International inequality in energy use and CO2 emissions (1820–2020)

Abstract

Global inequality is made up of two components: inequality within countries and between countries. Over the last two centuries, the second component has strongly shaped global inequality. However, little is known about its evolution over time, and nothing at all about inequality in energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article presents a comprehensive reconstruction of international divergence and convergence from the side of energy consumption and CO2 emissions over two centuries. From 1820 to 1919, inequality between countries increased and so did inequality in GHG emissions. This increase was followed by ups and downs until the 1970s, when a decline of international inequality began. Convergence in both energy consumption and GHG emissions accelerated after 2000.