966
Serial number: 02/2022
Author(s): Tural Yusifzada
Language: English
Date: 2022
Abstract: This research is the first study that analyzes the effects of climate change-related factors on the inflation environment in Azerbaijan during 2005-2020 and forecasts annual inflation for the 2021-2030 period. For this purpose, considering the possible long-run cointegration relation among variables and limited historical observations, the chain impact of temperature on agricultural producer prices is analyzed through the BVAR model. Additionally, the transition requirements to the effects of green energy on inflation are examined through the exchange rate pass-through. Since the aim of the research is to reveal climate change’s impact on the long-run trend of inflation, the study generates two climate scenarios for the 2021-2030 period and analyzes the inflation difference at the end of the horizon. According to the model results, climate change’s contribution to inflation is expected to be 1.3 percentage points (pp) in the long run with the baseline scenario, where climate-related variables follow their historical trends. On the other hand, climate contribution to inflation is estimated to be 2.2 pp in the worst scenario of climate change, where 1.2 °C additional temperature anomaly deteriorates the trends. The results imply that climate change is not only the determinant of seasonality but the trend of inflation. In light of these results, the paper highlights the importance of a well-developed climate action plan set by the government and monetary incentives for transitioning to a green environment set by the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Key words: inflation, climate, fossil fuel, green energy, BVAR, forecasting
JEL classification: E31, Q54, E37, E58, C32
