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Environmental Kuznets Curve, a Mirage? A Non-parametric Analysis for MENA Countries

Author

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  • Ali Fakih

    (Lebanese American University)

  • Walid Marrouch

    (Lebanese American University)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and gross domestic product in the Middle East and North Africa region using World Bank data covering the period 1980 to 2010 on the eve of the Arab Spring. Unlike extant studies using parametric models, the results provide evidence against the postulated inverted-U shaped relationship between pollution and the level of economic development. Using a non-parametric model, new evidence is found against the existence of a carbon Environmental Kuznets Curve in contrast to previous studies on the region. The paper provides a cautionary note against the use of parametric models to draw policy implications about the trade-off (or lack thereof) between environmental quality and the level of economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Fakih & Walid Marrouch, 2019. "Environmental Kuznets Curve, a Mirage? A Non-parametric Analysis for MENA Countries," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 25(1), pages 113-119, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:25:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11294-019-09724-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11294-019-09724-9
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    Cited by:

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    3. Sayed Adham, 2020. "Is there a Kuznets Curve in the Arab Region? An Empirical Investigation," Review of Middle East Economics and Finance, De Gruyter, vol. 16(2), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Agboola, Mary Oluwatoyin & Bekun, Festus Victor & Joshua, Udi, 2021. "Pathway to environmental sustainability: Nexus between economic growth, energy consumption, CO2 emission, oil rent and total natural resources rent in Saudi Arabia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. Anh The Vo & Duc Hong Vo & Quan Thai-Thuong Le, 2019. "CO 2 Emissions, Energy Consumption, and Economic Growth: New Evidence in the ASEAN Countries," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Mahmoud Radwan Hussein AlZgool & Syed Mir Muhammad Shah & Umair Ahmed, 2020. "Impact of Energy consumption and Economic Growth on Environmental Performance: Implications for Green Policy Practitioners," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(5), pages 655-662.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Carbon emissions; Environmental Kuznets curve; Non-parametric regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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