The Effect of the 2004 and 2007 EU Enlargement on Pollution Intensities in New and Old Member States

What was the effect of the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargement on the emission intensities in new and old member states? In this study I analyze a multidimensional panel with data on almost all EU member states from 1995 to 2015. I estimate the direct effects of the accession as well as of a continuous integration process. I analyze the effects on carbon dioxide (CO2) and on sulphur oxides (SOx) emission intensities. I further analyze two potential channels through which further trade integration can influence emissions, the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) and the Factor Endowment Hypothesis (FEH). I find support for the PHH, but not for the FEH for both pollutants. Additionally I can establish an Environmental Kuznets Curve behavior in CO2 emission intensities, while SOx intensities decrease with income for my whole sample.