What the study found
The study found mixed decoupling patterns between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions in Hungary from 1995 to 2022. Some sectors showed strong or weak decoupling, while sector T showed expansive negative decoupling. At the national level, recent years showed a trend toward absolute decoupling, meaning gross value added grew while emissions stabilized or declined.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest the findings matter because they show how economic growth and environmental impact have moved differently across sectors in Hungary. The study indicates that some sectors may be changing in ways consistent with lower emissions growth, while others are not.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined the relationship between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions in Hungary from 1995 to 2022. They used the Tapio decoupling model, which measures how emissions change relative to economic activity through a decoupling elasticity coefficient, and the Mann-Kendall trend test to detect trends in gross value added and emissions.
What worked and what didn't
Strong decoupling was reported in sectors B, C, D, and E, where emissions decreased as economic growth continued. Weak decoupling was observed in sectors A, F, G, and Q, where emissions rose more slowly than gross value added. Sector T showed expansive negative decoupling, and the Mann-Kendall test found consistent economic growth across all sectors but different emission trends, including significant reductions in B and E and increases in A and T.
What to keep in mind
The summary available here does not describe the paper's limitations in detail. The results are specific to Hungary, the 1995–2022 period, and the sectors named in the abstract.
Key points
- Hungary showed mixed decoupling between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions from 1995 to 2022.
- Strong decoupling was found in sectors B, C, D, and E.
- Weak decoupling was found in sectors A, F, G, and Q.
- Sector T showed expansive negative decoupling.
- Recent national data showed a trend toward absolute decoupling.
- The Mann-Kendall test found consistent economic growth across all sectors but different emission trends.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Hungary showed mixed sectoral decoupling of growth and emissions
- Authors:
- Dániel Szilágyi, Tímea Kocsis
- Institutions:
- Eötvös Loránd University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-11
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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