The dynamics of carbon emissions, energy, income, and life expectancy: Regional comparative analysis

This paper examines the linear effects of economic growth on carbon emissions and their impact on mortality and morbidity rates in specific regions sub-Sahara Africa, Middle-East and North Africa, Europe and Central Asia (SSA, MENA, ECA). By analyzing longitudinal data for 82 panels over 30 years, we investigate the relationships between energy usage, per capita GDP, life expectancy, and carbon emissions. Our estimation results show positive correlations between energy use, carbon production, and life expectancy in both the combined sample and individual regions. However, death rate has a negative relationship with carbon production in the combined sample, MENA, and SSA regions. Per capita GDP positively influences carbon emissions and life expectancy in the combined sample and ECA, MENA, and SSA regions. We also identify asymmetric relationships between per capita GDP and carbon production, with evidence supporting the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for the combined and ECA samples, and an N-trajectory for SSA. These findings emphasize the importance of region-specific approaches to sustainable development, considering the unique environmental and economic challenges each region faces. Policymakers should consider our research insights when designing policies to mitigate the negative impacts of economic progress on the environment.