Energy Efficiency in Transition Economies: Is There Convergence Towards the EU Average?

This paper investigates the relationship between energy intensity in the 12 countries of Eastern Europe that can be considered as in transition to a full market economy, and that of the present EU members. The raw data shows some evidence of convergence, and a carefully estimated econometric model of lagged adjustment confirms this. On average, a 1% decrease in the per capita income gap between developed and transition economies leads to a decrease in the energy intensity growth rate of a transition country by 0.7%. There are differences in the rate of convergence across countries, and these depend on two parameters that are allowed to vary across countries: ?, the elasticity of desired energy intensity with respect to the per capita income gap; and µ, the rate at which actual energy intensity adjusts to the desired energy intensity. The countries with the fastest convergence rates given these parameters are the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey. The forecast values for energy intensity and actual energy demand levels of seven transition countries were estimated. Results show that the energy intensities of transition countries except Estonia converge to EU levels significantly. On the other hand, actual energy demand levels between 2000 and 2020 show an increasing demand in all 7 countries despite the reductions in energy intensity. Therefore, it will not be feasible to use as a target a non-increasing level of total energy consumption.Energy, Convergence, Transition

The questionnaire for diagnosing mobbing in employees’ relationships

The purpose of this article is to form the original questionnaire to identify intensity of the expression of mobbing in employees’ relationships. Mobbing in the context of the paper is the bullying of an individual by a group at the work place. The article presents only the statistical analysis of psychometric features of the formed questionnaire without elaborating on the results of the empirical research on the intensity of mobbing expression in employees’ relationships in Lithuanian organisations. The advantage of the questionnaire is that it is relatively short; however, it covers all features which are characteristic of the mobbing phenomenon and provides the opportunity to analyse the attack that does not fall under the definition of mobbing. It can be used both for mass and local research at the level of single organisations. Economic losses are also revealed by the questionnaire through the assessment of damage experienced by employees, generated expenses and lost revenues

ENVIRONMENTAL KUZNETS CURVES: ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

The results of empirical studies on Kuznets environmental curves are discussed in the article as well as economic implications of findings of these studies. The relationship of economic growth and environmental impact has spurred fierce debates between growth optimists referring to the phenomenon of the environmental Kuznets curve, and pessimists referring to the limits to growth. The article draws some hints from a critical assessment of the literature on the environmental Kuznets curve. In particular it is argued that the optimistic implications of this literature on the sustainability management are not granted. However, environmental Kuznets curves analysis allows clarification of a few basic conditions to achieve pollution reduction with economic growth. These conditions can be met by implementing a systematic and strict environmental policy strategy aimed at shifting Kuznets relations downward

Challenges of Approaching Climate Neutral Society in V4 Countries

The paper deals with challenges of transition to carbon neutral carbon transition of Visegrad countries (V4), namely Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic. The paper provides analysis of the main problems for these countries in implementing targets set by energy and climate package. The analysis of energy vulnerability and poverty issues in V4 countries is also delivered in the paper. Comparative assessment of progress towards climate neutral society is carried for his group of countries to highlight the best practices and problems encountered. The paper also provides policy recommendations based on study conducted for implementing transition towards climate neutral, inclusive society for Visegrad countries

Energy Poverty and Impact of Covid-19 Pandemics in Visegrad (V4) Countries

CC BYThe article aims to analyse the effect of COVID 19 pandemics on energy poverty in Visegrad (V4) countries, namely Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic. The literature review on energy poverty was performed and the main indicators energy poverty were discussed. The dynamics of the main indicators of energy poverty during COVID 19 pandemics and post pandemic period were critically analysed and compared among V-4 countries trying to identify the successful policies and measures helping to mitigate negative COVID 19 pandemics impact on energy poverty in analysed group of countries

Affordable and Clean Energy for All: Challenges in Balkan Countries

CC BY 4.0The paper analyses SDG7 indicators of sustainable development in Balkan Countries. Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Bosnia Herzegovina are selected for case study aiming to define the progress towards SDG7 goal- Affordable and clean energy by applying the main indicators set for analysis of situation in terms of affordable and clean energy for all in selected neighbouring countries of former Yugoslavia. The paper also provides policy recommendations based on analysis performed and allows to share good practices in energy policies among neighbouring countries which as different economic development level and Slovenia is EU Member State since 2004 and Croatia since 2013. Other Balkan states are just planning to join EU in the future

COVID-19 impacts on Energy Poverty: Lithuanian Case Study

CC BY 4.0The analyses the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on energy poverty. Comparative assessment of Lithuanian trends with EU-27 and other Baltic States was applied to identify the main differences in these trends and to provide policy implications. Three main indicators from EU-SILC database were selected to measure energy poverty: Population unable to keep home adequately warm, Arrears on utility bills and Population living in a dwelling with a leakages. Energy prices as the main indicator driving energy poverty during COVID-19 pandemic was also addressed in order to fully grasp the negative impact of pandemics on energy vulnerability and energy poverty in Lithuania. The paper also provides policy recommendations to mitigate negative impact of COVID-19 on energy poverty in Lithuania

Assessment of Progress Towards 20-20-20 Targets: Evidence from Baltic States

CC BY 4.0The 2020 climate and energy package adopted in 2009 sets three key targets for EU Member States: 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels); to ensure 20% of renewables in final energy consumption and to achieve 20% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels. The paper analyses the progress of selected countries in achieving climate and energy targets by 2020. Baltic States, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were selected for comparative assessment of their achievements in GHG emission reduction, energy efficiency improvement and use of renewable energy sources. Indicator’s framework was constructed to capture the most important drivers of GHG emission reduction from fuel combustion. These indicators allow to compare countries in their achievements by assessing their main energy and climate change policies. The analysis and comparison of the trends of the main indicators allows to define the best performing country and the reason of this. Policy implications were developed for Baltic States to pursue further progress in achieving energy and climate targets for 2030 and 2050

The impact of biodiesel consumption by transport on economic growth in the European Union

The actual EU strategies of sustainable development have determined a very fast increase in biodiesel consumption within the EU, especially since 2005. In line with these developments, the main aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact from biodiesel consumption by transport on economic growth of the EU. The identification of some groups of countries according to economic growth and biodiesel consumption in transport (cluster analysis) was performed. The relationship between economic growth and energy based on biodiesel consumption (panel data models and Granger causality on panel data) was assessed. In this context, using the available data, we assessed the effects of biodiesel consumption by transport on economic growth in the EU over the period 2010-2016. The results based on the panel data approach indicate a positive, but very low impact of energy obtained from biodiesel consumption by transport on the EU 's economic growth. An increase in energy based on biodiesel by one thousand tons of oil equivalent generated, on average, an increase of 0.0019 percentage points in the real GDP rate in the EU during the period of 2010-2016. There is only a unidirectional Granger causality relationship between these two variables: the biodiesel consumption Granger caused the EU economic growth from 2010 to 2016. Policy recommendations should focus on the extension of biodiesel consumption for transport within the EU by establishing a higher minim percentage of biodiesel in transport