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Consumption versus Technology: Drivers of Global Carbon Emissions 2000–2014

Author

Listed:
  • Magnus Jiborn

    (Department of Economic History, School of Economics and Management, Lund University, 22363 Lund, Sweden)

  • Viktoras Kulionis

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Sweden)

  • Astrid Kander

    (Department of Economic History, School of Economics and Management, Lund University, 22363 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

This study utilizes recently published environmental extensions to the World Input–Output Database (WIOD) to compare production-based, consumption-based and technology-adjusted carbon emissions for 44 countries and country groups for the period 2000 to 2014. Results show some significant shifts in global emission trends compared to similar studies of the period before 2009. For 20 European Union (EU) countries and the US, emissions decreased over the period regardless of measure, and the same was true for the EU. Since GDP grew in 18 of these countries, the results provide unambiguous evidence for absolute, albeit modest, decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions. The large increase in global emissions that nevertheless occurred during the period was driven almost entirely by increasing consumption in China and developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Magnus Jiborn & Viktoras Kulionis & Astrid Kander, 2020. "Consumption versus Technology: Drivers of Global Carbon Emissions 2000–2014," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:2:p:339-:d:307213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tobias Nielsen & Nicolai Baumert & Astrid Kander & Magnus Jiborn & Viktoras Kulionis, 2021. "The risk of carbon leakage in global climate agreements," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 147-163, June.
    3. Jianshi Wang & Shangkun Yu & Mengcheng Li & Yu Cheng & Chengxin Wang, 2022. "Study of the Impact of Industrial Restructuring on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Carbon Emission Intensity in Chinese Provinces—Analysis of Mediating Effects Based on Technological Innovation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Wu, Ran & Ma, Tao & Schröder, Enno, 2022. "The contribution of trade to production-Based carbon dioxide emissions," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 391-406.
    5. Macarena Larrea Basterra & Roberto Alvaro-Hermana & Nuria Ceular-Villamandos & Noel M. Muniz, 2022. "A purposeful approach for measuring greenhouse gas emissions of material flow accounts for the accomplishment of territorial sustainable development and cultural economy goals on climate. The case of ," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 6630-6654, May.
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    7. Hana Nielsen & Astrid Kander, 2020. "Trade in the Carbon-Constrained Future: Exploiting the Comparative Carbon Advantage of Swedish Trade," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-25, July.

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