The path to a 2025 nuclear-free Taiwan: An analysis of dynamic competition among emissions, energy, and economy

2020 ◽  
pp. 0958305X2094998
Author(s):  
Chun Chih Chen

Taiwan intends to be nuclear free by 2025. This study employs the Lotka–Volterra competition model for sustainable development to analyze the emissions–energy–economy (3Es) issue to make appropriate policy suggestions for a nuclear-free transition. It also offers a new approach to naming the 3E relationship. The literature review shows that the environmental Kuznets curve accompanies the feedback and conservation hypotheses. In the 3E dynamics relationship analysis, the model shows a good mean absolute percentage error (<15%) for the model estimation. The key findings are as follows: 1) the fossil fuel-led economy exists; 2) CO2 emissions are reduced with nuclear energy consumption; 3) renewable energy is far from scale; 4) a complementary effect exists between fossil fuel and nuclear energy consumption; and 5) gas retrofitting and phasing out of nuclear seem imminent. In the energy transition, Taiwan drastically cuts nuclear energy without considering energy diversity due to which troubles might ensue. The priority issue for Taiwan’s energy mix is energy security. To deal with these concerns, this study suggests the government could improve energy efficiency, build a smart grid, develop carbon capture and storage, and reconsider putting nuclear energy back into the energy mix before renewable energy is scaled.

Author(s):  
Anelí Bongers

AbstractThis paper studies the relationship between the energy mix and the environment using a theoretical framework in which two alternative energy sources are considered: fossil fuels (dirty energy) and renewable energy (clean energy). We find that a positive aggregate productivity shock increases energy consumption and emissions but reduces energy intensity and emissions per unit of output as renewable energy consumption increases, that is, carbon emissions are procyclical but emissions per unit of output are countercyclical. Second, an energy efficiency improvement provokes a “rebound effect” above 100% (the backfire effect), resulting in a rise of pollutant emissions by increasing energy use. Third, a technological improvement in emissions leads to a reduction in emissions per unit of fossil fuel, but also implies a slow-down in the adoption of renewable energy sources. Finally, we consider the case of a decentralized economy in which the government chooses an optimal specific tax on fossil fuel to maximize social welfare. We show that the “second-best” policy is highly effective in correcting the negative effects of the environmental externality and able to almost achive the centralized economy outcome.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2363
Author(s):  
Mihaela Simionescu ◽  
Carmen Beatrice Păuna ◽  
Mihaela-Daniela Vornicescu Niculescu

Considering the necessity of achieving economic development by keeping the quality of the environment, the aim of this paper is to study the impact of economic growth on GHG emissions in a sample of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries (V4 countries, Bulgaria and Romania) in the period of 1996–2019. In the context of dynamic ARDL panel and environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), the relationship between GHG and GDP is N-shaped. A U-shaped relationship was obtained in the renewable Kuznets curve (RKC). Energy consumption, domestic credit to the private sector, and labor productivity contribute to pollution, while renewable energy consumption reduces the GHG emissions. However, more efforts are required for promoting renewable energy in the analyzed countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Jonek-Kowalska

Research background: Energy policy is closely linked to economic development. Therefore, its optimization is an important issue especially in the contemporary European environmental conditions.  EU regulations enforce a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the abandonment of non-renewable energy resources. Instead, they promote renewable energy sources. In this way, new legal and environmental circumstances are becoming the main reason for the transformation of energy balances, which is a real economic and technological challenge. This transformation requires a strategic and effective approach, especially in those countries which until now have used mainly hard coal in the energy sector. Purpose of the article: According to above justification, the main purpose of the article is to identify the strategies for the transformation of energy balances that were implemented in the years 1990–2017 by chosen European countries and Turkey. Methods: The study period covers the years 1990–2017, and the subject of the research at first applies to all European countries, and then to 7 countries selected due to their high share of bituminous coal in energy balance in the first year of the analysis, treated as the initial point of transformation (1990). As a result of this selection, 6 EU members and Turkey with the largest share of coal in energy production in the year 1990 are examined. Particularly, an analysis of the trends in their energy balances in the years 1990–2017 is conducted. The research uses data on non-renewable energy consumption and renewable energy resources and the total energy consumption. The research methodology includes: analysis of the structure and dynamics, evaluation of trends and comparative analysis and presentation of development strategies. At the end of the article, a comparative analysis is carried out, the economic consequences of identified changes are assessed, and recommendations are formulated aimed at optimizing the structure of the energy balance in the future. Findings & Value added: Generally, there are four theoretical and empirical patterns of transformation strategies of energy balances with dominant coal consumption: 1) using other non-renewable energy resources; 2) replacing non-renewable energy resources with renewable ones; 3) using nuclear energy instead of coal; 4) increasing coal consumption as available and efficient energy resource. It was found that the examined countries implement mainly the strategy in which the decreasing share of coal is made up for by an increasing share of gas. Additionally, we can observe an increase in the share of nuclear energy in France, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. In Spain and Germany, despite the use of nuclear power plants for the production of energy, the share of nuclear energy in the energy balances has systematically decreased in time. In all analyzed countries, we can also observe an increasing share of renewable sources in energy balances, however, this growth is very slow.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Adewale Alola ◽  
Ulrich Tiamgne Donve

PurposeIn spite of the drive toward environmental sustainability and the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs), coal, oil and natural gas energy utilization has remained the Turkey's largest energy mix. In view of this concern, this study examined the role of coal and oil energy utilization in environmental sustainability drive of Turkey from the framework of sustainable development vis-à-vis income expansion over an extended period of 1965–2017.Design/methodology/approachIn this regard, the authors employ carbon emission as an environmental and dependent variable while the Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDPC), coal and oil energy consumption are the explanatory variables employed in the study.FindingsThe study found that both energy mixes (coal and oil) have a detrimental impact on the environment in both the short and long run, but oil consumption exerts a less severe impact as compared to coal energy. In addition, sustainable development via income growth is not feasible because the income–environmental degradation relationship follows a U-shaped pattern (invalidating the Environmental Kuznets curve, EKC hypothesis) especially when coal and oil remained the major source of lubrication to the economy. At least the EKC hypothesis is unattainable in Turkey as long as the country's major energy mix or primary energy (coal and oil) is in use, thus the application of other socioeconomic, macroeconomic policies might be essential.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the lingering energy challenge associated with Turkey, this novel insight further presented useful policy perspectives to the government and stakeholders in the country's energy sector.Originality/valueThis evidence (the U-shaped relationship) is further ascertained when the aggregate primary energy is employed. Thus, this study provides a novel insight that attaining a sustainable economic growth in Turkey remained a herculean task as long as a more aggressive energy transition approach is not encouraged.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 3289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasylieva ◽  
Lyulyov ◽  
Bilan ◽  
Streimikiene

The paper investigates the relationships between economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. GDP growth represents the main economic dimension, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and renewable energy consumption the environmental dimension, and corruption the social dimension of sustainable development. The investigation of these relationships is based on the concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis about the non-linear relationship between economic growth and environmental pollution. The authors used the panel data of EU countries and Ukraine for 2000–2016 years from the Eurostat database. The obtained results confirmed the Environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for the EU and Ukraine. All the indicators were statistically significant at 1% and 5% levels. The findings proved that increasing renewable energy (RE) by 1% led to a decline of GHG in the interval (0.166103, 0.220551), and аn increase of the Control of Corruption Index by 1% provoked a decline of GHG by 0.88%. The conducted study enabled the authors to conclude that Ukraine needs to increase the GDP level per capita given the economy diversification and via the introduction of more effective and “clean” production technologies.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Syakirah Wan Abdullah ◽  
Miszaina Osman ◽  
Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir ◽  
Renuga Verayiah

The Malaysian Government has set an ambitious target to achieve a higher penetration of Renewable Energy (RE) in the Malaysian energy mix. To date, Malaysia has approximately 2% of its energy coming from RE generation sources compared to the total generation mix and targets achieving 20% penetration by 2025. The current energy mix for Malaysia power generation is mainly provided by natural gas and coal. The discussion will cover the traditional sources of generation including natural gas, coal and big hydro stations. In addition, the paper will cover in depth the potential of RE in the country, challenges, and opportunities in this sector. This study can give an initial evaluation of the Malaysian energy industry, especially for RE and can initiate further research and development in this area in order to support the Government target to achieve RE target of 20% by 2025.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3302
Author(s):  
Mihaela Simionescu ◽  
Adam Wojciechowski ◽  
Arkadiusz Tomczyk ◽  
Marcin Rabe

Sustainable development can be achieved when economic development does not produce environmental deterioration. In this context, the aim of the paper is to evaluate the effects of economic development on GHG emissions in the Baltic States (Latvia, Letonia, and Lithuania), and in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland (the Visegrád Group or V4 countries) in the period of 1996–2019. The study introduces dynamic ARDL panels in the context of the traditional environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and renewable Kuznets curve (RKC). The results indicated an inverse-N-shaped and a U-shaped pattern. Energy consumption and labour productivity enhanced pollution, while domestic credit to the private sector, as a share of GDP, and renewable energy consumption supported environmental protection. The implications of these results might help these countries to achieve the targets of the European Green Deal related to the reduction of pollution and the attainment of net zero emissions by 2050. However, national regulations should further promote the use of renewable energy sources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Mohamed Kadria ◽  
Sahbi Farhani ◽  
Yosr Guirat

In this paper, we tried to contribute to the previous literature by analyzing the relationship between renewable energy consumption, socio-economic factors and health in the presence of a stringent environmental policy and lobbying power. Using a Panel Vector Auto-Regressive (PVAR) technique, we specifically examine the role of the government effectiveness and the lobbying pressure in moderating the impact of renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions, economic growth and health factor considering the case of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Net Oil Importing Countries (NOICs) from 1996 to 2019. Our analysis shows that (i) environmental policy stringency and good governance will induce a rise in the level of renewable energy consumption; (ii) lobbying power and interest groups discourage the renewable energy sector’s development since the add in economic growth of these economies is not oriented towards renewable energy projects; (iii) a rise in renewable energy consumption, perhaps generated by renewable energy policies, should favor the improvement of public health. Finally, the political implications of the findings are summarized and discussed.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824402110615
Author(s):  
Zhu Weimin ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Chishti

Over the last few decades, the available literature on environmental economics hosts numerous environmental issues and underlines their reasons, calling for instant action on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e). In the same context, the recent article develops a new framework that extends the pertinent literature by linking commercial policies, globalization, labor force, GDP growth, fossil fuel, and renewable energy consumption with consumption and production-based CO2e (CCO2e and PCO2e). To this end, the sample of developing economies is utilized from 1991 to 2016. Further, several advanced techniques are applied for robust findings. The findings reveal that the expansionary and contractionary commercial policies significantly affect CCO2e and PCO2e. Likewise, import taxes also have a significant association with CCO2e and PCO2e. Additionally, the results determine that globalization, labor force, GDP growth, fossil fuel, and renewable energy consumption are the essential drivers of environmental pollution. Besides, the panel causality test establishes a one-way causality which runs from commercial policies, import taxes, globalization, labor force, GDP growth, fossil fuel, and renewable energy consumption to CCO2e and PCO2e. Based on the findings, some relevant implications are also suggested.


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