Convergence of per capita ecological footprint among the ASEAN-5 countries: Evidence from a non-linear panel unit root test

Yilanci V., Pata U. K.

ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, vol.113, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 113
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106178
  • Journal Name: ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Index Islamicus, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Nonlinear panel unit root test, Ecological footprint, Convergence, ASEAN-5 countries, CARBON-DIOXIDE EMISSIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL KUZNETS CURVE, CO2 EMISSIONS, CLUB CONVERGENCE, OECD COUNTRIES, ENERGY-CONSUMPTION, POLICY SHOCKS, PERSISTENCE, HYPOTHESIS, GROWTH
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the convergence of the per capita ecological footprint among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5) countries by using panel data for the period 1961 to 2016. To this end, the two-regime threshold autoregressive (TAR) panel unit root test is performed. First, we conclude that the ecological footprint of ASEAN-5 countries is nonlinear. Then, we determine that the transition country between the two regimes is Vietnam. Our empirical results reveal that divergence exists in the second regime and absolute convergence in the first. The second regime constitutes approximately 80% of the sample. Consequently, this result provides strong support for the absolute convergence of the per capita ecological footprint in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Therefore, common policies should be implemented to prevent environmental degradation in the ASEAN-5 countries.