The effects of human development indicators and digitalization on environmental quality in selected countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Mansouri, Robab; Sadeghi, Seyed Kamal; Mohammadzadeh, Parviz; Barghi Osgouei, Mohammad Mahdi

The effects of human development indicators and digitalization on environmental quality in selected countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Document Type : Article extracted from thesis

Authors

Robab Mansouri ¹

Seyed Kamal Sadeghi ²

Parviz Mohammadzadeh ³

Mohammad Mahdi Barghi Osgouei ³

¹ Ph.D. student of Economics, Economic Sciences (Economic Development), Aras International Campus, University of Tabriz, Iran.

² Professor,of the Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Iran.

³ Professor,of the Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: The concepts of climate change and global warming have been widely recognized as major concerns for the survival of living organisms on Earth.This study examines the effects of human development and digitalization indicators on environmental quality with an emphasis on financial development: a quantile regression approach in selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 2002 to 2021.
Methodology: The research method is applied and the data were collected in the form of documents (library) and for analysis, quantile econometric models and panel data with the Hausman test were used. The results of the study showed that, in the research model: HDI and NAT: have a positive and significant effect in most quantiles. WGINDEX: This index has a negative and significant effect in most quantiles. DIG: This variable has a positive and significant effect at 80% and 90%. FININDEX: The financial index has a negative and significant effect at the 90% quantile. GDP: Gross domestic product has a positive and significant effect at the 80% and 90% quantiles.
Results and Findings: Analyses indicate that governance has a significant negative effect on the ecological footprint within the middle and upper quantiles; this signifies an improvement in governance, leading to a reduction in ecological pressure. Overall, the findings show that digital and economic growth can help improve the environmental situation, but unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and political instability undermine environmental quality.

Keywords

Digitalization Method

Environmental Quality

Quantile Econometric

Subjects

Urban & Regional Economic

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