Do Public–Private Partnership Investments in Energy, Green Technology, and Education Drive Environmental Sustainability? Evidence From Wavelet Quantile Correlation Analysis
Shabir Mohsin Hashmi, Wenhua Wang, Ousama Ben‐Salha, Qasim Raza SyedABSTRACT
Major carbon‐emitting economies face the dual challenge of achieving carbon neutrality while sustaining economic growth. Addressing this challenge requires a transition toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible economy. In this context, this study examines the effects of green technology (GTECH), education (EDU), and public‐private partnership investments in energy (PPPIE) on consumption‐ and production‐based CO 2 emissions in China. Using the novel wavelet quantile correlation (WQC), the study captures dynamic co‐movements across quantiles and time horizons, while wavelet quantile regression (WQR) is applied as a robustness check. The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity across quantiles and time horizons. GTECH modestly reduces CO 2 emissions in the short run, with stronger effects over the medium and long term, particularly at middle quantiles. In contrast, EDU is associated with higher CO 2 emissions across most quantiles, with stronger effects over longer horizons. Finally, PPPIE exhibits contrasting effects, being associated with higher emissions in the short run but lower emissions over the medium and long term. The WQR results reinforce the robustness of the main findings. The study offers policy insights to advance SDG 13 by promoting the adoption of green technology, strengthening ecological education, and enhancing the effectiveness of public‐private partnerships.