Economic growth and income inequality increase the carbon intensity of human well-being for Canada’s provinces

Abstract

Reducing the carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB) is a potential form of climate action. We conduct a preliminary analysis of the effects of economic growth and income inequality on the CIWB of Canada’s provinces, and find that both increase CIWB in this sub-national context. We also find that their effects are symmetrical, meaning that positive and negative changes in economic growth and income inequality result in the same proportional changes in CIWB. Therefore, and while incredibly difficult to do, it is possible that efforts to reduce income inequality and economic growth are potential pathways to reducing CIWB.