Revisiting the environmental impact of financial development on economic growth and carbon emissions: evidence from South Asian economies

It is a global challenge to achieve sustainable economic growth by improving the environment. The present study discussed the role of the financial development sector in achieving sustainable economic growth and environmental quality in South Asian countries from 1990 to 2020 by controlling labour force participation, globalization, industrialization, and the education sector. A feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) panel data econometric technique has been used to check the relationship among the variables. The results show that financial development has a U-shaped relationship with carbon emissions and economic growth. Furthermore, labour force participation, industrialization, globalization, and educational school enrolment significantly increase CO(2) and economic growth. This study suggests that the governments of South Asian countries should take steps to increase economic growth. For this purpose, effective supervisory mechanisms of financial development through financial innovation, improving financial efficiency, maintaining financial stability, and reducing the environmental pollution. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]