From emissions to solutions: The role of green energy, environmental policy stringency, and political stability in achieving BRICS' carbon neutrality goals.

Rapid economic growth in BRICS countries has significantly increased carbon dioxide emissions, creating serious challenges for global environmental sustainability and climate goals. While previous research has often examined emission drivers in advanced economies or considered isolated factors, a critical gap remains in understanding the combined influence of multiple key determinants in the diverse BRICS context. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the joint effects of energy efficiency, green energy, environmental policy stringency, political stability, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions across BRICS nations from 1995 to 2023. Utilizing advanced panel econometric techniques, including the Augmented Mean Group estimator, robustness checks via the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group method, and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test, the research rigorously explores dynamic relationships and causal directions among these variables. The results demonstrate that improvements in energy efficiency and adoption of green energy substantially reduce emissions, whereas stringent environmental policies and political stability further reinforce these reductions by strengthening implementation effectiveness. In contrast, trade openness and economic growth contribute to higher emissions, highlighting the persistent challenge of balancing energy demands, economic progress, and environmental protection, often described as the energy-economy-environment trilemma. These results demonstrate the need for integrated policy frameworks that simultaneously promote sustainable energy practices, enhance regulatory strength, and maintain stable governance to achieve meaningful carbon neutrality goals. By aligning with the goals of COP28 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this study offers timely and actionable insights to support policymakers in harmonizing economic progress with ecological responsibility in BRICS economies.