Economic growth and environmental Kuznets curve for CEMAC zone countries: does deforestation matters?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between economic growth and the rate of deforestation in the CEMAC zone countries, through an audit of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). We assess the contribution of the degree of trade openness in explaining Deforestation. Using the Generalized Least Squares method, on a panel of six ( 06) countries over the period 1996 -2011, our study reveals that there is an EKC between the rate of deforestation and GDP per capita at a turning point of $ 7.9631. Also, the results disclose that the degree of trade openness significantly increases the rate of deforestation by 0.5%. Improving population standards of living will therefore reduce deforestation in CEMAC area.