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On the examination of the decoupling effect of air pollutants from economic growth: a convergence analysis for the US

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  • Michael L. Polemis

    (University of Piraeus
    Hellenic Competition Commission
    Hellenic Open University)

  • Panagiotis Fotis

    (Hellenic Competition Commission
    Hellenic Open University)

  • Panayiotis G. Tzeremes

    (University of Thessaly)

  • Nickolaos G. Tzeremes

    (University of Thessaly)

Abstract

The scope of this study is twofold. First, three alternative decoupling indicators associated with the related global (carbon dioxide emissions) and local air pollutants (e.g., sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions) for the US regions are estimated over the period 1990–2017 based on eight related decoupling criteria. Second, by employing the Phillips and Sul methodology, we examine for the first time in the literature whether the three decoupling indicators converge among the US regions. The adopted algorithm rejects the convergence hypothesis for the whole sample, leaving room for the existence of several formulated clubs among the US regions. The findings indicate that for the carbon dioxide decoupling indicator three (merged) US regions converge to a steady state, while for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, two and seven convergence (merged) clubs are present. The transition paths validate the convergence test results. Lastly, this study puts forward some useful policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael L. Polemis & Panagiotis Fotis & Panayiotis G. Tzeremes & Nickolaos G. Tzeremes, 2022. "On the examination of the decoupling effect of air pollutants from economic growth: a convergence analysis for the US," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 691-707, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:lsprsc:v:15:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s12076-022-00320-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s12076-022-00320-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Konstantinos Eleftheriou & Peter Nijkamp & Michael L. Polemis, 2024. "Club convergence of sustainable development: fresh evidence from developing and developed countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 1-18, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy; Decoupling; Convergence analysis; Air pollutants; Economic growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • O51 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - U.S.; Canada
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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