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Economic growth and environment in the United Kingdom: robust evidence using more than 250 years data

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  • Amine Ben Amar

    (Technopolis Rabat-Shore Rocade Rabat-Salé)

Abstract

Using a long span of data (from 1751 to 2016), this paper empirically investigates the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and economic growth (real GDP per capita) in the United Kingdom. The empirical results provide strong support for the existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in the UK, i.e., an inverted U-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth, with turning point estimated around the mid-twentieth century. This turning point corresponds with the introduction of changes in environmental standards and policies, which reflects the regulatory efforts to limit pollution by reducing the discharge of grit into the atmosphere, as well as the decline in the use of coal as source of energy, which reflects the country willingness to ensure the energy transition necessary for sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Amine Ben Amar, 2021. "Economic growth and environment in the United Kingdom: robust evidence using more than 250 years data," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 23(4), pages 667-681, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envpol:v:23:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10018-020-00300-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10018-020-00300-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental kuznets curve; Carbon dioxide emissions; Dynamic correlation; Wavelet coherency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C2 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables
    • Q4 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy

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