The Relationship Between CO₂ Emissions, Economic Growth, Energy Intensity, Urbanisation, Life Expectancy at Birth, And Renewable Energy Consumption in BRICS Countries

This study examines the relationships between CO₂ emissions and economic growth, energy intensity, life expectancy at birth, urbanisation and renewable energy consumption in the BRICS countries over the period 2000-2022 using panel data analysis. The analysis applied cross-sectional dependence and Delta tests; the stationarity of the series was assessed using the CIPS unit root test, whilst long-run relationships were analysed using the Westerlund cointegration test. Causal relationships were determined using the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test. The findings indicate the existence of a bidirectional causal relationship between energy intensity, economic growth, life expectancy and CO₂ emissions. Conversely, a unidirectional causal relationship from renewable energy consumption and urbanisation to CO₂ emissions was identified. The results reveal strong and multifaceted interactions between energy structure, economic growth and environmental sustainability in BRICS countries.