Expenditure elasticity and income elasticity of GHG emissions: A survey of literature on household carbon footprint

The relationship between a household's income and its carbon emissions is often summed up by number, the elasticity of footprint with respect to income. I survey here cross-sectional studies household footprints their estimation elasticities expenditures. difference these two comes from personal saving rate's increasing compile published estimates or energy requirements, compute new estimates. This amounts around 80 (one-third which are newly computed) for over 20 countries. It found that, generally, grows less rapidly than expenditure, confirms that lower expenditure elasticity. Unambiguously, assumption an equal unity not supported literature. discuss inequality concentration, ambiguity in literature present limitations our knowledge footprint, contestable assumptions methodology as well measurement errors budget surveys. examine how can be used “top–down” assessment global distribution footprints.