Examining the Relationship between Transport Infrastructure Quality and CO₂ Emissions: Evidence from South and Southeast Asia

Badr A. Alreshidi, Management Department, College of Business Administration, Taibah University, KSAFollow

Abstract

Transport infrastructure quality plays a critical role in supporting economic activity and facilitating the movement of goods and people. However, improvements in transport systems may also generate environmental consequences through increased emissions. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of the transport infrastructure quality on CO₂ emissions in fifteen South and Southeast Asian countries during the period from 2013 to 2019. An OLS regression model of panel data was used in order to evaluate the influence of the transport infrastructure quality (road, rail, air, port) on CO₂ emissions. The results of the empirical analysis demonstrate that the model is statistically significant, explaining 52.7% of the variation in CO₂ emissions. Road infrastructure quality is positively and significantly associated with the CO₂ emissions. On the other hand, air transport infrastructure quality is negatively related to the level of CO₂ emissions, indicating that modernization, technological improvements, and operational efficiency in the aviation sector may contribute to emission reductions. The effects of rail and port infrastructure quality were found to be statistically insignificant. These findings suggest that the environmental implications of transport infrastructure differ across transport modes and should not be treated as uniform. The study highlights the need for policymakers to promote sustainable road transport strategies while encouraging technological innovation and efficiency improvements in transport infrastructure. Future research may further investigate the environmental impacts of rail and port infrastructure in developing economies.

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Recommended Citation

Alreshidi, Badr A. (2026) "Examining the Relationship between Transport Infrastructure Quality and CO₂ Emissions: Evidence from South and Southeast Asia," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Economics and Administration: Vol. 40: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4236.1017