摘要：Objetive: This paper analyzes the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries during 1971-2014.Methodology: In this regard, unit root, co-integration, and causality tests are applied making use of the data panel approach.Results: Results suggest that the series in this research are integrated of order one, and a long-run relationship among variables is observed. Besides, the EKC hypothesis is confirmed. In addition, the analysis shows that renewable energy and trade openness contribute to reducing pollution in these countries.Limitations/implications: Further research should be done to include other variables such as financial development and human capital.Originality/value: The present paper contributes to understanding the relationship between trade openness and renewable energy consumption, on the one hand, and pollution, on the other.Conclusions: Policies concerned to trade openness and environmental issues should consider renewable energy and trade to reduce pollutant emissions in these countries.
