The nexus between access to energy, poverty reduction and PM2.5 in Sub-Saharan Africa: New evidence from the generalized method of moments estimators

Poverty reduction and environmental quality are the two main agendas of sustainable development goals. However, recent research suggests that there may be a dilemma between efforts to achieve these two goals. This paper aims to explore the existence of a dilemma between poverty and air pollution (PM2.5) in Sub-Saharan African countries using dynamic estimation methods. We also try to reveal the socio-economic dynamics that affect poverty and air pollution. Our findings are evaluated in four ways. First, there is strong evidence of a trade-off between poverty and PM2.5 emissions in African countries. Second, while economic growth and access to energy reduce poverty, they increase air pollution and thus confirm the dilemma. Third, population and trade do not significantly affect poverty, while population increases air pollution and trade decreases it. Fourth, and most notably, human development, property rights and economic freedom reduce both poverty and air pollution. Ultimately, this research supports the poverty environment dilemma and provides empirical evidence for a solution.