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CO2 emissions and energy technologies in Western Europe

Author

Listed:
  • J. Barrera-Santana

    (Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Gustavo A. Marrero

    (Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Luis A. Puch

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Antonia Díaz

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the path to the green transition in Europe. In so doing, we implement an empirical model of dynamic panel data on a sample of sixteen Western European countries over the period 1980 to 2019. The model is consistent with various features of neoclassical growth theory incorporating energy use. Our focus is on the short-run determinants of carbon emissions within that set of countries. We provide evidence that the relationship between economic activity and CO2 emissions is strong in economies where economic booms depend on energy-intensive sectors. Also, the mitigating role of renewable energy technologies is key when energy intensity rebounds. These circumstances may constitute a challenge for the climate transition goals targeted in the EU’s Recovery Plan, whose main objective at this very moment is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Barrera-Santana & Gustavo A. Marrero & Luis A. Puch & Antonia Díaz, 2021. "CO2 emissions and energy technologies in Western Europe," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 105-150, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:series:v:12:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s13209-021-00234-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s13209-021-00234-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pérez, Rafaela & Ruiz, Jesús & Guinea, Laurentiu, 2023. "Asymmetric effects of financial volatility and volatility-of-volatility shocks on the energy mix," UC3M Working papers. Economics 36916, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    3. Fabra, Natalia & Lacuesta, Aitor & Souza, Mateus, 2022. "The implicit cost of carbon abatement during the COVID-19 pandemic," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    4. Ruifeng Shi & Xiaoxi Chen & Jiajun Qin & Ping Wu & Limin Jia, 2022. "The State-of-the-Art Progress on the Forms and Modes of Hydrogen and Ammonia Energy Utilization in Road Transportation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
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    7. Estrella Trincado & Antonio Sánchez-Bayón & José María Vindel, 2021. "The European Union Green Deal: Clean Energy Wellbeing Opportunities and the Risk of the Jevons Paradox," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Barrera-Santana, J. & Marrero, Gustavo A. & Ramos-Real, Francisco J., 2022. "Income, energy and the role of energy efficiency governance," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CO2 emissions; Energy; Business cycles; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics

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