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Can Declining Energy Intensity Mitigate Climate Change? Decomposition and Meta-Regression Results

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  • Stephan B. Bruns
  • Christian Gross

Abstract

Drawing on the Kaya identity, we assess the role of the main driver of the decline in carbon intensity, namely the (economic) energy intensity. Using meta-signi?ficance testing for a sample of 44 studies, dealing with the causality between energy and GDP, we ?find that both variables are strongly coupled. Hence, after having exhausted energy savings from nonrecurring structural changes, the economic energy intensity may soon converge than being arbitrarily reducible. We suggest, therefore, not to rely on further reductions of economic energy intensity but rather to invest in the reduction of the carbon intensity of energy to mitigate climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephan B. Bruns & Christian Gross, 2012. "Can Declining Energy Intensity Mitigate Climate Change? Decomposition and Meta-Regression Results," Papers on Economics and Evolution 2012-11, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    • Handle: RePEc:esi:evopap:2012-11
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Engle, Robert & Granger, Clive, 2015. "Co-integration and error correction: Representation, estimation, and testing," Applied Econometrics, Publishing House "SINERGIA PRESS", vol. 39(3), pages 106-135.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coers, Robin & Sanders, Mark, 2013. "The energy–GDP nexus; addressing an old question with new methods," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 708-715.
    2. Bennouna, Amin & El Hebil, Charaf, 2016. "Energy needs for Morocco 2030, as obtained from GDP-energy and GDP-energy intensity correlations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 45-55.
    3. Corina PÎRLOGEA & Ion POPA & Corina FR?SINEANU, 2012. "Macroeconomic Indicators Used to Study the Efficiency of Investments in Renewable Energy Field," Economia. Seria Management, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(2), pages 308-315, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change mitigation; Kaya identity; Energy intensity; Meta-significance testing;

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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