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Does trade explain the Environmental Kuznets Curve in Sweden?

Nihlwing, Linda LU (2017) NEKH03 20162
Department of Economics
Abstract
As climate change continues to escalate, the need for drastic changes is urgent. The world has agreed on a limit to global warming, and all countries are aware of the problem. The theory behind the Environmental Kuznets Curve is based on an inverted relationship between emissions and environmental impact and GDP growth. It could easily be interpreted as an easy way out of, which means that if a country focuses on growth the environmental problems will eventually solve themselves. This study has aimed to prove the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curves for a number of pollutants in Sweden. To further understand what has caused emissions to decrease at the same time as GDP has increased, trade-related variables were included in the second... (More)
As climate change continues to escalate, the need for drastic changes is urgent. The world has agreed on a limit to global warming, and all countries are aware of the problem. The theory behind the Environmental Kuznets Curve is based on an inverted relationship between emissions and environmental impact and GDP growth. It could easily be interpreted as an easy way out of, which means that if a country focuses on growth the environmental problems will eventually solve themselves. This study has aimed to prove the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curves for a number of pollutants in Sweden. To further understand what has caused emissions to decrease at the same time as GDP has increased, trade-related variables were included in the second part of the analysis.

For carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methane, inverted U-shaped curves could be found. The data on carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and volatile organic compounds covered a shorter time period, but they have all followed a steep downward-sloping curve during the last two decades, which indicates that the data showed part of the Environmental Kuznets Curve.

The manufacturing share of total GDP proved to have a large effect on emissions, whilst trade classified as dirty only had a very small impact on emissions in the long run. Thus, no pollution haven effects could be confirmed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nihlwing, Linda LU
supervisor
organization
course
NEKH03 20162
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Environmental Kuznets Curve, Sweden, cointegration, emissions, trade
language
English
id
8901002
date added to LUP
2017-02-10 14:03:49
date last changed
2017-02-10 14:03:49
@misc{8901002,
  abstract     = {{As climate change continues to escalate, the need for drastic changes is urgent. The world has agreed on a limit to global warming, and all countries are aware of the problem. The theory behind the Environmental Kuznets Curve is based on an inverted relationship between emissions and environmental impact and GDP growth. It could easily be interpreted as an easy way out of, which means that if a country focuses on growth the environmental problems will eventually solve themselves. This study has aimed to prove the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curves for a number of pollutants in Sweden. To further understand what has caused emissions to decrease at the same time as GDP has increased, trade-related variables were included in the second part of the analysis. 

For carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methane, inverted U-shaped curves could be found. The data on carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and volatile organic compounds covered a shorter time period, but they have all followed a steep downward-sloping curve during the last two decades, which indicates that the data showed part of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. 

The manufacturing share of total GDP proved to have a large effect on emissions, whilst trade classified as dirty only had a very small impact on emissions in the long run. Thus, no pollution haven effects could be confirmed.}},
  author       = {{Nihlwing, Linda}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Does trade explain the Environmental Kuznets Curve in Sweden?}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}