The Significance of Energy Factors, Green Economic Indicators, Blue Economic Aspects towards Carbon Intensity: A Study of Saudi Vision 2030
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
By employing the non-linear ARDL technique from 1991 to 2020, the authors explore the nexus between energy factors, blue factors, green factors, and carbon intensity in Saudi Arabia. The topic seems important but my first impression to the manuscript’s title and abstract is nothing new.
Studies on the related topic are heavily available. The econometric equation, estimation models are all old norms. The analysis is too simple. Moreover, the authors just present the test results but fail to further discuss the results. In addition, there are many syntax and formatting errors.
In total, the authors need to explain fully why such a study is significant enough to be published in an important journal such as Sustainability.
Author Response
By employing the non-linear ARDL technique from 1991 to 2020, the authors explore the nexus between energy factors, blue factors, green factors, and carbon intensity in Saudi Arabia. The topic seems important but my first impression to the manuscript’s title and abstract is nothing new.
Suggestion 1:
Studies on the related topic are heavily available. The econometric equation, estimation models are all old norms. The analysis is too simple. Moreover, the authors just present the test results but fail to further discuss the results. In addition, there are many syntax and formatting errors. In total, the authors need to explain fully why such a study is significant enough to be published in an important journal such as Sustainability. Furthermore, as per the comment to show the significance of the study, the article incorporated:
Answer:
Firstly, thank you for your valuable comments and I really appreciate as it really helps to further improve the article. I have addressed the comments at several places and additional information was marked in red font. Proof reading has been done and results have been justified such as:
This study is important to monitor the initiatives taken by government towards sustainability. Three noteworthy initiatives e.g. promote clean and affordable energy consumption, climate protection and reduction in marine pollution, can be identified and its results can aid to further implement monitoring and amended policies. Several projects under these categories by KSA government has been started which supports the sustainable goals and 2030 agenda. This research mainly provides some variables and its action on these goals, it notifies how better these goals can support growth and development in sustainable way.
Marine eco-system pollutants have been generating by many activities such as fishing, marine tourism and trading. According to (Hall et al., 1990), fish farming feed includes nitrogen an hazard to the marine environment and (Robb et al., 2017) consider aqua production activity from raw material to the final consumption as an impurity to the eco system. Therefore, (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019) concluded that few climate actions should be addressed such as renewable energy from the ocean; marine transport and food production (such as, fishing, aquaculture). In term of marine transport, decarbonizing the transport will help to minimize the greenhouse gasses emission and water pollution. By using the low carbon fuels, the carbon emission caused by the marine transport and fishing can be minimized. The expansion of greenhouse gasses emission can be controlled promoting the offshore renewable energy, which is been adopted by number of countries. Another significant measure is the low carbon food system; introducing the low-tropic and organic aquaculture which leads towards low impact aquaculture.
We further extend the discussion of the results, few of the explanations are mentioned below
(Apergis & Payne, 2009), (Mirzaei & Bekri, 2017), and (Saboori & Sulaiman, 2013) depicted in conclusion a direct relationship among energy depletion and CO2 emissions. We justify as (Hasanov et al., 2018) stated that oil and its depletion have an optimistic impact on CO2 emissions for oil-exporting nations because it ecological impacts higher degree of CO2 emissions in the country and endure an additional lengthy period. (Apergis & Payne, 2011) and (Saidi & Omri, 2020) it does not contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. (Kojo Menyah & Yemane Wolde-Rufael, 2010) concluded that no significant impact to carbon emissions demonstrated that usage of renewable energy has not yet reached to particular amount where it could make any change to carbon reductions effect.
(Cheng et al., 2019; Huang et al., 2021; Ibrahiem, 2020) several researchers stated vital role of patents and its reduction for Carbon intensity. (Aziz & Khan, 2022)performed the research on KSA and confirms that patents reduces carbon intensity because (Shaikh et al., 2018)is of the view that it technically enhance productivity of the product with less usage of energy .
(Abedi & Moeenian, 2021) justified the research on Middle eastern countries, that environmental innovations and management supports in reduction of carbon emissions. Similarly, high technology has a direct relationship with carbon intensity.(Hasangholipor et al., 2018) concluded based on endogenous growth theories that technological advancement is significant in growth and developmental activities.
Carbon intensity is decreasing with the help of high technological steps and a negative change in technology demonstrates an increasing trend in carbon releases. (Z. Wang & Zhu, 2020) support R&D and (Clarke et al., 2008; Edenhofer et al., 2006) favor technological development for environmental friendly actions. Innovation is found to be statically insignificant towards carbon intensity, which resembles the results of (Samargandi, 2017).
Further changes are marked in the articles.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
this paper is very interesting and the empirical study provide insighs for what contribute to the carbon emission
the author may need to give more clarification for the relationship of blue economy and the carbon emission. it is highly recommended that, an analysis for the impact mechanism, for example, why the blue economy can reduce/or impact on CARBON emission and in which way, what is substitute or changed due to the development of blue economy. The clarification above will help and necessary to support the methods being used, and the explaination of the results and conclusion.
It is also recommended that the author may compare the conclusion from this study with other studies, as some of the conslusion may not apply all, but only fit Saudi situation. In addition, the author may discuss further the key feature of the Saudi, which provide context for in which way that the results and conclusion of this study is rational and applicatable for other regions and countries with similar situation.
Author Response
Response Letter
Reviewer 2
This paper is very interesting and the empirical study provide insights for what contribute to the carbon emission
Suggestion 1:
The author may need to give more clarification for the relationship of blue economy and the carbon emission. it is highly recommended that, an analysis for the impact mechanism, for example, why the blue economy can reduce/or impact on CARBON emission and in which way, what is substitute or changed due to the development of blue economy. The clarification above will help and necessary to support the methods being used, and the explanation of the results and conclusion.
Answer:
Firstly, we appreciate all your suggestions. As per understanding for the comments, this has been incorporated.
Marine eco-system pollutants have been generating by many activities such as fishing, marine tourism and trading. According to (Hall et al., 1990), fish farming feed includes nitrogen an hazard to the marine environment and (Robb et al., 2017) consider aqua production activity from raw material to the final consumption as an impurity to the eco system. Therefore, (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019) concluded that few climate actions should be addressed such as renewable energy from the ocean; marine transport and food production (such as, fishing, aquaculture). In term of marine transport, decarbonizing the transport will help to minimize the greenhouse gasses emission and water pollution. By using the low carbon fuels, the carbon emission caused by the marine transport and fishing can be minimized. The expansion of greenhouse gasses emission can be controlled promoting the offshore renewable energy, which is been adopted by number of countries. Another significant measure is the low carbon food system; introducing the low-tropic and organic aquaculture which leads towards low impact aquaculture.
Suggestion 2:
It is also recommended that the author may compare the conclusion from this study with other studies, as some of the conclusion may not apply all, but only fit Saudi situation. In addition, the author may discuss further the key feature of the Saudi, which provide context for in which way that the results and conclusion of this study is rational and applicable for other regions and countries with similar situation.
Answer:
Thank you for the comment, this article has been modified by the following paragraph to address this comment.
This research states the effect on carbon intensity via positive or negative shocks in energy and green and blue economic indicators. Primarily, the study expect that a direct relationship will be found with renewable energy and indirect with nonrenewable energy consumption in the case of Saudi Arabia, as per the previous literature by (Irandoust, 2016), (Shafiei & Salim, 2014) and (Hanif et al., 2019). However, the results found that energy factors are not significantly subsidizing carbon intensity. It has been seen that pre-Vision 2030, non-renewable energy is impacting carbon intensity but with a minor coefficient shows an almost minor impact on carbon intensity. However, important asymmetric results show that positive shocks in non-renewable energy, for the long-term, increase carbon intensity. (Omri et al., 2015) and (Gorus & Aydin, 2019) found in MENA region direct relationship with Carbon. (Mahmood et al., 2020a) stated Saudi Arabia to be heavily oil depend for GDP. To counter this issue, the country needs to minimize the dependence on oil, which is not suitable because of its heavy reliance on oil. However, the reduction in oil negatively affects economic growth. We conclude that Saudi Arabia needs a heavy investment of time, money, and policies in order to shift their GDP towards non-oil and to be independent of hazardous emissions. Renewable energy is not seen to be as significant as expected in post-Vision 2030, meaning its contribution is needed in terms of policies and procedures for sustainable growth and carbon emissions reduction. Marine factors have significant impact as per the results in post vision 2030, such as tourism direct relationship with carbon emission indicates tourism is a source of carbon emissions, a shift from oil based-income, similar to UAE mentioned (Vij & Vij, 2013). Saudi Arabia is contributing to this sector and creating a pathway for a better environment and climate.
Research concluded by rejecting our hypothesis as no significant importance has been seen as a result of green factors in the era of post-Vision 2030. Long-term changes in high technology are participating in the reduction of carbon intensity in pre-Vision 2030, whereas patents and R&D have less significance in our case. The paper suggest Saudi Arabia’s policymakers concentrate more greatly on these variables as this can help a lot in creating other sources of income than oil, leading towards a sustainable environment and sustainable economy. Investments can be generated for the national projects which can create employment opportunities, educational opportunities, high living standards, and incomes for the betterment of the public and suitably attain the sustainable goals of Vision 2030.
This study suggest that Saudi Arabia should boost the private region to capitalize in production and practice renewable energy. Furthermore, Struggles should be enhanced to amend the complete energy mix. For the improvement of renewable energy usage, the government should offer energy subsidies and encourage small renewable energy producers to cope with its cost and easy access. At governmental level, the usage of renewable energy appliance and vehicles should be encouraged to reduce carbon intensity. Efficient fuel shipping method should be introduced and further reduction of over exploitation of fishing should be considered. Government of Saudi Arabia needs strict actions on no spill over fuel in trading to gain sustainable blue economy goals. For this purpose, local fishery and trading partners should be encouraged to avoid mishandling to trading.
Further research can be done in comparison to other MENA countries and the identification of more varied policies can be observed. Different countries have dissimilar policies and this can help to pinpoint the factors each country feels are important according to their economy. Another gap has been fulfilled in the way that, as years pass, changes occurs in policies and rapid attention to Vision 2030 might change our results or other important factors for the country. In later years, additional coming years can be included in the work. Lastly, more environmental hazards other than carbon footprints can be included and their impacts can be studied separately by each factor.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
Interesting approach on carbon intensity and renewable energy relationship, with reference to green and blue factors.
I my opinion, the overall structure of the paper is very good, it has all necessary steps I would have followed in such a research paper. The author states the objectives, formulates the hypothesis, clearly presents methodology. I only have three suggestions:
(1) I found phrases that refer to the author's actions in plural. For instance: line 76 "To provide the in-depth analyses, we focused on a single country rather than panel data. We chose Saudi..."; line 102 ”We divide the study into...", line 214 "we can inspect the effects on CO2 intensity....", line 246 "we split the data" ; in line 571 "We concluded by rejecting our hypothesis as no..." and so on, there are many like these. Please insist on using other formulations that do not refer to one or more authors, such as: the study was divided into.... or several effects may be inspected.... or the data has been split into....
(2) The literature review contains some citations that should be changed. I am referring to citing everything between brackets when it is not the case, like here: " In this regard, (Arouri et al., 2012) conducted a study on MENA countries to explore". It should have been: In this regard, Arouri et al. (2012) conducted a study on MENA countries to explore
(3) The hypothesis need some changes
H1: There is an indirect association among CO2 intensity and renewable energy in Saudi Arabia.
H2: There is a direct association among CO2 intensity and non-renewable energy in Saudi Arabia
H3: Green factors has have negative relationship with carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia.
Good luck with your future research!
Author Response
Response Letter
Reviewer 3
Interesting approach on carbon intensity and renewable energy relationship, with reference to green and blue factors.
I my opinion, the overall structure of the paper is very good, it has all necessary steps I would have followed in such a research paper. The author states the objectives, formulates the hypothesis, clearly presents methodology. I only have three suggestions:
Suggestion 1:
I found phrases that refer to the author's actions in plural. For instance: line 76 "To provide the in-depth analyses, we focused on a single country rather than panel data. We chose Saudi..."; line 102 ”We divide the study into...", line 214 "we can inspect the effects on CO2 intensity....", line 246 "we split the data" ; in line 571 "We concluded by rejecting our hypothesis as no..." and so on, there are many like these. Please insist on using other formulations that do not refer to one or more authors, such as: the study was divided into.... or several effects may be inspected.... or the data has been split into....
Answer:
Appreciating your comment: I have incorporated and checked the errors in the article, at several places it has been corrected and marked as red.
Suggestion 2:
The literature review contains some citations that should be changed. I am referring to citing everything between brackets when it is not the case, like here: " In this regard, (Arouri et al., 2012) conducted a study on MENA countries to explore". It should have been: In this regard, Arouri et al. (2012) conducted a study on MENA countries to explore
Answer:
Dear reviewer, we have use auto formatting which can be converted by journal while finalizing the proof. Thanks
Suggestion 3:
The hypothesis need some changes
H1: There is an indirect association among CO2 intensity and renewable energy in Saudi Arabia.
H2: There is a direct association among CO2 intensity and non-renewable energy in Saudi Arabia
H3: Green factors has have negative relationship with carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia.
Answer:
According to the comment I have addressed the following hypothesis:
Based on the previous literature, the paper inspects about effects on CO2 intensity by generating the following hypothesis:
H1: An indirect association among CO2 intensity and renewable energy in Saudi Arabia.
H2: A direct association among CO2 intensity and non-renewable energy in Saudi Arabia
H3: Green factors have negative relationship with carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia.
H4: Blue economic factors have negative relation with carbon intensity in case of Saudi Arabia.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
I believe the authors have answered my questions well, thus I recommend to publish this manuscript.
