Year of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Arts (MA)
Degree Name
Economics
Department or School/College
Department of Economics
Committee Chair
Helen Naughton
Commitee Members
Katrina Mullan, Daniel Spencer
Keywords
environmental cooperation, international environmental agreements, cross-border pollution, pollution transfer coefficient, globalization and the environment
Publisher
University of Montana
Subject Categories
Econometrics | Environmental Studies | International Economics
Abstract
As evidence regarding the consequences of climate change grows, the need to act cooperatively becomes increasingly apparent. International environmental agreements are one of many means being pursued to improve environmental management and combat climate change at large. This study examines factors that influence international environmental treaty participation among European countries. Using panel data on 35 European countries for 1980-1999, joint treaty participation is estimated as a function of various globalization variables with specific attention given to the effects of cross-border air pollution, foreign direct investment, and trade. These results suggest that cross-border air pollution does increase cooperation even after controlling for distance between countries. Specifically, these results suggest that countries that receive more cross-border pollution from another country (than they themselves send there) are more likely to jointly ratify environmental treaties with that country.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Eric D., "Why Do Countries Cooperate? The Effect of Cross-Border Pollution" (2015). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4468.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4468
© Copyright 2015 Eric D. Johnson