Is Labor Green? A Cross-National Panel Analysis of Unionization and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Authors

Camila Huerta Alvarez, University of Oregon
Julius McGee, Portland State UniversityFollow
Richard York, University of OregonFollow

Published In

Nature and Culture

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

3-1-2019

Abstract

In this article, we assess whether unionization of national workforces influences growth in national carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita. Political-economic theories in environmental sociology propose that labor unions have the potential to affect environmental conditions. Yet, few studies have quantitatively assessed the influence of unionization on environmental outcomes using cross-national data. We estimate multilevel regression models using data on OECD member nations from 1970 to 2014. Results from our analysis indicate that unionization, measured as the percentage of workers who are union members, is negatively associated with CO2 emissions per capita, even when controlling for labor conditions. This finding suggests that unionization may promote environmental protection at the national level.

Description

© Berghahn Books 2019

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.3167/nc.2019.140102

DOI

10.3167/nc.2019.140102

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/28429

Citation Details

Alvarez, C. H., McGee, J. A., & York, R. (2019). Is Labor Green?: A Cross-National Panel Analysis of Unionization and Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Nature and Culture, 14(1), 17-38.