Modelling the nexus between green energy, agricultural production, forest cover, and population growth towards climate change for the transition towards a green economy

India’s rapid industrialisation and burgeoning population have positioned the nation as a leading global carbon dioxide emitter primarily responsible for climate change. This study delves into various critical factors driving emissions and proposes actionable strategies for a sustainable green economy. This study examines the impact of the energy mix (comprising fossil fuel usage and green energy consumption), forest cover, population, and agricultural production towards carbon emissions (CO₂) in India from 1990 to 2019. This study makes use of the autoregressive distributed lagged model and co-integration analysis. The study also uses the Toda and Yamamoto causality test to explore causal relationships among variables. While green energy shows potential for CO₂ reduction, further efforts are needed to promote its use. The present study necessitates several urgent and robust policy interventions, including transitioning to clean energy, enforcing afforestation initiatives, managing population growth sustainably, and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. These measures are essential for balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, aligning with India’s commitment to meeting the sustainable development goals.

Graphical abstract