The motivation for this research stems from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13, which focus on the mitigation of climate change and sustainable economic development. This study examined the impact of renewable energy use, institutional quality, and production expansion on consumption-based carbon dioxide (CCO₂) emissions in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1996 to 2020. To achieve this, we applied advanced econometric techniques, including second-generation cointegration and unit root tests, along with the novel panel method of moments quantile regression (MMQR). The Westerlund cointegration test confirmed the presence of a long-run co-movement among renewable energy usage, economic growth, institutional quality, and environmental quality, suggesting a stable equilibrium relationship between these variables. The results from MMQR reveal that GDP has a positive and statistically significant effect on CCO₂ emissions across all quantiles, indicating that economic expansion contributes to environmental degradation. In contrast, renewable energy consumption and institutional quality show negative and significant impacts on CCO₂ emissions, indicating their mitigating effect on environmental deterioration. As a robustness check, the findings from fixed-effect OLS (FE-OLS), generalized method of moments (GMM), and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimations broadly confirm the results of MMQR. These findings underscore the importance of renewable energy consumption and strong institutional frameworks in promoting environmental sustainability.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of corporate sustainability on financial performance as well as examine whether CEO characteristics influence the association between corporate sustainability and the financial performance of listed firms in the Saudi Stock Exchange. In this vein, this study is the first to utilize multiple CEO characteristics as a moderating role influencing the association between corporate sustainability and financial performance. In addition, the study focuses on the developing country of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the top oil producers in the world and is targeting to invest billions of dollars in renewable and sustainable energy projects according to Saudi Vision 2030. We primarily focused on ESG activities (environmental, social, and governance) and their impact on the return on assets and return on equity (employed as a proxy of financial performance). This study used the ordinary least squares (OLS) model to examine these associations as well as the system GMM to test for endogeneity problems. Using a sample of 1143 observations to represent the non-financial firms listed on the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) for 9 years from 2014 to 2022, we found a negative and significant relationship between the activities of corporate sustainability and financial performance. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CEO characteristics (CEO busyness, CEO ownership, CEO education, CEO gender, and CEO tenure) exerted influence on the association between corporate sustainability and financial performance; that is, CEO busyness, CEO ownership, and CEO gender mitigated the negative influence of corporate sustainability on financial performance, whereas CEO education and CEO tenure made it worse. The results of this study have implications for regulators, firms, and stakeholders.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of board characteristics on information asymmetry as well as examining whether the disclosure environment moderates the association between board structure and the information asymmetry of listed firms in the UK. We primarily focus on six characteristics of board composition (board size, board independence, board financial expertise, board busyness, CEO duality, and board gender diversity) and their impact on the bid–ask spread (employed as a proxy of information asymmetry). This study used the ordinary least squares (OLS) model to examine these associations. Moreover, we used system GMM and lag estimation models to test for endogeneity problems. Using a sample of 5950 observations representing the non-financial firms listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) for 10 years from 2010 to 2019, we found a negative and significant relationship between board size; board independence; and female directors and information asymmetry. However, board busyness and CEO duality are positively related to information asymmetry. Furthermore, we demonstrate that information disclosure moderates the relationship between board characteristics and information asymmetry; that is, board size, independent directors, and female directors mitigate information asymmetry by improving the level of information disclosure. By contrast, busy directors and CEO duality increase the problem of information asymmetry by reducing firms’ information disclosure. The results of this study have implications for UK regulators, firm boards of directors, and firm stakeholders.

This study explores the relationship between trade, economic uncertainty, innovation, and climate change in BRICS nations using the Environmental Kuznets Curve framework. The research is driven by the global imperative to address climate change, with predictions of a 2.7°C rise in global temperatures by the century’s end, surpassing Paris Agreement targets. The study uses data from 1995 to 2023, employing unit root tests, cointegration tests (Bayer-Hanck and Maki), Augmented Autoregressive Distributed lagged and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lagged models, and the Fourier Toda-Yamamoto causality test to capture long- and short-term dynamics. The results demonstrate that technological and environmental innovations are critical in reducing carbon emissions, reinforcing the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis that economic growth initially worsens but eventually mitigates environmental degradation. Conversely, economic, trade, and oil price uncertainties exacerbate environmental challenges by deterring investments in sustainable practices and clean technologies. A 10% increase in economic policy uncertainty, trade policy uncertainty, and oil price uncertainty significantly raise carbon emissions. In contrast, a 10% improvement in TI and EI reduces emissions, emphasizing the indispensable role of innovation in fostering environmental sustainability. To effectively combat climate change and align with international climate goals, BRICS nations must integrate their climate policies within the frameworks of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals—notably SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Reducing policy uncertainties is crucial for mobilizing green investments, while subsidies, tax incentives, and strong regulatory frameworks should be prioritized to accelerate innovation-driven decarbonization. Furthermore, enhanced international cooperation, governance, and adaptive policy instruments will enable BRICS nations to navigate economic and environmental uncertainties, ensuring a transition to low-carbon economies and sustainable development pathways.

This study investigates the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores on dividend policy, while taking into account the moderating effect of financial sustainability. It examines data from companies listed on the Saudi Exchange, during the period spanning the years from 2013 to 2022. According to the findings of panel regression analysis, there is a strong positive correlation between ESG performance and dividend payments. In essence, businesses that exhibit strong ESG practices continuously maintain dividend payments as a way of demonstrating their dedication to both stakeholders and shareholders. Furthermore, financial sustainability exerts an enhancing influence on the ESG–dividend relationship, indicating that the positive effect of ESG on dividend yields is significant in financially sustainable companies compared to their peers. It is noteworthy that these conclusions hold up well even when put through sensitivity studies using different estimating methods. The implications of these results extend to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including investors, management, analysts, and policymakers. They provide valuable insights for companies and markets seeking to expand their ESG initiatives.

Introduction: This study examines the impact of green trade openness, natural resource rents, institutional quality, and R&D investment on environmental sustainability across OECD countries from 2007 to 2022, testing both the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and Load Capacity Curve (LCC) hypotheses.Methods: We apply panel econometric techniques, including CS-ARDL and nonlinear NARDL models, alongside causality analysis, to assess bidirectional and asymmetric relationships among variables.Results: Green trade openness, institutional quality, and R&D investment significantly reduce CO² emissions and enhance load capacity. Conversely, natural resource rents increase emissions and degrade sustainability metrics. The EKC hypothesis holds with an inverted-U shape, while the LCC demonstrates sustainability improvement beyond economic thresholds.Discussion: Findings stress the critical role of governance, innovation, and sustainable trade in ecological outcomes. Policy recommendations advocate reinvestment of resource rents into green innovation and strengthening of institutional frameworks to align economic and environmental goals.