Environmental sustainability indicators in India: Evidence from ecological footprint, load capacity factor, nuclear energy, and human capital

This study examines the challenge of measuring environmental sustainability in India using a multidimensional indicator framework that highlights the roles of nuclear energy and human capital in shaping long-term ecological outcomes. The analysis integrates three complementary indicators, carbon dioxide emissions, ecological footprint, and load capacity factor, which reflect emissions intensity, ecological demand, and regenerative capacity. Grounded in the Environmental Kuznets Curve and Load Capacity Curve hypotheses, the study uses annual data from 1969 to 2023 and applies the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach together with robustness estimations using fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and canonical cointegration regression to assess both short run and long-run dynamics. The findings support the Environmental Kuznets Curve and Load Capacity Curve in India. Nuclear energy and human capital improve environmental performance, while economic growth and natural gas consumption increase ecological pressure. The study contributes by integrating carbon emissions, ecological footprint, and load capacity factor within a unified empirical framework for India, providing evidence to support energy reform, human capital investment, and sustainability oriented policy design. • Integrates ecological footprint, load capacity factor, and carbon emissions to provide a comprehensive indicator-based assessment of environmental sustainability in India. • Confirms both Environmental Kuznets Curve and Load Capacity Curve hypotheses using long-run time-series evidence from 1969–2023. • Shows that nuclear energy reduces ecological pressure and enhances ecological capacity over the long term. • Demonstrates that human capital development plays a critical enabling role in improving sustainability indicators. • Provides indicator-relevant evidence to support environmental management and policy formulation aligned with the SDGs.