The effect of nuclear energy on the environment in the context of globalization: Consumption vs production-based CO2 emissions

Abstract

The earlier studies have analyzed theoretical links between nuclear energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions concerning territorial (or production-based) emissions. Here using the latest available dataset, this study explores the impacts of nuclear energy on production-based and consumption-based CO2 emission in the era of globalization for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The Driscoll-Kraay regression method reveals that nuclear energy is beneficial for the reduction of production-based CO2 emissions. However, it is revealed that nuclear energy does not reduce consumption-based CO2 emissions that are traded internationally and hence not comprised in conventional production-based emissions (territory) inventories. Globalization tends to reduce both production-based and demand-based carbon emissions. Finally, Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is validated for both kinds of CO2 emissions. The findings may deliver practical policy implications related to nuclear energy and CO2 emissions for selected countries.