Abstract
Decreased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are urgently needed in view of global health threat represented by climate change. The goal of this paper is to test the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, considering less common measures of environmental burden. For that, four different estimations are done, one considering total GHG emissions, and three more taking into account, individually, the three main GHG gases—carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane gas (CH4)—considering the oldest and most recent economies adhering to the EU27 (the EU 15 (Old Europe) and the EU 12 (New Europe)) separately. Using panel dynamic fixed effects (DFE), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques, we validate the existence of a U-shaped relationship for all emission proxies considered, and groups of countries in the short-run. Some evidence of this effect also exists in the long-run. However, we were only able to validate the EKC hypothesis for the short-run in EU 12 under DOLS and the short and long-run using FMOLS. Confirmed is the fact that results are sensitive to models and measures adopted. Externalization of problems globally takes a longer period for national policies to correct, turning global measures harder and local environmental proxies more suitable to deeply explore the EKC hypothesis.
Highlights
CH4— taking into account the oldest and most recent economies to accede to the European Union (EU) 27, so we divide the EU countries into the EU 15 and the EU 12, and the results reveal a disparity between both groups
As explanatory variables in the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) equation, we considered the value of the gross domestic product per capita (GDPpc) and its squared value, and commonly employed independent variables by the literature, such as labor force, energy use, and electricity production
This paper explores the relationship between economic degradation and economic group for the set of the EU 27 countries
Summary
GHG emissions by at least 5.2% during 2008–2012 compared to 1990 levels This became known as the first commitment period [1]. According to [2], to meet the Kyoto Protocol targets, it would be necessary for rich countries to reduce fossil energy use and consumption (primarily responsible for GHG emissions) by 1%, and for rich and poor, the energy productivity (energy/labor) should be reduced by 4% to 5%. In these circumstances, if everyone reduced productivity to 2.5%, global energy consumption would be reduced from.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
