Driving forces underlying reductions in sulphur emissions

Abstract

Atmospheric emissions of sulphur have decreased remarkably in developed economies since the mid-1970s and form one of the success stories how environmental problems can be mitigated. Various empirical studies discovered an inverted U-shaped relationship between SO₂ emissions or concentrations and the levels of income. However, these studies have been less successful in providing information on the main determinants of the reduction of sulphur emissions. Various possible explanations have been put forward, but these have not been tested sufficiently in empirical work.