Exploring Drivers of CO₂ Emissions in Global Supply Chains: A Panel Data Analysis of 141 Countries (2005–2024)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Global value chains (GVCs) play a vital role in facilitating international trade and economic development, yet they also significantly contribute to rising global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. As countries face increasing climate obligations, understanding the environmental footprint of global supply chain activities has become critical. While prior research has addressed individual drivers of emissions such as renewable energy use or foreign direct investment (FDI), limited empirical evidence exists on how these factors interact especially in the presence of supply chain disruptions and digital transformation. Furthermore, the mediating role of natural resource utilization in shaping these effects remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the combined and mediating effects of supply chain disruption, digitization, renewable energy consumption, and FDI on CO₂ emissions across 141 countries over the period 2005–2024. Grounded in the Natural Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, and Innovation Diffusion Theory, the study employs robust panel data methodologies, including fixed and random effects models and dynamic Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimations. The results indicate that supply chain disruptions and digitization are positively associated with higher CO₂ emissions, likely due to increased reactive production and energy demand. Conversely, renewable energy consumption exhibits a consistent and statistically significant negative effect on emissions, underscoring its role in promoting low-carbon transitions. FDI’s impact is context-dependent and becomes significant only under dynamic modeling. Natural resource utilization mediates these relationships positively, revealing that high resource dependency can dilute the environmental benefits of digital and energy transitions. The findings highlight the need for integrative climate strategies that promote green digital infrastructure, sustainable FDI policies, and resource-efficient governance. This research offers novel empirical insights by integrating technological, economic, and ecological dimensions into a unified framework, helping policymakers and global firms align trade practices with environmental sustainability goals.
Source: Aposta
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224826586