European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Economic Growth

  • Is Europe on the Way to Sustainable Development? Compatibility of Green Environment, Economic Growth, and Circular Economy Issues

    Is Europe on the Way to Sustainable Development? Compatibility of Green Environment, Economic Growth, and Circular Economy Issues

    This research dives into the complex “three-way” relationship between environmental health, economic growth, and the circular economy across 31 European nations.

    Covering the decade from 2009 to 2020, the study investigates a critical paradox: how can we keep our economies growing (GDP) without drowning in the waste that growth typically creates? Using data from Eurostat and the World Bank, the authors employed a panel data analysis to track variables like energy consumption, capital investment, and various emissions (GHG, SOx, NOx).

    The findings present a mixed reality for the European green transition. While capital investment (gross fixed capital formation) shows a promising ability to help reduce municipal waste, traditional drivers of wealth—like GDP and energy consumption—are still pushing waste levels higher. This “novel” association of variables highlights that a circular economy isn’t just a recycling goal; it’s a necessary policy shift.

    The paper concludes by offering specific economic measures that can decouple growth from environmental degradation, ensuring that the transition to a “green environment” is supported by a robust, low-waste economic framework.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1078

    Reference

  • The Relationship Between Economic Growth and CO2 Emissions in EU Countries: A Cointegration Analysis

    The Relationship Between Economic Growth and CO2 Emissions in EU Countries: A Cointegration Analysis

    Can we grow our economies without warming the planet? This research explores the long-term relationship between GDP and carbon emissions across the European Union.

    Using advanced statistical modeling, the authors reveal that while the EU is making progress, every 1% of economic growth still carries a small but significant carbon “price tag.”

    The core message for policymakers is clear: economic prosperity does not act as a shield against climate change by default. In fact, growth can increase vulnerability if it isn’t decoupled from fossil fuels.

    The study argues that for the EU to reach its climate goals, growth must be intentional—guided by risk management tools and energy-efficient policies—rather than just chasing higher GDP numbers. Prosperity, the authors conclude, must be redefined not just by the wealth we create, but by the emissions we prevent.

    Learn more about this study here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.934885/full

    Reference

    Onofrei, M., Vatamanu, A. F., & Cigu, E. (2022). The Relationship Between Economic Growth and CO2 Emissions in EU Countries: A Cointegration Analysis. Frontiers in Environmental Science, Volume 10-2022

  • Macroeconomic Stability and Transport Company’s Sustainable Development in the Eastern European Union

    Macroeconomic Stability and Transport Company’s Sustainable Development in the Eastern European Union

    Can a transport company go green in an unstable economy? This research argues that the answer is largely “no.” For transport firms in Eastern Europe, macroeconomic stability is the single most important predictor of sustainable growth.

    Using the “Pentagon of Stability”—which tracks everything from inflation to unemployment—the study reveals that when a nation’s economy is balanced, companies have the confidence and capital to invest in the future.

    The findings offer a clear message for governments: sustainability isn’t just about environmental laws; it’s about economic predictability. In countries like Slovenia and Slovakia, the link between a healthy economy and a healthy transport sector is undeniable.

    To support the “Green Deal,” the paper concludes that policymakers must ensure fair tax systems, stable legal regulations, and easy access to finance. Without a stable macroeconomic floor, the transport industry—one of our biggest polluters—cannot build the sustainable ceiling we need.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.15913

    Reference

    Comporek, M., Kowalska, M., & Misztal, A. (2022). Macroeconomic stability and transport companies’ sustainable development in the Eastern European Union. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 23(1), 131–144

  • Economic Development Trends in the EU Tourism Industry. Towards the Digitalization Process and Sustainability

    Economic Development Trends in the EU Tourism Industry. Towards the Digitalization Process and Sustainability

    This study, “Economic development trends in the EU tourism industry. Towards the digitalization process and sustainability,” addresses the delicate balance between the economic benefits of tourism and its ecological costs.

    By examining the European Union’s tourism sector through three distinct lenses—Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and Economic & Tourism (E&T) variables—the researchers investigate how digital tools and e-commerce can drive industry growth while simultaneously supporting sustainability.

    The research explores the correlation between tourism development and overall GDP growth, specifically asking if the rise of e-commerce and digital efficiency helps or hinders the transition to “positive impact” tourism.

    The findings underscore that digitalization is not just a tool for business efficiency but a critical factor in managing the environmental footprint of travel.

    Learn more about this study here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11135-020-01056-9

    Reference

    Filipiak, B.Z., Dylewski, M. & Kalinowski, M. Economic development trends in the EU tourism industry. Towards the digitalization process and sustainability. Qual Quant 57 (Suppl 3), 321–346 (2023)

  • Relationship Between Environment and Sustainable Economic Development: A Theoretical Approach to Environmental Problems

    Relationship Between Environment and Sustainable Economic Development: A Theoretical Approach to Environmental Problems

    While the global pursuit of economic growth has successfully raised living standards for many, it has also pushed our natural resources to a breaking point, creating an urgent dilemma for future generations.

    This research investigates the essential link between environmental preservation and sustainable development, focusing on how we might curb degradation without halting economic progress.

    By employing a descriptive methodology and analyzing trends within data from organizations like the World Bank and the IMF, the author examines the global impact of resource consumption across different economic tiers.

    The study reveals a double-edged sword: developed nations often over-exploit resources for surplus production, while developing countries do so out of a necessity to alleviate poverty.

    It is concluded that our current trajectory is unsustainable for both humans and wildlife, arguing that the judicious use of environmental assets is the only viable path toward a stable and lasting economic future.

    Learn more about this study here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285433097_Relationship_between_environment_and_sustainable_economic_development_a_theoretical_approach_to_environmental_problems

    Reference

    Awan, Dr.Abdul. (2013). Relationship between environment and sustainable economic development: a theoretical approach to environmental problems. Int. J. Asian Soc. Sci.. 3. 741-761