This paper aims to test the pollution haven hypothesis within the European Union (EU), especially among newcomer countries, through the participation in global value chains (GVCs). The study used a combination of multiregional input–output method and multilevel mixed econometric analysis to investigate the relationship between global value chain trade flows, foreign direct investment flows, energy consumption, and carbon emissions across countries, sectors, and time. The study tested both the “pollution haven” and “pollution halo” hypotheses and found a non-linear relationship between foreign capital flows and carbon emissions, which became less relevant after the economic integration process. The results suggest the existence of a pollution haven in Europe. Although Eastern economies still exhibit problematic issues in relation to pollution control, they have made significant progress in reducing their emissions intensity. The conclusions include some policy recommendations based on the main findings of the research.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the participation in the global textile and apparel value chain with special attention, first, to the case of three dynamic and interrelated economies (Mexico, the United States, and China); and second, to a general approach to a larger sample of countries through the analysis of trade in value added. From the descriptive analysis, a high domestic share in each country’s exports is found. However, China is the leading exporter in the industry, accounting for around a third of the domestic value added in the global textile final demand. An econometric estimation has also been carried out to observe the effects of tariffs, FDI, and labor costs on the total and backward participation in the textile GVC. In this case, the sample has been extended to 39 developed and 22 developing countries. The results reveal tariff protection as a determinant of the degree of participation of the sector, especially when backward participation and developing economies are considered. However, FDI and labor costs only show the expected results in the case of developing countries. This may be due to the different tasks performed by developing economies (primarily manufacturing) versus developed economies (branding, design) within the sector’s value chain.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis has become an important topic in the literature on the effects of growth on the environment, albeit surrounded by some controversy and nuance. Although this hypothesis has been analyzed in the literature in multiple ways and using different variables, there is still a gap in the consideration of global value chains (GVCs), which delve into the international division of production. This is particularly important in the intermediate stages of production, as they include tasks with a greater environmental impact. This research aims to analyze the environmental effects of economic growth and foreign trade linked to GVCs in a sample of 12 countries of East and Southeast Asia, given their strong insertion in GVCs. Based on the EKC, variables such as GDP per capita, environmental impact, and renewable energy consumption are incorporated. As a novelty, the research also includes GVCs participation and position indexes, and different measures of CO₂ emissions. Our results confirm the existence of a nonlinear relationship between economic activity and its environmental effects, although with important nuances depending on the mode of insertion of each country in GVCs. In this sense, although all the selected countries increased their total emissions, substantial disparities are observed depending on the perspective considered (producer, consumer, and exports). Ultimately, it is concluded that, for an effective reduction of the environmental impact in these countries, it is essential to design policy measures, targeting new technologies, consumption and production patterns, and attracting green foreign direct investment.

El sector automotriz mexicano —integrado en la cadena de valor regional de América del Norte, liderada por los Estados Unidos— se caracteriza por desempeñar principalmente tareas de carácter manufacturero, lo que limita su aportación en términos de valor agregado. Sin embargo, ello no implica que el impacto medioambiental generado por dichas tareas sea proporcional al valor que aporta. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar esta doble vertiente del sector automotriz mexicano, mediante la caracterización tanto de su estructura productiva como de su impacto medioambiental relativo a sus flujos comerciales exteriores. Los resultados revelan una participación desigual en la cadena regional de valor según las exportaciones de valor agregado mexicanas se consideren en términos monetarios o de emisiones, lo que manifiesta una mayor aportación en términos de emisiones que de valor en comparación con los Estados Unidos.

This paper aims to analyze the economic dimension and environmental impact of intra-EU value-added generation linked to global value chains (GVCs) through input-output analysis. For this purpose, information has been collected from TiVA (Trade in Value Added, OECD) and Eora databases for the years 2005 and 2015. From an economic perspective, the results point to a strengthening of the value-added generated within Factory Europe. From an environmental perspective, all EU28 members have reduced their exports-related impacts in intensity-emissions terms, but not all of them in the same degree. An approach to the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) has also been carried out through a panel data model. The results show a positive impact of the participation in intra-EU value chain (Factory Europe) on CO₂ emissions per capita. Further, an inverted U-shaped curve for CO₂ emissions is found for the period 2005–15. In this sense, European economies with lower development levels (many Eastern and Southern countries) seem to be still on the rising segment of the curve, while the more developed ones seem to be on the decreasing segment. These results highlight the need to design global monitoring and prevention mechanisms to tackle growing environmental challenges and the need to incorporate specific actions associated with the GVCs activity.