Influence of information and communication technology, human development, military expenditures, and renewable energy on environmental quality in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Abstract

In the context of rising climate pressures, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region is confronted with the challenge of reconciling its high economic growth with environmental sustainability. Despite sustained global efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action), most countries in the region are still hampered by resource dependency, a lack of effective policy implementation, and ongoing ecological pressures. This paper looks at how information and communication technology (ICT), human development (HD), military expenditures (ME), and renewable energy (REC) affect the environmental quality (ENQ) based on three indicators, i.e., carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂e), ecological footprint (EFP) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) in ten MENA countries between 2001 and 2022 within the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework. Employing the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimation model, the results show that although ME and NREC worsen the environment by increasing CO₂e, HD, ICT and REC improve ENQ by reducing CO₂e in the long run. However, HD, ICT, REC, NREC and FDI worsen the environment by increasing EFP, while ICT improves the environment by mitigation. Meanwhile, HD, ME and REC decrease GHGe, while ICT and NREC increase them. Furthermore, all three models support the EKC hypothesis in the MENA Region. Based on the overall findings, MENA nations must establish a conducive policy framework by adopting green growth strategies, promoting clean energy, leveraging ICT for sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices into military operations, and allocating defense budgets to environmental initiatives, all of which are crucial for advancing climate action in the region.