• Ankita Navso Chari

This study explores the dynamic relationship between economic growth, environmental degradation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and trade openness in India within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis from 1990 to 2019. Despite the prevailing notion of an inevitable trade-off between economic development and environmental preservation, the EKC hypothesis posits a non-linear relationship, suggesting that economic growth initially exacerbates but eventually mitigates environmental degradation after surpassing a certain income threshold. Utilizing the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and cointegration analysis, this research delves into India's unique developmental trajectory to determine whether it aligns with the theoretical predictions of the EKC. The findings reveal an inverted N-shaped EKC for India, indicating that economic expansion initially leads to increased CO2 emissions, which subsequently decline as economic growth progresses, reflecting efficiency gains, technological advancements, and a shift towards less carbon-intensive industries. However, the role of FDI and trade openness presents a more complex interaction with environmental outcomes, suggesting nuanced policy implications. The study highlights the importance of integrating environmental considerations into economic and trade policies, promoting green technology, and enhancing public awareness to align India's rapid economic growth with its environmental sustainability goals. By providing empirical evidence on the EKC in India, this paper contributes to the global discourse on sustainable development and offers critical insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders involved in environmental economics.

Sustainability, Environment, Economic growth and development

"Economic Growth and Environmental Nexus in India: Unraveling the Dynamics through the Lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 3, page no.j100-j106, March-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2403918.pdf

"Economic Growth and Environmental Nexus in India: Unraveling the Dynamics through the Lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 3, page no. ppj100-j106, March-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2403918.pdf