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Economic activities are directly supported by the natural environment, and in this context, it has become crucial to analyse the phenomenon of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. The negative effects of economic activities on the environment are clearly visible, and understanding how to separate economic growth from environmental harm is of utmost importance. This paper aims to study the degree of the decoupling of economic growth, measured by GDP, from environmental degradation, quantified through CO2 and HFCs emissions, at the level of each EU27 country in the periods 2008–2012 and 2013–2020. In the analysis, graphical representations and statistical tests were utilised. In the first period, most of the EU27 countries registered negative levels for the variables considered, placing them into the negative coupling stage. In the second period, the evolution of the decoupling process was visible in all the countries, enabling them to make a significant transition to the relative or absolute stages. Overall, the Nordic countries could be observed as examples of best practices, managing to achieve the most desired stage of decoupling, i.e., the absolute one. These results are important for a wide range of stakeholders implicated in the preparation of programs, projects and policies dedicated to achieving economic growth in a sustainable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis has become a centre of interest for empirical research, as it serves to identify the relationships between economic growth and environmental degradation that will lead to a sustainable development path. The aim of the paper is to investigate these relationships for each of the EU15 countries, which are responsible for the largest amount of carbon dioxide emissions in Europe. Based on the results of the analysis of ARDL bounds cointegration approach, for the 1960–2019 period, it was found that there is a great diversity between the countries in the EU15 regarding the existence and shape of EKC, from the identification of N shape, Inverted U-shape or monotonic relationships to the absence of statistically significant relationships. Thus, there are countries that have managed to implement environmental protection measures early and now ensure GDP growth while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The similarities and differences identified among EU15 countries can serve as a guide for EU policymakers in developing recommendations adapted to specific situations in order to facilitate economic growth taking into consideration environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current context, with phenomena such as dramatic climate change, water, air, soil pollution, etc., the complex relation between environmental degradation and economic growth is intensely debated in the academia as well as in worldwide politics. This study examines the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, gross domestic product, energy consumption, and urbanization rate in Romania and Bulgaria over 1980–2019 period. For this purpose, we have applied the ARDL bounds testing approach and, to validate the robustness of the results, we have used the VEC Granger model. The results showed that there are long term relationships between CO2 emissions per capita and the determinant factors taken into account in both countries; however, while the inverted N-shape of EKC is significant in the case of Bulgaria, this does not happen in the case of Romania although the model which includes the inverted U-shape of EKC is significant for both countries. Considering the fact that both Romania and Bulgaria are emerging economies which, despite having made significant progress, are still in search of a path towards sustainable development, such a study may constitute a good starting point and may suggest some action directions in terms of sustainable development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]