Climate action and responsible consumption and production in high-income countries

The study uses the Kernel Regularized Quantile Regression (KRQR) method to examine the relationship between Climate Action (SDG13) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12) in high-income countries from 2001Q2 to 2023Q4. The research shows that the impact of SDG13 on responsible consumption is weak at lower quantiles but significantly stronger at higher levels, with the strongest effects observed in the top quantiles. At lower levels of responsible consumption, the effect on climate action is modest but positive, reflecting initial sustainability efforts in high-income economies still reliant on non-sustainable practices. To optimize policy interventions, tailored strategies are proposed across different quantiles. For low quantiles, awareness campaigns, incentives for early sustainable adoption, and support for sectors lagging in sustainability are recommended. For mid-level quantiles, green technology investments, public-private partnerships, and integrated climate policies are recommended. High quantiles require stringent regulations, renewable energy subsidies, and circular economy initiatives.