The study integrates CO2 emissions, ecological footprint and load-capacity factor to represent emissions, resource demand and regenerative capacity in India. Annual 1969-2023 data were analyzed with ARDL bounds testing and robustness estimators including FMOLS, DOLS and canonical cointegration regression. Results supported Environmental Kuznets and Load Capacity curves. Nuclear energy and human capital were associated with improved long-run environmental performance, while economic growth and natural-gas consumption were associated with greater pressure.
Key findings
- Results supported EKC and LCC patterns; nuclear energy and human capital related to lower pressure or better capacity; growth and natural gas related to higher pressure; findings persisted across several estimators.
Why this matters globally
The multidimensional framework moves beyond CO2 alone and suggests energy policy should consider human capability alongside technology, relevant to large developing economies expanding power and skills.
Thai researcher contribution
Bablu Kumar Dhar of Mahidol University contributes to international environmental econometrics linking energy policy and the SDGs.
Limitations to consider
Single-country aggregates and cointegration do not establish causality. Human capital, income and energy may be jointly determined; multiple crises and policy shifts create structural breaks; and nuclear coefficients do not directly include accident, waste or local ecological risks.