Abstract
1-Introduction
2-Material and Method
3-Results and discussion
4-Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Abstract
The growing concern of climate change has made greenhouse gas emissions, mostly as a result of anthropogenic activities, an important matter of research. The aim of the paper is to perform quantitative evaluation on the relationship between economic development and production of greenhouse gas emissions based on decoupling model theory. The paper focuses on the case of V4 countries in the period of 1991 – ۲۰۱۲٫ Throughout the more than 20 years examined, the countries spread out into many different forms of decoupling. The results of analysis suggest that in most observed partial variables occurs the strong decoupling of economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions, what can be considered as positive trend. Though decoupling elasticity convey a positive message, data indicate that, in order to meet its 2050 ambitious objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the V4 countries will need to accelerate their implementation of new policies, while restructuring the ways how they meet their demand for energy, food, transport and housing.
Introduction
The emergence of resource and energy efficiency as well as the low-carbon economy as European policy priorities is grounded in a recognition that the prevailing model of economic development — based on steadily growing material consumption and production of harmful emissions — is not sustainable from the long term point of view. That is the reason why these issues have emerged as central themes in global discussions on the transition to a green economy (OECD, 2014; UNEP, 2014). The fundamental importance of these issues to future prosperity is likewise reflected in Europe’s medium- and long-term planning. For example, one of the priority objectives of the 7th Environment Action Programme emphasizes the need to „turn the Union into a resource-efficient, green, and competitive low-carbon economy“ (EU, 2013). At the strategic level, EU policy sets out a broad framework for resource efficiency and climate change policy, including a variety of long-term (non-binding) objectives. For example, the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe (EC, 2011) includes a vision for 2050, wherein ‘the EU’s economy has grown in a way that respects resource constraints and planetary boundaries, thus contributing to global economic transformation. These are complemented by policies addressing specific pressures and sectors. The EU’s 2020 targets on greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption (EC, 2010) are prominent examples.