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Exploring the Drivers of Carbon Emissions: Panel Evidence from BRICS Countries


Authors : Amit Mondal; Dr. Mahesh Kumar Kurmi

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/bdet6y62

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/zy6uwv7b

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar2119

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The BRICS countries, like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa confront major obstacles related to climate change and environmental sustainability as a result of swift economic expansion and increasing energy needs. The growing energy demand resulting from economic growth significantly affects carbon emissions. Consequently, it is crucial to examine the factors influencing carbon emissions in these economies. This research examines how significant economic factors, like energy consumption, trade openness, industrial value added, and GDP per capita affect carbon emissions. This study employs panel data covering a period of 20 years i.e., from 2003 to 2022 for the BRICS nations. A panel regression model has been utilized to meet the goals of the research. The data is assessed by employing several econometric methods, which include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and diagnostic evaluations like panel unit root tests and tests for multicollinearity. Additionally, the Hausman specification test is employed to identify the better suited model between fixed effects and random effects panel regressions. The empirical findings show that energy usage positively and significantly affects carbon emissions, illustrating that greater energy consumption results in environmental harm. CO2 emissions and economic growth are positively and statistically significantly correlated. This result supports the claim that growth is still energy-intensive and environmentally costly in the chosen countries since it shows that emissions tend to rise as economies grow. The effects of industrial value added and trade openness on emissions are deemed statistically insignificant. To cut carbon emissions without hurting economic growth, energy regulations and new technology really matter. This research points out that BRICS countries need to boost renewable energy, use energy more efficiently, and shift to sustainable industrial methods if they want real, long-term environmental progress.

Keywords : Carbon Emissions, BRICS Countries, Energy Consumption, Economic Growth, Panel Data Analysis, Environmental Sustainability.

References :

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The BRICS countries, like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa confront major obstacles related to climate change and environmental sustainability as a result of swift economic expansion and increasing energy needs. The growing energy demand resulting from economic growth significantly affects carbon emissions. Consequently, it is crucial to examine the factors influencing carbon emissions in these economies. This research examines how significant economic factors, like energy consumption, trade openness, industrial value added, and GDP per capita affect carbon emissions. This study employs panel data covering a period of 20 years i.e., from 2003 to 2022 for the BRICS nations. A panel regression model has been utilized to meet the goals of the research. The data is assessed by employing several econometric methods, which include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and diagnostic evaluations like panel unit root tests and tests for multicollinearity. Additionally, the Hausman specification test is employed to identify the better suited model between fixed effects and random effects panel regressions. The empirical findings show that energy usage positively and significantly affects carbon emissions, illustrating that greater energy consumption results in environmental harm. CO2 emissions and economic growth are positively and statistically significantly correlated. This result supports the claim that growth is still energy-intensive and environmentally costly in the chosen countries since it shows that emissions tend to rise as economies grow. The effects of industrial value added and trade openness on emissions are deemed statistically insignificant. To cut carbon emissions without hurting economic growth, energy regulations and new technology really matter. This research points out that BRICS countries need to boost renewable energy, use energy more efficiently, and shift to sustainable industrial methods if they want real, long-term environmental progress.

Keywords : Carbon Emissions, BRICS Countries, Energy Consumption, Economic Growth, Panel Data Analysis, Environmental Sustainability.

Paper Submission Last Date
30 - April - 2026

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