Climate and Energy Issues of Energy-Intensive Sectors

Agnes Horvath, Adrienn Takacsne Papp, L szl Molnar, Katalin Liptak (), Zoltan Musinszki and Klara Szucsne Markovics
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Agnes Horvath: University of Miskolc, Hungary
Adrienn Takacsne Papp: University of Miskolc, Hungary
L szl Molnar: University of Miskolc, Hungary
Katalin Liptak: University of Miskolc, Hungary
Zoltan Musinszki: University of Miskolc, Hungary
Klara Szucsne Markovics: University of Miskolc, Hungary

The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, 2023, vol. 25, issue 64, 813

Abstract: Energy-intensive sectors face significant challenges in meeting the goals of the new European Industrial Strategy and REPowerEU. This study aims to examine how energy consumption and energy mix in four energy-intensive sectors (primary metals; non-metallic minerals; pulp, paper, and printing; chemicals and petrochemicals) in the European Union evolved over the period 2008-2020 and whether there is a real relationship between changes in energy intensity and labour intensity. The results show positive trends in energy mix and intensity between 2008 and 2020 for all the energy-intensive sectors studied. There has been a shift from high to medium and low carbon energy sources, with the extent of this shift being influenced by the technological characteristics and path dependencies of each sector. The most positive change occurred in the paper, pulp and printing energy mix, where low-emitting energy sources increased by 12.2 percentage points. A strong (around 0.9) Pearson correlation exists between energy intensity and labour intensity evolution in the primary metals, non-metallic minerals, chemicals, and petrochemical sectors. The intensity indicators in the chemical and petrochemical sector show the most favourable improvement (a slight decrease in energy use and employment, with a 23.1% significant increase in value added). Typically, 7 to 8 countries account for 80% of the total value added in the examined sectors in the European Union; the energy mix of these countries electricity and heat production can support the clean transition.

Keywords: energy-intensive sectors; energy-mix; energy intensity; labour intensity; decarbonisation; REPowerEU Plan; Fit for 55! (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L61 L65 Q21 Q42 Q55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aes:amfeco:v:25:y:2023:i:64:p:813

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