An Econometric Analysis of the Statistical Relationship between Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Infant Mortality in South Asia

Abstract

This study provides an econometric analysis of the link between infant mortality and carbon dioxide emissions in four south Asian countries-Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh- for the period 1978-2010 while controlling other variables, inflation, trade, remittance and rural population growth, socioeconomic characteristics of the household, that can potentially impact the number of infant deaths. Panel data technique Fixed Effect was preferred to Random Effect on the basis of Hausman test. The results show that high carbon emissions lead to higher rate of infant mortality and the link is indirect instead of direct. The different intercept show that the impact of carbon emission is higher in Bangladesh followed by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Trade and remittances reduce mortality rates while rural population growth works in opposite direction. Inflation has a negative sign yet statistically not significant. The results suggest that carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced to improve infant health at least in the long run. Measures to check population growth are mandatory to overcome infant deaths. Trade and remittance increase should be ensured to improve health index of infants. However our results are suggestive and be taken with care as different other channels can reverse the results which require further research on this front.