Convergence of the ecological footprint in Latin America: the role of the productive structure

The ecological footprint is an indicator used in recent years to assess the accelerated process of environmental degradation experienced by countries. In particular, in regions or countries with high biodiversity, strong dependence on natural resources, high informality, and low productive specialization. We employ a set of quantitative techniques within the theoretical framework of convergence and found the existence of per capita ecological footprint clubs. In addition, we estimate a set of logistic regressions to obtain the average marginal effect of the determinants of the convergence clubs. We found that economic complexity, the shadow economy, and natural resources significantly influence the formation of convergence clubs. The results indicate the existence of convergence in three clubs, while two clubs are divergent. Environmental policymakers in this region should collectively mitigate environmental degradation and achieve sustainable development goals, particularly among the countries that make up the convergence clubs.

Automated summary

The study revealed the existence of ecological footprint clubs in regions with high biodiversity, strong dependence on natural resources, high shadow economy, and low productive specialization. Factors such as economic complexity, shadow economy, and natural resources significantly influence the formation of these clubs. The results showed three convergence clubs and two divergence clubs, indicating the need for environmental policies to focus on achieving sustainable development goals in countries that make up the convergence clubs.