The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?

Urban areas are responsible for approximately two-thirds of global energy consumption and over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, making them pivotal in addressing the global climate crisis. International efforts to achieve decarbonization have emphasized the role of trade in circular economy goods (o...

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Main Authors: Dorothea M. Ramizo, Helen Cabalu, Mark Harris, Julian Inchauspe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Cleaner Production Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666791624000320
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author Dorothea M. Ramizo
Helen Cabalu
Mark Harris
Julian Inchauspe
author_facet Dorothea M. Ramizo
Helen Cabalu
Mark Harris
Julian Inchauspe
author_sort Dorothea M. Ramizo
collection DOAJ
description Urban areas are responsible for approximately two-thirds of global energy consumption and over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, making them pivotal in addressing the global climate crisis. International efforts to achieve decarbonization have emphasized the role of trade in circular economy goods (or circular trade) and green trade composed of environmental goods and low-carbon technologies. Despite their significance, there is limited empirical evidence on how such trade impacts environmental outcomes, particularly when considering urbanization. This study addresses this research gap. Drawing on data from 54 economies between 2000 and 2018, the research employs a panel model incorporating theoretical transmission mechanisms and non-linear threshold effects. The findings reveal that while circular trade reduces environmental degradation, green trade initially exacerbates it. However, interaction models show that urbanization mitigates these negative impacts, enabling green trade to deliver better environmental outcomes. Panel threshold analysis supports these findings. These results challenge the prevailing narrative that green trade mitigates environmental degradation, shedding light on the complex dynamics between trade, urbanization, and environmental sustainability. This study highlights the need for tailored policies that consider a country’s urbanization level to maximize the environmental gains of green and circular trade.
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series Cleaner Production Letters
spelling doaj-art-fb7c18299a1f4ab98f2fbaab1f2488ee2025-08-20T03:45:07ZengElsevierCleaner Production Letters2666-79162025-06-01810008610.1016/j.clpl.2024.100086The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?Dorothea M. Ramizo0Helen Cabalu1Mark Harris2Julian Inchauspe3Corresponding author.; School of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth 6845 Western Australia, AustraliaSchool of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth 6845 Western Australia, AustraliaSchool of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth 6845 Western Australia, AustraliaSchool of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth 6845 Western Australia, AustraliaUrban areas are responsible for approximately two-thirds of global energy consumption and over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, making them pivotal in addressing the global climate crisis. International efforts to achieve decarbonization have emphasized the role of trade in circular economy goods (or circular trade) and green trade composed of environmental goods and low-carbon technologies. Despite their significance, there is limited empirical evidence on how such trade impacts environmental outcomes, particularly when considering urbanization. This study addresses this research gap. Drawing on data from 54 economies between 2000 and 2018, the research employs a panel model incorporating theoretical transmission mechanisms and non-linear threshold effects. The findings reveal that while circular trade reduces environmental degradation, green trade initially exacerbates it. However, interaction models show that urbanization mitigates these negative impacts, enabling green trade to deliver better environmental outcomes. Panel threshold analysis supports these findings. These results challenge the prevailing narrative that green trade mitigates environmental degradation, shedding light on the complex dynamics between trade, urbanization, and environmental sustainability. This study highlights the need for tailored policies that consider a country’s urbanization level to maximize the environmental gains of green and circular trade.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666791624000320Ecological footprintEnvironmental goodsLow-carbon technologyCircular economyUrbanization
spellingShingle Dorothea M. Ramizo
Helen Cabalu
Mark Harris
Julian Inchauspe
The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
Cleaner Production Letters
Ecological footprint
Environmental goods
Low-carbon technology
Circular economy
Urbanization
title The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
title_full The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
title_fullStr The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
title_full_unstemmed The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
title_short The environmental impact of green trade and circular trade: Does urbanization matter?
title_sort environmental impact of green trade and circular trade does urbanization matter
topic Ecological footprint
Environmental goods
Low-carbon technology
Circular economy
Urbanization
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666791624000320
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