Assessing the role of nuclear energy in promoting green growth: a quantile-based analysis for BRICS


PATA U. K., Ganie A. U. H., Ahmad M.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD ECOLOGY, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/13504509.2026.2740630
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD ECOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Index Islamicus, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The green economy and clean energy transition have become central global priorities. Nuclear energy, with its potential to reduce carbon emissions, offers a promising pathway for shifting from conventional growth models to green growth. In this context, this study examines the influence of nuclear energy on green growth in the BRICS economies. The empirical analysis employs Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) and the Juodis-Karavias-Sarafidis (JKS) panel causality approach. The MMQR findings indicate that nuclear energy positively affects green growth, especially in the middle and higher quantiles. Financial development also contributes positively to green growth across most quantiles, while R&D consistently supports green growth across all quantiles. In contrast, industrial value added negatively impacts green growth at higher quantiles, and natural resource rents negatively affect green growth, particularly at lower and middle quantiles. The JKS causality results show that nuclear energy leads to green growth. The findings highlight nuclear energy and R&D as critical drivers of green growth in the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Policies that expand nuclear energy capacity while strengthening innovation systems can enhance environmental performance without compromising growth. Such strategies are particularly important for advancing SDGs in the BRICS economies.