Economic Growth and the Environment: A Review of Theory and Empirics

79 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2004 Last revised: 29 Aug 2022

See all articles by William A. Brock

William A. Brock

University of Wisconsin, Madison - Department of Economics; University of Missouri at Columbia - Department of Economics

M. Scott Taylor

University of Calgary - Department of Economics

Date Written: October 2004

Abstract

This paper reviews both theory and empirical work on economic growth and the environment. We develop four simple growth models to help us identify key features generating sustainable growth. We show how some combination of technological progress in abatement, intensified abatement, shifts in the composition of national output and induced innovation are necessary for sustainable growth, and then demonstrate how growth models employing any one of these mechanisms generate other potentially refutable predictions on abatement costs, pollution levels, or emission intensities.

Suggested Citation

Brock, William A. and Taylor, Michael Scott, Economic Growth and the Environment: A Review of Theory and Empirics (October 2004). NBER Working Paper No. w10854, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=609228

William A. Brock

University of Wisconsin, Madison - Department of Economics ( email )

1180 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
United States
608-263-6655 (Phone)
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University of Missouri at Columbia - Department of Economics ( email )

118 Professional Building
Columbia, MO 65211
United States

Michael Scott Taylor (Contact Author)

University of Calgary - Department of Economics ( email )

2500 University Drive, NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
Canada

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