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Environmental challenges for EU productive sectors: an analysis through Kuznets curves

Author

Listed:
  • Javier Sánchez García

    (Mediterranean Center of Economic and Sustainable Development Research)

  • Emilio Galdeano Gómez

    (Mediterranean Center of Economic and Sustainable Development Research)

  • Adrián Segura Ecseki

    (Mediterranean Center of Economic and Sustainable Development Research)

Abstract

The interrelationships between economic development and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact have been widely addressed in the recent decades. In this context, the heterogeneity and organisation of the different production activities tend to heavily influence the implementation of the said initiatives, yet this aspect has hardly been addressed in depth. This study analyses this subject within the sphere of the European Union, based on the environmental Kuznets curves (EKC) hypothesis using several environmental indicators, and crossing them with the aggregated and sectoral GDP. The results show how the EKC hypothesis is more evident in the primary and secondary sectors. In addition, indicators of waste and chemical and plastic pollution display an elasticity in line with the theory, yet the same does not occur with gas emissions. The study offers evidence to help guide environmental policies and short-term actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Sánchez García & Emilio Galdeano Gómez & Adrián Segura Ecseki, 2022. "Environmental challenges for EU productive sectors: an analysis through Kuznets curves," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(11), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:2:y:2022:i:11:d:10.1007_s43546-022-00343-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-022-00343-x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental policy; Environmental Kuznets curves; EU countries; Pollution indicators; Sectorial analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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