Relación entre la contaminación atmosférica y la calidad del aire con el crecimiento económico y otros determinantes : Uruguay a lo largo del Siglo XX

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between economic growth in reference to atmospheric pollution and air quality (CO2 and SO2, respectively) in Uruguay (a small-open economy) through the XX century. Departing from the theory behind the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), a linear relationship was found between economic growth and the contaminants in the period 1955 – 2000 through a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). While the atmospheric pollution grows at the same time than the production level over this period, the air quality decreases. The economy openness degree is significant in the long-term relationship in reference to CO2 emissions, but not in the short run dynamics. The relation between SO2 and economic activity did not show other significant variables, neither the short or long term.CO2, SO2, economic growth, Environmental Kuznets Curve, cointegration, vector error correction model