Is the discount rate relevant in explaining the Environmental Kuznets Curve?

In this paper we use Pindyck's model [Pindyck, R. S. (2002). Optimal timing problems in environmental economics. Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, 26, 1677-1697] to show that the discount rate may play an important role in accounting for the income-pollution pattern observed in the real world. Low levels of income involve high values of discount rate, that are obstacles to the adoption of a pollution abatement policy. Only when the discount rate falls, as a consequence of growth, will it be possible to implement measures for emissions reduction. Thus we are able to derive an inverse U-shaped income-pollution pattern, making use of an argument that has not yet been fully considered in the economic debate on this issue.