EXPLANATORY FACTORS OF CO2 PER CAPITA EMISSION INEQUALITY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The design of European mitigation policies requires a detailed examination of the factors explaining the unequal emissions in the different countries. This research analyzes the evolution of inequality in CO2 per capita emissions in the European Union (EU-27) in the 1990–2006 period and its explanatory factors. For this purpose, we decompose the Theil index of inequality into the contributions of the different Kaya factors. The decomposition is also applied to the inequality between and within groups of countries (North Europe, South Europe, and East Europe). The analysis shows an important reduction in inequality, to a large extent due to the smaller differences between groups and because of the lower contribution of the energy intensity factor. The importance of the GDP per capita factor increases and becomes the main explanatory factor. However, within the different groups of countries the carbonization index appears to be the most relevant factor in explaining inequalities.CO2 emissions, emission inequality, European Union, Kaya factors, Theil index.

Inequality across countries in energy intensities: an analysis of the role of energy transformation and final energy consumption

This paper analyzes the role of the energy transformation index and of final energy consumption per GDP unit in the disparities in energy intensity across countries. In that vein, we use a Theil decomposition approach to analyze global primary energy intensity inequality as well as inequality across different regions of the world and inequality within these regions. The paper first demonstrates the pre-eminence of divergence in final energy consumption per GDP unit in explaining global primary energy intensity inequality and its evolution during the 1971–2006 period. Secondly, it shows the lower (albeit non negligible) impact of the transformation index in global primary energy inequality. Thirdly, the relevance of regions as unit of analysis in studying crosscountry energy intensity inequality and their explanatory factors is highlighted. And finally, how regions around the world differ as to the relevance of the energy transformation index in explaining primary energy intensity inequality.Energy efficiency, energy intensities, energy transformation, Theil index

Cross-country polarisation in CO2 emissions per capita in the European Union: changes and explanatory factors

In this study, we analyse the degree of polarisation—a concept fundamentally different from that of inequality—in the international distribution of CO2 emissions per capita in the European Union. It is analytically relevant to examine the degree of instability inherent to a distribution and, in the analysed case, the likelihood that the distribution and its evolution will increase or decrease the chances of reaching an agreement. Two approaches were used to measure polarisation: the endogenous approach, in which countries are grouped according to their similarity in terms of emissions, and the exogenous approach, in which countries are grouped geographically. Our findings indicate a clear decrease in polarisation since the mid-1990s, which can essentially be explained by the fact that the different groups of countries have converged (i.e. antagonism among the CO2 emitters has decreased) as the contribution of energy intensity to between-group differences has decreased. This lower degree of polarisation in CO2 distribution suggests a situation more conducive to the possibility of reaching EU-wide agreements on the mitigation of CO2 emissions.CO2 emissions, distribution of emissions, European Union, mitigation agreements, polarisation.

Análisis de agrupaciones provinciales a partir del enfoque de desigualdad y polarización: una nota

Con motivo de analizar las fuentes de las desigualdades interprovinciales de la renta en España las provincias vienen siendo agrupadas en función de su pertenencia a las CCAA. Este criterio de tipificación, de origen administrativo, no agota, sin embargo, las posibilidades existentes en orden a dividir a las provincias en grupos pretendidamente homogéneos. Disponemos, por ejemplo, de agrupaciones informales como las NUTS 1 europeas, los ejes de desarrollo (VILLAVERDE Y PÉREZ (1996) y las áreas geoeconómicas (ALCAIDE (2002) ó formales, como las sugeridas por AGHEVLI y MEHRAN (1981) y DAVIES y SHORROCKS (1989). El principal objeto de esta nota consiste en evaluar el atractivo asociado a esta variedad de agregaciones atendiendo a dos criterios básicos: el error de agregación y el número de grupos considerado.provincias, desiguadad, polarizacion

Polarització comarcal de rendes a Catalunya

Sovint parlem de les comarques catalanes en termes de grups més o menys homogenis. Per exemple, les segmenten en riques i pobres, en dinàmiques i estancades, en interiors o costaneres, etc. Apart de l’interès com a instrument de síntesi, el grau de formació de grups cohesionats i distants entre si pot ser un assumpte rellevant en termes de la cohesió territorial. En aquestes circumstàncies, la disponibilitat d’una mesura específica que permeti la quantificació precisa d’aquest fenomen sembla particularment útil. En aquest sentit, la literatura ens ha suggerit diverses mesures de polarització, entre les que s’haurien de destacar els Índexos de Polarització Generalitzada (Esteban, Gradín i Ray (1999)). El principal objecte d’aquest treball consisteix a aplicar aquestes mesures a la distribució comarcal de la renda a Catalunya al llarg del període 1990-2002. El principal resultat obtingut apunta cap a una creixent polarització econòmica de les comarques que, conjuntament amb l’increment observat en les desigualtats, recolzaria una actitud molt més decidida per part de l’administració en el reequilibri del territori.comarques, polaritzacio, distribucio renda

Cross-country polarisation in CO2 emissions per capita in the European Union : changes and explanatory factors

We analyse the degree of polarisation in the international distribution of CO2 emissions per capita in the European Union. It is analytically relevant to examine the degree of instability inherent to a distribution and, in the analysed case, the likelihood that the distribution and its evolution will increase or decrease the chances of reaching an agreement on climate policy. Two approaches were used to measure polarisation: the endogenous approach, in which countries are grouped according to their similarity in terms of emissions, and the exogenous approach, in which countries are grouped geographically. Our findings indicate a clear decrease in polarisation since the mid-1990s, which can essentially be explained by the fact that the different groups have converged (i. e. antagonism among the CO2 emitters has decreased) as the contribution of energy intensity to between-group differences has decreased. This lower degree of polarisation in CO2 distribution suggests a situation more conducive to the possibility of reaching EU-wide agreements on the mitigation of CO2 emissions. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Analysis of the international distribution of per capita CO 2 emissions using the polarization concept

The concept of polarization is linked to the extent that a given distribution leads to the formation of homogeneous groups with opposing interests. This concept, which is basically different from the traditional one of inequality, is related to the level of inherent potential conflict in a distribution. The polarization approach has been widely applied in the analysis of income distribution. The extension of this approach to the analysis of international distribution of CO2 emissions is quite useful as it gives a potent informative instrument for characterizing the state and evolution of the international distribution of emissions and its possible political consequences in terms of tensions and the probability of achieving agreements. In this paper we analyze the international distribution of per capita CO2 emissions between 1971 and 2001 through the adaptation of the polarization concept and measures. We find that the most interesting grouped description deriving from the analysis is a two groups' one, whichbroadly coincide with Annex B and non-Annex B countries of the Kyoto Protocol, which shows the power of polarization analysis for explaining the generation of groups in the real world. The analysis also shows a significant reduction in international polarization in per capita CO2 emissions between 1971 and 1995, but not much change since 1995, which might indicate that polarized distribution of emission is still one of the important factors leading to difficulties in achieving agreements for reducing global emissions

The Catalan tourism subsystem: applying the methodology of subsystems in the tourism sector

The analysis of input-output is one of the methodologies most applied in tourism literature to the study of the impacts of tourism activity. In this  article, we apply the input-output (IO) subsystems methodology. This methodology is a useful tool for studying the productive structure of the  different sectors of an economy. Using it offers us the chance to renew the IO methodology, often used to calculate the economic impacts of  tourism. In that sense, we have used this methodology to check two main things: first, the importance of every subsector in the tourism sector and  the links between them and the rest of the economy as input supplier and, second, the existence of a tourism subsystem. When we analyse the  relations between the subsectors, we found that strong economic links exist between them. The different subsectors operate as suppliers and in  turn use the other subsectors as suppliers to offer their final products. Those give us some indications about the existence of a real subsystem  between the tourism subsectors, which can give us more information about the tourism sector, the links between the different tourism subsectors,  the evolution during recent years and the changes in the relations between subsectors. We chose Catalonia because tourism is one of the most  important economic activities, contributing more than 10% of GDP and with a similar importance in jobs creation: more than 400 000 jobs directly  related to tourism. Those data meant 17 million international arrivals during 2015

International inequalities in per capita CO 2 emissions : a decomposition methodology by Kaya factors

In this paper, we provide a methodology for decomposing international inequalities in per capita CO2 emissions into Kaya (multiplicative) factors and two interaction terms. We use the Theil index of inequality and show that this decomposition methodology can be extended for analyzing between- and within-group inequality components. We can thus analyze the factors behind inequalities in per capita CO2 emissions across countries, between groups of countries and within groups of countries. The empirical illustration for international data suggests some points. Firstly, international inequality in per capita CO2 emissions is mainly attributable to inequalities in per capita income levels, which helps to explain its recent reduction, while differences in carbon intensity of energy and energy intensity have made a less significant contribution. This result is strongly influenced by the performance of China and India. Secondly, the between-group inequality component, which is the biggest component, is also largely explained by the income factor. Thirdly, the within-group inequality component increased slightly during the period, something mainly due to the change in the income factor and the interaction terms in a few regions

Estimación del valor económico del uso recreativo del Parque Natural del Delta del Ebro a través del método del coste de viaje zonal

The economic valuation of recreational use associated to environmental goods is relatively new in Spain. The employment of the Travel Cost Method (TCM), as a tool for estimating this value, has growing in the scientific literature. This paper makes an initial contribution to estimating the recreational value of Delta de l’Ebre natural park, over the period 1999-2007, using the zonal approach. The results suggest an increase in its value of 60%, going from 4.1 milions of euros in 1999 to 6.5 milions in 2007. On the other hand, the estimated value from 2005, which seems fairly high, can be atributable to the wide promotion of the natural park associated to the derogation of National Hydrological Plan.La valoración económica de los usos recreativos de los espacios naturales es relativamente reciente en España. La utilización del método del Coste de Viaje (MCV), como herramienta para acometer dicha valoración, ha resultado fértil en la literatura científica reciente tanto en lo que hace referencia a su variante individual como zonal. Este artículo llevará a cabo de manera inicial y novedosa la valoración económica del parque natural del Delta del Ebro a través de la variante zonal para el período 1999-2007. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto un aumento en el valor de casi un 60%, pasando de los 4.1 millones de euros en 1999 hasta los 6.5 millones en 2007. Por otra parte, el salto en el valor en el 2005 podría atribuirse a la promoción del parque asociada a la derogación del Plan Hidrológico nacional