Exploring the Interplay of Freshwater Resources, Renewable Energy, and Decarbonization on Education in G20 Nations

ABSTRACT This study aims to empirically examine the role of carbon emissions (CEM), freshwater resources (FWR), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries resources (AFFR), renewable energy consumption (RENE), financial inclusion (FINC), and technological innovation (TCI) on education (EDC) of the G20 member states during the period of 2000–2023. As the main estimation method, this study uses the MMQR. In addition, the robustness of the results is measured using the CS‐ARDL model along with a control function approach. According to the MMQR results, CEM, FWR, RENE, and FINC positively affect EDC across most quantiles, while AFFR exerts a negative effect throughout the distribution. TCI negatively influences lower and middle quantiles but becomes positive at higher quantiles. The CS‐ARDL findings confirm the positive long‐run effects of FWR, RENE, and FINC, the negative effects of CEM and AFFR, and a negative short‐run but positive long‐run effect of TCI. The control function results further indicate the relevance of accounting for potential endogeneity associated with FINC and AFFR. This study makes several contributions to the existing literature by considering education as a dependent variable in a sustainability‐technology approach.