Natural resource scarcity, fossil fuel energy consumption, and total greenhouse gas emissions in top emitting countries

[Display omitted] •Nexus between agricultural nitrous oxide emissions and natural resource scarcity.•Top-emitting countries are negatively affected by natural resource scarcity.•Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and natural resource scarcity correlate positively.•Evaluation of resource scarcity through fossil fuel consumption. Natural resource scarcity, fossil fuel energy consumption, and total greenhouse gas emissions are critical issues that require immediate attention. With the global population steadily increasing and economies expanding, the demand for natural resources, particularly fossil fuels, has experienced an unprecedented surge. This surge in consumption is directly linked to the alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions. The study examines the nexus between agricultural nitrous oxide emissions and natural resource scarcity, taking into account the dynamics of agriculture, forestry, fishing value addition, fossil fuels, and total greenhouse gas emissions in top-emitting countries between 1971 and 2020. Natural resource scarcity positively correlates with agriculture, forestry, fishing, fossil fuel energy consumption, and total greenhouse gas emissions. There is a decrease in natural resource scarcity in countries that emit agricultural nitrous oxide, forestry, fishing emissions, fossil fuel energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Policy-makers may promote sustainable development, mitigate climate change, and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural systems by addressing the dynamics of agriculture, forestry, and fishing value addition in top-emitting countries. Through strategic policy interventions, supported by technology transfer, capacity building, and market-based instruments, the agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector can achieve a more sustainable future while addressing the challenges of natural resource scarcity.