Approaches to Ecological Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evaluating the Role of Globalization, Renewable Energy, Economic Growth, and Population Density

Balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability is a pressing challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study explores the impact of globalization, renewable energy, economic growth, trade openness, and population density on ecological footprints and CO₂ emissions across 34 SSA nations from 1994 to 2021. Using advanced econometric techniques, including Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), and Driscoll-Kraay estimators, the study reveals three key findings. First, globalization has a dual effect—expanding ecological footprints while reducing CO₂ emissions. Second, renewable energy consumption significantly improves environmental sustainability by lowering both ecological footprints and CO₂ emissions. Lastly, economic growth increases environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for sustainable policies. The findings highlight the necessity of green energy investments, stricter environmental regulations, and sustainable trade and urbanization strategies to ensure ecological resilience in SSA.

Keywords: Ecological footprint, Environmental sustainability, Globalization, Renewable energy, Economic growth, Trade openness, Climate resilience