Sustainable development efficiency and its influencing factors across BRICS and G7 countries: An empirical comparison

Sustainable development is the global overarching paradigm and essential for achieving economic, social, environmental development. The primary goal of this study to compare efficiency sustainable evaluate its influencing factors across BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, States) countries by examining total factor productivity, change, technological change. For this, we adopted super-efficiency SBM-DEA model with undesirable output Global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) productivity index overcome inaccurate results while avoiding environmentally unwanted outputs resolve shortcomings conventional index. It also necessary explore relevant on pollution thereby affects countries, thus, employed STIRPAT approach. A panel data from 2005 2015 used. findings reveal that in China (1.0165), US (1.0150), UK (1.0024) rise. one experienced highest positive change (GMLEC) (1.0147) has technical (GMLTC) (1.0103). Contrarily, Russia decline GMLTC (0.9316) as well GML indexes (0.9337), whereas Africa GMLEC (0.9707). Additionally, GDP per capita (.0969) population (.4178) have a influence CO2 emissions nations, (−.2180) (−.1249) negative influences emissions. offers practical recommendations address identified limitations improve efficiency. inverse link between might imply nations passed turning point an Kuznets curve (EKC), but finding does not support EKC hypothesis nations.