Author(s)

Geslin William Ondaye, Christelle Ines Leticia Ndombi Ondze, Espérance Hotale Imongui

Laboratory of Economic and Social Research and Studies, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

The general objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of economic growth on CO₂ emissions in Republic of the Congo. The data used cover the period 1980-2015 and were extracted from the World Bank’s World Development Indicator (WDI 2021) database. Through ARDL modeling, the results show the existence of an inverted U-shaped curve between economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions in Republic of the Congo over the period. However, the Gross Domestic Product variable has no effect on carbon dioxide emissions in the short term. With respect to the environmental protection policy instruments deployed, Republic of the Congo represents a good example of governance. Thus, we recommend that the government strengthen environmental protection and renewable energy policies so that economic growth is always achieved without carbon dioxide emissions exceeding environmentally acceptable limits.

Economic Growth, Environment, Pollution, ARDL, Congo

Ondaye, G. , Ondze, C. and Imongui, E. (2021) Effects of Economic Growth on Environmental Degradation in the Republic of Congo: The Case of CO₂ Emissions. Modern Economy, 12, 1703-1717. doi: 10.4236/me.2021.1212086.