Publications (Peer-Reviewed)

The N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve: an empirical evaluation using a panel quantile regression approach
(co-authored with Johanna Takman, Gazi Salah Uddin, and Ali Ahmed)

Abstract
We evaluate the N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) using panel quantile regression analysis. We investigate the relationship between CO₂ emissions and GDP per capita for 74 countries over the period of 1994–2012. We include additional explanatory variables, such as renewable energy consumption, technological development, trade, and institutional quality. We find evidence for the N-shaped EKC in all income groups, except for the upper-middle-income countries. Heterogeneous characteristics are, however, observed over the N-shaped EKC. Finally, we find a negative relationship between renewable energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, which highlights the importance of promoting greener energy in order to combat global warming.

Citation: Allard, A., Takman, J., Uddin, G. S., & Ahmed, A. (2018). The N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve: an empirical evaluation using a panel quantile regression approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25, 5848–5861. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0907-0 

Thesis Chapters

Blue employment dynamics: Are maritime sectors different?

Abstract
The blue economy has emerged as a key concept for driving innovation, stimulating economic growth, and creating employment opportunities, all while promoting sustainable use of maritime resources. However, the economic impact of the blue economy remains underexplored in empirical research. This paper examines employment dynamics in the Swedish blue economy, which is defined as maritime and maritime-related sectors. I mainly use corporate data from 1998 to 2020 from the Swedish House of Finance’s Serrano database, but I incorporate information from other sources to simplify the identification of blue firms. Descriptive statistics, OLS regressions, and coarsened exact matching are used to estimate the effect on job flow variables. The results suggest that blue firms – i.e., firms in a maritime or maritime-related sector – have slightly higher employment growth, job creation, and job destruction than other firms.


The effect of wind turbines on property values: A meta-regression analysis
(co-authored with Mats A. Nilsson)

Abstract
Wind power must expand to meet the increasing electricity demand while tackling the ongoing climate issue. However, there has been an increase in local opposition, leading to an intensified discussion of the magnitude of the external effects. In this study, we conduct a meta-analysis, relying on 169 property value estimates presented in 20 studies, to examine whether, and to what extent, property prices are affected by the distance to wind turbines. We also test how this relationship is affected by the construction or announcement year, as well as the population density in the studied area. We find no significant effect of having a later announcement or construction year. However, we find that studies with one more inhabitant per square kilometer have a more negative effect of 0.01 percentage points. With regards to distance to wind turbines, we find a negative and significant effect when distance bands of 1 km each are used. Further, the negative effect size generally decreases the further away the property is from a wind turbine.


Fishing quotas and decision-making in the EU: Estimating policy positions from bargaining outcomes
(co-authored with Mats A. Bergman)

Abstract
Overfishing is a global problem, and Europe is no exception, with 40–70 percent of fish stocks overexploited. In this paper, we propose how statistical analysis of quota-bargaining outcomes can shed light on the policy positions taken by the EU’s member countries in the behind-closed-doors negotiations for fishing quotas (TACs) and whether some countries are driving the exploitation of fish stocks by bargaining for high TACs. We use panel data on TACs and scientific advice from ICES for 165 zone-species combinations during 2001–2020. Using fixed-effects models, our results suggest that the Faroe Islands’, Ireland’s, Portugal’s, and Spain’s policy positions correspond to catches significantly above the ICES advice, while Germany appears to prefer catches below the recommended levels. Methodologically, our study contributes by suggesting how unobserved policy positions can be estimated from bargaining outcomes; policy-wise, it contributes to a better understanding of the political processes that determine fishing quotas.


Lobbying for depletion: The effect of informational lobbying on fishing quota negotiations in the Baltic Sea area

Abstract
Overfishing represents a significant global challenge, with the European fisheries management system being identified as one of the least effective in the world. Lobbying is a potential but unexplored aspect of this system. To examine the impact of informational lobbying on fishing quota (TAC) negotiations, I have compiled a dataset comprising interest group recommendations, scientific advice from ICES, TAC proposals from the European Commission, and final TACs for 2015–2025. Two fixed-effects models are estimated. The first model evaluates the interest groups’ unobserved political influence from their observed preferences and the final TAC. The second model explores how their influence, in terms of preference attainment, is affected by interest group type, recommendation type, and level of conflict. I find that industry groups have a high degree of influence on the policy outcome. Other interest groups have a weaker political influence, indicating that the final TACs are largely shaped by the industry.