National innovation systems and sustainable environmental performance: A cross country analysis

Abstract

This research seeks to understand the role of national innovation systems (NIS) in addressing countries’ environmental performance, namely their environmental health, ecosystem vitality, and climate change. The role played by NIS in these societal challenges was tested in 130 countries through cross-sectional models using the updated data from 2022/2021. The major findings of this research revealed that NIS contribute insignificantly to the attainment of meaningful environmental goals, such as enhancing ecosystem vitality or mitigating climate change. Despite making a positive impact towards protecting the population from environmental risks, NIS urgently need to make a paradigm shift towards environmental sustainability.