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The effects of globalization on Ecological Footprints: an empirical analysis

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  • Lukas Figge

    (Maastricht University)

  • Kay Oebels

    (Maastricht University)

  • Astrid Offermans

    (Maastricht University)

Abstract

Whether globalization is sustainable is a contested issue. The quantitative literature on the Maastricht Globalization Index (MGI) and the KOF index of globalization shows that globalization contributes positively to economic and human development, environmental performance, mortality, gender equality and physical integrity rights. However, globalization also drives within-country income inequality, especially in developing countries. Evidence on the effects of globalization on the ecological environment does not provide clear patterns; various dimensions of globalization have different effects on various pollutants. This article analyzes the statistical relationship between the most recent MGI (2012 edition) and the ecological dimension of sustainable development. The latter will be operationalized by considering four variants of the Ecological Footprint. The relation between globalization and sustainable development will be controlled for GDP per capita as a proxy for affluence and report the results for Pearson’s correlations and multivariate regressions for up to 171 countries. We conclude that the overall index of globalization significantly increases the Ecological Footprint of consumption, exports and imports. The decomposition of globalization into different domains reveals that apart from the political dimension, all dimensions drive human pressures and demands on the environment. Globalization needs to go into new directions if it is to make a contribution toward all aspects of sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas Figge & Kay Oebels & Astrid Offermans, 2017. "The effects of globalization on Ecological Footprints: an empirical analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 863-876, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:19:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10668-016-9769-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-016-9769-8
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    9. Song, Fei (Sophie) & Montabon, Frank & Xu, Yuhang, 2018. "The impact of national culture on corporate adoption of environmental management practices and their effectiveness," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 313-328.
    10. Zhou, Runyu & Abbasi, Kashif Raza & Salem, Sultan & Almulhim, Abdulaziz.I. & Alvarado, Rafael, 2022. "Do natural resources, economic growth, human capital, and urbanization affect the ecological footprint? A modified dynamic ARDL and KRLS approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    11. Ulucak, Recep & Danish, & Ozcan, Burcu, 2020. "Relationship between energy consumption and environmental sustainability in OECD countries: The role of natural resources rents," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    12. Muhammad Ramzan & Ummara Razi & Muhammad Umer Quddoos & Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo, 2023. "Do green innovation and financial globalization contribute to the ecological sustainability and energy transition in the United Kingdom? Policy insights from a bootstrap rolling window approach," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 393-414, February.
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