skip to main content

|  Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Subject
Type Graphical Abstract
  View (1MB)    Indexing metadata
 Research Instrument
Highlight of the study
Subject
Type Research Instrument
  Download (15KB)    Indexing metadata

E-Government, Innovation, and Renewable Energy Transition: A Triadic Model for Pollution Reduction in Developing Economies

Professor, School of Business and Economics, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bangladesh

Received: 11 Mar 2026; Published: 1 Sep 2026.
Editor(s): Grigorios Kyriakopoulos
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

Although the relevance of digital transformation in conducting government business has been widely recognised, the environmental impact of transforming government digitisation has not been fully comprehended, especially in developing economies. The available studies tend to address digital governance, technological innovation, and renewable energy adoption as independent factors in reducing pollution, but do not examine how these factors can be combined to achieve synergistic effects. This research bridges the gap by considering technological innovation and the adoption of renewable energy as moderating variables between the correlation and the relationship between government digitisation and pollution reduction in the N-11 countries between 2003 and 2022. Based on the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper presents a composite framework to understand the interaction between digital governance and the ecosystem of innovation and energy transition. Based on the findings obtained with the assistance of substantive econometric methods, it turns out that, despite direct negative impacts of government digitisation on the level of CO2 emissions, the policy will be much more successful when enriched with an increase in the intelligence of the technological sector and renewable energy rates. The discovery of these interaction effects makes the present research a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge on environmental governance, providing policymakers with actionable new insights for balancing digital transformation with sustainability objectives. Therefore, this paper highlights the importance of the concept of digital governance, both as a direct facilitator of pollution abatement and a structural inducer to reinforce the positive outcomes of innovation and the clean energy transition in new economies.

Note: This article has supplementary file(s).

Keywords: Government digitization; Pollution reduction; Technological innovation; Renewable energy; N-11 countries

Article Metrics:

  1. Adanma, U. M., & Ogunbiyi, E. O. (2024). Assessing the economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy adoption across different global regions. Engineering Science & Technology Journal. doi: 10.51594/estj.v5i5.1154
  2. Adha, R., Hong, C. Y., Agrawal, S., & Li, L.-H. (2022). ICT, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, and Energy Demand Nexus: The Potential Benefit of Digitalization in Taiwan. Energy & Environment, 34(5), 1619-1638. doi: 10.1177/0958305x221093458
  3. Alfiani, H., Aditya, S. K., Lusa, S., Sensuse, D. I., Putro, P. A. W., & Indriasari, S. (2024). E-Government Issues in Developing Countries Using TOE and UTAUT Frameworks: A Systematic Review. Policy & Governance Review, 8(2), 169. doi: 10.30589/pgr.v8i2.932
  4. Banda, L. G., & Du Plessis, D. J. (2024). The contingent role of state capacity on the impact of e-government on environmental sustainability in developing countries. Frontiers in Political Science, Volume 6 - 2024. doi: 10.3389/fpos.2024.1459973
  5. Bartolacci, F., Caputo, A., & Soverchia, M. (2019). Sustainability and Financial Performance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Bibliometric and Systematic Literature Review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1297-1309. doi: 10.1002/bse.2434
  6. Cao, X., Deng, M., Song, F., Zhong, S., & Zhu, J. (2019). Direct and Moderating Effects of Environmental Regulation Intensity on Enterprise Technological Innovation: The Case of China. PLOS ONE, 14(10), e0223175. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223175
  7. Chen, Y., & Li, Q. (2024). The Impact of E-Government on the New Generation Productive Capacities: Evidence From Cross-Country Data. Sustainability, 16(8), 3233. doi: 10.3390/su16083233
  8. Chohan, S. R., & Hu, G. (2020). Success Factors Influencing Citizens’ Adoption of IoT Service Orchestration for Public Value Creation in Smart Government. IEEE Access, 8, 208427-208448. doi: 10.1109/access.2020.3036054
  9. Christensen, L. (2024). Renewable Energy Adoption and Carbon Emission Reductions in Copenhagen, Denmark. International Journal of Climatic Studies. doi: 10.47604/ijcs.2971
  10. Chung, C.-S., Choi, H., & Cho, Y. (2022). Analysis of Digital Governance Transition in South Korea: Focusing on the Leadership of the President for Government Innovation. Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity, 8(1), 2. doi: 10.3390/joitmc8010002
  11. Dong, Z., & Yao, S.-J. (2024). Digital Finance Reduces Urban Carbon Footprint Pressure in 277 Chinese Cities. Scientific Reports, 14(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-67315-z
  12. Fagbemi, T. O., Osemene, O. F., & Oladipo, S. I. (2016). Effect of enterprise risk on financial performance of national micro-finance banks in Nigeria
  13. Fatima, A.-E. (2021). Digital government services and environmental governance: A GCC perspective. [Journal Name Placeholder], [Volume Placeholder]([Issue Placeholder]), [Start Page Placeholder]-[End Page Placeholder]. doi: [DOIPlaceholder]
  14. Floridi, L. (2018). Soft Ethics and the Governance of the Digital. Philosophy & Technology, 31(1), 1-8. doi: 10.1007/s13347-018-0303-9
  15. Fred, D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340. doi: 10.2307/249008
  16. George, A. S., & George, A. H. (2024). Riding the Wave: An Exploration of Emerging Technologies Reshaping Modern Industry. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 2(1), 15-38
  17. George, G., Merrill, R., & Schillebeeckx, S. J. (2020). Digital Sustainability and Entrepreneurship: How Digital Innovations Are Helping Tackle Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(5), 999-1027. doi: 10.1177/1042258719899425
  18. Gil-García, J. R., Dawes, S. S., & Pardo, T. A. (2017). Digital Government and Public Management Research: Finding the Crossroads. Public Management Review, 20(5), 633-646. doi: 10.1080/14719037.2017.1327181
  19. González-Blanco, J., Coca-Pérez, J. L., & Guisado‐González, M. (2018). The Contribution of Technological and Non-Technological Innovation to Environmental Performance. An Analysis With a Complementary Approach. Sustainability, 10(11), 4014. doi: 10.3390/su10114014
  20. Han, S., Peng, D., Guo, Y., Aslam, M. U., & Xu, R. (2025). Harnessing technological innovation and renewable energy and their impact on environmental pollution in G-20 countries. Scientific Reports, 15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-85182-0
  21. Hazbi, F. E., & Mounir, Y. (2023). Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practices and Environmental Performance: The Mediation Role of Technology Innovation. E3S Web of Conferences, 412, 01009. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202341201009
  22. Janowski, T., Estévez, E., & Baguma, R. (2018). Platform Governance for Sustainable Development: Reshaping Citizen-Administration Relationships in the Digital Age. Government Information Quarterly, 35(4), S1-S16. doi: 10.1016/j.giq.2018.09.002
  23. Kyeong, K., Ra, H., Park, J.-Y., & Im, T. (2022). How Does the Government Interact With Citizens Within an Electronic Governance System? Selective Government Responsiveness. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 89(4), 1079-1096. doi: 10.1177/00208523221100109
  24. Li, J., Zhan, G., Dai, X., Qi, M., & Liu, B. (2022). Innovation and Optimization Logic of Grassroots Digital Governance in China Under Digital Empowerment and Digital Sustainability. Sustainability, 14(24), 16470. doi: 10.3390/su142416470
  25. Li, W., Elheddad, M., & Doytch, N. (2021). The Impact of Innovation on Environmental Quality: Evidence for the Non-Linear Relationship of Patents and CO2 Emissions in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 292, 112781. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112781
  26. Liao, Z., & Zhang, M. (2020). The Influence of Responsible Leadership on Environmental Innovation and Environmental Performance: The Moderating Role of Managerial Discretion. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(5), 2016-2027. doi: 10.1002/csr.1942
  27. Liu, H., Wang, L., & Shen, Y. (2023). Can Digital Technology Reduce Carbon Emissions? Evidence From Chinese Cities. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1205634
  28. Liu, R., Che Abdul Rahman, M. R., & Jamil, A. H. (2025). Responding to Climate Policy Risk Through the Dynamic Role of Green Innovation: Evidence from Carbon Information Disclosure in Emerging Markets. Risks, 13(5), 92. doi: 10.3390/risks13050092
  29. Ma, Z., & Feng-lan, W. U. (2022). Smart City, Digitalization and CO2 Emissions: Evidence From 353 Cities in China. Sustainability, 15(1), 225. doi: 10.3390/su15010225
  30. Meijer, A., & Boon, W. (2021). Digital Platforms for the Co-Creation of Public Value. Policy & Politics, 49(2), 231-248. doi: 10.1332/030557321x16115951032181
  31. Mensah, I. K., & Mwakapesa, D. S. (2023). The Impact of E-Government Information Quality (EGIQ) Dimensions on the Adoption of Electronic Government Services. Information Development, 41(2), 265-284. doi: 10.1177/02666669231155164
  32. Mu, D., Liang, X., & Yang, D. (2025). E-Government Development and Environmental Performance: Unravelling the Dual Mediation of Regulatory Enforcement and Citizen Participation in China. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 91(3), 409-426. doi: 10.1177/00208523251352723
  33. Muhammad, A., & Yuyuan, W. (2022). Environmental sustainability and renewable energy adoption: Evidence from panel data. [Journal Name Placeholder], [Volume Placeholder]([Issue Placeholder]), [Start Page Placeholder]-[End Page Placeholder]. doi: [DOIPlaceholder]
  34. Muhammad, K. (2023). Digital government and technology diffusion in GCC countries. [Journal Name Placeholder], [Volume Placeholder]([Issue Placeholder]), [Start Page Placeholder]-[End Page Placeholder]. doi: [DOIPlaceholder]
  35. Musah, M., Owusu-Akomeah, M., Kumah, E. A., Mensah, I. A., Nyeadi, J. D., Murshed, M., & Alfred, M. (2022). Green investments, financial development, and environmental quality in Ghana: evidence from the novel dynamic ARDL simulations approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(21), 31972-32001. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-17685-y
  36. Oladipo, U. (2022). Technological innovation and pollution reduction in emerging economies. [Journal Name Placeholder], [Volume Placeholder]([Issue Placeholder]), [Start Page Placeholder]-[End Page Placeholder]. doi: [DOIPlaceholder]
  37. Padhan, L., & Bhat, S. (2023). Nexus Between Foreign Direct Investment and Ecological Footprint in BRICS and Next-11: The moderating Role Of green Innovation. Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 35(4), 799-817. doi: 10.1108/meq-07-2023-0204
  38. Patergiannaki, Z., & Pollalis, Y. A. (2022). E‐Government Maturity Assessment: Evidence From Greek Municipalities. Policy & Internet, 15(1), 6-35. doi: 10.1002/poi3.317
  39. Ramadani, L., Yovadiani, A., & Dewi, F. (2022). When Innocence Is No Protection: Governance Failure of Digitization and Its Impact on Local Level Implementation. Transforming Government People Process and Policy, 16(1), 68-80. doi: 10.1108/tg-09-2021-0142
  40. Rongjuan, W. (2022). How Multiple Interactions Between Policy Instruments and the Policy Environment Affect Environmental Governance Efficiency. Energy & Environment, 34(3), 621-639. doi: 10.1177/0958305x221107346
  41. Sahoo, B., Behera, D. K., & Rahut, D. B. (2022). Decarbonization: Examining the Role of Environmental Innovation Versus Renewable Energy Use. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(32), 48704-48719. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-18686-1
  42. Shen, X., Zhao, H., Yu, J., Wan, Z., He, T., & Liu, J. (2022). Digital Economy and Ecological Performance: Evidence From a Spatial Panel Data in China. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.969878
  43. Sinha, A., Shahbaz, M., & Balsalobre‐Lorente, D. (2017). Exploring the Relationship Between Energy Usage Segregation and Environmental Degradation in N-11 Countries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 168, 1217-1229. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.071
  44. Song, T., Li, H., & Feng, Z. (2024). Policy and market mechanisms for promoting sustainable energy transition: role of government and private sector. Economic Change and Restructuring. doi: 10.1007/s10644-024-09734-6
  45. Visnjic, I., Wiengarten, F., & Neely, A. (2014). Only the Brave: Product Innovation, Service Business Model Innovation, and Their Impact on Performance. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 33(1), 36-52. doi: 10.1111/jpim.12254
  46. Wa, D., & Zhang, Z. (2023). Research on E-Government Adoption In Environmental Governance From the Perspective Of Public Participation: Empirical Analysis Based on 31 Provinces in China. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 32(2), 1383-1391. doi: 10.15244/pjoes/153076
  47. Wang, J., You, S., Agyekum, E. B., Matasane, C., & Uhunamure, S. E. (2022). Exploring the Impacts of Renewable Energy, Environmental Regulations, and Democracy on Ecological Footprints in the Next Eleven Nations. Sustainability, 14(19), 11909
  48. Wang, M., Li, Y., Wang, Z., Shi, Y., & Zhou, J. (2023). The Synergy Impact of External Environmental Pressures and Corporate Environmental Commitment on Innovations in Green Technology. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(2), 854-878. doi: 10.1002/csr.2604
  49. Wang, P., Han, W., Rizvi, S. K. A., & Naqvi, B. (2022). Is Digital Adoption the way forward to Curb Energy Poverty? Technological Forecasting and Social Change. doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121722
  50. Wang, T., Wang, D., & Zeng, Z. (2024). Research on the Construction and Measurement of Digital Governance Level System of County Rural Areas in China—Empirical Analysis Based on Entropy Weight TOPSIS Model. Sustainability, 16(11), 4374. doi: 10.3390/su16114374
  51. Xie, F., Guan, X., Zhu, J., Ruan, J., Wang, Z., & Liu, H. (2023). Environmental Protection Goes Digital: A Policy Perspective on Promoting Digitalization for Sustainable Development in China. Sustainability, 15(13), 10673. doi: 10.3390/su151310673
  52. Xu, X., Imran, M., Ayaz, M., & Lohana, S. (2022). The Mediating Role of Green Technology Innovation With Corporate Social Responsibility, Firm Financial, and Environmental Performance: The Case of Chinese Manufacturing Industries. Sustainability, 14(24), 16951. doi: 10.3390/su142416951
  53. Zeng, F., Chen, Y., Wei, B., Wang, P., & Yang, S. (2024). Exploring the Multiple Paths of Digital Government Development: A Dynamic QCA Analysis Based on Organizational Transformation. IEEE Access, 12, 18451-18472. doi: 10.1109/access.2024.3358375
  54. Zhang, R., Jing, L., Li, Y., & Guo, X. (2025). The role of technological innovation and institutional quality in environmental and economic growth sustainability in emerging Asian countries. Frontiers in Environmental Science
  55. Zhong, K. (2022). Does the Digital Finance Revolution Validate the Environmental Kuznets Curve? Empirical Findings From China. PLOS ONE, 17(1), e0257498. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257498
  56. Zhu, X., Meng, X., & Teng, C. (2024). Coordination of Interests Between Local Environmental Protection Departments and Enterprises Under China’s Environmental Regulation Policies: An Evolutionary Game Theoretical Approach. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1309955

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-08-14 11:55:17

No citation recorded.