentives for people, the market, and businesses to protect the natural environment and promote green consumption and production, it affects environmental quality and leads to a sustainable environment. Therefore, by improving human capital through three components of health, skills, and education, it is possible to help improve and sustain the environment. Based on the results of the study, economic growth has a negative impact on carrying capacity and is consistent with other previous studies. Today, economic growth and increasing consumption have led to an increase in the level of human welfare. However, along with this advantage, it leads to.