Investigating the Determinants of Ecological, Carbon Footprints and Natural Resources: Evidence from Asia countries

This study investigates the key drivers of environmental sustainability in 43 Asian economies from 1990 to 2023, emphasizing their implications for sustainable development, particularly in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 7, 8, 9, 13, and 15). Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), with robustness checks via the fixed effects model and Driscoll-Kraay standard error POLED OLS regression, findings reveal that improved macroeconomic management and foreign direct investment (FDI) significantly reduce ecological footprint, GHG emissions, and natural resource rents. This suggests that strengthening macroeconomic frameworks through the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) and attracting sustainable FDI can promote environmental sustainability and long-term resource conservation, supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, individual internet usage negatively and significantly correlates with natural resource depletion and GHG emissions, indicating that digital expansion could contribute to sustainable environmental outcomes, in line with SDG 9. Additionally, GDP growth and investment are found to reduce natural resource depletion and GHG emissions while increasing natural resource rents, emphasizing the importance of policies that align economic growth with sustainability goals (SDG 8 & SDG 9). However, population growth exacerbates natural resource depletion and GHG emissions, highlighting demographic pressures as a critical sustainability challenge relevant to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Overall, our findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for integrated economic, technological, and environmental strategies to achieve sustainable development, particularly in addressing climate change (SDG 13), promoting responsible resource management (SDG 15), and ensuring affordable, sustainable energy solutions (SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy).