Bárbara Baigorri (p), Antonio Montañés, Blanca Simón

Jonas Westin

This paper studies the relationship between ecological footprint, economic growth and renewable energy use in 20 OECD countries from 1990 to 2019, paying special attention to the possible existence of structural changes in this relationship over the period studied.
Our results provide evidence supporting the presence of breaks, with the Great Recession playing a very important role. Our analysis identified an initial phase of decoupling
between economic growth and ecological footprint, characterized by a significant negative correlation between the utilization of renewable energy and ecological footprint
until around 2012. Nevertheless, these patterns are becoming less evident in several countries following the Great Recession. The results emphasize the urgent need for a shift in policy, placing greater emphasis on pursuing a form of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable

Geon Hyeok Chun (p), So Young Sohn

Bárbara Baigorri

In an era marked by an escalating urgency for environmental preservation and climate protection, the accelerated adoption of renewable energy sources and the significance of energy transition have never been more pronounced. Among a multitude of initiatives, the RE100 campaign stands as a symbol of global transformation towards climate protection. Its participation is considered to promote technological innovation, especially in perspective of environmental protection. However, despite the importance of RE100 participation in climate protection, related analyses to the factors that can influence the RE100 participation are scarce. Although renewable electricity availability as well as the financial and industrial characteristics of companies has a pivotal role in RE100 participation rates, spatial analyses regarding these factors on a regional level are limited. In addition, equally underexplored are the analyses and measurement of the impact of RE100 participation on technological innovation. In this study, we incorporate geospatial and operational data from various databases to analyze the spatial autocorrelation of and spatial relationship between the regional availability of renewable electricity and regional RE100 participation rate on a global scale. We also analyze the relative significance and impact of other diverse influencing factors on RE100 participation rate. Finally, we assess the actual effect of the RE100 participation on the technological innovation using the propensity score matching that can eliminate selection bias from the data. It is expected that this research can provide better and more realistic perspectives in promoting companies to follow the climate protection initiative and stimulating their technological innovation.

Jonas Westin (p)

Geon Hyeok Chun

In the transition towards a more sustainable economy, the steel and metal industries are pivotal. These sectors are not only integral to numerous modern economic and technological infrastructures, but also play a crucial role in driving the shift to a greener future. However, in a globally competitive landscape, they face challenges due to their high energy consumption and significant emissions, which require substantial reduction to meet environmental objectives. Therefore, transforming the steel and metal industry is essential for a greener economy, impacting both upstream and downstream value chains across multiple sectors and regions.
This study aims to analyze the dynamics of the steel and metal industries, focusing on their critical role in regional economies and their integration into global value chains. The study analyzes how steel and metal industries are integrated into regional economies and international value chains across Europe, assess the impact of changing competitiveness, and examine how global demand shifts and diversification affect regions with dominant steel and metal sectors. Key focus areas of the study are the regional economic impacts of these sectors, the role of governmental and regional support in tackling economic and environmental challenges, and the effects of decreased competitiveness in these regions.
This study uses a multiregional input-output (MRIO) analysis to analyze interactions among various sectors within an economy with a particular focus on steel and metal industries. Utilizing MRIO data from three different sources, the study examines the economic relationships between sectors and regions. It analyzes the regional economic impacts of the steel and metal sector, assesses the effects of government and regional support, and explores the implications of changes within these sectors.
By analyzing how traditional steel and metal production centers integrate into regional economies and their roles in fragmented international value chains, the study reveals linkages between various regions and sectors, highlighting the need for sustainable growth strategies in these industries. It also assesses the impact of changing competitiveness within these industries across different regions and sectors.
The findings highlight the necessity for these industries to adapt to sustainable production methods, considering their substantial emissions and high energy consumption. The research is crucial for developing comprehensive strategies that align with environmental goals while maintaining regional economic viability, thereby contributing to a broader sustainable transformation in society.