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On the economic growth and environmental trade-off: a multi-objective analysis

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  • Simone Marsiglio

    (University of Pisa)

  • Fabio Privileggi

    (University of Turin)

Abstract

We develop a multicriteria approach, based on both scalarization and goal programming techniques, in order to analyze the trade off between economic growth and environmental outcomes in a framework in which the economy and environment relation is bidirectional. On the one hand, economic growth by stimulating production activities gives rise to emissions of pollutants which deteriorate the environment. On the other hand, the environment affects economic activities since pollution generates a production externality determining how much output the economy can produce and reducing welfare. In this setting we show that optimality dictates an initial overshooting followed by economic degrowth and rising pollution. This implies that independently of the relative importance of economic and environmental factors, it is paradoxically optimal for the economy to asymptotically reach the maximum pollution level that the environment is able to bear.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Marsiglio & Fabio Privileggi, 2021. "On the economic growth and environmental trade-off: a multi-objective analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 296(1), pages 263-289, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:296:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10479-019-03217-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10479-019-03217-y
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    1. Cinzia Colapinto & Raja Jayaraman & Simone Marsiglio, 2017. "Multi-criteria decision analysis with goal programming in engineering, management and social sciences: a state-of-the art review," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 251(1), pages 7-40, April.
    2. Brock, William A. & Taylor, M. Scott, 2005. "Economic Growth and the Environment: A Review of Theory and Empirics," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 28, pages 1749-1821, Elsevier.
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    8. Simone Marsiglio, 2017. "A simple endogenous growth model with endogenous fertility and environmental concern," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 64(3), pages 263-282, July.
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    11. Simone Marsiglio & Davide Torre, 2018. "Economic growth and abatement activities in a stochastic environment: a multi-objective approach," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 267(1), pages 321-334, August.
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    15. Davide Torre & Danilo Liuzzi & Simone Marsiglio, 2017. "Pollution Control Under Uncertainty and Sustainability Concern," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 67(4), pages 885-903, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Herb Kunze & Davide La Torre & Simone Marsiglio, 2019. "A Multicriteria Macroeconomic Model with Intertemporal Equity and Spatial Spillovers," Papers 1911.08247, arXiv.org.
    2. Marco Vacchi & Cristina Siligardi & Fabio Demaria & Erika Iveth Cedillo-González & Rocío González-Sánchez & Davide Settembre-Blundo, 2021. "Technological Sustainability or Sustainable Technology? A Multidimensional Vision of Sustainability in Manufacturing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-18, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic growth; Pollution; Multi-objective optimization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • 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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