Female education as a catalyst for low carbon household consumption

Carbon emissions are a primary driver of climate change and global warming, largely resulting from anthropogenic activities. Household consumption significantly contributes to global emissions, both directly and indirectly. Given that women often make the majority of household purchasing decisions, female education has been linked to sustainable behaviors that help mitigate environmental impact. However, the intricate relationship between female education, household consumption, and emissions remains underexplored. This study seeks to address this critical gap by examining how female education influences household consumption patterns and their subsequent effects on emissions. To achieve this objective, the analysis employs a two-step System-GMM methodology, utilizing an unbalanced panel dataset of 138 countries spanning the period from 1991 to 2020. The findings reveal that household consumption is a significant driver of carbon emissions, while both female and overall educational attainment have a substantial negative impact on emissions. Additionally, the interaction analysis highlights the crucial role of female education in moderating the relationship between household consumption and emissions. These results underscore the importance of implementing gender-inclusive educational policies to promote sustainable consumption practices. By uniquely linking female education to environmental sustainability, this study demonstrates that improving female education can transform consumption behaviors, offering a strategic pathway for achieving sustainability objectives through environmentally conscious decision-making. By addressing the dual challenges of gender equality and climate change, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, presenting a critical opportunity to reduce emissions while advancing sustainable development goals.