The Political Economy of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Three Asian Countries

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in three Asian countries were examined in relation to each country’s political economy. The different paths of energy consumption and carbon intensity are closely associated with the stage of economic development, technological innovations, changes in lifestyle, and the types of fossil fuels used. Changes in economic growth and fuel prices also affected CO2 emissions by modifying the level of energy consumption and the choice of fuels. Yet, projecting future CO2 emissions in these countries is uncertain and depends on multiple factors, including a government’s willingness to reduce CO2 emissions. Different paths of CO2 emissions in each country suggest the need for local studies to understand the driving forces of human dimensions of global climate change.