Assessing sustainable development and environmental pollution dynamics in Somalia

Abstract

Environmental pollution is a major global challenge that significantly contributes to climate change and damages ecosystems. Growing pollution levels, fueled by economic growth, urbanization, and unsustainable consumption, have extensive effects on both the environment and society. This study examines how urbanization, globalization, renewable energy use, and economic growth influence environmental pollution in Somalia, using data from 1990 to 2020. It employs ARDL bounds testing along with FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR estimation methods. The results show that urbanization significantly increases pollution in the long term, though it decreases pollution in the short term in Somalia. Conversely, renewable energy consistently reduces pollution both in the short and long run. Globalization and economic growth have a negative but statistically insignificant effect in the long run; however, they exert a positive effect in the short run, with economic growth’s impact being statistically significant and negative. Overall, urbanization appears to worsen environmental pollution, while renewable energy enhances environmental quality in Somalia. These findings underscore the importance of promoting renewable energy and adopting urban planning policies for sustainable development in Somalia.