Sustainable water management practice in South Asian Countries: The importance of water resources, temperature, and bioenergy on ecological footprint

The sustainability of essential resources like water, food, and energy is critical for human well-being and societal development. In the ASEAN context, understanding the relationship between economic growth, water resources, temperature, and bioenergy is crucial for shaping effective policies. This study examines the impact of these factors on the ecological footprint, offering insights into the region’s sustainable resource management. A sustainable ecosystem remains a prerequisite for the efficient exploitation and utilization of these resources By utilizing advanced panel econometrics models such as CUP-BC (Continuously-Updated and Bias-Corrected) and CUP-FM (Continuously-Updated and Fully-Modified), and bolstered by common correlated mean group (CCMG) and augmented mean group (AMG) models to ensure robustness. Additionally, the study reveals that the positive relationship between water resources and temperature contributes to an increase in the ecological footprint. It is worth noting that the bioenergy coefficient, which is both negative and significant, indicates a favorable contribution towards the reduction of ecological footprint. The reliability of the study is highlighted by its consistency across multiple models. Policymakers in South Asian nations must give precedence to the implementation of sustainable water management methods in order to successfully address the increasing ecological impact associated with the interrelationship between water resources and temperature. Findings of the study support the recommendation to encourage the adoption of bioenergy as an effective strategy for decreasing ecological impact and promoting environmental sustainability.