The asymmetric effect of technological innovation on CO2 emissions in South Africa: New evidence from the QARDL approach

The asymmetric impact of technological innovation on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in South Africa from 1960 to 2020 is evaluated this study. We apply the newly established quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) methodology deal with distributional asymmetry based location CO within its own distribution. This distinguishes our analysis earlier studies following way. In contrast other studies, research uses QARDL technique assess long-term stability across quantiles, resulting a more adaptable econometric than traditional frameworks. order capture trade share Africa’s GDP and quantity compared world trade, we employ novel measure openness. find that 1) helps reduce short term over long term; 2) scale effect worsens emissions, whereas enhances it, supporting existence an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis; 3) energy consumption, foreign direct investment (FDI), industrial added value degrade quality; 4) increasing openness glaringly harmful environment term, despite being beneficial 5) there are long-term, linkages between effect, innovation, use, FDI, openness; 6) value-added, technical usage, Granger-cause medium, long, terms indicate significance these variables determining emissions. Based empirical findings, study makes case government policymakers should consider importance innovative technologies as sustainable source advancements attaining security promoting ecological integrity nation.