Population, Households, and CO 2 Emissions

Examining the Impact of Demographic Factors on Air Pollution

“…Note that the linear relationship between (logged) emissions and (logged) population implies that we estimate the direct effect of population on emissions only, but not the indirect effects that might work via the impact of population on either A or T. This has been critically noted by a number of participants in the ongoing discussion about the usefulness of IPAT (e.g., MacKellar et al, 1995). Such complex interaction effects are beyond what can be achieved in this paper and are left for future research.…”

“…as MacKellar et al (1995) and others have pointed out, it is not a priori clear that only the individual, rather than, say, households or communities, is the relevant demographic unit. To this one can add that a whole range of other demographic factors beyond simple population levels might also impact on emissions.…”

Stabilization of the Greenhouse Impact Caused by Anthropogenic Emissions from Nordic Countries

“…The projection of future emissions is notoriously difficult. 13 For example, the development of CO 2 emissions depends on economic growth, changes in the energy intensity of the economy, and structural changes in energy production, including changes in production efficiency and primary energy sources.…”

The Impact of Population on CO2 Emissions: Evidence from European Countries

“…According to the study carried out by MacKellar et al (1995), it is unlikely to expect the CO 2 emissions to curb since there is an increase in the number of households simultaneously to a households size decrease. In East Europe the average household size was 3.7 in 1950, 3.3 in 1970 and 2.9 in 1990.…”

“…As stated by MacKellar et al (1995), the IPAT identity is a suggestive approach that shows how environmental impact is not only due to a single factor. However, these authors outline the limitations of testing this identity related to the choice of variables and the interactions between them.…”