The asymmetric and long-run effect of environmental innovation and CO2 intensity of GDP on consumption-based CO2 emissions in Denmark

The study explores the relationship between globalization, GDP, the carbon intensity of GDP, patents, and its effect on consumption-based carbon emissions (CCO2E). For analysis, novel econometric approaches include nonlinear ARDL and Fourier ARDL, and for robustness, dynamic OLS applied. The results from cointegration tests reveal that there exists a significant long-run relationship between CCO2E, globalization, economic growth, patents, and the carbon intensity of GDP. Additionally, the empirical results indicate that only positive shock in patents on environmental innovations have a negative and significant impact on CCO2E, while positive and negative shocks in GDP and carbon intensity of GDP significantly increase CCO2E. However, only a negative shock in globalization demonstrates the increase in CCO2E. Also, dynamic OLS findings confirmed the robustness. Given the outcome, it is recommended that the Danish government be cautious when approving policies intended to increase economic growth, as this could negatively affect environmental sustainability. More so, research and development must contribute to technological advancement in the Danish manufacturing sector. Despite this, it is important to prioritize patent promotion. Patent protection can enable Denmark to develop eco-friendly technologies that can reduce carbon emissions, thus enabling life to be more sustainable by utilizing fewer resources and energy. Denmark can reduce CO2E and foster economic development through a strong patent system on environmental technologies.