Do natural resources, economic growth, human capital, and urbanization affect the ecological footprint? A modified dynamic ARDL and KRLS approach

The interaction between the abundance of natural resources and environmental depletion has significant ecological consequences. Nonetheless, this area is not adequately studied, and numerous results are apparent throughout the literature. For massive economic development, it is vital to recognize the role of human capital, urbanization, and natural resources. Hence it is important to consider various factors that can play a constructive role in environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between total natural resources (TNR), gross domestic product (GDP), human capital index (HCI) and urbanization (URB) with ecological footprint (EFP) in Pakistan from 1980 to 2018. The research uses the latest versions of dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) simulations model. The key benefit of dynamic ARDL is to estimate positive and negative shifts between the selected variables with an immediate visual illustration over the short and long period. In addition, the Kernel-based Regularized Least Squares (KRLS) machine learning method is used to test robustness. The results show that the rise in TNR has a long-term detrimental influence on EFP. However, upsurge in GDP and HCI increases EFP in the long-term. Lastly, URB observed an important and detrimental long-term impact on the EFP. The KRLS also support the hypothesis. This study suggest a policies to the planners and government officials for managing rapid urbanization and minimizing its urban, environmental and economic challenges. •Examined the natural resources, GDP, human capital, and urbanization with ecological footprint in Pakistan.•Employed a modified dynamic ARDL simulations approach and KRLS model.•Empirical findings showing that natural resources decrease ecological footprint.•Urbanization decreases ecological footprint significantly.•The human capital and GDP increase ecological footprint substantially.