The effect of financial markets on environmental quality

In the process of financial development, the mobilization and allocation of funds are done with higher quality and efficiency. Meanwhile, the financing of various projects including environmental projects is possible with greater ease and lower cost. Financial development provides the possibility of attracting foreign investments coupled with lower pollution by providing financial resources required to perform advanced and equipped research and development units as well as the access to more efficient and eco-friendly technologies that require more financial resources. On the other hand, developed countries tend to implement their polluting industries to countries which have lower environmental standards. This direct foreign investment results in enhancement of pollution level in developing countries. In this regard, the main objective of this article is to investigate the effect of financial markets on air pollution as an indicator of the quality of the environment in the group of selected middle income countries.

The present study is an applied, causal and deductive research. Data and information collection methods include documents review, digital information and note-taking system.

In this regard, the main aim of this study is effectiveness of financial markets on environmental quality in middle income countries. The results were obtained from the estimate model by using the fixed effects method in selected countries within the time period 2000-2015. Domestic credit granted to the private sector (% of GDP) as an indicator of the money market and the ratio of traded shares to the stock market trading volume as an indicator of the capital market have a positive and meaningful impact on co2 emission in middle-income countries. The effectiveness of domestic credit granted to the private sector (% of GDP) on co2 emission is higher than the ratio of traded shares to the stock market trading volume in middle-income countries.