Economic growth and environment in the United Kingdom: robust evidence using more than 250 years data

Using a long span of data (from 1751 to 2016), this paper empirically investigates the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and economic growth (real GDP per capita) in United Kingdom. The empirical results provide strong support for existence an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) UK, i.e., inverted U-shaped CO2 growth, with turning point estimated around mid-twentieth century. This corresponds introduction changes environmental standards policies, which reflects regulatory efforts limit pollution by reducing discharge grit into atmosphere, as well decline use coal source energy, country willingness ensure energy transition necessary sustainable development.