Abstract

This study's purpose is to research the effect of energy efficiency, economic growth and globalization on the ecological footprint for the period 2000-2020 in 29 member and candidate countries of the European Union. Therefore, in our study, the cointegration link among energy efficiency, economic growth, globalization and ecological footprint was investigated with Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration tests. Following cointegration tests, coefficient estimation was made with the extended mean group (AMG) and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimators. For causality relationships, Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality tests were applied. As a result of cointegration tests, it was found that the variables were cointegrated. As a result of the estimators, it was determined that energy efficiency reduces the ecological footprint and economic growth increases it. It has been specified that the impact of globalization on energy efficiency is positive but insignificant. In consequence of the Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality test, a bidirectional positive causality relationship emerged between energy efficiency and ecological footprint. In this regard, policymakers for the countries subject to analysis should follow economic policies that take energy efficiency and environmental basis into consideration.