Integrating green building technology and renewable energy for a carbon-neutral built environment: Exploring the mechanisms of energy efficiency, AI technology, and environmental policy stringency
- 1School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- 2Regional Center for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, School of Energy, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
Abstract
As global climate pressures intensify, the built environment remains a critical contributor to the ecological footprint, accounting for a significant share of energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study investigates how green building technology (GBT) and renewable energy shape the transition toward carbon-neutral built environments, considering mechanisms such as energy efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI), and environmental policy stringency. Using panel data for 30 countries from 2000 to 2020 and applying the robust Driscoll-Kraay fixed-effects estimator, the instrumental-variables generalized method of moments continuously updated estimator, and the kernel-based regularized least squares econometric methods, the results reveal that GBT, renewable energy, and their integration significantly reduce ecological footprint. Additionally, the results show that GBT and renewable energy reduce ecological footprint by increasing energy efficiency. Moreover, AI enhances the environmental benefits of GBT, and stringent environmental policies amplify the impact of both GBT and renewable energy on ecological footprint. The heterogeneity analysis shows that renewable energy adoption yields greater ecological benefits in emerging economies than in advanced economies. These findings offer a strategic framework for policymakers to integrate sustainable technologies, AI, and stringent environmental policies to accelerate decarbonization and build a resilient, carbon-neutral future.
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BibTeX
@article{gyau2026integrating,
title = {{Integrating green building technology and renewable energy for a carbon-neutral built environment: Exploring the mechanisms of energy efficiency, AI technology, and environmental policy stringency}},
author = {Emmanuel Baffour Gyau and Daniel Adu and Samuel Gyamfi},
journal = {Innovation and Green Development},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.igd.2026.100400},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2026.100400},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrating green building technology and renewable energy for a carbon-neutral built environment: Exploring the mechanisms of energy efficiency, AI technology, and environmental policy stringency
AU - Emmanuel Baffour Gyau
AU - Daniel Adu
AU - Samuel Gyamfi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Innovation and Green Development
DO - 10.1016/j.igd.2026.100400
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2026.100400
AB - As global climate pressures intensify, the built environment remains a critical contributor to the ecological footprint, accounting for a significant share of energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study investigates how green building technology (GBT) and renewable energy shape the transition toward carbon-neutral built environments, considering mechanisms such as energy efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI), and environmental policy stringency. Using panel data for 30 countries from 2000 to 2020 and applying the robust Driscoll-Kraay fixed-effects estimator, the instrumental-variables generalized method of moments continuously updated estimator, and the kernel-based regularized least squares econometric methods, the results reveal that GBT, renewable energy, and their integration significantly reduce ecological footprint. Additionally, the results show that GBT and renewable energy reduce ecological footprint by increasing energy efficiency. Moreover, AI enhances the environmental benefits of GBT, and stringent environmental policies amplify the impact of both GBT and renewable energy on ecological footprint. The heterogeneity analysis shows that renewable energy adoption yields greater ecological benefits in emerging economies than in advanced economies. These findings offer a strategic framework for policymakers to integrate sustainable technologies, AI, and stringent environmental policies to accelerate decarbonization and build a resilient, carbon-neutral future.
SN - 2949-7531
ER -