Estimating the environmental Kuznets curve for cattle production and environmental degradation in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between economic growth in cattle farming and environmental degradation through the lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2020. The study tests whether the EKC model, which suggests an inverted U-shape between economic growth and environmental degradation, holds true for the cattle sector. Using panel data models and various environmental proxies, including sector-specific emissions (CO2eq) and ecological footprints, the study explores how economic growth in cattle farming correlates with environmental impacts. The results indicate that while there is a positive correlation between economic growth and emissions, the expected inflection point where emissions begin to decrease has not yet been reached. Institutional efforts and socio-cultural factors, such as governance quality and energy efficiency, are found to play crucial roles in accelerating the transition to cleaner cattle farming practices. This research contributes to the broader understanding of sustainable agricultural practices in developing regions.