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The Environmental Kuznets Curve

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  • Chiara Martini

Abstract

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) represents a much debated research hypothesis. The article reviews the literature, starting from the theoretical background, represented by optimal growth models, models with environment as a factor of production, endogenous growth models and other macroeconomic models. The main criticisms of the EKC hypothesis are analyzed making distinction between the theoretical – with omission of variables and matters of irreversibility – and the methodological ones, regarding, for example, the appropriate measurement of examined variables, econometric problems, and the existence of non-univocal results. The article continues with the potential regulatory contributions to be derived from the EKC, whose main feature is to ascertain the feasibility of policies combining economic growth and defence of the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Martini, 2006. "The Environmental Kuznets Curve," QA - Rivista dell'Associazione Rossi-Doria, Associazione Rossi Doria, issue 3, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:rar:journl:0040
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    2. Eleonora Sofilda & Muhammad Zilal Hamzah, 2015. "Government Spending Contributions on per Capita Income and its Effect toward the Human Development Index (Comparative Study between Western Indonesia and Central & East Indonesia)," Journal of Social and Development Sciences, AMH International, vol. 6(3), pages 43-49.
    3. Kuheli Dutt, 2009. "Governance, institutions and the environment-income relationship: a cross-country study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 11(4), pages 705-723, August.
    4. Atwi, Majed & Barberán, Ramón & Mur, Jesús & Angulo, Ana, 2018. "CO2 Kuznets Curve Revisited: From Cross-Sections to Panel Data Models," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 40, pages 169-196.
    5. Ni Putu Wiwin Setyari & Wayan Gita Ayu Kusuma, 2021. "Economics and Environmental Development: Testing the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 51-58.
    6. Sabrina Auci & Giovanni Trovato, 2018. "The environmental Kuznets curve within European countries and sectors: greenhouse emission, production function and technology," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 35(3), pages 895-915, December.
    7. Silajdzic Sabina & Mehic Eldin, 2018. "Do Environmental Taxes Pay Off? The Impact of Energy and Transport Taxes on CO2 Emissions in Transition Economies," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 126-143, December.
    8. Mikkel Bennedsen & Eric Hillebrand & Sebastian Jensen, 2022. "A Neural Network Approach to the Environmental Kuznets Curve," CREATES Research Papers 2022-09, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental Kuznets Curve; Economic Growth; Environmental Degradation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • 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

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