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The Impact of Demographic Changes on CO 2 Emission Profiles: Cases of East Asian Countries

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  • Tae Yong Jung

    (Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Yong-Gun Kim

    (Korea Environment Institute, Sejong 30147, Korea)

  • Jongwoo Moon

    (Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

The demographic changes of East Asian countries have accelerated in recent years. With consideration of the linkage between human behavior and carbon emissions, it is necessary to consider demographic characteristics for the CO 2 emission projections of these countries. This study examines how changes in the demographic structure affect the emission projections of three East Asian countries (South Korea, China, and Japan) by comparing two different vintages of population projections. The study constructed a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and applied the most up-to-date dataset of population prospects, GTAP 10, and the labor force participation rate. By comparing UN2010 and UN2019 projections, the study examined the impact of demographic changes on CO 2 emission profiles of the three East Asian countries. The simulation result showed that GDP, which represents economic activity along with the population, is the direct channel of CO 2 emission projections. Moreover, the scenario analysis suggested the population factor as one of the main drivers of the CO 2 emission projection and a clear positive relationship between GDP and CO 2 emissions, though CO 2 emissions are generally inelastic in response to a GDP decrease in the three East Asian countries. The finding indirectly implies that not only the size of the population but also demographic composition should be considered to project CO 2 emissions, as the labor participation rate is an important factor to determine the production function.

Suggested Citation

  • Tae Yong Jung & Yong-Gun Kim & Jongwoo Moon, 2021. "The Impact of Demographic Changes on CO 2 Emission Profiles: Cases of East Asian Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:677-:d:479141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhenkai Yang & Mei-Chih Wang & Tsangyao Chang & Wing-Keung Wong & Fangjhy Li, 2022. "Which Factors Determine CO 2 Emissions in China? Trade Openness, Financial Development, Coal Consumption, Economic Growth or Urbanization: Quantile Granger Causality Test," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, March.

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