Sami Ullah

The imperatives of reducing carbon emissions are crucial to combating environmental challenges and achieving sustainable development. This study investigates the relationship between natural gas consumption (NGAS), renewable energy consumption (REC), monetary policy (MP), and trade policy (TP) with carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) emissions in the USA. Utilizing a comprehensive monthly dataset, we employ advanced wavelet analysis (WA) techniques to explore the dynamics and causal effects among the selected variables. The findings from wavelet coherence reveal an adverse co-movement between NGAS and CO ₂ emissions in the long term, highlighting the substantial role of NGAS in reducing emissions. REC demonstrates effectiveness in lessening CO ₂ emissions in the short- and medium-term, while MP exhibits a negative influence in both the medium and long terms. Additionally, TP presents mixed associations with CO ₂ emissions; however, the dominant negative impact remains prevalent across different time scales. These outcomes are further supported by wavelet cohesion and wavelet causality tests. Our results inform actionable policy initiatives—such as incentivizing renewable natural gas production, integrating climate-risk considerations into monetary policy frameworks, implementing border-adjustment carbon pricing, and expanding financial support for renewable energy—thereby providing US policymakers with a clear roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions while enhancing energy security and economic resilience. This research enhances the theoretical discourse on environmental economics by providing novel methodological insights and contributing to the ongoing debate regarding the sustainability of NGAS as a transitional fuel. The study proposes crucial policy actions for achieving net-zero emissions, including incentivizing the production of renewable natural gas through financial support and regulatory incentives, providing robust financial incentives to promote REC, integrating climate concerns into MP frameworks, and implementing a carbon pricing system on imports based on embedded carbon emissions. These actions are vital for achieving net-zero emissions and aligning economic policies with climate objectives, ultimately enabling the USA to build a sustainable economy that effectively reduces CO ₂ emissions while enhancing energy security and resilience.

This study presents a rare comparative analysis of the factors influencing environmental quality through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union member states’ largest economies, i.e., France and Germany. By considering the unique economic, energy, and environmental characteristics of both countries, the finding unveils a novel perspective in the literature. The research utilizes a recently developed wavelet local multiple correlation (WLMC) technique with quarterly dataset spanning from 1990/Q1 to 2020/Q4. The results demonstrate that environmental-related information and communication technologies innovations, energy transition, and financial development play significant roles in limiting the growth of GHGs emission, particularly in the medium and long term. The wavelet-based Granger causality analysis reveals evidence of feedback causality among the variables in both countries in the medium and long term. Moreover, there are slight differences in the short-term relationships given that the observations are generally similar in later period. Overall, the findings offer a deeper understanding and policy insights regarding the time and frequency dynamics of GHG drivers in France and Germany. Graphical abstract

Examining the relationship between natural resources and financial development (FD) has been a crucial research area for several years. This study examines the time‐ and frequency‐varying influence of natural resources on FD in China under the “resource curse” concept. In contrast to previous studies, additional economic factors such as economic policy uncertainty (EPU), technological innovation, gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), and government stability (GS) are also considered in the model. Wavelet approaches were used to examine the time‐ and frequency‐based nexus among the variables, covering the period from 1995 to 2021. The outcomes indicate an adverse impact of natural resources on FD in long‐term frequencies during the analyzed period, confirming the “resources curse” in China. The other variables, including technological innovation, gross fixed capital formation, and government stability, are positively linked, while EPU is negatively linked to FD. The policy implications of this study highlight the need for effective resource management, amplifying technological innovation, and efficient governments to spur FD in China.

The curtailment of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions plays a pivotal role in realizing sustainable development goals, protecting the environment, mitigating climate change, and preserving biodiversity for a cleaner and more resilient future. Thus, it is essential to adopt comprehensive approaches that prioritize energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable urbanization to achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. This study employs wavelet analysis methods, involving Wavelet correlation and covariance, Wavelet coherence (WTC), Wavelet cohesion (WC), and Wavelet‐based Granger causality (WCT), to examine the time and frequency‐based interactions between the variables over the period of 1990–2020. The empirical analysis reveals a significant and negative correlation among CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency measures such as coal and gas in the short‐, medium‐, and long‐term frequency domains. Similarly, renewable energy usage and urbanization also exhibit negative correlation with CO₂ emissions during analyzed years in the short‐ and medium‐term. Furthermore, the intensity of the correlations among considered variables varies across time and frequency domains. The study recommends to implement such policies that enhance the energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and sustainable urbanization to achieve the net‐zero goal and fostering sustainable development in Sweden.