Examining the Key Impact Factors of Ecological Carrying Capacity: Evidence from a Panel of BRICS Countries

Abstract

The overloaded ecological environment induced by the rapid process of urbanization globally should be targeted between different regions. As an emerging economic market in the world, BRICS countries play a valuable role in achieving sustainable development worldwide. For formulating effective and tailored measures to improve its ecological environment, it’s imperative for BRICS countries to understand key impact factors (KIFs) of ecological carrying capacity (ECC). However, few efforts have been devoted to determining impact factors of ECC. Furthermore, existing studies of impact factors partially focus on selecting just a few candidate impact factors (CIFs) to analyze KIFs. Through undertaking an extensive literature review, this paper identifies a CIFs list including 21 CIFs under 6 categories. In referring to this list, KIFs examination is conducted by employing STIRPAT model with correlation analysis and stepwise regression in the context of BRICS countries. The findings from this study suggest that population factors are most significant to increase ecological burden, while R&D expenditure share of GDP is the largest inhibiting factor of ecological footprint increasing. Besides, income level of a country will influence the significant degree of economic factors. The research results are expected to provide useful guidance for tailoring appropriate ecological-friendly measures and policies. In turn, sustainable development at global level can be achieved effectively.

Keywords: ecological carrying capacity, KIFs, CIFs list, STIRPAT model, BRICS countries