자유무역협정이 CO2 배출량에 미친 영향 분석: 한-미 및 한-중 FTA를 중심으로

An Analysis of the Impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) on CO2 Emissions: Focusing on Korea-US and Korea-China

Purpose - This study aims to analyze the impact on CO2 emissions following the conclusion of the Korea-US and Korea-China FTAs from 1990 to 2022. Design/Methodology/Approach - To confirm changes in environmental pollutants following the conclusion of FTA, this study adopted a panel model using panel data for each country and interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) using time-series data. Findings - First, the increase in energy consumption in Korea, the United States, and China directly contributed to increasing CO2 emissions. Second, the results of the panel data showed that the impact of FTAs on CO2 emissions varied depending on the country with which the FTA was concluded. Additionally, the impact of FTAs on CO2 emissions was also different due to the interaction between the FTA and economic growth, and FTAs and energy consumption. Third, in the results of time-series data by country, the same as the analysis results of panel data, there are differences in the impact of FTAs on CO2 emissions depending on the partner country and the direction of trade. Research Implications - First, the country's energy consumption management policy must be promoted more actively. Second, efforts to reduce environmental pollutants in Korea's previously concluded FTA were insufficient, and more active environmental related policies are needed. Third, if Korea has different perceptions of climate change response than other countries in the process of promoting an FTA, it must consider active countermeasures to resolve this.