Environmental Taxation and Regional Readiness for the Green Transition in Romania: A Descriptive Analysis of Official Statistics

Keywords: Environmental Taxation , Green Transition , Regional Disparities , NUTS 2 , Romania , Descriptive Statistics , Innovation Capacity

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Authors:
  • Anca CRISTEA, PhD, Scientific Researcher III, Affiliation: Institute for World Economy, Romanian Academy, Faculty of Economic Studies from the Hyperion University of Bucharest, Romania;
Pages:  32 : 43
Abstract: This study examines national environmental-tax trends and the economic and innovation characteristics of Romania’s eight NUTS 2 development regions. It uses a transparent descriptive comparison of official European Commission and Eurostat indicators, without econometric estimation or an unobserved regional eco-efficiency index. Regional GDP per capita, real growth, employment, industrial specialisation and research and development (R&D) expenditure are reported alongside national EU environmental-tax trends. In 2024, GDP per head ranged from 48% of the EU average in Nord-Est to 188% in București–Ilfov; R&D intensity in 2023 ranged from 0.12% in Sud-Est to 1.18% in Vest. EU environmental-tax revenue increased from EUR 350.4 billion in 2023 to EUR 371.9 billion in 2024, while its GDP share declined from 2.5% in 2014 to 2.1% in 2024. These indicators reveal unequal regional capacities to adapt to environmental policy, but do not measure regional emissions or establish causal policy effects. The study identifies policy priorities and a replicable data framework for subsequent environmental-performance research.
JEL classification: Q58, R11, O18, C82

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Q58, R11, O18, C82