Examination of CO₂ emissions, methane emissions, natural resource depletion, and human well-being in Africa

Abstract

Environmental degradation is an important issue at local, national, and global levels. This study investigates the drivers of air pollution, natural resource depletion, and human well-being in African countries. This research introduces the methane intensity of human well-being (MIWB) to complement the established carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB). Together, these two measures capture pollution driven impacts on human well-being and by extension, sustainability. Specifically, the study uses Prais-Winsten regression models to test the neoliberalism, environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), ecological modernization, and political economy perspectives using panel data on 54 African countries between 1990 and 2020. The findings indicate that foreign direct investment (FDI) and debts are key drivers of environmental degradation in Africa. In addition, the results suggest that economic development and democracy reduce natural resource depletion in African countries. These outcomes lend support to the neoliberalism, EKC, and ecological modernization perspectives.