The simple analytics of the environmental Kuznets curve

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Andreoni, J; Levinson, A
• 署名单位: Georgetown University; University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/S0047-2727(00)00110-9
• 发表日期: 2001
• 页码: 269-286
• 关键词: environmental kuznets curve; Economic growth; pollution

摘要

Evidence suggests that some pollutants follow an inverse-U-shaped pattern relative to countries' incomes, a relationship that has been called an 'environmental Kuznets curve'. We present a simple and straight-forward static model of the microfoundations of this relationship, in which the curve depends on increasing returns in the technological link between consumption of a desired good and abatement of its undesirable byproduct. The curve does not depend on the dynamics of growth, political institutions, or even externalities, and can be consistent with market failure or efficiency. We conclude by presenting empirical support for increasing returns to abating some common air pollutants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.