The impact of renewable energy use on expected life span: A study on the Nordic-Baltic Eight

This study aims to investigate the impact of renewable energy use on life expectancy at birth in the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries. The study also examines the impact of carbon emissions, per capita GDP, and unemployment rates on life expectancy at birth. The study utilizes data from the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries covering the period from 1991 to 2021 and applies the Non-Additive Fixed Effects Panel Quantile Regression Method developed by Powell (2022). Additionally, the Pesaran CADF unit root test, Swamy S Test, and Westerlund panel cointegration test were applied in the study. The analyses revealed a long-term relationship between the variables. It was also found that renewable energy use positively affects life expectancy at birth at low, medium, and high quantile levels in the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries. Additionally, it was determined that carbon emissions and unemployment rates negatively affect life expectancy at birth at all quantile levels for the same group of countries. It was also found that per capita GDP increases life expectancy at birth across all quantile levels. Policy recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.