We examine the relationship between financial inclusion and carbon emissions. For this purpose, we develop a composite indicator of financial inclusion based on a broad set of attributes through principal component analysis (PCA) for 26 countries in the Asia region. Our robust panel regression analysis reveals a significant positive long-term impact of financial inclusion on carbon emissions. The pairwise causality test reveals unidirectional long-term causality running from financial inclusion to carbon emissions. The study suggests that policy makers may design policies that integrate accessible financial systems into climate change adaptation strategies in order to neutralize the side effect of financial inclusion deteriorating environmental quality and inclusive sustainable economic growth.
JEL Classification
O16; O44, Q54

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Posted 26 Feb, 2021
Posted 26 Feb, 2021
We examine the relationship between financial inclusion and carbon emissions. For this purpose, we develop a composite indicator of financial inclusion based on a broad set of attributes through principal component analysis (PCA) for 26 countries in the Asia region. Our robust panel regression analysis reveals a significant positive long-term impact of financial inclusion on carbon emissions. The pairwise causality test reveals unidirectional long-term causality running from financial inclusion to carbon emissions. The study suggests that policy makers may design policies that integrate accessible financial systems into climate change adaptation strategies in order to neutralize the side effect of financial inclusion deteriorating environmental quality and inclusive sustainable economic growth.
JEL Classification
O16; O44, Q54

Figure 1
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