Environmental technology to stimulate life expectancy: A deep dive into the role of PM2.5 and carbon emission

• Published in: Environment international 2024-11, Vol.193, p.109118, Article 109118
• Main Authors: Sampene, Agyemang Kwasi, Li, Cai, Wiredu, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon emission; Cleaner energy transitions; Environmental technology; Industrialization; Life expectancy; PM2.5
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109118

[Display omitted] •Panel analysis reveals a beneficial effect of environmental technology on life expectancy.•Cleaner energy transition has a positive effect on life expectancy.•Carbon emissions and PM2.5 have a negative effect on life expectancy.•GDP and industrialization improve life expectancy.•MMQR, PMG, and MG have been applied using the econometric approach. As the Latin American economies contend with improving public health while simultaneously dealing with ecological issues, understanding the determinant of life expectancy becomes imperative. This study explores the interaction among environmental technology, economic development, cleaner energy transitions, industrial growth, particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), carbon emission, and their collective impact on life expectancy across Latin American nations. The research incorporates advanced econometric approaches comprising Mean Group (MG), Pooled Mean Group (PMG), and Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR). The study’s outcome established that cleaner energy transitions, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), industrialization and environmental technologies significantly improve life expectancy, especially at higher quantiles. However, the outcome highlighted that PM2.5 and carbon emissions reduce life expectancy. Additionally, this study supports the unidirectional connection between environmental technology, economic development, cleaner energy transitions, industrial growth, life expectancy, and the bidirectional connection flowing from carbon emission PM2.5 to life expectancy. The study offers a roadmap for Latin America and global economies to invest in technology, cleaner power supply and industrialization to provide a route toward sustainable development and better public health that will eventually improve their citizens’ life expectancy.