Do time phase and income influence the convergence in energy intensity A cross-country analysis

Abstract

Countries' energy intensity levels are known to converge at both global and regional levels. We test the convergence in energy intensity using a large recent dataset: a 151-country sample during the period of 1980-2010. In addition, time phase and income are examined to identify the factors that influence a country's aggregate level of energy intensity. With income time-phased analysis, we discovered a pronounced convergence during the period between 1980 and 1990 and then a moderate convergence later during the period. With the subgroup analysis, middle income yields the most rapid convergence. Furthermore, high income's negative role is so pervasive that non-convergence or divergence may take place.