Joint impact of stock market development and energy consumption on carbon dioxide emissions in Nigeria: 1990 to 2021

Environmental degradation and global warming are two of the most pressing concerns facing the world today. This study examines the joint effects of stock market development and energy consumption on environmental degradation in Nigeria from 1990 to 2021. Utilizing the ARDL cointegration framework, the analysis reveals a long-run cointegration relationship among the variables at the speed of 124% towards long-run equilibrium. Carbon dioxide emission is positively and significantly influenced by stock market growth and energy consumption but negatively and insignificantly by the interaction of stock market and energy use. The control variables of foreign direct investment and trade openness have a negative impact on emissions while economic growth has positive impact on emission. The findings suggest that the adverse impacts of stock market growth and energy consumption on the environment require effective regulations, sustainable practices, and environmental protection with the use of renewable energy prioritized through the stock market and energy consumption agencies and policy makers. In the same vein, the Nigerian government should also prioritize policies aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the expansion of the trade sector and foreign direct investment because they play a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation while it should promote sustainable economic growth that will encourage reduced carbon emission.