A Test of Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) in the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) Framework in Selected ASEAN Countries

Abstract

The underlying study focuses on Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH) from the
trade perspective for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
countries for the period 1989 -2015. The PHH claims that in open trade
regime developing countries tend to specialize and export pollution-intensive
goods. This study examines this proposition in the context of ASEAN versus
United states of America (USA) trade. The results indicate that exports
of pollution-intensive- goods from ASEAN countries to USA significantly
contribute to the pollution thereby, delaying the turning point income level
of the EKC in ASEAN countries. The study, therefore, concludes that world
pollution cannot be tackled unless advanced countries do not curtail the
consumption of pollution-intensive goods.