A recent study published in Engineering delves into the effects of energy transition, environmental policy stringency subtypes, and income on the ecological footprint (EFP) in BRICS countries. With the world grappling with climate-related issues, understanding how these factors influence environmental degradation is crucial.

The research, conducted by Mustafa Tevfik Kartal, Arshian Sharif, Cosimo Magazzino, Shahriyar Mukhtarov, and Dervis Kirikkaleli, uses data from 2000—2020 and applies a kernel-based regularized least-squares (KRLS) approach. BRICS countries, which are major emerging economies and significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, are the focus of this study.

The EFP is used as a comprehensive indicator of environmental sustainability. It measures the amount of natural resources needed to produce goods consumed and absorb waste generated. The study also examines the energy transition index (ETI), market-based environmental policies (MBP), non-market-based environmental policies (NMBP), and gross domestic product (GDP) as explanatory variables.

The empirical results show diverse impacts across countries. GDP generally has a positive marginal effect on EFP in BRICS countries, except in Brazil where its effect is insignificant. ETI and NMBP are ineffective across all countries, leading to an increase in EFP. MBP have a decreasing effect on EFP in Brazil, Russia, and India, but an increasing effect in China and an insignificant effect in South Africa.

For example, in Brazil, MBP can effectively curb EFP, while the energy transition framework needs improvement. In Russia, only MBP are helpful in reducing EFP, and the current economic growth structure and NMBP are not beneficial for environmental sustainability. In India, although all factors have a significant effect on EFP, only MBP can decrease it. In China and South Africa, the studied factors are not effective in curbing EFP.

The KRLS approach proves to be highly successful in estimating EFP, with an accuracy of approximately 99.61%. It also reveals the nonlinear effects of these factors on EFP, and how the effects vary across different levels of the factors.

Based on these findings, the researchers offer several policy suggestions. BRICS countries should focus on better managing MBP, as they are more effective than NMBP in reducing EFP. They also need to restructure their economic growth to make it more eco-friendly and rework their energy transition policies to promote the use of clean energy.

This study fills a gap in the literature by considering the subtypes of environmental policy stringency and applying a marginal effect analysis. It provides valuable insights for policymakers in BRICS countries to develop more effective environmental policies and achieve sustainable development.

The paper “The Effects of Energy Transition and Environmental Policy Stringency Subtypes on Ecological Footprint: Evidence from BRICS Countries via a KRLS Approach,” is authored by Mustafa Tevfik Kartal, Arshian Sharif, Cosimo Magazzino, Shahriyar Mukhtarov, Dervis Kirikkaleli. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.02.007. For more information about Engineering, visit the website at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering.