The Energy Consumption-Environmental Quality Nexus in BRICS Countries: The Role of Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI)

Abstract This paper examines the role of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on energy consumption and environmental quality in BRICS from 1990 to 2019. We use cross-sectional dependence (CSD) and the Pesaran-Yamagata slope homogeneity for the diagnostic test. After confirming the diagnosis test, we employ CIPS and CADF second generation panel unit root test, which confirms that all elements are stationary at first difference. The Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Westerlund cointegration, two-step GMM, panel FMOLS and DOLS model have been used to determine the short term and long-term association among the variables. The cointegration and PMG results confirm that the short-run and long-run association exists among the considered variables. The GMM and DOLS results reveal that developing countries produced environmental pollution at the early stage of development and checked in the long run. The empirical results hold up the EKC hypothesis, which implies that OFDI and energy consumption help expand greener technology to host countries' environmental improvement in the long run and confirm that an inverted U-shaped linkage exists. Hence, the study suggests that developing countries should pay more attention to sustainable development and technological development that encourages more eco-friendly and environment-friendly technology. To frame the profitable strategies, governments of emerging countries should inspire public-private partnerships to circulate the environmental consciousness, guideline for energy efficiency, and generate a pollution-free environment.