Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers
Creation-Date: 2000-08-01
Number: 00-068/3
Author-Name: Robert U. Ayres
Author-Workplace-Name: INSEAD
Author-Name: Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh
Author-Email: jbergh@feweb.vu.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Title: The Role of Material/Energy Resources and Dematerialisation in Economic Growth Theories
Abstract: The nature of energy and material resources in an endogenous growththeory framework isclarified. This involves three modifications of the conventionaltheory. Firstly, multiple feedbackmechanisms or “growth engines” are identified. Secondly, a productionfunction distinguishesbetween resource use, technical efficiency and value creation.Thirdly, the impact of the cost ofproduction through demand on growth is accounted for. A formal modelis analytically solvedunder a condition of a constant growth rate. Given model complexity,numerical experiments areperformed as well, providing relevant insights to the academic andpolitical debates on‘environmental Kuznets curves’ and ‘dematerialization’.
Classification-JEL: O11; O33; O41; Q32; Q43
Keywords: dematerialization; environmental Kuznets curve; feedback mechanisms; production function specification; resource scarcity; value creation
File-Url: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/00068.pdf
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Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20000068