This study investigates the long-term relationship between human development and environmental sustainability in Azerbaijan, with a particular focus on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions as a key indicator of environmental impact. Using data spanning from 1997 to 2022, sourced primarily from World Bank and United Nations databases, the analysis applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to examine how human development—measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), which integrates Gross National Income (GNI), life expectancy, and educational attainment—affects CO₂ emissions. Developing economies, such as Azerbaijan, often face the challenge of balancing economic growth and industrialization with environmental sustainability, as the former can exacerbate environmental pressures, particularly the increase in CO₂ emissions. A long-run equilibrium relationship between HDI and CO₂ emissions is identified, with a one-unit increase in HDI associated with a 2.793-unit reduction in CO₂ emissions. This negative relationship suggests that improvements in human development, reflected in better educational outcomes, higher income levels, and improved healthcare, can foster more sustainable environmental practices. Enhanced energy efficiency, greater adoption of green technologies, and increased environmental awareness are among the mechanisms through which human development may contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions. The findings underscore the need for a synergistic approach to human development and environmental sustainability, advocating for policies that integrate socio-economic growth with environmental stewardship. By aligning human development strategies with sustainability goals, countries like Azerbaijan can mitigate ecological degradation while fostering long-term economic and social well-being. These insights provide important implications for policymakers seeking to achieve sustainable development in Azerbaijan and beyond, contributing to global efforts to reconcile growth with environmental preservation.

The impact of research and development (R&D) expenditure is crucial for understanding contemporary economic development strategies. This study investigates the relationship between R&D spending as a percentage of GDP and economic growth, focusing on the South Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia) and Israel, which is notable for its substantial R&D expenditure (5.71% of GDP in 2020). The objective is to evaluate the impact of R&D expenditure on economic development through the application of rigorous empirical methods. By employing a quantitative approach, this study aims to offer a detailed analysis of the impact of R&D investment on economic growth across various countries. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyzes the association between R&D expenditure and GDP levels. Granger causality tests are utilized to investigate the causal relationships. The results demonstrate a significant positive relationship between R&D expenditure and GDP across all studied countries. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that GDP growth stimulates increased R&D investments in Azerbaijan and Armenia, as evidenced by Granger causality tests. To sum up, this paper underscores the critical role of R&D spending in driving economic development and highlights the necessity for policy initiatives focused on strengthening R&D frameworks.

Implementing green production management (GPM) practices has become increasingly vital for ensuring a sustainable future. Integrating green scientific research into the aluminum industry is imperative for achieving economic and environmental benefits. Despite being touted as a "green metal," the aluminum production process presents significant sustainability challenges. Notably, the industry contributes a substantial 3% to global carbon emissions, with the production of one metric ton of primary aluminum releasing 10-20 metric tons of CO2. Thus, reducing these emissions is critical to promoting environmental sustainability within the industry. This article meticulously examines this pressing issue and analyzes potential strategies to foster a greener aluminum production process. The intrinsic value of this study lies in its capacity to make substantive contributions towards environmentally sustainable practices in this specific industrial domain.

The paper investigates the causal interaction between renewable energy consumption and manufacturing value added in Kazakhstan, a relationship of growing importance in the context of sustainable industrial development. The aim of the study is to assess the direction and nature of causality between these variables over the period from 2000 to 2021. To this end, the Toda-Yamamoto Granger causality test is applied, offering robust results regardless of the order of integration of the time series data. The empirical analysis identifies a statistically significant bidirectional causal relationship. Specifically, renewable energy consumption has a significant impact on manufacturing value added (p = 0.003), while manufacturing value added also significantly influences renewable energy consumption (p = 0.006). These findings reveal a reciprocal mechanism in which the expansion of renewable energy supports industrial growth, and industrial development, in turn, enhances renewable energy usage. The results underscore the strategic importance of integrating renewable energy policies with industrial development plans. From a policy perspective, the study provides practical insights into fostering sustainable economic growth by aligning environmental and industrial objectives in Kazakhstan.

Bank deposits are vital for the economy, serving as a primary source of funding for banks that facilitate lending, investment, consumption, and overall economic growth. This article aims to examine how oil price fluctuations and inflation, two critical macroeconomic variables, influence bank deposits in Azerbaijan, an energy-exporting country. The primary purpose is to reveal the extent to which these factors, particularly in the context of Azerbaijan’s role as an energy exporter, affect the stability and liquidity of the banking sector. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Granger causality testing, the study analyzes the dynamic relationships among these variables. The findings demonstrate a significant long-term relationship and causal effects between oil prices, inflation, and bank deposits. Specifically, a one-unit increase in oil prices results in a 0.057-unit rise in bank deposits, underscoring the positive impact of oil price increases on banking sector liquidity. Conversely, a one-unit increase in inflation decreases bank deposits by 0.812 units in the long term, highlighting inflation’s detrimental effect on financial stability.

The urgent and pressing challenge posed by global climate change underscores the critical need for immediate and decisive action, particularly in the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to facilitate a trajectory towards sustainability. The significance of the aluminium industry, characterized by its notable carbon footprint, accentuates the importance of conducting comprehensive and environmentally conscious analyses within this sector. Heightened environmental apprehensions surrounding aluminium production necessitate the development of effective approaches for emission forecast. The primary aim of the article is to elucidate the present situation and future predictions of carbon emissions within the global aluminium industry, particularly in the context of escalating concerns regarding global climate security. The research concluded that there will be a decrease in CO2 emissions within the aluminium industry in the future as a result. Through meticulous assessments and exhaustive forecasts of CO2 emissions across the global aluminium industrial chain system, this study employed the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to scrutinize data spanning from 2005 to 2030. By furnishing valuable insights into prospective emission patterns and providing guidance for the formulation of sustainable policy measures, this research assumes a pivotal role in shaping data-driven strategies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of aluminum production. Consequently, it contributes significantly to the collective endeavor to combat climate change and foster a more resilient and sustainable future for humanity.