From Degradation to Sustainability: The Dual Role of Globalization and Energy Consumption in MINT Economies

Abstract

This study examines the roles of globalization, energy use, information technology, and economic growth in shaping environmental sustainability in MINT economies. Using the load capacity factor as a sustainability indicator, the study analyzes annual panel data from 1993 to 2024. The empirical approach applies second-generation panel methods, including cross-sectional dependence, slope heterogeneity, CIPS unit-root tests, and Westerlund cointegration tests, followed by Driscoll-Kraay, FMOLS, and DOLS estimators. The study findings show that globalization, ICT, economic growth, and energy consumption initially decrease the load capacity factor, indicating pressure on environmental quality. However, in the long term, globalization and energy consumption become sustainability-enhancing, and ICT and economic growth continue to weaken ecological capacity. These study findings suggest that the MINT economies should pursue green globalization, cleaner energy systems, environmentally responsible digitalization, and resource-efficiency-based growth strategies. The study contributes to the globalization-energy-environment literature by shifting the focus to LCF- and MINT-specific sustainability dynamics.