Conclusions

Abstract

This study has examined the influence of economic growth on the environment. Some authors have claimed the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between various types of environmental pressures and income per capita. This would imply that economic growth can enhance environmental quality in developed economies as higher per capita incomes are associated with lower emissions. The empirical work in this study has shown that environmental pressure in developed economies has indeed been reduced with respect to both inputs of materials and energy and outputs of emissions and wastes. However, the inverted-U curve is not stable over a longer period of time. In other words: the reductions in environmental pressure should be considered a temporary phenomenon.