Dynamic Linkages between Environmental Factors and Carbon Emissions in Thailand

Abstract: Thailand is a tourist destination country experiencing continuous economic growth, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural production, which is causing higher energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This study aims to investigate the dynamic effects of economic growth, renewable energy use, urbanization, industrialization, tourism, agricultural productivity, and forest area on CO₂ emissions in Thailand. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) methodology were used to analyze time series data from 1990 to 2020. According to the estimates, a 1% rise in economic growth, urbanization, industrialization, and tourism will raise CO₂ emissions by 0.97%, 0.17%, 0.06%, and 0.05%, respectively. Furthermore, a 1% increase in renewable energy use, agricultural productivity, and forest area may result in reductions in CO₂ emissions of 0.71%, 0.22%, and 0.69%, respectively. This article makes policy recommendations on low-carbon economies, renewable energy use, sustainable urbanization, green industrialization, eco-friendly tourism, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable forest management, all of which could help ensure environmental sustainability by lowering emissions. Furthermore, the findings of the study may guide other developing nations seeking to implement effective environmental sustainability approaches while also increasing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Highlights: • This study investigated the nexus between environmental factors and carbon emissions. • Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares method has been applied by utilizing time series data. • Carbon emissions rise with economic growth, urbanization, industry, and tourism. • Renewable energy, agriculture, and forests showed emission reduction potential. • This article recommends sustainable development and emission reduction policies.