Socio-Economic Drivers of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Brazilian Amazon: New Evidence from Santarem, Para

Abstract

We use a novel and more precise data set on greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the Amazon region to estimate the nexus between local economic indicators and GHGs. We find that urbanization and waste generation emerge as new and important drivers of observed methane emissions. Local nitrous oxides emissions seem to result mainly from agricultural production, and carbon dioxide seems to be driven by deforestation. Given the importance of the Amazon region to global climate, these findings can offer insight into the development of scientific models for the natural environment and the design of effective environmental policies for the region.

Keywords: Brazilian Amazon, greenhouse gases