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
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