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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Kriechel,Ben; Ziesemer,Thomas (MERIT) |
| Abstract: | The Porter Hypothesis postulates that the costs of compliance with environmental standards may be offset by adoption of innovations they trigger. We model this hypothesis using a game of timing of technology adoption. We show that times of adoption are earlier the higher the non-adoption tax. The environmental tax turns the preemption game with low profits into a game with credible precommitment yielding high profits (pro-Porter). If there is a precommitment game without environmental taxes, the introduction of a tax leads to lower profits (anti-Porter). |
| Keywords: | economics of technology ; |
| Date: | 2005 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:umamer:2005008&r=env |
| By: | Satoru Taira |
| Abstract: | Whether a trade ban on a product imposed because of the fact that the process-and-production-method (PPM) of that product is harmful to the environment can be consistent with the WTO law? The purpose of this paper is to trace what the panels and the Appellate Body of the WTO have done in settlement of disputes concerning this problem and especially to think about a possible 'evolutionary' role the Appellate Body can play in resolution of 'trade and environment' disputes. This paper begins first to consider generally the essential characteristics of the problem of so called 'trade and environment' and then to identify a special problem which is raised by these characteristics in the context of the dispute settlement system of the WTO. Second, in a more substantial level, this paper will consider what a trade related environmental measure (TREM) based on a PPM is and then identify the issues of its possible inconsistency with the WTO law. Third, we will trace how the panels and the Appellate Body have disposed of these issues in practice and also make some analysis of a new approach adopted by the Appellate Body in interpreting the WTO law in recent two cases. In conclusion, this paper will affirmatively evaluate this new approach and remark that the Appellate Body does not need to 'live with a quiet but uneasy status quo' in the 'trade and environment' disputes. |
| Date: | 2005–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:05016&r=env |
| By: | Secchi, Silvia; Jha, Manoj; Kurkalova, Lyubov; Feng, HongLi; Gassman, Philip W.; Kling, Catherine L. |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the implications of treating different environmental benefits as the primary target of policy design. We focus on two scenarios, estimating for both of them in-stream sediment, nutrient loadings, and carbon sequestration. In the first, we assess the impact of a program designed to improve water quality in Iowa on carbon sequestration, and in the second, we calculate the water quality impact of a program aimed at maximizing carbon sequestration. In both cases, the policy instrument is the retirement of land from agricultural production. Our results, limited to the state of Iowa, and to the case of set-aside for water quality or carbon sequestration purposes, indicate that the amount of co-benefits depends on what indicators are used to measure water quality. In general, this study shows that improving “water quality” in the sense of reducing nutrient or sediment loadings is too vague. Even if it is taken to refer to in-stream nutrients, because the responses of nitrogen and phosphorus to conservation efforts are not well correlated, this terminology may not provide much guidance. |
| Date: | 2005–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:12264&r=env |
| By: | Feng, HongLi; Kling, Catherine L. |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we study the social efficiency of private carbon markets that include trading in agricultural soil carbon sequestration when there are significant co-benefits (positive environmental externalities) associated with the practices that sequester carbon. Likewise, we investigate the efficiency of government-run conservation programs that are designed to promote a broad array of environmental attributes (both carbon sequestration and its co-benefits) for the supply of carbon. Finally, policy design and efficiency issues associated with the potential interplay between a private carbon market and a government conservation program are studied. Empirical analyses for an area that represents a significant potential source of carbon sequestration and its associated co-benefits illustrate the magnitude and complexity of these issues in real-world policy design. |
| Date: | 2005–03–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:12269&r=env |
| By: | Isabelle Sin; Suzi Kerr; Joanna Hendy (New Zealand Treasury) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an overview of key issues involved in the choice among market-based instruments for climate change policy. Specifically, it examines the potential net benefits from shifting to a permit system for emission reduction, and the preconditions necessary for this change. It also draws out the implications of New Zealand’s specific circumstances and current climate policies for future policy development. |
| Keywords: | climate change; emissions trading; permits; taxation; New Zealand |
| JEL: | Q28 Q48 |
| Date: | 2005–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nzt:nztwps:05/02&r=env |
| By: | Iris Säger |
| Date: | 2005–03–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwneu:neurusp33&r=env |
| By: | Don J Webber (School of Economics, University of the West of England); David O Allen (School of Economics, University of the West of England) |
| Abstract: | The shape of the relationship between the rate of environmental degradation and income per capita has been the subject of much empirical examination. When test results based around this so-called ‘environmental Kuznets curve’ are compared, the empirical evidence is neither consistently supportive of its traditional inverted-U shape nor uniform across pollutants. A deeper understanding of the characteristics of pollutants and of the derived demand and derived supply of pollutants needs to be achieved if environmental Kuznets curves are to be useful. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curves, Empirical Evidence |
| JEL: | O49 Q20 |
| Date: | 2004–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uwe:wpaper:0406&r=env |