Essays on the Economics of Nighttime Lights Data with Applications to Energy and Economic Development

This thesis explores how nighttime lights (NTL) data can improve our understanding of economic development, energy consumption, and human development in the context of climate change. It finds that institutional quality is a key factor influencing the relationship between NTL and gross domestic product (GDP). Additionally, it reveals varying energy consumption elasticities across countries in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasizes the importance of accounting for endogeneity. The thesis also analyzes the impact of extreme temperature shocks on human development in Vietnam, identifying pathways and recommending mitigation policies. Overall, this research demonstrates the valuable and versatile use of NTL data in studying these important areas.