Does Economic Growth Impact Environmental Degradation? Evidence from OECD Countries Using the Panel Dynamic Threshold Model

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1, 161 - 179, 22.04.2025

Demet Eroğlu Sevinç , Merter Akıncı

https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1648845

Öz

Various studies and research were carried out, particularly by developed countries, to ensure that the production process, a fundamental part of economic growth and development, is carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. In this context, the theory known as the Environmental Kuznets Hypothesis (EKH), which addresses the association between income levels and environmental damage, has been widely tested by researchers. This study investigates the relationship between income levels and environmental damage in OECD member countries and tests the validity of the EKH. For this purpose, data covering the period 1965-2020 were analyzed using a panel data-based dynamic threshold model. The analysis results suggest that the income threshold value is calculated as 3,204. The findings confirm the validity of the EKH. Additionally, the results reveal that economic growth negatively impacts the environment and leads to environmental degradation until the income threshold level is reached. However, in line with the hypothesis, once the income threshold level is exceeded, the adverse effects of economic growth on environmental degradation gradually diminish. When all findings are considered together, it is clearly demonstrated that the association between income level and environmental damage exhibits an inverted U-shape pattern

Anahtar Kelimeler

Economic Growth, Environmental Damage, Environmental Kuznets Hypothesis, Income Level, Panel Dynamic Threshold Model.

Ekonomik Büyüme Çevresel Tahribata Etki Eder Mi: OECD Ülkelerinden Panel Dinamik Eşik Modeli İle Kanıtlar

Öz

Ülkelerin ekonomik büyüme ve kalkınmasında önemli bir yer tutan üretim sürecinin çevreye duyarlı olarak yürütülmesi için özellikle gelişmiş ülkelerin başını çektiği ülkelerce çeşitli çalışmalar ve araştırmalar yürütülmektedir. Bu bağlamda literatürde Çevresel Kuznets Hipotezi olarak adlandırılan gelir düzeyiyle çevresel tahribatlar arasındaki ilişkileri araştıran teori günümüzde birçok araştırmacı tarafından da sınanmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı da, OECD üyesi ülkelerde gelir düzeyleri ile çevresel tahribatlar arasındaki ilişkilerin araştırılmasıyla Çevresel Kuznets Hipotezi’nin varlığının sınanmasıdır. Bu amaçla 1965-2020 dönemine ait veriler panel veri analizine dayalı dinamik eşik model kullanılarak incelenmektedir. Analiz sonucunda gelir eşik değeri 3.204 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Analiz bulguları Çevresel Kuznets Hipotezi’nin geçerli olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bununla birlikte ekonomik büyümenin gelir eşik düzeyine ulaşıncaya kadar çevreye olumsuz etkilerde bulunduğunu ve çevreyi tahrip ettiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Ancak hipoteze uygun olacak şekilde gelir eşik gelir düzeyinin aşılmasından sonra ekonomik büyümenin çevresel tahribatlar üzerindeki olumsuz etkisinin giderek azaldığını da ortaya koymuştur. Tüm sonuçlar birlikte değerlendirildiğinde gelir düzeyi ile çevresel ilişkilerin ters-U şeklinde olduğu net bir şekilde ortaya konulmuştur

Anahtar Kelimeler

Ekonomik Büyüme, Çevresel Tahribat, Çevresel Kuznets Hipotezi, Gelir Düzeyi, Panel Dinamik Eşik Modeli.

Kaynakça

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