Bridging equity and sustainability: A heterogeneous analysis of poverty, inequality, and green growth's impact on environmental sustainability in BRI economies.

Abstract

The rising perseverance of environmental sustainability has drawn attention of environmentalists and scholars across the globe. In this regard, the present study analyzes the effect of socioeconomic indicators including poverty (POV), inequality (GINI), and green economic growth (GEG) on environmental sustainability (ECF). Which is concentrating on United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG, s) specifically focussing (eradicating poverty) SDG 1, SDG 10 (reducing inequality) SDG 10, and (endorsing green growth) SDG 8 within Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Although preceding studies have explored some of these associations, but still there remains a need for more inclusive, regionally comparative evidence that integrates socioeconomic and environmental magnitudes. Our study discourses this by using aggregate and disaggregate analyses across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia, providing more detailed insights and enabling regional assessments. By employing advanced Panel Quantile Regression (PQR) and Non-Parametric technique Panel Quantile on Quantile Kernel-Based Regularized Least Squares (PQQKRLS), the study's outcome disclose that poverty (POV) significantly increases ecological footprints across all quantiles, while inequality (GINI) negatively impacts environmental quality from the 25th to 90th quantiles. Green Economic Growth (GEG) shows mixed effects, being positive and significant at the 25th and 50th quantiles. Robustness of the results is confirmed through the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) techniques. Based on these insights, the study offers empirical mark that may inform regional discussions on inclusive and environmentally sustainable development, mainly in relation to Sustainable Development Goals such as (No Poverty) SDG-1, (Reduced Inequalities) SDG-10, Decent Work and Economic Growth) SDG-8, and SDG-13 (Climate Action). The associations acknowledged can assist as a base for further research or policymaking tailored to specific regional contexts.