Anthropogenic CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels : Trends and drivers in the Mediterranean region

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the drivers and trends of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels of 21 Mediterranean countries, and suggest some policy recommendations to help mitigate them and fostering energy partnership within the studied area.

Design/methodology/approach

Simplified Kaya identity was used to analyse the drivers and trends of CO₂ emission from fossil fuels. Data used were retrieved from the US Energy Information Administration and Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre. The analysis considers Northern rim countries and Southern‐Eastern rim countries (SERCs) as separate groups, as well as all together.

Findings

The total fossil fuel emissions between 1980 and 2005, the emissions growth rate in 1980s, 1990s, and 2000‐2006 were assessed. The findings put emphasis on the drivers and trends of fuel emissions considering per capita emission, gross domestic product and carbon intensity.

Originality/value

Despite their low contribution to global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions (∼7 percent), the growing energy demands in the Mediterranean countries – especially in the SERCs – shows that there is an urgent and tremendous effort that needs to be addressed at national and regional levels in order to slow down the increasing emissions without impacting the development growth. This paper puts special emphasis on the importance of regional energy and climate‐related frameworks as a systematic approach to endure the impacts of climate change through sustainable ways.

Citation

El Ouahrani, A., Molero Mesa, J. and Merzouki, A. (2011), "Anthropogenic CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels : Trends and drivers in the Mediterranean region", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp. 16-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691111107925