The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. This review examines the evolution of EKC research worldwide and the policy implications of these studies for emerging economies. The main contributions of this study are the assessment of contradictory results on the validity of the EKC, evaluation of various research methodologies adopted in EKC research, focus on the impact of different institutional factors on the validity of the EKC, and analysis of regional differences. Mixed empirical evidence has been observed from the literature review, with results varying depending on the geographical area, pollutant type, and methodology. The review concludes that the EKC hypothesis is not universally applicable. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of proactive governance, technological innovation, and targeted environmental protection for sustainable development. Further research is needed to explore broader environmental dimensions, compare institutional roles across regions, and examine the impact of globalization using advanced methodologies.
Karabee Medhi (Sat,) studied this question.