Title: Investigating the Effect of Explanatory Antecedents on Energy Consumption in South Africa: A Bootstrap ARDL Analysis

Abstract:

Energy generation from carbon fuels is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with fossil fuels being responsible for about seventy-five (75%) of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly ninety percent (90%) of carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it is imperative to support the development of cleaner, more efficient, low-cost, sustainable, and energy-reliable alternative fuels. In this study, we examine the effect of oil prices, ecological footprint, banking sector development, and economic growth on energy consumption in South Africa. We employed the newly developed bootstrap autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to investigate the short and long-term linkages between explanatory antecedents and energy consumption. Our findings reveal that economic growth and ecological footprint have a significant positive effect on energy consumption in both the short and long run in South Africa, indicating that rapid economic growth and improved environmental quality can lead to increased energy use. However, the ARDL results suggest that the industrial structure has a positive and significant effect only in the short run. Furthermore, oil price shocks have a negative and significant relationship with energy consumption in the short and long run, indicating that increased oil prices reduce energy use in South Africa. Based on our study's results, we propose several policy recommendations to government authorities, policymakers, environmentalists, and other stakeholders to develop an energy strategy that aligns with sustainable economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Carbon fuels, Greenhouse gas emissions, Bootstrap ARDL, Energy consumption, Economic growth, Ecological footprint, Oil prices, South Africa

Biography:

Qualifications:
• Spring 2018: PhD in Finance, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus.
• Spring 2016: Certificate in Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis. Queen's University, Canada.
• Fall 2004: M. S. in accounting, University of Benghazi (Garyounis University), Faculty of Economics, Libya
• Spring 1996: B. S. in accounting, University of Benghazi (Garyounis University), Faculty of Economics, Libya.

Academic Experience:
• Fall 2000-2004: Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Economics, University of Benghazi (Garyounis University)
• Fall 2005-2010: Lecturer/ Instructor in the Faculty of Economics / University of Benghazi.
• Fall 2015 to Summer 2016: Senior lecturer, Girne American University, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business & Economics.
• Fall 2016: Senior Lecturer (part time), Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics & Business Administration.
• Fall 2016 to Spring 2018: Senior Lecturer (part time), Cyprus International University, Department of Accounting & Finance, Faculty of Business & Economics.
• Fall 2018 to 2019: Full-time instructor, Girne American University, Accounting Department, Business Faculty.
• Fall 2019 to present: Full-time instructor, University of Mediterranean Karpasia, Accounting and Finance Department, Business Faculty.