Environment and female entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia: investigation of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis

This paper examines the relationship between female entrepreneurship and environmental implications in ASEAN economies. While economic growth affluence benefit society, they come at cost of degradation, particularly rising carbon dioxide levels ecosystem concerns. Women entrepreneurs Southeast Asia can potentially support their families contribute to societal development by starting own businesses. Their ventures provide fresh perspectives on challenges enable active participation contribution creative endeavors, leading social empowerment with ripple effects communities. To assess consequences women’s entrepreneurial activities, study applies bias-corrected method moments tests Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis across ten nations from 1980 2021. Results show cross-sectional dependence all variables confirm a long-term within EKC model. The fixed-effects estimator bias correction is deemed most suitable Findings indicate that GDPpc leads decreased emissions, while square contributes increased emissions; however, cubic term CO2 supporting “inverted N” curve distribution emissions proposed theory. Additionally, reveals higher percentages are associated due efforts develop entrepreneurs. Conversely, reduction gender gap marriage, divorce, remarriage, domestic violence shift away activities among women, positively impacting environment.