Achieving carbon neutrality in Africa is possible: the impact of education, employment, and renewable energy consumption on carbon emissions
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Carbon Research
Abstract
This paper analysed the causal link between education, employment, renewable energy consumption and carbon
emissions in Africa, where there is scant evidence. Relying on panel data obtained from the World Development
Indicators for thirty-two African countries covering a period of 19 years, and fve panel rigorous regression mod els, we found that renewable energy, investment in education, school enrolment, net national income per capita,
and employment had negative and signifcant efects on carbon emission, thus increasing these predictors would
result in signifcant reduction in carbon emission in Africa. We identifed a bidirectional causality between carbon
emissions and net national income per capita, education expenditure and renewable energy consumption, and car bon emissions and employment. Our fndings suggest that investment in education, renewable energy, and employ ment are relevant in mitigating carbon emissions in Africa. We recommend African governments to invest heavily
in education, improve school enrolment, environmental education, renewable energy and employment provision
to mitigate carbon emissions.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Carbon emissions, Net national income per capita, Education expenditure, Primary school enrolment