Impact of energy efficiency on CO2 Emissions: Empirical evidence from developing countries

This study decomposes energy intensity into structural and activity effects, and empirically examines their impact on CO2 emissions in environmental Kuznets curve framework for the 30 developing countries over 1990-2016. Second generation methodological approach is adopted. The decomposed indices reflect that energy efficiency has played a key role in decreasing energy intensity, while structural shifts have caused only a minor reduction in energy intensity. The findings suggest that energy efficiency improvements have largest influence on CO2 emissions mitigation. In developing countries as a whole, energy efficiency has positive while structural shifts have negative relation with CO2 emissions in long run. The findings presented that energy efficiency is major contributor of CO2 emissions reduction. While structural shifts in developing countries tend to increase CO2 emissions because these countries are moving towards the sectors that are producing more pollution. However, the income is one of the major contributors of CO2 emissions. While renewable energy consumption has negative and industrialization has positive impact on CO2 emissions in developing countries. The study outcomes are utilized to develop a policy framework for attaining the SDG 7 and SDG 13 in the chosen countries. (C) 2022 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study decomposes energy intensity into structural and activity effects and empirically examines their impact on CO2 emissions in the environmental Kuznets curve framework for developing countries. The findings suggest that energy efficiency improvements have the largest influence on CO2 emissions mitigation. Energy efficiency is identified as the major contributor to CO2 emissions reduction.