Journal of Contemporary Macroeconomic Issues

Asymmetric Approach to Investigating the EKC hypothesis: Evidence from the BRICS Countries

Misbah Nosheen — 2025-06-22

Environmental challenges have emerged as one of the most critical matters affecting the globe today. Human-caused carbon emissions are the primary causes of these environmental challenges, and in order to decrease and mitigate their impacts, officials throughout the world are constantly researching their drivers and determinants. BRICS is considered as significant part of world economy and energy markets. This study examines the EKC hypothesis for the BRICS while applying nonlinear ARDL approach that distinguishes it from previous studies. For this purpose, this study decomposes the per-capita income (GPC) series into two components: the positive and the negative series. Empirical findings indicate that in the decomposed model, the coefficients of positive series of GPC and GPC2 have significant negative and positive signs respectively in all countries of the region which supports the EKC hypothesis. Results imply that BRICS governments need to focus to lower to reduce their very considerable dependence on fossil fuel. The clean energy evolution can lead to the abandoning of fossil fuel assets, including those retained or supported by governments.

Drivers of Carbon Emissions in South Asia: Analyzing Economic Growth, Urbanization, Tourism, Industrialization, and Renewable Energy

Rehana Kousar — 2025-06-22

Rising CO₂ emissions pose a global challenge, including in South Asia. This study examines the determinants of CO₂ emissions—economic growth, urbanization, tourism, industrialization, renewable energy, agriculture, and forest area—using panel data (1990–2021) from South Asian countries. Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) and panel unit root tests reveal long-run relationships. Urbanization, tourism, and agricultural value-added significantly increase CO₂ emissions, while economic growth, renewable energy, and forest area negatively correlate with emissions. The findings suggest that energy-intensive urbanization, tourism, and agricultural expansion drive emissions, whereas renewable energy adoption and forest conservation mitigate them. Policymakers must prioritize sustainable urbanization, green tourism, and renewable energy transitions to curb emissions while fostering economic development.

Impact of E-Banking on Customer Welfare: Empirical Evidence from the Banks in South Punjab (Pakistan)

Uzma Hina — 2025-06-30

Purpose: It is evident that internet banking (e-banking) revolutionizes financial management through convenience, speed, and accessibility, thus enhancing customer welfare by saving time, reducing costs, and increasing financial control. Hence, this study expands on existing literature by analyzing the impact of e-banking on customer welfare, particularly in banks of Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study uses Zenithal et al.'s (2005) e-SQ/e-SERVQUAL framework and IFC's (2013) MBQ model, treating customer welfare as an outcome of e-banking service quality. A descriptive-exploratory design was employed to analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between e-banking services and customer welfare. A Logit Model was drawn based on data collected from 1029 customers of real-time online branches (RTOB) located in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, to estimate the econometric properties for determining the relationship between e-banking and customer welfare.

Findings: Findings reveal that E-banking explains 68.59% of welfare variance (R²=0.6859, Adj. R²=0.6825). The Logit model is significant (F=206.33, p=0.000), with education (β=0.009, p=0.012), e-compensation, efficiency, responsiveness, and website layout (all p=0.000) as positive predictors. Gender, location, age, marital status, and income showed no significant impact (p>0.05).

Implications/Originality/Value: The study highlights that the banking sector of Pakistan, particularly in Southern Punjab, must improve digital literacy, banking services, and rural infrastructure to enhance e-banking adoption and financial inclusion to contribute more to customer welfare