Towards Sustainable Urbanization and Zero–Carbon Urban Life: A Case Study of <scp>BRICS</scp> Countries Between 1992 and 2020

ABSTRACT Urban factors play a critical role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. In this regard, this study aims to examine the impact of urbanization and its components (e.g., urban population growth [UPG], population in the largest city [ULC], population in urban agglomerations [UPA] of more than 1 million, and population density [UPD]) on carbon emissions in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) in the period from 1992 to 2020. To investigate the relationships among these variables, this study employs the Moments Quantile Regression method (MMQR), a novel and robust econometric technique. This study finds that all the models support the EKC hypothesis, which indicates that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and carbon emissions have a nonlinear relationship with an inverted U–shape. This study also finds that growing UPG, ULC, UPA, and REC reduce carbon emissions but increasing UPD raises CO 2 emissions. Hence, the study has unequivocally illustrated the imperative for scholars and political decision–makers to consider the alterations in urbanization subsystems when formulating and implementing sustainability and climate change policies and plans. In this regard, policymakers should prioritize sustainable urban planning that incorporates renewable energy sources and takes into account the demographic and sociopolitical factors influencing urbanization in order to effectively reduce carbon emissions.