Technology and environmental policy will help reduce air pollution

15:17, October 22, 2021

This and other conclusions were reached by researchers who analyzed data from 76 regions of Russia

Researchers of the Ural Federal University analyzed the impact of economic growth, technology and environmental policy on carbon dioxide emissions in the Russian regions. To do this, they studied the data of the Federal State Statistics Service of 76 Russian regions for 1999-2015. The results of the study are published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

"We analyzed how the scale and structure of production, the technologies used and environmental policy affect carbon dioxide emissions," notes Kazi Sohag, Head of the Laboratory for International and Regional Economics. "The Dynamic Panel Threshold Regression method was used in the study, since it is stable for analysis in the case of nonlinear asymmetry and unobserved heterogeneity between objects."

As a result of the analysis, economists came to several conclusions. First, they found out that modern technologies lead to a reduction in the level of carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity consumption. Secondly, strict environmental policies can help reduce emissions. And, thirdly, as economic growth increases, the negative impact of economic activity on the environment decreases.

"Our results showed that the gross regional product (GRP) per capita affects carbon dioxide emissions in accordance with the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. In other words, there is a threshold value of GRP per capita, after which emissions begin to decrease— explains Oleg Mariev, Head of the Economics Department of UrFU. - The results show that modern technologies in the manufacturing and extractive industries can lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it is necessary for enterprises to be interested in introducing only those modern technologies that are focused on reducing emissions."

At the same time, in the manufacturing and mining sectors, as well as in trade, modern technologies lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity consumption. This can be explained by an increase in energy efficiency, scientists believe.

The researchers claim that the interaction of electricity consumption and the use of modern technologies in the production process contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions for all levels of GRP per capita. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technologies aimed at energy conservation.

"One of the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the regions of Russia is the extraction and use of fossil fuels. Due to the fact that today there are still enough natural resources for the needs of the country's economy and for exports, clean energy sources are developing slowly. Therefore, initiatives are needed to develop environmentally friendly production technologies, in particular, with the help of market instruments and the use of the productive potential of the economy. In order for enterprises to develop sustainably and engage in innovations that contribute to environmental protection, a favorable business climate is important," adds Kazi Sohag.

The research was supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation (project 19-18-00262, "Modeling a balanced technological and socio-economic development of Russian regions").