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Luis Mundaca

Luis Mundaca

Professor

Luis Mundaca

Walking away from a low-carbon economy? Recent and historical trends using a regional decomposition analysis

Author

  • Luis Mundaca
  • Anil Markandya
  • Jorgen Norgaard

Summary, in English

Using the latest available data, this brief article attempts to provide the first regional decomposition analysis of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Covering eight regions of the world, determinants are estimated in relative and absolute terms for the period 1971-2010. We use the unparalleled 2010 global surge in CO2 emissions as a reference and entry point for the analysis. Overall, results show that most regions have recently performed worse than their historical trends and lack of meaningful progress is identified. Whereas specific drivers for certain regions suggest some level of continuous improvement (e.g. reduced energy intensity in Asia, decarbonisation of of energy supply in OECD Europe), they are incapable of offsetting the effects of economic growth and increased energy use. With the exception of Africa, most regions appear to have missed the low-carbon economy opportunity' provided by the 20082009 global financial crisis. Results suggest a lack of serious environmental effectiveness of regional policy portfolios aiming at reducing CO2 emissions. Highly ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy policies across all regions are immediately needed. Additionally, absolute reductions in energy use from fossil fuels and resulting CO2 emissions are urgently required in rich regions if we are to align production and consumption patterns with maintaining global warming below the 2 degrees C threshold. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Department/s

  • The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

Publishing year

2013

Language

English

Pages

1471-1480

Publication/Series

Energy Policy

Volume

61

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Keywords

  • Climate and energy policy
  • Low-carbon economy
  • Decomposition analysis

Status

Published

Project

  • Policy Intervention for a Competitive Green Energy Economy

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1873-6777