Is energy efficiency a robust driver for the new normal development model? A Granger causality analysis

Mirela Panait, Simona Andreea Apostu, Valentina Vasile and Razvan Vasile

Energy Policy, 2022, vol. 169, issue C

Abstract: The article analyzes the causal relationship between energy efficiency, calculated as a ratio between GDP/capita and PPP and CO2 emissions (tons/capita), and a range of economic and social variables that outline the performance of development. The analysis focuses on the European space and database is covering the last three decades. The results show that at the level of European countries, for the period 1990–2018, energy efficiency presents no causality with HDI, or trade openness, instead there is a bidirectional causality with FDI and a unidirectional causality with globalization index and share of renewable energy. By associating these results with national energy transition strategies and policy measures that promote energy efficiency, we conduct a contrastive analysis of national policy measures and differences, recommending a reconsideration of priorities in national policies on sustainable development by achieving the objectives of the SDGs and enhancing energy independence by increasing investment in renewable energy. Overall, this paper argues that energy efficiency should be the main driver for future economic development. Moreover, the role of energy independence based on investments in renewable energy is not only a factor in ensuring the sustainability of future economic growth, but also a factor in national security.

Keywords: Inclusive energy transition; Energy efficiency; Granger causality; Cluster analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030142152200386X
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:169:y:2022:i:c:s030142152200386x

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113162

Access Statistics for this article

Energy Policy is currently edited by N. France

More articles in Energy Policy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().