Rule of law and ecological footprint: The mediating roles of human capital and financial development in OECD and non-OECD countries
Energy Nexus, cilt.24, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 24
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.nexus.2026.100846
- Dergi Adı: Energy Nexus
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Rule of law, Ecological footprint, Mediating effect, Natural resources
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The aim of this research is to examine the effect of the rule of law on the ecological footprint within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model extended to 67 economies, 26 of which are OECD members and 41 non-members, during 1996–2021. Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and System Generalized Method of Moments (SYS-GMM) regressions are used, along with mediating regressions, to assess the role of human capital and financial development. The results support the EKC hypothesis, with the rule of law and natural resource income having a positive effect on the ecological footprint. The transition to renewable energy reduces the ecological footprint, while oil prices have a negative effect in OECD economies. The effect of large urban agglomerations on the ecological footprint is inconclusive. The effect of the rule of law on the ecological footprint is more pronounced in OECD economies. The mediation analysis shows that human capital and financial development act as transmission channels, with differences in the direction of the human capital effect between the two groups of economies. The main results are robust against alternative measures and different subsamples and subperiods. Policymakers promoting the strengthening of the rule of law should incorporate environmental objectives, while the development of human capital and the financial system should be geared toward activities compatible with environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the transition to renewable energy sources must be accelerated to reduce dependence on fossil fuel-intensive activities and curb pressure on the environment.