On the environmental Kuznets curve with fossil-fuel induced emission: Theory and some illustrative examples

We propose a model of fossil-fuel induced emission, which permits multiple emission-mitigation strategies. In a dierentiable framework, we derive a set of necessary and sucient conditions for an environmental Kuznets curve in terms of the relative responses of the preference and technology-based shadow prices of emission to changes in the economic resource base when the emission policy is not allowed to adjust. Employing these conditions we construct examples of preference and technology combinations that result in an EKC in both static and dynamic frameworks. In these examples, optimal emission-mitigation strategies include employing a part of available resources for cleaning-up activities and inter-fuel substitution from dirtier to cleaner energy inputs. We show that the social optimum can be decentralised not only through standard emission policies such a Pigouvian tax, but also by a scheme that subsidises cleaning-up activities and taxes the usage of fossil fuels.