The convergence of carbon dioxide emissions: a survey of the empirical literature

Abstract

Purpose

This survey of the literature on the convergence of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions informs researchers on areas for future research by summarizing the countries examined, the types of convergence tested and the methodological approaches undertaken.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey examines peer-reviewed empirical studies of CO₂ emissions convergence with respect to country coverage and alternative approaches to test for various types of convergence.

Findings

For large multicountry studies, the support for convergence is quite limited. However, studies focused exclusively on a subset of countries defined by income classification, geographic region or institutional structure reveal the finding of convergence is more prevalent. Studies at the subnational level have primarily been in the cases of the US and China with the exception of two studies across industry sectors in Portugal and Sweden.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses exclusively on peer-reviewed published studies.

Practical implications

This study is relevant to the design of mitigation strategies to reduce CO₂ emissions and the assumption of convergence underlying climate change models.

Social implications

As a major component of greenhouse gas emissions, CO₂ emissions is of global importance in its impact on the environment and climate change.

Originality/value

This study provides the most recent and comprehensive survey of the empirical literature on the convergence of CO₂ emissions.

Citation

Payne, J.E. (2020), "The convergence of carbon dioxide emissions: a survey of the empirical literature", Journal of Economic Studies, Vol. 47 No. 7, pp. 1757-1785. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-12-2019-0548