Renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions: A STRIRPAT model approach in Morocco

Abstract

This article aims to assess the impact of renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in Morocco for the period 1980-2021, both in the short and long term. It also aims to verify the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). To achieve this, we rely on the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) model and employ the linear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. The results obtained indicate, on the one hand, the presence of a negative but non-significant correlation between CO2 emissions and renewable energy consumption, and on the other hand, the non-validation of the environmental Kuznets hypothesis. This result can be explained by the country's energy structure, which is characterized by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, almost entirely imported, leading to negative repercussions on both economic growth and the environment. In terms of public policy, it is necessary for Morocco to accelerate its energy transition in order to reduce environmental pollution.

Keywords: Renewable energies, CO2 emissions, EKC, ARDL, STIRPAT model, Morocco

Classification JEL : Q56.

Paper type : Empirical Research