Title: Growth in transport sector CO₂ emissions in Tunisia: an analysis using a bounds testing approach

Authors: Souhir Abbes; Julie Bulteau

Addresses: Laboratory of Research on Economics and Development, University of Sfax, Airport Street km 4, 3018, Tunisia; Laboratory of CEARC/OVSQ, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 11 Bd. D'Alembert-OVSQ 78280 Guyancourt, France ' Laboratory of CEARC/OVSQ, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 11 Bd. D'Alembert-OVSQ 78280 Guyancourt, France

Abstract: This paper analyses the dynamic impacts of GDP growth, motorisation rate, transport pollution coefficient and energy intensity, on CO₂ emissions from the transport sector in Tunisia. Empirical results from the ARDL approach show that over the 1971-2014 period, energy intensity and pollution coefficient were the most significant variables. The elasticities of motorisation rate to CO₂ emissions were also significant and had the expected sign. These results not only contribute to advancing the existing literature but also provide important policy recommendations: to control transport emissions, policy-makers should invest in public transportation and reinforce the legislation on environmental standards of vehicles. Finally, the statistically insignificant effects of per capita GDP on transport carbon emissions in the long run suggest that it is possible to control these emissions without disrupting economic growth. This can be achieved by developing short sea shipping between the biggest cities to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions.

Keywords: transport sector; CO₂ emissions; ARDL; energy efficiency; economic growth; Tunisia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2018.092334

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2018 Vol.41 No.1/2/3/4, pp.176 - 197

Accepted: 28 Feb 2018
Published online: 14 Jun 2018 *

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