The effects of economic growth on carbon dioxide emissions in selected Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries

This research article concerns a study of economic growth influences on carbon dioxide emissions in 20 selected Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study also intends to reexamine energy consumption, tourism sector and population effect on carbon dioxide emissions. The empirical research applies panel linear regression model for the data obtained in these 20 SSA countries throughout 2000 to 2020. The empirical estimation techniques employed in the analysis consist of pooled ordinary least square (OLS), fixed effects model (FEM), random effects model (REM) and robust fixed model, including diagnostic tests such as endogeneity, heteroscedasticity and other measurements. The empirical analysis using the robust fixed effects model has established significant associations between economic growth, energy consumption, tourism sector and population on carbon dioxide emissions in SSA countries between 2000 and 2020. This study has established that a 1% increase in economy growth increases the carbon dioxide emission level by approximately 0.02%. A study has identified that SSA countries' energy consumption, especially from oil, will only contaminate air quality. A study confirmed that international tourist arrivals are one of the factors that significantly caused air quality reduction among SSA countries. However, increasing population and future international agreements and protocols could also mean that carbon emissions can potentially cause less environmental degradation in the region.