The drivers of long-run CO2 emissions in Europe, North America and Japan since 1800

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Henriques, ST (Author) FEP; Borowiecki, KJ (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Energy Policy

Vol. 101

Pages: 537-549

ISSN: 0301-4215

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 105 Citations

Scopus - 108 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-J5W

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.11.005

Abstract (EN): Using an extended Kaya decomposition, we identify the drivers of long-run CO2emissions since 1800 for Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the United States, Canada and Japan. By considering biomass and carbon-free energy sources along with fossil fuels, we are able to shed light on the effects of past and present energy transitions on CO2emissions. We find that at low levels of income per capita, fuel switching from biomass to fossil fuels is the main contributing factor to emissions growth. As income levels increase, scale effects, especially income effects, become dominant. Technological change proves to be the main offsetting factor in the long run. Particularly in the last decades, technological change and fuel switching have become important contributors to the decrease in emissions in Europe. Our results also contrast the differentiated historical paths of CO2emissions taken by these countries.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13