Hubacek sees recession as key driver in reducing U.S. carbon emissions
While U.S. environmental policy ambitiously aims for an 83% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, Dr. Klaus Hubacek vehemently disputes government claims that recent progress toward this goal has been achieved primarily through a policy based switch from coal to natural gas in energy production.
Dr. Hubacek attributes U.S. carbon emission reduction between 2007 and 2013, to a recession driven decrease in consumption. In a BBC News article featuring this research, he states, “What we can show is that the main driver has been the level of consumption, GDP per capita. The decrease in this was the main driver. Gas was a driver but a very minor one." This claim is further evidenced by the finding that carbon emissions declined most sharply when the recession was at its peak, between 2007 and 2009.
To ensure progress toward the fulfillment of policy goals regarding carbon emissions, Dr. Hubacek encourages the production of “low carbon stuff” instead of a misguided reliance on natural gas as the cornerstone of a “low carbon future.”