Trilateral association between SO2/NO2 emission, inequality in energy intensity, and economic growth: A case of Indian cities

Özet

Interaction between environmental degradation and economic growth is a growing matter of interestamong policymakers. This paper examines the trilateral association between SO2 and NO2 emission,inequality in energy intensity, and economic growth by using simultaneous-equation panel data modelsfor a panel of 139 Indian cities over the period 2001e2013. Our results indicate that there is evidence offeedback hypothesis between NO2 and SO2 emissions and economic growth, economic growth andinequality in energy intensity, and NO2 and SO2 emissions and inequality in energy intensity. The resultsalso verified the existence of Environmental Kuznets curve for both of the pollutants. These results are ofinterest to environmental and economic policymakers as these can help in coming up with economicpolicies to ensure environmental sustainability and an inclusive economic growth.