A Social Approach to Environmental Sustainability: The Nexus <i>Well-Being</i>, Tourism, Digitalization and Renewable Energy in Scandinavian Countries

Işık C., Ongan S., AYDIN B., Aydın R., İmamoğlu İ. K.

GROWTH AND CHANGE, cilt.56, sa.4, 2025 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 56 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/grow.70062
  • Dergi Adı: GROWTH AND CHANGE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, ABI/INFORM, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, EconLit, Geobase, Index Islamicus, PAIS International, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Sociological abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: digitalization, renewable energy consumption, SDGs, subjective well-being, tourism revenue
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This research explores the impact of subjective well-being (SWB) on CO2 emissions in Scandinavian countries based on the need to analyze the effects of social indicators shaping environmental sustainability. The study aims to introduce the Welfare-Based SWB approach to the literature by expanding the classical Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis with the social welfare dimension. SWB is considered in this study to be a social reflection and indirect measure of economic growth, which is the core determinant in the classical EKC hypothesis. The second-generation cointegration test, the Durbin-Hausman, and AMG long-term forecasting methods were used in this context. According to the empirical findings, SWB and digitalization increase carbon emissions, while tourism revenues and renewable energy consumption reduce emissions. The findings indicate that the classical EKC hypothesis is not confirmed and, similarly, an increase in social welfare (SWB) does not automatically lead to environmental improvement. Therefore, policymakers should develop social policies that will increase environmental sensitivity along with an increase in welfare.