Impact of Financial Institution efficiency, Financial Market efficiency, Fiscal Policy, and Institutional Quality on Inclusive Green Growth in Bangladesh

Md. Amzad Hossain

Abstract


This study examines the effects of financial efficiency, institutional quality, fiscal policy, and natural resources on inclusive green growth in Bangladesh during 1990–2025. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on the direct effects of financial development, this study distinguishes between the efficiency of financial institutions and financial markets to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their contributions to sustainable development. The study employs the Kernel based Regularized Least Squares (KRLS) approach, estimating both average marginal effects and pointwise KRLS average marginal effects to identify nonlinear and heterogeneous relationships across observations. The empirical findings show that financial institution efficiency plays a significant role in promoting inclusive green growth by improving the allocation of financial resources toward productive and environmentally sustainable activities. In contrast, financial market efficiency has a negative effect, suggesting that efficient financial markets may continue financing environmentally intensive investments in the absence of adequate green finance incentives. Institutional quality and fiscal policy have significant positive effects, highlighting the importance of good governance and effective public expenditure in achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Natural resources also contribute positively, indicating that responsible and sustainable resource management can support long term development. The findings emphasize the need to strengthen financial institutions, improve governance, implement green fiscal policies, and manage natural resources sustainably. Fiscal policy should prioritize green public investment, climate-resilient infrastructure, and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Stronger monitoring, conservation, and community participation are also essential for responsible resource management. Together, these measures can help Bangladesh achieve economic growth while advancing social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Keywords


Bangladesh; Financial Institution Efficiency; Financial Market Efficiency; Inclusive Green Growth

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abbas, S., Dastgeer, G., Nasreen, S., Kousar, S., Riaz, U., Arsh, S., & Imran, M. (2024). How Financial Inclusion and Green Innovation Promote Green Economic Growth in Developing Countries. Sustainability, 16(15), 6430. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156430

Abbass, K., Voinea, C. L., Roijakkers, N., & Xiao, D. (2026). Does financial inclusion enable low-carbon transitions? Nonlinear and threshold evidence for climate change mitigation in emerging economies. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 33(2), 258–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2026.2615005

Ahmed, F., Kousar, S., Pervaiz, A., & Shabbir, A. (2022). Do institutional quality and financial development affect sustainable economic growth? Evidence from South Asian countries. Borsa Istanbul Review, 22(1), 189–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2021.03.005

Ahmed, M., Hafeez, M., Kaium, M. A., Ullah, S., & Ahmad, H. (2023). Do environmental technology and banking sector development matter for green growth? Evidence from top-polluted economies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(6), 14760–14769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23153-y

Ahmed, M. K. (2026). Green Economy and Environmental Governance Pathways toward a Sustainable Future in Bangladesh. American Journal of Environmental Economics, 5(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajee.v5i1.6262

Anu, Singh, A. K., Raza, S. A., Nakonieczny, J., & Shahzad, U. (2023). Role of financial inclusion, green innovation, and energy efficiency for environmental performance? Evidence from developed and emerging economies in the lens of sustainable development. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 64, 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2022.12.008

Batool, Z., Bhatti, A. A., & Rehman, A. (2023). Ensuring environmental inclusion in developing countries: The role of macroeconomic policies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(12), 33275–33286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24596-z

Bui, N. T., & Thi Doan, T.-T. (2025). Analysis of the impacts of financial development on green growth: How does institutional quality matter? Asia and the Global Economy, 5(2), 100111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aglobe.2025.100111

Cao, J., Law, S. H., Samad, A. R. B. A., Mohamad, W. N. B. W., Wang, J., & Yang, X. (2021). Impact of financial development and technological innovation on the volatility of green growth—Evidence from China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(35), 48053–48069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13828-3

Chi, Y., Hu, N., Lu, D., & Yang, Y. (2023). Green investment funds and corporate green innovation: From the logic of social value. Energy Economics, 119, 106532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106532

Cobb, C. W., & Douglas, P. H. (1928). A theory of production. The American Economic Review, 18(1), 139–165.

Cui, K., Li, X., & Li, G. (2023). What kind of fiscal policies and natural resources efficiency promotes green economic growth? Evidence from regression analysis. Resources Policy, 85, 103941. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.103941

Deng, X., Yang, J., Ahmed, Z., Hafeez, M., & Salem, S. (2023). Green growth and environmental quality in top polluted economies: the evolving role of financial institutions and markets. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(7), 17888–17898. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23421-x

Dong, Z., & Arshad, R. (n.d.). Transforming Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Development: The Synergy of Governance, Finance, Education, and Green Growth Across G20 Nations. Sustainable Development, n/a(n/a). https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70903

Han, J., & Gao, H. (2024). Green finance, social inclusion, and sustainable economic growth in OECD member countries. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 140. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02662-w

He, Z., Chen, H., Hu, J., & Zhang, Y. (2022). The impact of digital inclusive finance on provincial green development efficiency: Empirical evidence from China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(60), 90404–90418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22071-3

Hossain, Md. Z., & Huq, N. (2013). Institutions Matter for Urban Resilience: The Institutional Challenges in Mainstreaming Climate Smart Disaster Risk Management in Bangladesh. In W. Leal Filho (Ed.), Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (pp. 169–191). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31110-9_11

Hunjra, A. I., Tayachi, T., Chani, M. I., Verhoeven, P., & Mehmood, A. (2020). The Moderating Effect of Institutional Quality on the Financial Development and Environmental Quality Nexus. Sustainability, 12(9), 3805. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093805

Hainmueller, J., & Hazlett, C. (2014). Kernel Regularized Least Squares: Reducing Misspecification Bias with a Flexible and Interpretable Machine Learning Approach. Political Analysis, 22(2), 143–168. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1093/pan/mpt019

Jiang, Y., Sharif, A., Anwar, A., The Cong, P., Lelchumanan, B., Thi Yen, V., & Thi Thuy Vinh, N. (2023). Does green growth in E-7 countries depend on economic policy uncertainty, institutional quality, and renewable energy? Evidence from quantile-based regression. Geoscience Frontiers, 14(6), 101652. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101652

Kamah, M., Riti, J. S., & Bin, P. (2021). Inclusive growth and environmental sustainability: The role of institutional quality in sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(26), 34885–34901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13125-z

Karim, M. E., Karim, R., Islam, M. T., Muhammad-Sukki, F., Bani, N. A., & Muhtazaruddin, M. N. (2019). Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth and Development: An Evaluation of Law and Policy of Bangladesh. Sustainability, 11(20), 5774. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205774

Khalid, K., Usman, M., & Mehdi, M. A. (2021). The determinants of environmental quality in the SAARC region: A spatial heterogeneous panel data approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(6), 6422–6436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10896-9

Khan, Z., Hossain, M. R., Badeeb, R. A., & Zhang, C. (2023). Aggregate and disaggregate impact of natural resources on economic performance: Role of green growth and human capital. Resources Policy, 80, 103103. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.103103

Liu, H., Jafri, M. A. H., Zhu, P., & Hafeez, M. (2024). Fiscal policy-green growth nexus: Does financial efficiency matter in top carbon emitter economies? Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(8), 20379–20396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03478-5

Liu, H., Yao, P., Latif, S., Aslam, S., & Iqbal, N. (2022). Impact of Green financing, FinTech, and financial inclusion on energy efficiency. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(13), 18955–18966. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16949-x

Liu, Z., Vu, T. L., Phan, T. T. H., Ngo, T. Q., Anh, N. H. V., & Putra, A. R. S. (2022). Financial inclusion and green economic performance for energy efficiency finance. Economic Change and Restructuring, 55(4), 2359–2389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10644-022-09393-5

Mavlutova, I., Spilbergs, A., Verdenhofs, A., Natrins, A., Arefjevs, I., & Volkova, T. (2023). Digital Transformation as a Driver of the Financial Sector Sustainable Development: An Impact on Financial Inclusion and Operational Efficiency. Sustainability, 15(1), 207. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010207

Molla, I. H. (2016). Environment and Climate Change in Bangladesh: Challenges and the Role of Public Administration. Resources and Environment, 6(1), 1–8.

Mpofu, F. Y. (2022). Green Taxes in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for Environmental Protection, Sustainability, and the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 14(16), 10239. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610239

Munir, M., Fatima, A., & Iftikhar, S. F. (2022). Exploring the Nexus Between Inclusive Growth and Institutional Quality. JISR Management and Social Sciences & Economics, 20(1), 64–85. https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2022.20.1.4

Muslim, S. S. (2025). Green Fiscal Policy and Sustainable Economic Growth: Evidence from Emerging Markets. Review of Human Resources, Organizational Change, and Economic Impact, 1(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.70865/rhrocei.v1i1.10

Nenavath, S., & Mishra, S. (2023). Impact of green finance and fintech on sustainable economic growth: Empirical evidence from India. Heliyon, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16301

Ngo, T., Trinh, H. H., Haouas, I., & Ullah, S. (2022). Examining the bidirectional nexus between financial development and green growth: International evidence through the roles of human capital and education expenditure. Resources Policy, 79, 102964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102964

Nicholls, R. J., Hutton, C. W., Lázár, A. N., Neil Adger, W., Allan, A., Whitehead, P. G., Wolf, J., Rahman, Md. M., Salehin, M., Hanson, S. E., & Payo, A. (2018). An Integrated Approach Providing Scientific and Policy-Relevant Insights for South-West Bangladesh. In R. J. Nicholls, C. W. Hutton, W. N. Adger, S. E. Hanson, Md. M. Rahman, & M. Salehin (Eds.), Ecosystem Services for Well-Being in Deltas: Integrated Assessment for Policy Analysis (pp. 49–69). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71093-8_3

North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge university press.

Ofori, I. K., & Figari, F. (2023). Economic globalisation and inclusive green growth in Africa: Contingencies and policy-relevant thresholds of governance. Sustainable Development, 31(1), 452–482. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2403

Ofori, I. K., Gbolonyo, E. Y., & Ojong, N. (2022). Towards inclusive green growth in Africa: Critical energy efficiency synergies and governance thresholds. Journal of Cleaner Production, 369, 132917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132917

Okombi, I. F., & Ndoum Babouama, V. B.-D. (2024). Environmental taxation and inclusive green growth in developing countries: Does the quality of institutions matter? Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(21), 30633–30662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33245-6

Putri, I. A., Mushfiroh, L., & Hwihanus, H. (2024). Green Economic Growth: A Global Analysis of Fiscal Expenditures, Institutional Quality, and Stock Markets. Journal of Environmental Economics and Sustainability, 1(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.47134/jees.v1i3.345

Rahman, H. M. T., & Hickey, G. M. (2019). Assessing Institutional Responses to Climate Change Impacts in the North-Eastern Floodplains of Bangladesh. Environmental Management, 63(5), 596–614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-019-01155-w

Raman, R., Ray, S., Das, D., & Nedungadi, P. (2025). Innovations and barriers in sustainable and green finance for advancing sustainable development goals. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1513204

Rusanti, E., Zulaikha, S., Widiastuti, T., Herianingrum, S., Mawardi, I., & Ryandono, M. N. H. (2026). Fiscal policy, natural resources and Islamic finance on green growth in OIC countries: The moderating role of institutional quality. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-01-2025-0002

Sachs, J. D., & Warner, A. M. (2001). The curse of natural resources. European Economic Review, 45(4–6), 827–838.

Schoenmaker, D., & Schramade, W. (2018). Principles of sustainable finance. Oxford University Press.

Stiglitz, J. E. (1998). Towards a New Paradigm for Development : Strategies , Policies , and Processes. 1997.

Shashwat, S., Chhabra, M., & Giri, A. K. (2025). Environmental Externalities of Digital Financial Inclusion: A Green Growth perspective. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00862-1

Sheng, J., & Gao, Y. (2023). Combining the financial development and stock market return for green economic recovery in selected developing economies. Economic Change and Restructuring, 56(6), 3885–3908. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10644-022-09454-9

Song, J., Zhou, H., Gao, Y., & Guan, Y. (2022). Digital Inclusive Finance, Human Capital and Inclusive Green Development—Evidence from China. Sustainability, 14(16), 9922. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169922

Sun, X., Meng, Z., Zhang, X., & Wu, J. (2025). The role of institutional quality in the nexus between green financing and sustainable development. Research in International Business and Finance, 73, 102531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2024.102531

Teklie, D. K., & Yağmur, M. H. (2024). The Role of Green Innovation, Renewable Energy, and Institutional Quality in Promoting Green Growth: Evidence from African Countries. Sustainability, 16(14), 6166. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146166

Toufique, M. M. K. (2024). The relationship between institutional quality, industry, energy sources and environmental quality in Bangladesh: Insights from ARDL analysis. Asian Journal of Empirical Research, 14(4), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.55493/5004.v14i4.5237

Wang, C., Chen, P., Hao, Y., & Dagestani, A. A. (2022). Tax incentives and green innovation—The mediating role of financing constraints and the moderating role of subsidies. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1067534

Wang, L., Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Han, K., & Chen, Y. (2022). Financial inclusion and green economic efficiency: Evidence from China. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 65(2), 240–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1881459

Wang, Q., & Chen, X. (2024). Can new quality productive forces promote inclusive green growth: Evidence from China. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1499756

WDI. (2024). World Development Indicators | DataBank. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators

Wu, Y., Song, L., & Zhou, X. (2025). Can Adjust the Fiscal Expenditure Structure Promote Inclusive Green Growth? Empirical Evidence From China. Review of Development Economics, 29(3), 1712–1733. https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.13185

Xu, J., Ng, C.-P., Sam, T. H., Vasudevan, A., Tee, P. K., Ng, A. H. H., & Hoo, W. C. (2023). Fiscal and Tax Policies, Access to External Financing and Green Innovation Efficiency: An Evaluation of Chinese Listed Firms. Sustainability, 15(15), 11567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511567

Xu, T., Yang, G., & Chen, T. (2024). The role of green finance and digital inclusive finance in promoting economic sustainable development: A perspective from new quality productivity. Journal of Environmental Management, 370, 122892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122892

Yan, J., & Wang, R. (2024). Green Fiscal and Tax Policies in China: An Environmental Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Approach. Sustainability, 16(9), 3533. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093533

Yang, C., & Masron, T. A. (2022). Impact of Digital Finance on Energy Efficiency in the Context of Green Sustainable Development. Sustainability, 14(18), 11250. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811250

Yang, L., & Ni, M. (2022). Is financial development beneficial to improve the efficiency of green development? Evidence from the “Belt and Road” countries. Energy Economics, 105, 105734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105734

Yin, X., Wang, D., Lu, J., & Liu, L. (2023). Does green credit policy promote corporate green innovation? Evidence from China. Economic Change and Restructuring, 56(5), 3187–3215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10644-023-09521-9

Yıldırım, F., Ünlü, U., Kuloğlu, A., & Çıtak, Ö. (2025). Modeling and Analysis of the Impact of Quality Growth and Financial Development on Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from EU Countries. Sustainability, 17(2), 774. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020774

Yu, L., Gao, X., Lyu, J., Feng, Y., Zhang, S., & Andlib, Z. (2023). Green growth and environmental sustainability in China: The role of environmental taxes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(9), 22702–22711. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23355-4

Zhang, S., Jin, M., Xie, M., & Xu, L. (2025). Environmental policy and corporate green innovation: The role of penalties, taxes, and subsidies in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 392, 126730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126730

Zhao, X., Muhammadullah, S., Kazemzadeh, E., Kostakis, I., Ghosh, S., & Doğan, B. (2026). Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: The Role of Financial Inclusion, FinTech, Eco-Innovation, and Economic Complexity. Sustainable Development, 34(S2), 1233–1258. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70322

Zhao, X., Zeng, B., Zhao, X., Zeng, S., & Jiang, S. (2024). Impact of green finance on green energy efficiency: A pathway to sustainable development in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 450, 141943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141943

Zhou, Y., Liu, H., Chen, C., & Ma, Y. (2025). The impact of digital inclusive finance on green economic efficiency: Pathways to inclusive sustainability. Research in International Business and Finance, 76, 102857. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102857




DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/mec-j.v10i2.45086

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Editorial Office:
Faculty of Economics,
State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
Gajayana Street 50, Malang-East Java, Indonesia 65144
Phone (+62) 341 558881, Facsimile (+62) 341 558881
e-mail: mecjournal@uin-malang.ac.id

 

 

P-ISSN 2599-3402
E-ISSN 2598-9537

Lisensi Creative Commons

MEC-J is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0)

 

MEC-J INDEXED IN:  

                        

SINTA

Member of:

 

View My Stats