The impact of income and women's empowerment on carbon emissions, renewable energy and forest cover: evidence from Ghana

Abstract

Purpose Studies geared toward the attainment of environmental sustainability have become relevant in recent times owing to the level of various forms of global environmental degradation. Despite the plethora of energy and environmental economics literature, empirical assessment of the effect of income and women's empowerment (WEM) on carbon emissions, renewable energy and forest cover is limited. Consequently, the impact of income and WEM on carbon emissions, forest degradation and renewable energy consumption in Ghana are analysed through the lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and ecofeminist perspective. Design/methodology/approach This study uses time series data from 1996 to 2023 from the World Bank. Time series analysis namely, unit root test, cointegration and regression were executed. The FMOLS, CCR, DOLS and ARDL were used to estimate the effect of income and WEM on Ghana's effort to build a sustainable environment. Findings WEM improves environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and deforestation but reduces renewable energy consumption. Income growth has an inverted U-shaped relationship with carbon emissions, and a U-shaped relationship with renewable energy consumption and forest cover, consistent with the EKC hypothesis. Practical implications These findings highlight the need for policies that promote low-carbon technologies without compromising economic growth, alongside gender-sensitive approaches to renewable energy and clean technology deployment in Ghana. This requires reducing import duties on renewable energy and energy-efficient equipment and supporting green financing mechanisms. In addition, a gender-balanced governance structure should be enforced through quotas for women in community-level forest management, alongside improved access to land and tree tenure rights and targeted financial support. Authorities should also engage traditional leaders to address socio-cultural barriers and strengthen awareness of women's role in environmental protection. Originality/value The paper contributes to knowledge development by providing new perspectives, particularly with the application of the EKC hypothesis to renewable energy consumption and forest cover alongside the principles of ecofeminism.