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Emission intensities in EU countriesʼ food production systems and their market resilience during the 2020 global economic turmoil
Energy intensity of the Polish agri-food sector in the light of input-output tables
The purpose of this paper is to assess the energy intensity of production in the Polish agri-food (agribusiness) sector, split into agriculture, food industry and supply subsectors, in the light of input-output tables. The study relies on input-output tables and physical energy flow accounts. Energy plays a key role in today’s society as it affects economic growth and the standards of living, while also being at the core of international conflicts, mainly caused by its limited resources. Compared to other sectors, agribusiness demonstrates particularly high levels of energy consumption. Agriculture, which is part of it, has a large share in the consumption of fuels derived from crude oil. This paper presents the consumption of energy in each of the four aggregates of agribusiness, as well as their GDP (in PPS) and energy consumption mix (split into 6groups of energy carriers). The authors found that between2014 and2019, energy consumption in the agribusiness industry increased by ca.9% and was accompanied by ca.8% growth in GDP. The sector’s energy intensity was half more than the average level for the economy as a whole, and remained at ca.5.6TJ per EUR1million of GDP in PPS. Only the food industry was at a level of energy efficiency similar to that of the economy as a whole, whereas the agricultural supply subsector was the only one to demonstrate lower levels. Both the economy as a whole and the agribusiness sector clearly tend to reduce the share of coal and related products in the energy mix.
Przepływy międzygałęziowe w agrobiznesie w wybranych krajach świata w kontekście zrównoważonego rozwoju
Elements of household income and income inequality in selected EU countries
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the most influential factors impacting the level and dynamics of general income inequalities in Poland, Denmark, Germany, Spain and Romania in the period 2007-2019. Methodology: The study was based on unpublished individual data from the European Survey of Income and Living Conditions carried out by the European Commission. The research was conducted using the procedure of decomposing the Gini coefficient to the general assessment of inequalities as per income source. Results: The study enabled the conclusion that the biggest inequalities in household gross income were present in Romania, and the smallest in Denmark. In Romania and Poland income inequalities are slowly but continuously rising, whilst in Denmark, Spain and Germany, they are in decline. The gross income in the analysed EU households was based on three main elements, namely paid employment, self-employment and pensions, which constituted 86-96% of household financial resources. The diversity of inequality was predominantly influenced by the income from paid employment, interests, dividends and profit from capital investments in unincorporated businesses, self-employment as well as old-age benefits; such benefits showed an equalising effect on income inequalities. Implications and recommendations: Analyses carried out on the basis of microdata can contribute to the formulation of policies, the targeting of interventions, and the monitoring and measurement of the impact of ongoing interventions and policies on the situation of households. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on income inequality by providing a comparative analysis of five European countries, By utilizing unpublished microdata from the European Survey of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), this research offers a novel approach to identifying the distinct contributions of employment income, self-employment, capital income, and pensions to inequality levels. The study's cross-country comparison covering the period 2007-2019 also provides valuable insights into the heterogeneous impacts of socioeconomic policies across both Western and Eastern European countries. This original dataset and analytical approach support the development of more effective, evidence-based public policies aimed at reducing income disparities.
The intensity of greenhouse gas emissions from the food production system in the Visegrad Group countries
Greenhouse gas emissions of anthropogenic origin, including those from the food production system, are considered one of the main reasons for global climate warming, so many measures are being taken to reduce them. After joining the European Union, the Visegrad Group countries are obliged to monitor and report the level of greenhouse gas emissions, which is also closely related to the level and structure of energy consumption. According to the International Energy Agency estimates, 75% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union are related to energy production or use. High food productivity brings with it energy-intensive solutions that increase emissions. It is also important that tackling climate change is not a barrier to increased food production. In this context, the lowest possible emission intensity of the food production system, understood as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production or gross value added, should be sought. The study aimed to calculate the emission intensity of food production systems in the Visegrad countries in 2010-2016. The emission intensity of agribusiness greenhouse gases was calculated as the emissions forfeited per unit of output and gross value added. The paper uses the author's methods, which are consistent with each other, for calculating agribusiness production and income, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from the food production system. Data from input-output tables and, consistent with these tables, environmental accounts published on Eurostat's website were used to calculate these quantities. During the period under review, the GHG intensity index decreased in Visegrad countries despite an overall increase in emissions of primary greenhouse gases from food production. However, these changes are minor, mainly due to the short analysis period. However, further growth in food production may not contribute to an increase in the level of greenhouse gas emissions. Financing pro-environmental investments at all stages of food production will be key in this regard. Further research in this area, using the methodology presented in this article, will make it possible to compare the results obtained with those calculated from more recent data. This will make it possible to capture the impact of, for example, the European Green Deal and the financing of pro-environmental investments in the agribusiness of the Visegrad Group countries.