Climate action and economic growth: Toward sustainable development in emerging economies

Climate action and economic growth: Toward sustainable development in emerging economies

Mayis AZIZOV, Azerbaijan Zakaria BOULANOUAR, Yusif SADILI, Azerbaijan Davud GULIYEV, Azerbaijan Tasnim AlGhussein, Abdulla Husain Jaffer Alhashmi

Abstract. This study examines the long- and short-run effects of economic growth, trade openness, and renewable energy consumption on CO₂ emissions in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, three fossil fuel-dependent emerging economies. Using annual data from 1990 to 2021 and applying an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework, the analysis reveals consistent long-run relationships among the variables. Economic growth and trade are positively associated with emissions, while renewable energy consumption exerts a significant mitigating effect, strongest in Russia. The results highlight structural asymmetries in the decarbonization trajectories of these countries. Azerbaijan shows early signs of transition, whereas Kazakhstan’s emissions remain tightly linked to energy-intensive growth. The findings underscore the need for tailored policy approaches to align economic development with climate goals in post-Soviet contexts. Emphasis on renewable deployment, institutional reform, and sustainable trade policy is critical for advancing low-carbon growth in resource-driven economies.

Keywords
Carbon Emission, GDP, Trade, Renewable Energy, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia

Published online 6/20/2026, 7 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Mayis AZIZOV, Azerbaijan Zakaria BOULANOUAR, Yusif SADILI, Azerbaijan Davud GULIYEV, Azerbaijan Tasnim AlGhussein, Abdulla Husain Jaffer Alhashmi, Climate action and economic growth: Toward sustainable development in emerging economies, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 1007-1013, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-137

The article was published as article 137 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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