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Energy, productivity and structural growth. The last two centuries

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  • Malanima, Paolo

Abstract

Our knowledge of energy consumption over the past two centuries is still superficial. The available energy databases cover, at best, the years from the 1960s. Furthermore, we know little on the consumption of traditional sources; still in use in developing countries. The consequence is that the modern “energy transition” and its impact on the economy is still poorly known. The purpose of the present contribution is twofold. It aims at: 1. filling this gap, through the analysis of the main transformations which have occurred since 1820 in global energy consumption; 2. focusing on the changes in the relative energy-GDP developments due to the exploitation of fossil energy sources on the one hand and energy-saving technology on the other.

Suggested Citation

  • Malanima, Paolo, 2021. "Energy, productivity and structural growth. The last two centuries," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 54-65.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:58:y:2021:i:c:p:54-65
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2021.04.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miriam Fritzsche & Nikolaus Wolf, 2022. "Fickle Fossils. Economic Growth, Coal and the European Oil Invasion 1900-2015," Working Papers 029, The Productivity Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    energy; natural capital; structural growth; productivity; convergence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N5 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries
    • N7 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • Q4 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics

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