An analysis of urban environmental Kuznets curve of CO₂ emissions: Empirical analysis of 276 global metropolitan areas

This study analyzed the relationship between urban CO₂ emissions and economic growth applying the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. The objective of this study is to investigate how urban CO₂ emissions and their composition have changed with urban economic growth, depending on city characteristics, using a dataset of metropolitan areas. We obtained data for 276 cities in 26 countries for the years 2000, 2005, and 2008. The dataset includes urban CO₂ emissions, GDP, and population. Additionally, data regarding compact city variables are applied to determinants analysis using an econometric approach. The results demonstrate an inverted U-shape relationship between urban CO₂ emissions and urban economic growth. Additionally, an inverted U-shape relationship is observed for the transport and residential & industry sectors. However, the turning points of each inverted U-shape curve varies. This result implies that we can better understand urban policies for reducing urban CO₂ emissions by considering the characteristics of each sector.