The role of green finance and energy innovation in neutralizing environmental pollution: Empirical evidence from the MINT economies

Pursuing ecological sustainability while mitigating the effects of environmental pollution has become a global pursuit. Moreover, the issue of how emerging economies like Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, and Nigeria (MINT) economies can significantly reduce environmental pollution (EVP) remains elusive. This study sought to investigate the interplay between economic growth, green finance, renewable energy use, natural resource rent, energy innovation, urbanization and environmental pollution by analyzing panel data from 1990 to 2020. This research employed the novel econometrics approach CS-ARDL to examine the short and long-term relationships among the series. The research outcome disclosed that economic growth, natural resource rent and urbanization increase environmental pollution. In contrast, the empirical findings of this study revealed that environmental pollution could be neutralized through effective mechanisms such as green finance, renewable energy consumption, and the promotion of energy innovation. This research provides a fresh insight from the MINT economies and contributes to the existing literature by examining factors contributing to environmental pollution. This research also provides a benchmark for policy-makers and governments to invest in environmentally-friendly technologies to exploit the natural resources in these countries to mitigate the effect of environmental pollution.