The relationship between financial inclusion, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability in selected countries with high CO2 emissions

This study aims to investigate the nexus among financial inclusion (FI), renewable energy (REN), and environmental sustainability (ES) in countries with high CO2 emissions. Utilizing panel data regression analysis, the present study covers the period from 2004 to 2022 by employing annual data with ES (per capita CO2 emissions) as the dependent variable and financial inclusion and renewable energy as independent variables. Control variables include non-renewable energy (NREN), per capita income, foreign direct investment (FDI), inflation, and trade openness. The results achieved in this study suggest that FI and REN positively impact ES, whereas NREN, per capita income, FDI, and inflation negatively impact it, with trade openness showing no significant effect. Consequently, policies that can enhance environmental quality in high CO2 emitting countries include facilitating low-cost and easy access to financial products and services, allocating funds for REN, and limiting the use of NREN sources.