ECONOMIC GROWTH, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES IN THE TURKIC REPUBLICS: EVIDENCE FROM MATERIAL FOOTPRINT COMPONENTS

ECONOMIC GROWTH, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES IN THE TURKIC REPUBLICS: EVIDENCE FROM MATERIAL FOOTPRINT COMPONENTS

Bülent ŞEN & Mehmet Mert TÜRK

ÖZET
This study examines whether economic growth is associated with material pressure and resource efficiency in the Turkic Republics by focusing on disaggregated material footprint components (biomass, fossil fuels, metal ores, and non-metallic minerals) during the 1992–2024 period. Using second-generation panel econometric techniques that account for cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and structural breaks, the study evaluates whether growth is associated with material decoupling in resource-intensive transition economies. The findings reveal no stable long-run cointegration relationship under regime shifts, suggesting that growth–resource dynamics are shaped mainly by cyclical and structural factors rather than sustained decoupling. The causality results identify a statistically significant unidirectional causal relationship running from economic growth to non-metallic mineral consumption, highlighting the role of construction – and infrastructure-related material demand. Overall, the results indicate limited evidence of sustained material decoupling and emphasize the need to complement emission-focused policies with material efficiency, circular economy practices, sustainable business strategies, green supply chains, and resource-efficient production.

ABSTRACT
This study examines whether economic growth is associated with material pressure and resource efficiency in the Turkic Republics by focusing on disaggregated material footprint components (biomass, fossil fuels, metal ores, and non-metallic minerals) during the 1992–2024 period. Using second-generation panel econometric techniques that account for cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and structural breaks, the study evaluates whether growth is associated with material decoupling in resource-intensive transition economies. The findings reveal no stable long-run cointegration relationship under regime shifts, suggesting that growth–resource dynamics are shaped mainly by cyclical and structural factors rather than sustained decoupling. The causality results identify a statistically significant unidirectional causal relationship running from economic growth to non-metallic mineral consumption, highlighting the role of construction – and infrastructure-related material demand. Overall, the results indicate limited evidence of sustained material decoupling and emphasize the need to complement emission-focused policies with material efficiency, circular economy practices, sustainable business strategies, green supply chains, and resource-efficient production.

ANAHTAR KELİMELER: Material footprint, Economic growth, Resource efficiency, Sustainable business strategies, Circular economy

KEYWORDS: Material footprint, Economic growth, Resource efficiency, Sustainable business strategies, Circular economy

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