Assessing the role of nuclear energy in promoting green growth: a quantile-based analysis for BRICS

The green economy and clean energy transition have become central global priorities. Nuclear energy, with its potential to reduce carbon emissions, offers a promising pathway for shifting from conventional growth models to green growth. In this context, this study examines the influence of nuclear energy on green growth in the BRICS economies. The empirical analysis employs Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) and the Juodis-Karavias-Sarafidis (JKS) panel causality approach. The MMQR findings indicate that nuclear energy positively affects green growth, especially in the middle and higher quantiles. Financial development also contributes positively to green growth across most quantiles, while R&D consistently supports green growth across all quantiles. In contrast, industrial value added negatively impacts green growth at higher quantiles, and natural resource rents negatively affect green growth, particularly at lower and middle quantiles. The JKS causality results show that nuclear energy leads to green growth. The findings highlight nuclear energy and R&D as critical drivers of green growth in the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Policies that expand nuclear energy capacity while strengthening innovation systems can enhance environmental performance without compromising growth. Such strategies are particularly important for advancing SDGs in the BRICS economies.