Renewable Energy, Economic Policy Uncertainty and Climate Policy Uncertainty: New Evidence for Environmental Kuznets Curve from Emerging and Developed Countries
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsEnergy and climate are important topics in the research feild. Authors have done a very meaningful study. I have some suggestions for the manuscript.
1."This study aims to test EKC hypothesis and investigates the role that policy uncertainty might play on climate change, both in emerging and developed economies." in the introduction, it is suggested that authors may explain more about the importance of the study and provide data support, rather than writing a lot of content structure.
2. "3. Hypotheses, Data, Model and Methodology" ——it is recommended that the hypotheses can be stated in conjunction with the literature review.
3. It is recommended that authors describe the transmission mechanisms of the factors and draw a theoretical modeling framework.
4. In the empirical model,whether authors consider variables “ t-1”？
5. “The estimations reveal different results for the two country groups, showing that one size does not fit all and there is a need for country-specific policy mixes to counteract climate change.” It is suggested that authors can supplement the explanations about the differences from group to individual.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Minor editing of English language required.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe article examines an important and pressing issue related to the analysis of climate change, the impact of renewable energy and economic indicators on it in various countries of the world.
Climate change is one of the main global problems of humanity. In the near future, the planet will undergo dramatic changes: changes in weather conditions lead to changes in the location of various crops used for food; An increase in the average temperature in the world and, as a consequence, the melting of glaciers leads to an increase in the level of the world's seas. Such changes are caused by human activity - in particular due to the need for huge amounts of energy. These changes affect all countries of the world and may affect their economies. Energy consumption has been one of the main contributors to climate change since the 2000s. This is due to the heavy pollution of traditional methods of generating electricity (such as burning coal). Over the past two decades, the possibility of massive and efficient energy extraction in a less environmentally harmful way has been actively studied, i.e. The alternative (green) energy industry developed. The transition to renewable energy entails the following changes: renewable energy sources can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; renewable energy sources are guaranteed by their long-term availability; renewable energy sources are safe - dependence on imported energy resources is reduced, therefore the country’s economy is less susceptible to geopolitical risks; Renewable energy sources can meet demand in developing countries, areas with poor natural resources, or where they are unavailable or unstable. Thus, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources has become one of the goals of sustainable development for a number of countries and their associations. A number of countries have begun to switch to producing electricity using renewable energy sources. The reason for choosing this association is as follows: the total share of the economies is about 50% of the world's gross national product. Member countries include both developed and developing countries.
Researchers in past decades have analyzed the impact of total energy consumption on economic growth; in connection with ongoing changes in this area, it is necessary to pay attention and study the impact of renewable energy consumption on economic growth. The study poses a growth hypothesis. Those. the amount of renewable energy consumed has a positive effect on economic growth.
Based on the relevance of the research, the work presented by the authors is of interest to readers in the field under consideration.
However, the work has the following comments:
1. In the introduction and in section “2.1. Literature on Determinants of Climate Change (Environmental Degradation)”, it was possible to present numerical values of the influence of human activities in various sectors of industry and the national economy on climate change. It is necessary to analyze the carbon footprint created by hazardous industrial production, which has a significant impact, together with economic indicators, on the sustainable development of various regions. In particular, it would be possible to analyze the impact of mining enterprises on greenhouse gas emissions.
2. In the introductory part of the article, you can expand on the term “sustainable development” in more detail, namely, present its formation from various points of view: economic, environmental, legal, etc. in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
3. In section “2.1. Literature on Determinants of Climate Change (Environmental Degradation)” should highlight in more detail the role of specific renewable energy sources based on their greatest impact on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
4. To analyze the data presented in Figure 2, and characterized by numerous factors that are difficult to predict, it is advisable to use machine learning methods, in particular using neural networks.
5. Was the cluster analysis method used, which involved calculating Spearman coefficients, concordance coefficients, constructing divisional trees for classifying indicators and corresponding dendrograms when forming Table 1?
6. It should be explained in more detail what software was used to process the experimental results (section “4.1. Cross-sectional Dependence Test”).
7. It is necessary to present specific mathematical models that allow for the calculation and prediction of the output parameters under consideration during the correlation and regression analysis.
8. Based on the numerous results presented in Tables 2-6, a generalized research methodology should be presented that could be used to conduct similar studies.
9. A detailed plan for further prospective research and testing of the results obtained should be presented.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDid you try GDP per capita instead of just GDP? I would suggest this and show the model. If you did attempt it why didn't you use it.
You must reference the Jevons Paradox in this paper. You use I=PAT and the EKC and Jevons go hand to hand. That you don't have any references is not ok. See: Polimeni, J.M. and R. Iorgulescu Polimeni. "Jevons' Paradox and the Myth of Technological Liberation," Ecological Complexity, Vol. 3, Number 4, Pages 344-353, 2006; and Polimeni, J.M., K. Mayumi, M. Giampietro, and B. Alcott. “Jevons’ Paradox: The Myth of Resource Efficiency Improvements,” Earthscan Publishers, January, 2008.
Explain the use of logs in your equation.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
minor editing is necessary
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear colleagues, you have significantly enriched the manuscript. Nevertheless, in order to increase the level of scientific significance after line 152, it is worth highlighting the prospects of circular waste management as a tool for reducing emissions of climate-active gases [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200224
https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13020033].
Title of section 5 “Conclusions” was lost in text of manuscript - please correct this. In addition, practical significance of results obtained should be indicated and reflected in conclusions and abstract (add be sure to text of manuscript).
Author Response
COMMENT 1: Dear colleagues, you have significantly enriched the manuscript. Nevertheless, in order to increase the level of scientific significance after line 152, it is worth highlighting the prospects of circular waste management as a tool for reducing emissions of climate-active gases [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200224
https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13020033].
RESPONSE 1: Thank you, we have examined the literature above and enriched that part of the article as suggested.
COMMENT 2: Title of section 5 “Conclusions” was lost in text of manuscript - please correct this.
RESPONSE 2: Thanks, we have corrected it based on headings and styles in Word.
COMMENT 3: In addition, practical significance of results obtained should be indicated and reflected in conclusions and abstract (add be sure to text of manuscript).
RESPONSE 3: Sure, we have added a few points for the practical significance to both abstract and conclusion.
