Environmental performance, biocapacity, carbon & ecological footprint of nations: Drivers, trends and mitigation options

Highlights

• We assess ecological footprint, carbon footprint, biocapacity and ecological status of nations.

• We utilize both econometric and machine learning-based estimation methods.

• Top global ecological footprint hotspots include the US, China, Russia, India and Japan.

• Disparity in carbon and ecological footprint between income groups converge in the long-run.

• Trade-led carbon footprint confirms a potential transboundary carbon-embedded trade.

Abstract

The long-run effect of the synergy between natural resource consumption and environmental sustainability varies across countries depending on the economic structure. However, the transboundary effect of natural resource capital underscores the importance of environmental convergence. Here, we map ecological performance, biocapacity, and carbon footprint of nations. We assess the socio-economic drivers of environmental performance and convergence using novel cross-country time series techniques. We find that the expansion of biocapacity of nations has an ameliorating effect on ecological performance. The hotspot countries of environmental performance include Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, and the US. We confirm the existence of environmental convergence across nations — implying that the disparity in carbon and ecological footprint between higher-income and lower-income countries will converge in the long-run. This accentuates the need for global partnership towards achieving environmental sustainability.