engleski

THE CAUSAL EFFECT OF MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP ON THE ENVIRONMENT

In response to increasing ecosystems degradation, many mountain countries have recently implemented harm-reduction policy measures in order to sustain their future economic development, which is partially dependent on a strong tourism sector. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the policies that stem from MPGA aims in order to ascertain whether they are associated with a reduction in greenhouse gasses (GHG). This cross- sectional study used GHG emission data between 1995 and 2016 from 139 countries as an outcome. Difference-in-differences analysis using panel matching (DiD-PM) with economic, tourism, demographic and other control variables was conducted to evaluate the causal impact of MPGA policies on GHG emissions before and after joining the MPGA. Our results show that the MPGA as a global trans-national alliance led effective policy in some cases but not in all. While managing or protecting the conservation, health, vitality and stewardship of mountain ecosystems by promoting a policy of sustainable mountain development, carbon footprints were reduced. We ascribe this impact to the MPGA committed environmental policy. MPGA succeeded in decreasing the emission of carbon dioxide per capita but the result for methane per capita is mixed. Surprisingly, evidence of increasing nitrous oxide per capita is found. More research needs to be done to assess the impact of the GHG emission – MPGA intervention nexus before the DiD-PM technique becomes widespread.

mountain countries, tourism arrivals, difference-in-differences panel matching, greenhouse gasses, intervention

Rad je rezultat rada na projektu naziva "Turistički razvoj i utjecaji na destinaciju" UNIPU