Economic development, natural resource utilization, GHG emissions and sustainable development: A case study of China

The study examines the relationship between economic development, natural resource utilization, financial development, trade openness, and GHG emissions in China to achieve sustainable development, focusing on SDG 13 (Climate Change). The study used time series data from 1990 to 2021 and employed OLS, FMOLS, and DOLS econometric methods. The study found an inverted U-Shaped relationship between per capita income growth and GHG emissions in China. The positive impact of natural resource utilization and negative impact of financial development on GHG emissions were also identified. Additionally, international trade was found to have a positive effect on GHG emissions. The study suggests that promoting cleaner technologies, efficient use of natural resources, and financial development, as well as trade openness with consideration of environmental impact, and international cooperation towards achieving SDGs. Despite the progress made in achieving SDGs such as SDG 1, 2, 4, 6, and 11 there is a need to address the challenges of green growth, efficient use of natural resource, and greenhouse gas emissions to achieve SDG 13.