Data analysis for European transition to green energy. Holistic approach for waste to energy, recycling and landfilling
Ανάλυση δεδομένων για την Ευρωπαϊκή μεταστροφή στη πράσινη ενέργεια. Ολιστική προσέγγιση για τους τομείς WtE, ανακύκλωσης και ταφής
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Keywords
Waste to energy ; Finance sector ; Europe ; Panel dataAbstract
In this thesis, we tested 3 different hypotheses to identify how financial factors such as GDP and environmental taxes affect, positive or negative, the green energy sector such as waste treatment methods and Wte plants. The data is collected on an annual basis and covers the period from 2003 to 2019. The main purpose is to investigate possible correlations between these factors applying the multivariate model. There is no anyone similar published report until now. For hypothesis 1 we use Time Series analysis and for 2,3 we use Panel Data analysis. OLS model and Fixed effects OLS are the statistical model for the hypothesis 2 and 3. The results reveal some interesting facts. Firstly, developed economies in Europe do not follow an uptrend Wte plants in contrast with emerging economies which chose a political and social swift to green energy with more Wte plants, especially after the 2009-2010 crisis. After, GDP and Wte plants express a tiny negative correlation under this analysis which presents a disorder for growth in this sector of renewables. Furthermore, waste generation is unstoppable rising trouble for most countries, when at the same time incineration supports the increase of waste generation. Also, green taxes have a negative effect on recycling. The most highlighted part is the flat growth for Wte plants and green taxes in Europe after 2010. A policy transformation is essential immediately if the EU plans to achieve a clean energy transition. The renewable uptrend was not correlated with the flat trend of Wte plants which disclose that recycling is the dominant waste treatment. After 2010, European countries focus on renewables without increasing Wte plants, especially in developed economies. In the end, GDP’s growth expresses a higher positive impact in Wte plants than renewables’ energy consumption which is based on the distinction between developed and emerging economies.