This study investigates the impact of economic growth (EG), trade openness (TON), technological innovation (TIN), and information and communication technology (ICT) on CO2 emissions in Malaysia from 1985 to 2021 using symmetric (ARDL) and asymmetric (NARDL) methodologies. Symmetric analysis reveals that EG, TON, and ICT increase CO2 emissions in both the short and long run, while TIN reduces short-term emissions. Asymmetric analysis shows asymmetric long-term effects of TIN, EG, and ICT on CO2 emissions. The study recommends policies to incentivize cleaner technologies, upgrade energy infrastructure, implement carbon pricing, and raise public awareness to reduce emissions.

Ha Junsheng, Yuning Mu, Muhammad Mehedi Masud, Rulia Akhtar, Abu Naser Mohammad Saif, K. M. Anwarul Islam, Nusrat Hafiz