Happiness and footprints: assessing the relationship between individual well-being and carbon footprints

Christopher L. Ambrey () and Peter Daniels ()
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Christopher L. Ambrey: Griffith University
Peter Daniels: Griffith University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2017, vol. 19, issue 3, No 8, 895-920

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates the nature of the empirical link between an individual’s well-being and their carbon footprint. It employs a novel approach matching data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, to household expenditure and greenhouse gas-based carbon footprints. The carbon footprints are calculated using environmental factor multipliers from the detailed and globally integrated multi-regional input–output (MRIO) tables provided by the Eora MRIO database. The results indicate that higher carbon footprints are associated with marginally lower levels of well-being. This relationship appears to be linear. Furthermore, this relationship does not differ greatly for individuals across the well-being distribution. The findings of this study both: (1) add to the body of knowledge on the link between carbon footprints and well-being; and (2) provide policy makers with evidence and strategic guidance on the well-being implications of mitigating carbon footprints.

Keywords: Consumption; Footprints; Eora MRIO database; Happiness; Household; Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I31 Q01 Q57 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-016-9771-1

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