An Examination of Greenhouse Gas Convergence in OECD Countries

Cem Canel,Burak Güriş,Selahattin Güriş,Yaşar Serhat Yaşgül,Recep Öktem,Muhammed Tıraşoğlu,Begüm Öktem

doi:10.4236/me.2020.111008

Abstract

Global warming has become one of the most critical factors affecting the world, especially in the last decade. Therefore, it is of great importance to analyze the impact of global warming and take measures. The main factor leading to global warming is considered to be people’s consumption and production behaviors. The primary indicator of this is greenhouse gases. Relevant policy changes need to be made to control greenhouse gases. In this context, it is necessary to determine the differences in greenhouse gas emissions at the national level. To identify these differences, this study applies the convergence hypothesis, which has been the subject of numerous researchers since the 1980s. In this study, we analyzed the greenhouse gas intensity convergence for countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) using linear and nonlinear panel unit root tests. The results of this study show that the greenhouse gas emissions in the OECD countries do not converge to the OECD average.

Highlights

The results of this study show that the greenhouse gas emissions in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries do not converge to the OECD average
This study aims to analyze whether there is a convergence between the OECD countries regarding greenhouse gas emissions using linear and nonlinear time series and panel unit root tests
The convergence of greenhouse gas, which is regarded as the core indicator of global warming, for OECD countries is necessary to guide policy makers

Summary

Introduction

Global warming is one of the significant problems that affect the world. The main factor leading to global warming is considered to be people’s consumption and production behaviors. The primary indicator of this is greenhouses gases. Relevant policy changes need to be made in order to control greenhouse gases. Global warming and the resulting carbon emissions have become one of the most controversial topics in the world. Tremendous efforts are spent on increasing environmental awareness, especially since the 1970s, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become the very first priority of international meetings. Global politics and global economic interests stand as essential obstacles to getting concrete results from these efforts

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Conclusion