Interpreting the dynamic nexus between energy consumption and economic growth: Empirical evidence from Russia

Research on the nexus between energy consumption and economic growth is a fundamental topic for energy policy making and low-carbon economic development. Russia proves the third largest energy consumption country in the world in recent years, while little research has shed light upon its energy consumption issue till now, especially its energy–growth nexus. Therefore, this paper empirically investigates the dynamic nexus of the two variables in Russia based on the state space model. The results indicate that, first of all, Russia's energy consumption is cointegrated with its economic growth in a time-varying way though they do not have static or average cointegration relationship. Hence it is unsuitable to merely portrait the nexus in an average manner. Second, ever since the year of 2000, Russia's energy efficiency has achieved much more promotion compared with that in previous decades, mainly due to the industrial structure adjustment and technology progress. Third, among BRIC countries, the consistency of Russia's energy consumption and economic growth appears the worst, which suggests the complexity of energy–growth nexus in Russia. Finally, there exists bi-directional causality between Russia's energy consumption and economic growth, though their quantitative proportional relation does not have solid foundation according to the cointegration theory.

Research highlights
► This study investigates the dynamic nexus of energy consumption and economic growth in Russia.
► Russia’s energy consumption is cointegrated with its economic growth in a time-varying way though they do not have static or average cointegration relationship.
► Ever since 2000, Russia's energy efficiency has achieved much more promotion compared with that in previous decades.
► Among BRIC countries, the consistency of Russia's energy consumption and economic growth appears the worst.
► There exists bi-directional causality between Russia's energy consumption and economic growth.