Can economic growth be a solution to environmental problems? This paper examines the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, which suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and income per capita, implying that economic development will eventually mitigate environmental impacts. The paper assesses progress in understanding the EKC phenomenon and addressing criticisms of empirical studies. Recent research has shifted towards analyzing how conditioning variables impact the environmental impact-GDP relationship, with some studies examining historical data from individual countries. Econometric techniques have also improved. However, the research notes that empirical decompositions of the EKC into underlying causes remain limited, and explicit testing of theoretical models has not been conducted. This analysis offers valuable insights into the complexities of sustainable development, suggesting future research directions to better understand the interplay between economic growth and environmental quality.
This article published in Environment and Development Economics fits squarely within the journal’s scope, which focuses on the intersection of environmental issues and economic development. By examining the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, the paper addresses the core question of how economic growth impacts environmental quality, a subject of paramount importance to the journal's target audience of environmental economists and policymakers.
| Category | Category Repetition |
|---|---|
| Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences | 1 |
| Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering | 1 |
| Science: Biology (General): Ecology | 1 |