The primary aspiration of this paper is to learn about the effects of economic growth (GDPG) and energy consumption (ENRC) on environmental pollution (EP) in G-3 countries and to show the significance of renewable energy consumption (RENEW) on environmental pollution (EP). The data covers the period from 1970 to 2020 by applying the “Pooled Mean Group-Autoregressive Distributed Lag” (PMG-ARDL) model. The results indicate that GDPG is negatively co-integrated with CO₂ emissions (pollution) in the short run (SR) but positively co-integrated in the long run (LR). Energy consumption has a positive impact in the long run, but there is no positive impact in the short run to accelerate pollution. In both the short and long run, renewable energy has a significant role in reducing environmental degradation. However, according to the Dumitrescu Hurlin panel, there was bidirectional causality (BC) involving energy consumption and pollution. Because of the large volume of energy emphasized in economic growth and development activities, energy use increases pollution. In addition, there was a BC involving energy consumption and economic growth. At the country level, a significant contribution implies sustainable development and the implication of environmental quality assurance policies.

Background: A previous study identified students taking Bangladeshi university entrance tests as a vulnerable group at a higher risk of suicidal behaviours before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the impact of the pandemic on the magnitude of these behaviours among this population remains unexplored.Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among Bangladeshi university entrance test takers following the pandemic. In addition, an approach based on Geographic Information System (GIS) data was used to visualise the distribution of suicidal ideation across the country.Methods: A cross-sectional approach was used to collect data among participants taking the entrance test at Jahangirnagar University in September 2022. Using SPSS, data were analysed with chi-squared tests and binary regression, and ArcGIS was used to map the results across the nation.Results: The study revealed a prevalence of 14.4% for past-year suicidal ideation, with 7.4% and 7.2% reporting suicide plans and attempts, respectively. Notably, repeat test-takers exhibited a higher prevalence of suicidal behaviours. Significant risk factors for suicidal ideation included urban residence, smoking, drug use, COVID-19 infection and deaths among close relations, depression, anxiety and burnout. The GIS-based distribution indicated significant variation in the prevalence of suicidal ideation across different districts, with higher rates observed in economically and infrastructurally deprived areas.Conclusions: Urgent measures are needed to address the high prevalence of suicidal behaviours among students taking university entrance tests students in Bangladesh, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced mental health support, targeted prevention efforts and improved resources in economically disadvantaged regions are crucial to safeguard the well-being of these students.

The study finds that South Asian economic growth is primarily driven by strong long-run elasticities of labor force participation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and trade openness, with labor exhibiting the highest long-run elasticity. In contrast, the error-correction term is insignificant and positive, indicating an absence of meaningful short-run convergence toward long-run equilibrium. Short-run effects of FDI, labor, and trade are weak and largely insignificant, reflecting structural rigidities and delayed transmission of economic adjustments in the region. Based on these empirical results, the paper argues that long-run growth strategies must prioritize stabilizing FDI inflows, improving the ease of doing business, and strengthening regulatory quality. Given the dominant role of labor in the long run, policies should emphasize improving labor productivity through investment in education, vocational training, skill specialization, and enhanced female labor force participation. Trade-related reforms—such as customs simplification, reduction of non-tariff barriers, expansion of export-oriented zones, and promotion of technology-intensive exports—are also essential. At the same time, the insignificant adjustment term suggests that short-run policy responses need to be faster and more flexible, supported by more efficient financial and institutional systems. Strengthening domestic supplier networks and improving investment absorption capacity are crucial to ensuring that long-run gains from FDI translate into sustained economic development.