Political governance effect on CO2 emissions in Swedish municipalities

Abstract: This study was done to add to the understanding of the effect of Swedish municipal governance on CO2 emissions and what other factors may contribute less or more to CO2 emissions. It adds to and captures the validity of political science research for embodying a problem-solving stance relevant to a contemporary topic. By including a large amount of observation of all municipalities, it captured the best accuracy of such a possible relationship. The problem of CO2 emissions increasing, and whether governmental factors are contributing to it is of importance to political science research, as well as examining the effect of a Swedish climate policy framework. The study is done using MRA on panel-fixed effect regressions using Stata as well as calculating the robust standard errors for reaching more accurate p-values.  Through different regressions, a statistically significant effect at the 99% confidence level of mean income on CO2 emissions was found in all regressions except the regressions including time dummies. A positive effect of left-wing governance was found in the regression counting for a one-year delayed effect of governance on CO2 emissions and using time dummies. This effect reached a statistical significance at the 90% confidence level. A negative effect of Green Party governance was found in a regression on a 1-year delayed effect on CO2 emissions. By capturing the relationship between these effects, the study rejected its null hypothesis. Further studies are advised to be done as more data is presented on CO2 emissions in Sweden.