The effect of renewable energy, gender inequality, human capital, and FDI inflows on sustainable economic growth: an analysis of BRICS countries

Sustainable economic growth is one of the main pillars of sustainable development, together with the environment and society. Therefore, unveiling the factors behind sustainable economic growth is vital for the design of economic, educational, and social policies. This study investigates the role of renewable energy use, gender inequality, human capital, and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on sustainable economic growth in the BRICS countries during the period of 2000–2021 by using novel cointegration and causality tests. The findings of the causality test point out a feedback interplay among renewable energy use, gender inequality, and indicators of sustainable economic growth and a unidirectional causality from human capital and FDI inflows to indicators of sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the consequences of the cointegration test unveil that the use of renewable energy, human capital, and FDI inflows positively impact sustainable economic growth, while gender inequality negatively affects sustainable economic growth. In conclusion, our results highlight the significant roles of renewable energy, human capital, and FDI inflows, along with gender equality, in achieving sustainable economic growth.