Climate change, renewable energy, and Gulf Cooperation Council stock market dynamics: A quantile vector autoregression and wavelet quantile framework
The Gulf Cooperation Council region's heavy reliance on oil
revenue presents unique challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a
sustainable economic model. This study employs quantile vector autoregression
and wavelet quantile correlation techniques to explore the intricate
relationships between climate change, renewable energy, and market returns in
the region from August 29, 2014, to December 2023.
Our findings reveal that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Emirates, and Kuwait, serve as net influencers across various economic
conditions, emphasizing their critical role in shaping regional dynamics. These
economies exhibit resilience during extremely negative conditions, with
positive net values indicating their capacity to absorb shocks. In contrast,
smaller economies, such as Oman and Bahrain, demonstrate increased
vulnerability.
Interestingly, the renewable energy index exhibits a slight
stabilizing effect during downturns, whereas temperature fluctuations have a
significant impact on economic performance, indicating a broader environmental
influence on it. The total Connectedness Index consistently remains high across
quantiles, underscoring the rapid transmission of economic shocks and benefits
within the region. These results highlight the interconnectedness of these
economies, revealing that both risks and advantages are swiftly disseminated
throughout the region, particularly during times of crisis or exceptional
growth. This study provides policymakers, investors, and stakeholders in the
region with valuable insights, contributing to a deeper understanding of how
climate change and renewable energy initiatives are influencing financial
markets.