Environmental Degradation, Life Expectancy, and Institutional Quality: Evidence from the European Experience

<ns3:p> Background The relationship between the environment and public health has become an increasing concern on the international agenda, particularly in the European context, where the energy transition seeks to reconcile sustainable development with social well-being. This study examines how environmental degradation affects life expectancy in 20 European Union countries between 2000 and 2020, aiming to provide empirical evidence on the differentiated effects of pollutant emissions and energy sources across income levels. Methods A dynamic panel data model estimated using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) is employed, allowing for the control of endogeneity, unobserved heterogeneity, and autocorrelation. Results In middle-income countries, CO <ns3:sub>2</ns3:sub> emissions are negatively and significantly associated with life expectancy, reflecting potential institutional limitations in managing environmental risks Conversely, the use of renewable energy sources is positively associated with life expectancy in middle-income countries,, while the effect is not statistically significant in high-income countries, suggesting context-dependent health co-benefits derived from the energy transition. Conclusions In contrast, in high-income countries, a paradoxical relationship emerges between fossil fuel consumption and higher life expectancy, which can be attributed to the robustness of their welfare systems and environmental regulations. </ns3:p>