Toward a sustainable environment: Nexus between economic growth, renewable energy use, forested area, and carbon emissions in Malaysia

Global climate change caused by greenhouse gasses (GHGs), particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, poses incomparable threats to the environment, development, and sustainability. This research investigates the potential of economic growth, renewable energy use, and forested area toward achieving environmental sustainability in Malaysia by reducing CO2 emissions. Time series data from 1990 to 2019 were utilized by applying the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) method. The empirical findings show that the coefficient of economic growth is positive and significant, indicating a 1% increase in economic growth is related to a 0.78% rise in CO2 emissions. In addition, the coefficient of renewable energy use…