چكيده لاتين
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of economic complexity on the ecological footprint of Iran and a group of selected trade partners from 2000 to 2023. The ecological footprint, as an indicator of the environmental pressure exerted by human activities, serves as a critical measure for assessing environmental sustainability. Economic complexity, reflecting a countryʹs capability to produce and export diverse, technology-intensive products, can exert significant positive or negative effects on environmental pollution. To analyze these relationships, the study employs a Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR) model and panel data methodology. The findings indicate that economic complexity has a significant and negative impact on the ecological footprint, suggesting that higher levels of economic complexity contribute to reduced pollution and enhanced environmental conditions. Moreover, renewable energy consumption and investments in research and development exhibit a meaningful reduction in the ecological footprint. However, the short-term effects of the Human Development Index (HDI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are not entirely positive and, in some instances, contribute to higher pollution levels. On the other hand, governance indicators, including democracy and corruption reduction, play a pivotal role in improving environmental quality. This study emphasizes that policies aimed at fostering economic complexity, expanding renewable energy resources, and optimizing the management of foreign direct investment are instrumental in mitigating the ecological footprint. Additionally, revising environmental regulations, strengthening governance frameworks, and promoting technological innovations are crucial for achieving sustainable development. The results of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers in designing effective economic and environmental strategies.
