Tag: Q01

ESG INTEGRATION IN EVALUATING AND FINANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A NEW PROSPECTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND MODERN SOCIETIES

Anastasios SEPETIS

Assistant Professor, Business Administration Department, University of West Attica, 12241 Egaleo, Athens, Greece

tsepet@uniwa.gr

(CorrespondingAuthor)

Dimitrios TSIRIGOTIS

Researcher, Department of Digital Studies, University of Piraeus,

dimtsirigotis@outlook.com

Ioannis NIKOLAOU

Professor, Business and Environmental Technology Economics Lab,Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece

inikol@env.duth.gr

Yannis MANIATIS

Professor, Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus, GR-18534 Piraeus, Greece

maniatis@unipi.gr

Abstract

The discourse on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors in the financial markets brings a prime opportunity for local governments to the fore. This opportunity pertains to their efforts to reduce their environmental impact, improve the living conditions of local communities and reform their decision-making processes. This paper is an attempt to capture the said perspective of the Local Government through the critical overview of the relevant theoretical background and much more of the existing successful practices. The supreme challenge is to find the optimal ratio between economic growth, socially fair development and the preservation of natural resources. In this equation, one could argue that the independent variables are human resources, finite natural resources, the institutional framework (that should set limits to depletion), as well as the financing of activities aimed at Sustainable Development. Urban sustainability derived from ESG factors can provide a more comprehensive approach to the above equation by challenging the central authority to establish appropriate rules and approve good practices and the markets to further insist on sustainable investments. In order to perform comprehensive research for the synergies ESG criteria in the Local Government, we chose to use the systematic literature review’s guidelines. Furthermore, the purpose of this paper is to shape an ESG integration model for Greek local authorities by utilizing the existing literature.

Keywords: Sustainable Finance, Environmental Social and Governance (ESG), Sustainable Regions, Sustainable Cities, Municipal Green Bonds

JEL classification: R10, Q01, Q50, G10, G30, H10, H30, H70

 pp. 81-97

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DOES ZAKAT MATTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT? AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA

I.K. Balyanda AKMAL

Postgraduate Student in Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

balyanda@gmail.com

M. Shabri Abd. MAJID

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

Corresponding author

mshabri@unsyiah.ac.id

Eddy GUNAWAN

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

egunawan@unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract

This study aims to empirically measure and analyze the contribution zakat to human development and, consequently towards the achievement of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) program in Indonesia. Specifically, this study intends to measure the differences in the Human Development Index (HDI) of zakat recipients before and after receiving zakat and measure the effect of zakat on the HDI and its components. The response to these issues, the study estimates the value of the Human Development Index (HDI) at a minor level; the individual and household levels. 100 recipients of zakat (mustahik) from the three programs of zakat distribution by the zakat institution of Aceh Province, Indonesia (Baitul Mal Aceh – BMA) were selected as the sample of the study using a combination of purposive and proportionate stratified random samplings. These zakat programs include zakat for cancer and thalassemia patients, zakat for one family one undergraduate scholarship, and zakat for buying working capital for the poor families. The paired t-test is adopted to assess the differences in HDI of zakat recipients before and after receiving zakat, while the multiple linear regression is used to measure the effect of zakat on the HDI and its components. The study found that, after receiving zakat, the HDI of zakat recipients is higher than before. Zakat is also recorded to have a significant positive effect on the HDI, while the family size affected negatively the HDI and the types of zakat and profession of zakat recipients have an insignificant effect on the HDI. These findings suggest the positive role of zakat in improving human development and it could be used as one of the instruments to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs agenda in Indonesia.

Keywords: Education, Health, Human Development, Welfare, Zakat

JEL classification: D64, O15, Q01, I15, I25, I38

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DYNAMIC HYDROELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN APEC COUNTRIES AND INDIA

ALIASUDDIN

Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

aliasuddin@unsyiah.ac.id

Reka RAMADHANA

Student at the Department of Economics, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

rekaramadhana@gmail.com

Abstract

This study is to analyze the effect of economic growth on hydroelectricity consumption in APEC countries and India. The study uses panel data from 1994 to 2016 with 391 total samples, where the variables in the study are economic growth and hydroelectricity consumption.  Panel ARDL is utilized to analyze both short-run and long-run economic growth effects on hydroelectricity consumptions.  The results show that there is a positive and significant effect of economic growth on hydroelectricity consumptions in APEC countries and India.  To minimize the productions of carbon dioxide, it is recommended to optimize hydroelectricity consumptions in this area because this area is the highest carbon dioxide producers in the world.  It is crucial to achieving sustainability in productions and consumptions in this region.

Keywords: hydroelectricity, economic growth, APEC, Panel ARDL

JEL classification: Q01, Q32, Q35, Q43
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