Sustainability policies to reduce pollution in energy supply and waste sectors in the V4 countries

Sustainability is directly connected with less natural resources consumption and consequently, with less pollution. However, carbon dioxide emissions could be controlled through policies that are designed starting from empirical results. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of electricity prices for non-household consumers, innovation and economic development on pollution in energy supply and waster sectors in V4 countries (2010-2021). The analysis is based on fixed-effect panel threshold and dynamic GMM models and revealed a U pattern for energy supply sector and an inverted U for waste sector. Higher electricity prices for non-households and more renewables consumption in waste sector are necessary, while more patents in environment-related technologies have expected impact on pollution only at higher levels of GDP. These empirical findings are subject to policy proposals.

Automated summary

Sustainability is achieved through reduced natural resource consumption and pollution. This study focuses on assessing the impact of electricity prices, innovation, and economic development on pollution in the energy supply and waste sectors in the V4 countries (2010-2021). The analysis reveals a U-shaped pattern in the energy supply sector and an inverted U-shape in the waste sector. Higher electricity prices for non-households, increased renewable energy consumption in the waste sector, and patents for environment-related technologies at higher GDP levels are recommended to reduce pollution. These empirical findings provide valuable insights for policy proposals.