Exploring Environmental Kuznets Curve. An Investigation on Eu Economies

Abstract

Designing and implementing relevant and effective environmental policies and fostering green and environmental-friendly approaches and behaviors are constant aims for policy makers all over the world. Concurrently, implementing environmental policies involves significant economic and financial efforts, in order to repair environmental damage and to prevent future negative environmental consequences. How effective are the environmental expenditures and how are they related to the economic growth, i.e. the GDP level, are issues of major concern at a governmental level. In this article we are examining the relation between GDP and environmental expenditure, by using statistical data available for EU economies, for the time period 1995-2013. We found that the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis is supported in most of the EU economies, both for government environmental protection and specialized providers, public and private environmental protection. Further and deeper analyses performed showed different situations for specific countries and even a negative relation between GDP and government environmental protection for specific cases.

Effect of Battery Electric Vehicles on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 29 European Union Countries

“…Considering the Kuznets environmental curve arguments, empirical studies usually find a positive association between economic growth and pollution emissions. In this context, Badulescu et al [34], Panait et al [35], Squib and Benhmad [22], and Simionescu [28] support the formulated hypothesis.…”

“…Furthermore, they found that energy consumption encourages an environmental footprint. Similarly, the empirical research of Badulescu et al [34] found EKC assumptions for EU countries.…”

“…As we already know, there exist several drives that lead to the increase of GHGs emissions. Energy, economic growth, globalisation, urbanisation, trade, and transportation, are widely explored in literature (e.g., Squib and Benhmad [22]; Koengkan et al [23]; Leitão [24]; Ouédraogo et al [25]; Balsalobre-Lorente et al [26]; Shahbaz et al [27]; Simionescu [28]; Leitão et al [29]; Nwani [30]; Uzuner et al [31]; Dogan and Inglesi-Lotz [32]; Ike et al [33]; Badulescu et al [34]; Panait et al [35]; Koengkan et al [36]; Destek et al [37]; and Grossman and Kruger [38,39]). Thus, the main objective of this investigation is to explore the effect of BEVs on GHGs emissions in the EU using a macroeconomic approach.…”

Analysis of the New Kuznets Relationship: Considering Emissions of Carbon, Methanol, and Nitrous Oxide Greenhouse Gases—Evidence from EU Countries

“…Only then we could favor our choices of products and services less harmful to the environment to effectively implement environmental policies it is demanded higher economic and financial efforts for countries and their national stakeholders. In sum, concerted efforts at all levels are mandatory, from international, national, and regional organizations, governments, and public authorities, to companies (financial and nonfinancial), non-governmental institutions, individuals, and households [90]. If further efforts are still needed in the EU 27, in developing countries it is even more urgent [91] and necessary.…”

Materials for CO2, SOx, and NOx Emission Reduction

“…Success in reducing emissions and concentrations of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide in the developed countries in the 1970s and 1980s helped generate the idea of the "environmental Kuznets curve" [51]. With the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP), the state of the environment at the initial stage is rapidly deteriorating, but then a turning point occurs.…”