Exploring the nexus between energy consumption, income inequality and poverty, economic growth, and carbon dioxide emission: evidence from two step system generalized method of moments.

The concern of environmental degradation, poverty, and income inequality remains a priority in achieving sustainable development goals. Countries are trying to reduce income inequality, alleviate poverty, and reduce environmental degradation which needs special attention. Consequently, this study explores the effect of income inequality, poverty, and energy consumption on carbon dioxide emission in the Belt and Road Initiative countries from 1996 to 2018. By employing the generalized method of moments, the findings show that income inequality, poverty, and energy consumption significantly increase carbon dioxide emission and lead to environmental degradation, while access to electricity significantly raises environmental quality. Economic growth positively affects carbon dioxide emission; however, the environmental Kuznets curve is valid. Income inequality exerts a moderating effect on carbon dioxide emission via per capita economic growth that reduces environmental degradation in the Belt and Road Initiative countries. The results of this study give important policy implications for the Belt and Road Initiative countries.