Interplay between renewable energy and fossil fuel markets: Fresh evidence from quantile-on-quantile and wavelet quantile approaches

Abstract

Highlighting the unprecedented rise in CO2 emissions from the global energy sector, the paper discusses the significant shift towards renewable energy, which has reshaped financial markets and investment landscapes. Despite the transition, conventional fossil fuel energy remains pivotal to the global economy, influencing renewable energy markets, especially during financial crises. Using advanced methodologies, quantile-on-quantile regression (QQR) and wavelet quantile regression (WQR), this study investigates the interplay between individual fossil fuel stocks and various renewable energy assets, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and yieldcos. The findings reveal substantial interdependencies between these markets, with fossil fuel stocks notably negatively impacting renewable energy assets under extreme market conditions. During turbulent periods, renewable energy assets function as safe havens against the volatility of fossil fuel stocks in the short term. Conversely, under normal market conditions, while renewable energy ETFs and yieldcos can hedge against fossil fuel volatility, they can also serve as diversifiers in the long term. The results underscore the importance of understanding these dynamic interactions to develop effective investment strategies and policies. The study's insights are crucial for investors and policymakers in mitigating investment risks and fostering a resilient transition to sustainable energy systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive frameworks to manage the interconnectedness between fossil fuel and renewable energy markets.