IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/series/v12y2021i2d10.1007_s13209-021-00234-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

CO2 emissions and energy technologies in Western Europe

Author

Listed:
  • J. Barrera-Santana

    (Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Gustavo A. Marrero

    (Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Luis A. Puch

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Antonia Díaz

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the path to the green transition in Europe. In so doing, we implement an empirical model of dynamic panel data on a sample of sixteen Western European countries over the period 1980 to 2019. The model is consistent with various features of neoclassical growth theory incorporating energy use. Our focus is on the short-run determinants of carbon emissions within that set of countries. We provide evidence that the relationship between economic activity and CO2 emissions is strong in economies where economic booms depend on energy-intensive sectors. Also, the mitigating role of renewable energy technologies is key when energy intensity rebounds. These circumstances may constitute a challenge for the climate transition goals targeted in the EU’s Recovery Plan, whose main objective at this very moment is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Barrera-Santana & Gustavo A. Marrero & Luis A. Puch & Antonia Díaz, 2021. "CO2 emissions and energy technologies in Western Europe," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 105-150, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:series:v:12:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s13209-021-00234-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s13209-021-00234-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13209-021-00234-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13209-021-00234-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brock, William A. & Taylor, M. Scott, 2005. "Economic Growth and the Environment: A Review of Theory and Empirics," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 28, pages 1749-1821, Elsevier.
    2. Camarero, Mariam & Picazo-Tadeo, Andrés J. & Tamarit, Cecilio, 2013. "Are the determinants of CO2 emissions converging among OECD countries?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 159-162.
    3. Arellano, Manuel & Bover, Olympia, 1995. "Another look at the instrumental variable estimation of error-components models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 29-51, July.
    4. Díaz Antonia & Puch Luis A., 2019. "Investment, technological progress and energy efficiency," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 19(2), pages 1-28, June.
    5. Marco Battaglini & Bård Harstad, 2016. "Participation and Duration of Environmental Agreements," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 124(1), pages 160-204.
    6. Antonia Diaz & Luis A. Puch & Maria D. Guillo, 2004. "Costly Capital Reallocation and Energy Use," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 7(2), pages 494-518, April.
    7. Paul Beaudry & Franck Portier, 2006. "Stock Prices, News, and Economic Fluctuations," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(4), pages 1293-1307, September.
    8. Laurentiu Guinea & Luis A. Puch & Jesús Ruiz, 2019. "News-driven housing booms: Spain vs. Germany," Documentos de Trabajo del ICAE 2019-32, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Instituto Complutense de Análisis Económico.
    9. Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson & James A. Robinson & Pierre Yared, 2008. "Income and Democracy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(3), pages 808-842, June.
    10. William Brock & M. Taylor, 2010. "The Green Solow model," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 127-153, June.
    11. Díaz, Antonia & Marrero, Gustavo A. & Puch, Luis A. & Rodríguez, Jesús, 2019. "Economic growth, energy intensity and the energy mix," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1056-1077.
    12. Apergis, Nicholas & Payne, James E., 2010. "Renewable energy consumption and economic growth: Evidence from a panel of OECD countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 656-660, January.
    13. Marrero, Gustavo A., 2010. "Greenhouse gases emissions, growth and the energy mix in Europe," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1356-1363, November.
    14. Patrick J. Kehoe & Andrew Atkeson, 1999. "Models of Energy Use: Putty-Putty versus Putty-Clay," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(4), pages 1028-1043, September.
    15. Francisco Alvarez & Gustavo A. Marrero & Luis A. Puch, "undated". "Air pollution and the macroeconomy across European countries," Working Papers 2005-10, FEDEA.
    16. Mulder, Peter & de Groot, Henri L.F., 2012. "Structural change and convergence of energy intensity across OECD countries, 1970–2005," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1910-1921.
    17. John Hassler & Conny Olovsson, 2019. "Integrated Assessment in a Multi-region World with Multiple Energy Sources and Endogenous Technical Change," 2019 Meeting Papers 809, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    18. Baltagi, Badi H., 2015. "The Oxford Handbook of Panel Data," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199940042.
    19. David Roodman, 2009. "A Note on the Theme of Too Many Instruments," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 71(1), pages 135-158, February.
    20. Martin L. Weitzman, 2009. "On Modeling and Interpreting the Economics of Catastrophic Climate Change," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 91(1), pages 1-19, February.
    21. Nir Jaimovich & Sergio Rebelo, 2009. "Can News about the Future Drive the Business Cycle?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(4), pages 1097-1118, September.
    22. Ewing, Bradley T. & Payne, James E. & Caporin, Massimilano, 2022. "The Asymmetric Impact of Oil Prices and Production on Drilling Rig Trajectory: A correction," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    23. Puch, Luis A., 2013. "A theory of vintage capital investment and energy use," UC3M Working papers. Economics we1320, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    24. Apergis, Nicholas & Payne, James E., 2010. "Coal consumption and economic growth: Evidence from a panel of OECD countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 1353-1359, March.
    25. Gilbert E. Metcalf, 2020. "An Emissions Assurance Mechanism: Adding Environmental Certainty to a U.S. Carbon Tax," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 14(1), pages 114-130.
    26. Stokey, Nancy L, 1998. "Are There Limits to Growth?," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 39(1), pages 1-31, February.
    27. Mikhail Golosov & John Hassler & Per Krusell & Aleh Tsyvinski, 2014. "Optimal Taxes on Fossil Fuel in General Equilibrium," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82(1), pages 41-88, January.
    28. Inglesi-Lotz, Roula, 2016. "The impact of renewable energy consumption to economic growth: A panel data application," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 58-63.
    29. Robin C. Sickles & William C. Horrace (ed.), 2014. "Festschrift in Honor of Peter Schmidt," Springer Books, Springer, edition 127, number 978-1-4899-8008-3, January.
    30. -, 2009. "The economics of climate change," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 38679, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    31. Jaforullah, Mohammad & King, Alan, 2017. "The econometric consequences of an energy consumption variable in a model of CO2 emissions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 84-91.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Guinea, Laurentiu & Pérez, Rafaela & Ruiz, Jesús, 2024. "Asymmetric effects of financial volatility and volatility-of-volatility shocks on the energy mix," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    2. Fabra, Natalia & Lacuesta, Aitor & Souza, Mateus, 2022. "The implicit cost of carbon abatement during the COVID-19 pandemic," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    3. Ruifeng Shi & Xiaoxi Chen & Jiajun Qin & Ping Wu & Limin Jia, 2022. "The State-of-the-Art Progress on the Forms and Modes of Hydrogen and Ammonia Energy Utilization in Road Transportation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Xingong Ding & Mengzhen Wang, 2024. "The Impact of Oil Price on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Transport Sector: The Threshold Effect of Environmental Policy Stringency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Mengyu Zhang & Xiaoyu Ma & Jiamin Liu, 2024. "Can Infrastructure Upgrading Achieve the Synergistic Effect of Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction? Evidence from the High-Speed Rail and “Broadband China” Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-22, February.
    6. Krzysztof Zagrajek, 2021. "A Survey Data Approach for Determining the Probability Values of Vehicle-to-Grid Service Provision," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-38, November.
    7. Estrella Trincado & Antonio Sánchez-Bayón & José María Vindel, 2021. "The European Union Green Deal: Clean Energy Wellbeing Opportunities and the Risk of the Jevons Paradox," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Barrera-Santana, J. & Marrero, Gustavo A. & Ramos-Real, Francisco J., 2022. "Income, energy and the role of energy efficiency governance," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    9. Zhengzheng Li & Zhongyang Sun & Kaihua Wang & Oana-Ramona Lobonț, 2024. "Symphony or Solo: Does Convergence Exist in Environmental Taxation among EU Countries?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-21, September.
    10. Haider Mahmood & Ateeq ur Rehman Irshad & Muhammad Tanveer, 2024. "Do innovation and renewable energy transition play their role in environmental sustainability in Western Europe?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Díaz, Antonia & Marrero, Gustavo A. & Puch, Luis A. & Rodríguez, Jesús, 2019. "Economic growth, energy intensity and the energy mix," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1056-1077.
    2. Antonia Díaz & Gustavo A. Marrero & Luis Puch & Jesús Rodríguez-López, 2018. "A Note on Growth, Energy Intensity and the Energy Mix: A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis," Working Papers 18.08, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    3. Llorca, Manuel & Rodriguez-Alvarez, Ana, 2024. "Economic, environmental, and energy equity convergence: Evidence of a multi-speed Europe?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    4. Chen, Chaoyi & Pinar, Mehmet & Stengos, Thanasis, 2021. "Determinants of renewable energy consumption: Importance of democratic institutions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 75-83.
    5. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Ho, Shan-Ju & Wu, Ting-Pin, 2021. "The impact of natural disaster on energy consumption: International evidence," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    6. Doytch, Nadia & Narayan, Seema, 2021. "Does transitioning towards renewable energy accelerate economic growth? An analysis of sectoral growth for a dynamic panel of countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    7. Anatole Toinar Mogota & Djimoudjiel Djekonbe, 2022. "Renewable Energy and Economic Growth: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Research Guardian, Weissberg Publishing, vol. 12(2), pages 115-128, December.
    8. Chen, Chaoyi & Pinar, Mehmet & Stengos, Thanasis, 2020. "Renewable energy consumption and economic growth nexus: Evidence from a threshold model," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    9. Bommier, Antoine & Lanz, Bruno & Zuber, Stéphane, 2015. "Models-as-usual for unusual risks? On the value of catastrophic climate change," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1-22.
    10. Pindyck, Robert S., 2012. "Uncertain outcomes and climate change policy," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 289-303.
    11. Huaide Wen & Jun Dai, 2021. "The Change of Sources of Growth and Sustainable Development in China: Based on the Extended EKC Explanation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    12. Zafar, Muhammad Wasif & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Hou, Fujun & Sinha, Avik, 2018. "¬¬¬¬¬¬From Nonrenewable to Renewable Energy and Its Impact on Economic Growth: Silver Line of Research & Development Expenditures in APEC Countries," MPRA Paper 90611, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 10 Dec 2018.
    13. Daron Acemoglu & Philippe Aghion & Leonardo Bursztyn & David Hemous, 2012. "The Environment and Directed Technical Change," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(1), pages 131-166, February.
    14. Luqman, Muhammad & Ahmad, Najid & Bakhsh, Khuda, 2019. "Nuclear energy, renewable energy and economic growth in Pakistan: Evidence from non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1299-1309.
    15. Oscar Gonzalo Manrique-Díaz & Diego Fernando Lemus-Polanía, 2020. "Nonlinear optimization method for quantifying the contribution of electricity in the Colombian economic growth, 1925-1997," Lecturas de Economía, Universidad de Antioquia, Departamento de Economía, issue 93, pages 65-100, Julio-Dic.
    16. Baldwin, Elizabeth & Cai, Yongyang & Kuralbayeva, Karlygash, 2020. "To build or not to build? Capital stocks and climate policy∗," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    17. Bölük, Gülden & Mert, Mehmet, 2014. "Fossil & renewable energy consumption, GHGs (greenhouse gases) and economic growth: Evidence from a panel of EU (European Union) countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 439-446.
    18. Jin, Taeyoung & Kim, Jinsoo, 2018. "What is better for mitigating carbon emissions – Renewable energy or nuclear energy? A panel data analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 464-471.
    19. Alam, Md. Mahmudul & Murad, Md. Wahid, 2020. "The impacts of economic growth, trade openness and technological progress on renewable energy use in organization for economic co-operation and development countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 382-390.
    20. Wu, Jian-Xin & He, Ling-Yun & Zhang, ZhongXiang, 2019. "Does China Fall into Poverty-Environment Traps? Evidence from Long-term Income Dynamics and Urban Air Pollution," ETA: Economic Theory and Applications 285027, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    CO2 emissions; Energy; Business cycles; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:series:v:12:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s13209-021-00234-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.