Population effects of increase in world energy use and CO2 emissions: 1990–2019

Abstract

This paper analyses population effects of increase in world energy use and CO2 emissions between 1990–2019 following a decomposition framework with interaction effects. The analysis has also been carried out for the 44 countries which accounted for most of the increase in world energy use and CO2 emissions during 1990–2019. Population growth was found to have a significant effect on both the increase in energy use and CO2 emissions at the global level, although the contribution of population growth to these increases has varied widely across countries. There is a need for integrating population factors in the sustainable development processes, particularly efforts directed towards environmental sustainability.

Keywords

• population
• energy use
• global co2 emissions