Scientific Research Journal, Volume XII, Issue II, February 2024 Edition

Scientific Research Journal

Scirj Volume XII, Issue II, February 2024 Edition
ISSN: 2201-2796

Publication starts: 25th February 2024
Full Paper available from: 25th February 2024

CAN THE TOURISM SECTOR ENABLE AFRICA TO MEET ITS 2030 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS? - EVIDENCE FROM COUNTRIES WITH BIOCAPACITY RESERVES
Cety Gessica Abraham Mahanga Tsoni, Railh Gugus Tresor Massonini Ngoma, Xiang Rui Meng, Benjamine Tsoni Ndombi, Ines Pamela Nguembi

Abstract: Many research investigations the link between CO2 emissions and tourism. However, several studies in Africa have looked closely at this relationship. This study evaluates how tourism development and economic growth affect carbon emissions in the African region. The study is based on 16 African economies with biocapacity reserves (divided into 4 groups). In particular, the article investigated whether an increase in Ecological Footprint, urbanization, Renewable Energy Consumption, International tourism, and Gross Domestic Product impact CO2 emissions in those 16 African countries. The data are from the World Bank, Global Footprint Network, and World Tourism Organization from 2002 to 2019. The study applied Kao, FMOLS, and DOLS methods. The Kao approach demonstrates that the panel unit roots cause the variables to cointegrate in the long-run. According to the FMOLS test, group 1, 2, and 3 CO2 emissions decrease with a 1% increase in ecological footprint, while group 4 CO2 emissions increase. Group 1, 2, and 4 CO2 emissions decreased, and group 1 emissions increased with a 1% increase in foreign direct investment. Urbanization increases by 1% decreases CO2 emissions in group 2 by 0.50%, but increases emissions in groups 1, 3, and 4 by 0.60%, 0.39%, and 0.28%, respectively. Group 2, 3, and 4 emissions decreased by 0.13%, 2.17%, and 1.14%, respectively, in a 1% increase in renewable energy; however, group 1 emissions increased by 1.51%. CO2 emissions will decrease with a 1% increase in tourism development. The results validate the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve by demonstrating the inverted U-shaped link between CO2 emissions and economic growth. According to the DOLS findings, a 1% increase in ecological footprint eventually lowers CO2 emissions for groups 1 and 3 but raises CO2 emissions for groups 2 and 4.

Read Full Paper

Reference this paper

Page 1-26