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The association between the carbon footprint and the socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households

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  • Lévay, Petra Zsuzsa
  • Vanhille, Josefine
  • Goedemé, Tim
  • Verbist, Gerlinde

Abstract

Understanding the demand-side drivers and the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions is key to designing fair and effective environmental policies. In this study, we quantify the relationship between the carbon footprint of consumption and socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households. We use a dataset that combines household-level consumption data with an environmentally extended input-output model which quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions embedded in the supply chain of goods and services that households consume. We find that income and household size are the most important determinants of household consumption-related emissions. We also find the emission intensity of household consumption in the lower part of the income distribution is higher than that of richer households because poorer households spend a higher share on emission intensive products, especially energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lévay, Petra Zsuzsa & Vanhille, Josefine & Goedemé, Tim & Verbist, Gerlinde, 2021. "The association between the carbon footprint and the socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:186:y:2021:i:c:s0921800921001233
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107065
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    4. Lévay, Petra Zsuzsa & Goedemé, Tim & Verbist, Gerlinde, 2023. "Income and expenditure elasticity of household carbon footprints. Some methodological considerations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    5. Yu, Feng & Dong, Huijuan & Geng, Yong & Fang, Alex S. & Li, Haifeng, 2022. "Uncovering the differences of household carbon footprints and driving forces between China and Japan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
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    10. Wang, Keying & Cui, Yongyan & Zhang, Hongwu & Shi, Xunpeng & Xue, Jinjun & Yuan, Zhao, 2022. "Household carbon footprints inequality in China: Drivers, components and dynamics," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    11. Yu Zhou & Caijiang Zhang & Zhangwen Li, 2023. "The impact of digital financial inclusion on household carbon emissions: evidence from China," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 12(1), pages 1-21, December.
    12. Pitkänen, Atte & von Wright, Tuuli & Kaseva, Janne & Kahiluoto, Helena, 2022. "Distributional fairness of personal carbon trading," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    13. A. O. Baranov & A. V. Goreev, 2022. "Analysis of the Multiplier Effects Produced by Investment in a Dynamic Input–Output Model," Studies on Russian Economic Development, Springer, vol. 33(6), pages 687-696, December.
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