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on Resource Economics |
| By: | Svenja Flechtner (Siegen University); Martin Middelanis (Freie Universitat Berlin) |
| Abstract: | The relationship between income inequality and carbon emissions remains ambiguous in both theory and evidence. A declining–marginal–propensity-to-emit (MPE) framework predicts a short-term trade-off between reducing inequality and limiting emissions, whereas political-economy perspectives suggest that higher structural inequality increases carbon output. Empirical studies often report negative associations, but these frequently conflate within-country dynamics with cross-country differences. We argue that distinguishing these levels can reconcile the evidence: the MPE mechanism primarily operates within countries over time, while political-economy channels shape structural, cross-country variation. Using data from the World Inequality Database, we conduct two complementary analyses. First, simulations on a global sample of 162 countries from 2019 test whether shifts in national income distributions alter carbon emissions at constant GDP, isolating the within-country MPE effect. Second, cross-sectional panel analyses examine whether households at equivalent income levels generate more emissions in more unequal societies. Our results show a modest within-country trade-off â۠most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries and when the income share of the middle class rises â۠alongside a cross-country pattern in which higher inequality is systematically associated with higher emissions across the income distribution. These findings highlight the coexistence of opposing dynamics and underscore that climate policy should balance short-term trade-offs against the structural benefits of reducing inequality. |
| Keywords: | Inequality, Carbon emissions, Climate change, Marginal propensity to emit, Redistribution |
| JEL: | D31 Q53 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inq:inqwps:ecineq2025-687 |
| By: | Paolo Polidori (Department of Law, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino Carlo Bo); Rosalba Rombaldoni (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino Carlo Bo) |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to contribute to the debate on waste management with the intention of considering the waste cycle as an integrated service using the logical scheme proper to network analysis. Its optimization involves the identification of critical nodes and bottlenecks that prevent the system from achieving balances in line with circularity and sustainability. Providing for a sustainable landfill, as a necessary building block that cleanly closes the material cycle, imposes the constraint that produces backward effects throughout the supply chain, even to the point of changing the structure of the entire network. A simple model shows that the lifespan of a landfill, in the absence of economic constraints, depends on the actions put in place upstream of the final storage phase, which will have to be all the more incisive the greater the community's aversion to the creation of landfills. |
| Keywords: | sustainable landfill; network analysis; environmental and economic efficiency |
| JEL: | H23 Q53 Q56 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urb:wpaper:25_01 |
| By: | Dotti, Nicola Francesco (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Canton, Erik (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Benoit, Florence (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Cavicchi, Bianca (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Di Girolamo, Valentina (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Ravet, Julien (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission); Steeman, Jan-Tjibbe (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission) |
| Abstract: | This literature review provides short summaries of recent scientific articles discussing the challenges of 'greening research'. While science has played a fundamental role in understanding climate change, today's most pressing societal challenge, research organisations and activities are also called to 'greening' themselves, reducing their environmental footprint and promoting more sustainable practices. This multifaceted challenge is addressed by an emerging literature identifying the carbon footprint of university campuses and research infrastructure, discussing the main challenges such as research-related travelling. This review aims to discuss the emerging practices contributing to promoting environmental sustainability for research activities. |
| Keywords: | Greening research, decarbonisation, sustainability, climate change, research organisations |
| JEL: | Q56 Q58 O32 O38 |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eug:wpaper:ki-01-25-022-en-n |
| By: | Galle, Johannes (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research); Oliveira, Rodrigo (UNU-WIDER); Overbeck, Daniel (National University of Singapore); Riedel, Nadine (University of Münster); Severnini, Edson (Boston College) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides the first comprehensive evidence on how firms in emerging economies respond to carbon taxation. Using detailed administrative data, we study the announcement and implementation of South Africa’s 2019 carbon tax—a potential trailblazer for other developing countries with limited state capacity amid the global expansion of carbon pricing. Contrary to concerns that carbon taxes might hinder growth or employment, we find no negative effects on firm performance or jobs. Firms facing higher effective tax rates increased activity following the tax’s announcement, four years before implementation, likely reflecting the resolution of regulatory uncertainty and efforts to mitigate stranded asset costs. While we find no measurable reduction in emissions—likely due to this anticipatory behavior—our results suggest that carbon taxation can be implemented without harming economic outcomes, even in the short term and in low- and middle-income settings. |
| Keywords: | firm performance, carbon tax, carbon pricing, employment outcomes |
| JEL: | H23 Q52 Q58 O13 O55 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18212 |