Recent evidence of the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, energy use, GDP, and population in Ghana: A linear regression approach

ABSTRACTIn this study, the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, energy use, GDP, and population was examined in Ghana from 1971-2013 using a linear regression approach. Evidence from the study shows a long-run equilibrium relationship running from energy use (EU), gross domestic product (GDP), and population to carbon dioxide emissions. There was evidence of long-run equilibrium relationship from GDP to carbon dioxide emissions and population to carbon dioxide emissions. There was a unidirectional causality from EU to carbon dioxide emissions, population to carbon dioxide emissions, and population to EU. Evidence from the fit regression model shows that, a 1% increase in EU, GDP, and population will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.58%, 0.73%, and 1.30%, which has policy implications for Ghana. As a policy recommendation, efforts by the Government of Ghana that provide the enabling environment for the creation of decent jobs, small and medium scale enterprises, creativity, innovation, scie...