International Journal of Green Economics (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Green skincare branding in Malaysia  
  by Hasliza Hassan, Zuliana Zainuddin, Abu Bakar Sade 
  Abstract: Social media is becoming the mainstream communication platform for the digital generation. In line with the latest skincare trends, this study has found the purchasing intentions of green skincare brands based on social media influencers, brand trust and brand image. Cross-sectional research through an online survey questionnaire was conducted. A total of 334 primary data were used for analysis. Social media influencers are significant in building brand trust, brand image and sparking purchase intention in green skincare. The purchase intention of a green skincare brand can be stimulated through social media influencers and brand image. Although social media influencers may build up brand trust, purchase intention may not necessarily be influenced by brand trust. Social media influencers and brand image may encourage potential customers to make a purchase decision on green skincare products. However, consumers still have doubts about the brands’ green claims and view it as more of greenwashing.
  Keywords: brand image; brand trust; green branding; green skincare; purchase intention; social media influencer; Malaysia.
  
  
• Economic discourse and global empathy: the philosophical foundations of green and ecological paradigms in economics  
  by Hans-Günter Wagner 
  Abstract: As a branch of modern economics, green economics uses scientific methods to provide social and ecological recommendations. The roots of green economics can be traced back to ancient, non-reductionist conceptions of economic action, ranging from Aristotelian economics and the economic teachings of Asian religions to the school of the physiocrats and other approaches beyond the mainstream. In many ways, green economics can be seen as a continuation and further development of a historical understanding of the economy as a part of a whole. This is very different from the neoclassical tradition, which regards the economy as a system with its own rationality that is, only based on the narrow framework of successful and efficient performance in markets. By comparing conflicting paradigms, the conclusion is drawn that there is a need for a redefinition of received views in an age of ecological destruction.
  Keywords: green economics; ecological economics; economic ethics; normative basis of economics; axioms of economics.
  
  
• Determinants of environmental quality in Ethiopia: testing the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve and pollution haven hypothesis from 1981-2020  
  by Seid Hassen, Abebe Fentaw, Tasew Tadesse 
  Abstract: This study examines the determinants of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Ethiopia using time series data from 1981 to 2020. Using an extended STRIPAT analysis framework, we test the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve and the validity of the pollution haven hypothesis in Ethiopia. Methodologically, the ARDL bounds test approach is employed to find the short-run and long-run estimates of the model. We find that carbon dioxide emission tends to fall with increasing in income in the long run in Ethiopia. Moreover, energy consumption, industrialisation, population density, trade openness, and foreign direct investment are found to significantly decrease environmental quality in the long run. Furthermore, the pollution haven hypothesis is found to be valid since both foreign direct investment and trade openness are intensifying CO2 emissions in Ethiopia. Hence, policymakers are advised to adopt green growth, sustainable industrialisation, environment-friendly investment, and trade policies to abate environmental pollution in Ethiopia.
  Keywords: economic growth; carbon dioxide emissions; environmental Kuznets curve; EKC; industrialisation; auto-regressive distributed lag; ARDL; STRIPAT; Ethiopia.
  
  
• Industrialisation and environmental quality in Africa: governance and industrial Kuznets curve perspective in quantile and threshold analysis  
  by Richard Amankwa Fosu, Eric Boachie Yiadom, Evans Acheampong, Kwadwo Obeng 
  Abstract: The study employs a comprehensive empirical approach to analyse the intricate relationship between industrialisation, governance quality, and environmental sustainability in Africa. Through quantile regression and dynamic panel threshold analysis, three main objectives are pursued: assessing industrialisations effect on environmental quality across quantiles, exploring governance qualitys influence on this relationship, and investigating the presence of the industrialised environmental kuznet curve (IEKC). Findings reveal industrialisations significant negative impact on environmental quality at lower quantiles, with a positive effect observed at higher quantiles, suggesting a threshold effect. Governance quality moderates this impact, particularly at lower quantiles, emphasising its pivotal role in promoting sustainable industrial development. Dynamic panel threshold regression identifies critical thresholds where industrialisations environmental implications intensify, informing targeted policy interventions. Policy recommendations include fortifying environmental regulations, promoting sustainable industrial practices, enhancing governance capacity, and adopting integrated policy approaches to balance economic development and environmental conservation in Africa.
  Keywords: industrialisation; environmental quality; governance quality; sustainability; quantile regression; dynamic panel threshold regression.
  
  
• Powerful catalyst: subsidys impact on rural household green electricity purchase  
  by Shankar Singh Bhakuni, Sachin Kumar Srivastava, Shephali Mathur 
  Abstract: This study examined purchase intention of customer to adopt green energy in rural area of Uttar Pradesh for agriculture or household works. This is important because empirical research aimed to identify those determinants which is generally use for every customer and supported by theoretical background like theory of planned behaviour (TPB), theory acceptance model (TAM), the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT model), theory of reasoned action (TRA), etc. which never defined customer intention according to location, situation and activity base prospect (prospect are presented base on loss and profit). This study concludes of eight variables which take different theoretical prospective and implement on rural customer. Researchers have collected more than 300 valid replies. The findings indicate that perceived benefits; PB; hedonic motivation; HM; influence customer attitude, CA; among other aspects.
  Keywords: green energy; public awareness; moderating role of government subsidy; rural prospective.
  
  
• Impacts of climate change exposure on bank performance in Northeast and Southeast Asia from 2010 to 2021: the moderating role of regulatory quality  
  by Lan Luu, Huong Trang Kim, Ha Nguyen, Trang Hoang 
  Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between climate change exposure and bank performance in the banking sector of Northeast and Southeast Asia. We assess firm-level climate change exposure by developing a specialized climate change dictionary, which is constructed by curating and integrating relevant keywords related to climate change. The frequency of these keywords within firm disclosures serves as a measure of the extent to which banks are exposed to climate-related opportunities, regulatory changes and physical risks. We observe that the positive impact of climate change regulatory and physical exposure on bank performance are more pronounced in high regulatory quality environment and after the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This study contributes to the understanding of how climate change exposure influences firms in the banking sector and highlights the importance of regulatory quality and implementation of Paris Agreement in facilitating positive impacts of exposure to climate change topics on these firms’ performance.
  Keywords: climate change exposure; bank performance; annual report; sustainability report; regulatory environment.