Advancing Sustainable Development: The Interplay of Waste Management, Circular Economy, and Green Logistics in Reducing Carbon Emissions

ABSTRACT Achieving sustainable development requires integrated strategies that minimize resource depletion and environmental degradation. This study examines the relationship between waste management practices, circular economy strategies, green logistics systems, and carbon dioxide emissions across the Group of Twenty (G‐20) economies. Using annual panel data, the analysis investigates both short‐ and long‐term effects of municipal waste, bio‐waste, and packaging waste on carbon emissions and economic growth. The empirical framework employs the Pooled Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG‐ARDL) model to evaluate dynamic relationships across six specifications using carbon dioxide emissions and gross domestic product as dependent variables. For robustness, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimation and Vector Error Correction Model‐based (VECM) causality analysis are conducted. The findings show that improved waste management and the adoption of circular economy principles, particularly reductions in packaging waste, enhanced resource recovery, and more efficient logistics systems, significantly reduce carbon emissions in the long run. While transitional phases associated with adopting green technologies may temporarily increase emissions, these effects diminish over time as economies shift toward more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Furthermore, environmentally responsible logistics contribute to sustainable economic development by improving resource efficiency, lowering supply‐chain emissions, and strengthening ecological performance. Overall, the results highlight the importance of integrating waste management, circular economy practices, and green logistics into national policy frameworks to support carbon reduction targets and strengthen long‐term economic resilience. This study provides new insights into how G‐20 countries can align environmental sustainability with sustainable development goals.