CO2 Emissions among Industrialized Countries amidst Climate Change: South Africa versus Other Selected BRICS Countries and the USA

Authors

  • Joseph Sello Kau

    Economic Analysis Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
  • Solly Molepo

    1. Markets and Economic Research Centre, National Agricultural Marketing Council, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; 2. Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, North West 2745, South Africa
  • Mamakie Lungwana

    Economic Analysis Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
  • Ikechi Agbugba

    1. Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt ZIP 500106, Nigeria; 2. Business Management, York St John University, London ZIP E142BA, United Kingdom; 3. Agribusiness Management, Rome Business School, Nigerian Campus, Lagos ZIP100271, Nigeria
  • Whitney Matli

    Economic Analysis Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
  • Lesiba Pertunia Mailula

    Economic Analysis Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria 0028, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.7438
Received: 7 October 2024 | Revised: 24 October 2024 | Accepted: 28 November 2024 | Published Online: 7 May 2025

Abstract

Despite countries having signed agreements and developed policy to reduce CO2 emissions, there is disproportionate compliance with the agreements, with developed countries continuing to be the largest emitters. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of South Africa’s population growth, economic growth, and fertilizer consumption on CO2 emissions, with those of the US, China, and other BRICS countries. The study used panel data sourced from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators ranging from 1960 to 2023. Results of the fixed effects panel regression show that the coefficient of change for China’s population size (β = 9.156, p < 0.01) is the highest among the six countries. It is followed by the USA (β = 9.156, p < 0.05) and South Africa (β = 1.474, p < 0.01). The effects of GDP for China (β = 1.128, p < 0.01) on CO2 emissions are the largest, followed by South Africa (β = 1.098, p < 0.01) and the USA in third place (β = 0.614, p < 0.05). These results show that South Africa is highly reliant on coal-based energy resources. As a policy recommendation, South Africa needs to diversify its energy mix and invest more in renewable energy resources.

Keywords:

CO2 Emissions; Climate Change; GDP; Fertilizer Consumption; South Africa; US and China

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How to Cite

Joseph Sello Kau, Molepo, S., Mamakie Lungwana, Ikechi Agbugba, Whitney Matli, & Lesiba Pertunia Mailula. (2025). CO2 Emissions among Industrialized Countries amidst Climate Change: South Africa versus Other Selected BRICS Countries and the USA. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(5), 244–256. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.7438

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025)

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Joseph Sello Kau, Solly Molepo, Mamakie Lungwana, Ikechi Agbugba, Whitney Matli, Lesiba Pertunia Mailula

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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