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Natural Capital and Wealth in the 21st Century

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  • Edward B. Barbier

    (University of Wyoming)

Abstract

Extending the wealth accumulation model of Piketty and Zucman [2014] to include net depreciation in fossil fuels, minerals, and forests produces two key indicators: the net national saving rate adjusted for natural capital depreciation, and the ratio of this rate to long-run growth. These indicators are applied to eight rich economies over 1970–2013 and developing countries for 1979–2013. Whereas in developing economies capital accumulation has largely kept pace with rising natural capital depletion, in the rich countries adjusted net savings have fallen to converge with the rate of natural capital depreciation, suggesting less compensation by net increases in other capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward B. Barbier, 2017. "Natural Capital and Wealth in the 21st Century," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 43(3), pages 391-405, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:43:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1057_s41302-016-0013-x
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-016-0013-x
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    2. Md Harun Or Rosid & Zhao Xuefeng & Sujan Chandra Paul & Md Reza Sultanuzzaman, 2020. "The macroeconomic determinants of cross-country efficiency in wealth maximization: A joint analysis through the SFA and GMM models," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 9(6), pages 91-107, October.

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