Dynamic ARDL Simulations Effects of Fiscal Decentralization, Green Technological Innovation, Trade Openness, and Institutional Quality on Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from South Africa

Fiscal decentralization and green innovation are important to a country’s economic progress, but the externalities of increased pollution as result rise in energy used growth must not be overlooked. The destruction environment presents serious threat human existence. South Africa, like several nations, has been working on reducing its dependence fossil fuels such coal by utilizing modern energy-efficient technologies that allow establish more carbon-neutral economy. Several attempts have made identify major sources environmental deterioration. Within Stochastic Impacts Regression Population, Affluence, Technology (STIRPAT) framework from 1960 2020, this study aims check empirically effect fiscal (FD), technological (GI), trade openness (OPEN), population size (POP), per capita GDP (GDP), squared (GDP2), institutional quality (INS), consumption (EC) carbon emissions (CO2) given fast progress country is facing problems with CO2 emission. recently developed novel dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)-simulations used. outcomes analysis indicate (i) FD, GI, INS improve sustainability both short long run; (ii) OPEN deteriorates run, although it environmentally friendly (iii) increases emissions, whereas square contributes lower it, thus validating presence an Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis; POP EC contribute deterioration (iv) OPEN, POP, GDP, GDP2, INS, Granger cause medium, long, suggesting these variables influence sustainability. In light our empirical evidence, paper suggests international teamwork necessary lessen immensely critical solve growing trans-boundary decay other associated spillover consequences. Moreover, explain responsibilities at different tiers government effectively meet objectives low energy-saving expenditure functions.