Do blue economic resources have potential for carbon management in ASEAN countries? An empirical assessment

Purpose Global carbon emissions have reached record levels, leading to climate change disrupting the natural environment. Controlling emissions, therefore, has become critical. This article aims to highlight the blue economic model – comprising marine trade, aquatic production and marine tourism – for addressing this global challenge. Design/methodology/approach Data for ASEAN has been taken for the 2010–2022 period with blue economic indicators, energy factors and green economic variables as predictors and carbon intensity as the outcome. System generalised method-of-moments has been used to analyse the data. Findings Blue economic indicators, green economic variables and renewable energy sources help to lower emissions in ASEAN economies. Unchecked energy usage can lead to higher carbon intensity. Originality/value This study has responded to calls for empirical research about the role of blue economic indicators in controlling carbon emissions in ASEAN countries. The findings have significant implications for policymakers.