Personal profile
Research Interests
Recent research:
The research portfolio integrates environmental sustainability with economic growth through a cross-country, econometric lens. Across publications, the work examines (a) Jevons’ paradox in energy demand within OECD economies, highlighting how technological innovation can mitigate energy consumption despite growth; (b) the role of Industry 4.0, digital skills, and policy frameworks in accelerating circular economy adoption, with a China-focused, Delphi-informed projection up to 2030; (c) waste recovery as a pathway to sustainability, identifying macroeconomic determinants such as environmental technology, renewable energy use, and globalization; and (d) the growth-formation nexus, linking economic growth to capital formation, labor, renewable energy, technological innovation, and cross-country heterogeneity through advanced econometric methods. Collectively, the work demonstrates that policy, technology, and institutional factors can steer economies toward sustainable pathways by reconciling growth with environmental objectives and circular resource use. The methodology across studies emphasizes second-generation econometrics to address cross-sectional dependence, MMQR for long-run relationships, and scenario-based projections to inform policy design for post-COVID-19 recovery. The impact lies in providing evidence-based insights for sustainable development policy, energy efficiency strategies, circular economy deployment, and growth models resilient to environmental constraints.
Key Topics:
The research portfolio integrates environmental sustainability with economic growth through a cross-country, econometric lens. Across publications, the work examines (a) Jevons’ paradox in energy demand within OECD economies, highlighting how technological innovation can mitigate energy consumption despite growth; (b) the role of Industry 4.0, digital skills, and policy frameworks in accelerating circular economy adoption, with a China-focused, Delphi-informed projection up to 2030; (c) waste recovery as a pathway to sustainability, identifying macroeconomic determinants such as environmental technology, renewable energy use, and globalization; and (d) the growth-formation nexus, linking economic growth to capital formation, labor, renewable energy, technological innovation, and cross-country heterogeneity through advanced econometric methods. Collectively, the work demonstrates that policy, technology, and institutional factors can steer economies toward sustainable pathways by reconciling growth with environmental objectives and circular resource use. The methodology across studies emphasizes second-generation econometrics to address cross-sectional dependence, MMQR for long-run relationships, and scenario-based projections to inform policy design for post-COVID-19 recovery. The impact lies in providing evidence-based insights for sustainable development policy, energy efficiency strategies, circular economy deployment, and growth models resilient to environmental constraints.
Key Topics:
- Environmental Science, Water, Waste & Circular Economy
- Governance, Law, Policy, Ethics & Regulation
- Smart Grids, IoT, Edge/Fog & Industry 4.0
- Power Systems, Renewable Energy & Microgrids
- Research Methods, Measurement, Bibliometrics & Academic Practice
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Research output
- 7 Article
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Emerging contaminants in rural water: microplastic pollution and its association with agricultural, livestock, and industrial activities in Ecuador
Zea Cobos, A. G., Ponce Ochoa, K., Portilla, F. & Duque, P., Dec 2025, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 197, 12, p. 1-13 13 p., 1337.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Energy efficiency and Jevons' paradox in OECD countries: policy implications leading toward sustainable development
Yu, Z., Ponce, P., Irshad, A. U. R., Tanveer, M., Ponce, K. & Khan, A. R., Jan 2022, In: Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. 12, 11, p. 2967-2980 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access33 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Exploring essential factors to improve waste-to-resource recovery: A roadmap towards sustainability
Yu, Z., Khan, S. A. R., Ponce, P., Zia-ul-haq, H. M. & Ponce, K., 20 May 2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 350, 131305.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
70 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Investigating economic growth and natural resource dependence: An asymmetric approach in developed and developing economies
Khan, S. A. R., Ponce, P., Yu, Z. & Ponce, K., Aug 2022, In: Resources Policy. 77, 102672.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
130 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
The future of industry 4.0 and the circular economy in Chinese supply chain: In the Era of post-COVID-19 pandemic
Dongfang, W., Ponce, P., Yu, Z., Ponce, K. & Tanveer, M., Jan 2022, In: Operations Management Research. 15, 1-2, p. 342-356 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access36 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations