Free trade and environmental sustainability are currently top economic and environmental research priorities. While numerous theories connect trade openness with environmental quality, empirical evidence often fails to support these claims. Using data spanning from 1980 to 2020, our study examines the effect of trade openness on CO₂ emissions in South Africa. By employing a novel ARDL modeling framework, our analysis confirms the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in South Africa. Our findings reveal that while GDP square enhances environmental quality, trade openness and economic growth have a degrading effect over time. Additionally, the study identifies that energy consumption, FDI, and value-added activities all contribute to environmental degradation. Findings also highlights the influence of institutional quality on the environment, demonstrating that political stability and control of corruption lead to increased CO₂ emissions, while the rule of law reduces CO₂ emissions. The research suggested that the potential of green economies should be leveraged in developing renewable energy, sustainable development, the recycling industry, and green financing sectors. A shift in economic activity in this direction will thus foster long-term economic growth and sustainable development.

Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are a significant cause of socio-ecological change in Sri Lanka. Many studies have focused on the ecological dimensions of this problem, but few have addressed sociological factors such as the knowledge and perceptions of individuals and groups tasked with addressing IAPs. This study investigates how IAP issues are understood and perceived by professional forest and wildlife officers in Sri Lanka. The data analyzed were gathered using a questionnaire that covered three themes: the respondents’ ability to identify IAPs, the impacts of IAPs and the threats they pose, and knowledge regarding control and mitigation. The questionnaire was completed by 186 field officers, and the resulting descriptive statistics and a probit regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results show that almost all of the participating forest and wildlife officers were aware of the problems associated with IAPs but more than 75% of them lacked an accurate understanding of scientific means for controlling them and control policies established by the government of Sri Lanka. Generally, wildlife officers had a better understanding than forest officers. In addition, the analysis shows that officers’ knowledge and perceptions of IAPs were positively correlated with their level of education and position within the organization. The analysis points to several recommendations for Sri Lankan officials when designing and implementing comprehensive policies and professional programs, particularly for lower-level field officers.

This study examined and analyzed the contribution of forestry sector on the Nigerian economy and the factors affecting the contribution of forestry Sector on the Economy in Nigeria. Data was sourced from National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria for the period of 1970–2015. The data collected was analyzed using unit root test and multiple regression analysis. The study found that population, crop production, oil sector, and forestry sector have significant positive impact on economy while inflation has significant adverse effect on the economy. The study further found that rural and urban population, permanent cropland and net forest depletion are the main factors affecting sustainable forestry contribution significantly and negatively. Therefore, the main factors affecting forestry sector contribution to the national economy were rapid human population growth in both rural and urban areas, arable land, permanent cropland, and net forest depletion. It was based on these that we recommended that the present practice of accepting forestry as public venture is not ideal. The private firms and industries that derived their raw materials from the forest should be made to pay back some of their considerable profits to forest regeneration programs.