Modeling Energy, Education, Trade, and Tourism-Induced Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) Hypothesis: Evidence from the Middle East

Abstract

Global warming has become the main concern in the present world. This research takes a comprehensive look at the interconnections between tourism, gross domestic product (GDP), renewable energy, fossil fuels, education, trade, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the Arab Peninsula. Including these variables, the research also checks the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by analyzing the top 10 tourist destinations from 1997 to 2019. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, and Egypt round out the top 10 countries in Arab in terms of tourist arrivals. The paper uses a novel augmented mean group (AMG) model to explore the problems of slope heterogeneity (SH), cross-sectional dependence (CSD), and the combination of level and first-difference stationery. An association between these variables over time can be discovered using the Westerlund cointegration method. To certify the accuracy of the findings, the research used both the mean group (MG) and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG). According to the research, the EKC does not exist in the most popular Middle Eastern travel destinations. This basically means that as money grows, environmental conditions will deteriorate. The findings show that tourism can help reduce environmental harm there. Indicators such as rising populations, increased energy consumption, and thriving economies all influence the rise of the environmental degradation level. Trade will also increase environmental deterioration. The only things that will help reduce CO2 emissions are tourism and renewable energy. Therefore, the MG and CCEMG results corroborate the AMG findings. Governments may push for the widespread use of refillable energy sources and the development of ecotourism. Therefore, policymakers in this country should rethink their tourism strategies and adopt one that places a premium on renewable energy sources and environmental protection.