The association between the carbon footprint and the socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households

Understanding the demand-side drivers and the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions is key to designing fair and effective environmental policies. In this study, we quantify the relationship between the carbon footprint of consumption and socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households. We use a dataset that combines household-level consumption data with an environmentally extended input-output model which quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions embedded in the supply chain of goods and services that households consume. We find that income and household size are the most important determinants of household consumption-related emissions. We also find the emission intensity of household consumption in the lower part of the income distribution is higher than that of richer households because poorer households spend a higher share on emission intensive products, especially energy.

Automated summary

This study quantifies the relationship between the carbon footprint of consumption and socio-economic characteristics of Belgian households. Income and household size are found to be the most important determinants of household consumption-related emissions, with emission intensity higher in lower income households due to their spending a higher share on emission intensive products.