Economic transition and environmental constraints in Eastern Europe and the former USSR

This paper aims at specifying the relation between economic transition and the environment, in particular emission reduction. The paper proceeds with a hypothetical analysis of the link between economic growth, transition and the environment. Three stages of transition are distinguished, based on different combinations of economic progress and emission of polluting gasses. Next, a descriptive analysis of the present emission and production patterns is presented, providing a first rough test of the hypothetical relation between economic transition and emissions. The paper concludes with prospects for emission patterns and efficient restructuring of, in particular, the energy sector.