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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Geir H. Bjertnæs (Statistics Norway) |
| Abstract: | This study finds that the welfare gain, excluding environmental effects, generated by increasing the Norwegian tax rate on purchase of electric cars from 8 to 37 percent amounts to approximately 5500- 6500 NOK (or 680-820 euro) per ton increase in GHG emissions in the long run. Substantial tax exemptions implies that reallocation from electric cars towards petrol and diesel powered cars generates a tax revenue gain of more than 40 billion NOK, which amounts to almost 10 percent of government consumption in 2007. |
| Keywords: | Taxation; Electric cars; CO2 emissions |
| JEL: | Q54 R48 H23 |
| Date: | 2013–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssb:dispap:743&r=env |
| By: | Thomas Eichner; Rüdiger Pethig |
| Abstract: | In the basic model of international environmental agreements (IEAs) (Barrett 1994, Rubio and Ulph 2006) extended by international trade, self- enforcing - or stable - IEAs may comprise up to 60% of all countries (Eichner and Pethig 2013). But these IEAs reduce total emissions only slightly compared to non-cooperation. Here we analyze the capacity of sign-unconstrained tariffs to enhance the size and performance of self-enforcing IEAs. We show that the size of stable IEAs shrinks when climate coalitions are Stackelberg leaders and set tariffs in addition to their cap-and-trade schemes. Surprisingly, these smaller IEAs reduce total emissions more effectively than the larger stable IEAs without tariffs. In the model with tariffs the signatory countries import fossil fuel and their tariff takes the form of a subsidy of fuel consumption and a tax on the production of the consumption good. |
| Keywords: | tariff, trade, self-enforcing environmental agreements, Stackelberg equilibrium |
| JEL: | C72 F18 Q50 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sie:siegen:161-13&r=env |
| By: | Ben Jebli, Mehdi; Ben Youssef, Slim |
| Abstract: | We use the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds approach to cointegration in order to investigate the short and long-run relationship between per capita CO2 emission, GDP, renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and trade openness for Tunisia during the period 1980-2009. The Fisher-statistic for cointegration is established when CO2 emission is defined as a dependent variable. The stability of coefficients in the long and short-run is examined. Short-run Granger causality suggests that there is a one way causality relationship from economic growth and trade openness (exports and imports) to emissions, whereas there is no causality running from renewable and non-renewable energy consumption to emissions. The results from the long-run relationship suggest that non-renewable energy consumption contributes positively in explaining CO2 emission (for both models), whereas renewable energy affects CO2 emission negatively (for the model with exports). The contribution of trade openness is positive and statistically significant in the long-run. The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) that assumes an inverted U-shaped relationship between per capita CO2 emissions and output is not supported in the long-run. This means that Tunisia has not yet reached the required level of per capita GDP to get an inverted U-shaped EKC. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve; Renewable and non-renewable energy; Trade openness; Autoregressive distributed lag; Tunisia. |
| JEL: | C22 F14 Q42 Q43 Q54 |
| Date: | 2013–12–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52127&r=env |
| By: | Thomas Eichner; Rüdiger Pethig |
| Abstract: | In a multi-country model with mobile capital and global pollution this paper analyzes the stability of self-enforcing environmental agreements (IEAs) when the coalition formed by the signatory countries plays Nash. In accordance with previous environmental literature we show that there exists a unique self-enforcing IEA consisting of two or three signatory countries if emissions tax rates are strategic substitutes. However, emissions tax rates are strategic complements if the pollution is not too detrimental. In that case we find very small self-enforcing IEAs, as before, but now the socially optimal agreement among all countries may be selfenforcing as well. Special emphasis is placed on the investigation and interpretation of the conditions which render stable the grand coalition. |
| Keywords: | capital mobility, self-enforcing environmental agreements, emissions tax, Nash behavior |
| JEL: | H23 H77 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sie:siegen:162-13&r=env |
| By: | Rick Van der Ploeg |
| Abstract: | A classroom model of global warming, fossil fuel depletion and the optimal carbon tax is formulated and calibrated. It features iso-elastic fossil fuel demand, stock-dependent fossil fuel extraction costs, an exogenous interest rate and no decay of the atmospheric stock of carbon. The optimal carbon tax reduces emissions from burning fossil fuel, both in the short and medium run. Furthermore, it brings forward the date that renewables take over from fossil fuel and encourages the market to keep more fossil fuel locked up. A renewables subsidy induces faster fossil fuel extraction and thus accelerates global warming during the fossil fuel phase, but brings forward the carbon-free era, locks up more fossil fuel reserves and thus ultimately curbs cumulative carbon emissions and global warming. For relatively large subsidies social welfare is more likely to fall as the economic costs rises more than proportionally with the size of the subsidy. Our calibration suggests that such subsidies are not a good second-best climate policy. |
| Keywords: | global warming, social cost of carbon, optimal cabon tax, renewables |
| JEL: | D81 H20 Q31 Q38 |
| Date: | 2013–07–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:wpaper:oxcarre-research-paper-119&r=env |
| By: | Georg Müller-Fürstenberger; Gunter Stephan |
| Abstract: | Is it possible to combat global climate change through North-to-South technology transfer even without a global climate treaty? Or do carbon leakage and the rebound effect imply that it is possible to take advantage of technological improvements under the umbrella of a global arrangement only? For answering these questions a world with full international cooperation is compared with a world, where countries act non-cooperatively. More precisely, in case of non-cooperation two cases are discussed. The first one is called Kyoto-plus and the second one labeled Kyoto-reversed. Kyoto-plus means that the North decides: (1) to unilaterally reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions and (2), to transfer technological knowledge to the South. If Kyoto-reversed is considered, the North decides on transferring technology while the South commits itself to reduce emissions. Rebound and leakage effects hinder a sustainable and welfare improving solution of the climate problem. |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:trr:wpaper:201205&r=env |
| By: | Christoph Böhringer (Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre & ZenTra) |
| Abstract: | Climate change ranks high on the policy agenda of the European Union (EU) which considers itself as a leading force in the battle against anthropogenic climate change. The EU is committed to the objective of limiting the rise in global average temperature to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This article provides a critical appraisal of two decades of EU climate policy. Based on the global nature of climate change, we pre-sent three criteria for sound unilateral action and evaluate current EU climate policy against these criteria. We find that the actual implementation of EU climate policies is likely to make emission abatement much more costly than necessary. |
| Keywords: | EU climate policy, emission regulation, cost-effectiveness |
| JEL: | H21 H23 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zen:wpaper:21&r=env |
| By: | Limin DU; Aoife Hanley; Chu WEI |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the technical inefficiency, shadow price and substitution elasticity of CO2 emissions of China based on a provincial panel for 2001-2010. Using linear programming to calculate a quadratic parameterized directional output distance function, we show that China’s technical inefficiency increases over the period implying further scope for CO2 emissions reduction in the medium and longer term at best by 4.5% and 4.9% respectively. Our results (notwithstanding regional differences) highlight increases in the shadow price of CO2 abatement (1000 Yuan/ton in 2001 to 2100 Yuan/ton in 2010). Additionally, increasingly steep substitution elasticity highlights the difficult reality of reducing China’s CO2 emissions |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; Shadow Price; Parametric Estimation; China |
| JEL: | Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kie:kieliw:1883&r=env |
| By: | Adrien Vogt-Schilb (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech); Stéphane Hallegatte (SDN - Sustainable Development Network - The World Bank) |
| Abstract: | Decision makers facing abatement targets need to decide which abatement measures to implement, and in which order. Measure-explicit marginal abatement cost curves depict the cost and abating potential of available mitigation options. Using a simple intertemporal optimization model, we demonstrate why this information is not sufficient to design emission reduction strategies. Because the measures required to achieve ambitious emission reductions cannot be implemented overnight, the optimal strategy to reach a short-term target depends on longer-term targets. For instance, the best strategy to achieve European's -20% by 2020 target may be to implement some expensive, high-potential, and long-to-implement options required to meet the -75% by 2050 target. Using just the cheapest abatement options to reach the 2020 target can create a carbon-intensive lock-in and make the 2050 target too expensive to reach. Designing mitigation policies requires information on the speed at which various measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions can be implemented, in addition to the information on the costs and potential of such measures provided by marginal abatement cost curves. |
| Keywords: | climate change mitigation; dynamic efficiency; sectoral policies |
| Date: | 2013–12–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00916328&r=env |
| By: | Duro Moreno, Juan Antonio; Teixidó Figueras, Jordi |
| Abstract: | Up until now, analyses of the international distribution of pollutant emissions have not paid sufficient attention to the implications that, in terms of social welfare, the combined evolution of the global world average entails. In this context, this paper proposes the use of environmental welfare indices, taken and adapted from the literature on social welfare and inequality, in order to make a comprehensive examination of the international equity factor and the mean factor in this field. The proposed methodology is implemented empirically in order to explore the evolution in distributive-based environmental welfare on a global level for the three main pollutants with greenhouse gas effects: CO2, CH4 and NO, both globally and for selected years during the period of 1990- 2005. The main results found are as follows: firstly, typically, the environmental welfare associated with the overall greenhouse gases decreased significantly over the period, due primarily to the role of CO2; secondly, in contrast, the global welfare associated with CH4 and NO improved; and thirdly, typically, the evolutions can be attributed to a greater extent to the mean component than to the distributive component, although there are exceptions. These results would seem to be relevant in policy terms. JEL codes: D39; Q43; Q56. Keywords: environmental welfare: greenhouse gases; environmental equity. |
| Keywords: | Gasos d'efecte hivernacle -- Aspectes econòmics, Energia -- Aspectes econòmics, Distribució de rendes, 33 - Economia, |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urv:wpaper:2072/220758&r=env |
| By: | Liddle, Brantley |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes urban population’s and affluence’s (GDP per capita’s) influence on environmental impact in developed and developing countries by taking as its starting point the STIRPAT framework. In addition to considering environmental impacts particularly influenced by population and affluence (carbon emissions from transport and residential electricity consumption), the paper determines whether and, if so, how those environmental impact relationships vary across development levels by analyzing panels consisting of poor, middle, and rich countries. The development-based panels approach is an improvement on the GDP per capita polynomial model used in the Environmental Kuznets Curve and other literatures for several reasons: (i) it allows one to determine whether the elasticity of all variables considered varies according to development; (ii) it is arguably a more accurate description of the development process; (iii) it avoids potentially spurious regressions involving nonlinear transformations of nonstationary variables (GDP per capita squared); and (iv) unlike the polynomial model, it allows for the possibility that elasticities are significantly different across development levels but still positive—precisely the relationship expected for the environmental impacts considered here. Whether or not the elasticity for affluence was greater than that for population was a function of both the choice of dependent variable and the makeup of the panel (all countries, poor, middle, or rich). Furthermore, the estimated elasticities varied, in a nonlinear fashion, according to the development process: U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, and monotonic patterns were revealed, again, depending on the dependent variable. |
| Keywords: | STIRPAT; population and environment; FMOLS panel cointegration; environment and development; IPAT; GHG emissions; Environmental/Carbon Kuznets Curve |
| JEL: | Q56 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52088&r=env |
| By: | Marit E. Klemetsen; Brita Bye; Arvid Raknerud (Statistics Norway) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides new evidence on the role of non-market based (“command-and-control”) regulations in relation to innovations in environmental technologies. While pricing is generally considered the first-best policy instrument, non-market regulations, such as technology standards and non-tradable emission quotas, are common when a regulator faces multiple emission types and targets, heterogeneous recipients, or uncertainty with regard to marginal damages. Knowing whether these regulations spur or hinder innovation is of great importance to environmental policy. Using a unique Norwegian panel data set that includes information about the type and number of patent applications, technology standards, non-tradable emission quotas, and a large number of control variables for almost all large and medium-sized Norwegian incorporated firms, we are able to conduct a comprehensive study of the effect of non-market based regulations on environmental patenting. Unlike previous studies that are typically conducted at the industry level, we are able to take firm heterogeneiry into account, and thereby reduce the common problem of omitted variable bias in our analysis. We empirically identify strong and significant effects on innovations from implicit regulatory costs associated with the threat that a firm will be sanctioned for violating an emission permit. |
| Keywords: | Command-and-control regulations; Technology standards; Non-tradable emission quotas; Patents; Innovation; Environmental technologies; Random effects ordered probit model. |
| JEL: | C23 O34 Q52 Q53 Q55 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssb:dispap:754&r=env |
| By: | Rick Van der Ploeg; Aart de Zeeuw |
| Abstract: | The optimal reaction to a pending climate catastrophe is to accumulate capital to be better prepared for the disaster and levy a carbon tax to reduce the risk of the hazard by curbing global warming. The optimal carbon tax consists of the present value of marginal damages, the non-marginal expected change in welfare caused by a marginal higher risk of catastrophe, and the expected loss in after-catastrophe welfare. The last two terms offset precautionary capital accumulation. A linear hazard function calibrated to an expected time of 15 years for a 32% drop in global GDP if temperature stays at 6 degrees Celsius implies with a discount rate of 1.4% a precautionary return of 1.6% and a carbon tax of 136 US $/tC. More intertemporal substitution lowers precautionary capital accumulation and lessens the need for a high carbon tax, but implies less intergenerational inequality aversion which pushes up the carbon tax. |
| Keywords: | non-marginal climate policy, tipping points, risk avoidance, economic growth, social cost of carbon, precaution, adaptation capital |
| JEL: | D81 H20 O40 Q31 Q38 |
| Date: | 2013–07–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:wpaper:oxcarre-research-paper-118&r=env |
| By: | Duvvuru, Narasimha Reddy; Motkuri, Venkatanarayana |
| Abstract: | Strategies and solutions to meet the challenges of GHGs call for new methods and technologies. Potential options for the rice industry sector to contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change by increasing rice production in a physically sustainable manner are attracting growing research interest. One such area of interest is the new method of rice cultivation: the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). SRI is an innovative approach to rice cultivation but not a technology as such. The present papers examines advantages of SRI and its diffusion in India in general Andhra Pradesh in particular. |
| Keywords: | SRI, Rice Cultivation, Rice, Paddy, New Systems of Cultivation, Andhra Pradesh, Climate Change, Green House GAs, GHG Emission |
| JEL: | Q01 Q10 Q15 Q16 Q18 Q25 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52115&r=env |
| By: | Oskar Lecuyer (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech); Adrien Vogt-Schilb (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech) |
| Abstract: | Climate change mitigation requires to replace preexisting carbon-intensive capital with different types of cleaner capital. Coal power and inefficient thermal engines may be phased out by gas power and efficient thermal engines or by renewable power and electric vehicles. We derive the optimal timing and costs of investment in a low- and a zero-carbon technology, under an exogenous ceiling constraint on atmospheric pollution. Producing output from the low-carbon technology requires to extract an exhaustible resource. A general finding is that investment in the expensive zero-carbon technology should always be higher than, and can optimally start before, investment in the cheaper low-carbon technology. We then provide illustrative simulations calibrated with data from the European electricity sector. The optimal investment schedule involves building some gas capacity that will be left unused before it naturally depreciates, a process known as \textit{mothballing} or \textit{early scrapping}. Finally, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is a misleading metric to assess investment in new capacities. Optimal LCOEs vary dramatically across technologies. Ranking technologies according to their LCOE would bring too little investment in renewable power, and too much in the intermediate gas power. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00850680&r=env |
| By: | Julie Rozenberg (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech); Adrien Vogt-Schilb (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech); Hallegatte Stéphane (SDN - Sustainable Development Network - The World Bank) |
| Abstract: | Policymakers have good reasons to prefer capital-based policies - such as CAFE standards or feebates programs - over a carbon price. A carbon price minimizes the discounted cost of a climate policy, but may result in existing capital being under-utilized or scrapped before its scheduled lifetime, hurt the workers that depend on it, and inflict an immediate income drop. Capital-based policies avoid these obstacles, but can reach a given climate target only if implemented early enough. Delaying mitigation policies may thus create a political-economy lock-in (easier-to-implement policies become unavailable) in addition to the economic lock-in (the target becomes more expensive). |
| Keywords: | intergenerational equity, sectoral policies, mothballing |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00916861&r=env |
| By: | LE BAS Christian; POUSSING Nicolas |
| Abstract: | Despite the increased strategic importance of environmental innovation on the one hand and corporate social responsibility on the other, there are still few studies that show firm voluntary measures create a primary determinant of environmental changes. First, we clarify the meaning of voluntary measures and CSR. Second, we utilize a survey carried out in Luxemburg on firm CSR practices jointly with the Community Innovation Survey 2008 (CIS 2008). We merge them and show through the estimation of a probit model that CSR is an important factor that explains environmental innovation. Thanks to a question from CIS 2008 we can contribute to the literature by developing a new indicator measuring the scale of the positive impacts on the environment coming from the firm technological innovation capacity. A negative binomial regression enables us to estimate a significant and positive effect of CSR and firm value on this scale. |
| Keywords: | environmental innovation; corporate social responsability; Community Innovation Survey 2008; innovation impacts on the environment |
| JEL: | D22 H23 L21 O31 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irs:cepswp:2013-25&r=env |
| By: | Cristina Martinez-Fernandez; Samantha Sharpe; Merritt Hughes; Carmen Avellaner de Santos |
| Abstract: | This report presents a snapshot of the global renewable energy industry and investigates what this global industry can mean for local development. This industry is rapidly growing in response to countries’ activities to reduce their carbon emissions. The deployment of renewable energy is seen as a key development opportunity for rural regions and a way for governments to give substance to “green growth” claims. The paper suggests that local governments and other institutions will be central agents in the success of the transition of regional areas to low-carbon economies. |
| Date: | 2013–11–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envddd:2013/9-en&r=env |
| By: | Roger Owen |
| Abstract: | The article uses comparative Indian material from British India and later, the Pakistani Punjab to ask new questions of the standard accounts of Egypt’s post-1890 cotton boom. It also argues for the particular relevance of the rich Punjabi green revolution data to the Egyptian case, and more generally, for the rewards to be obtained from an academic dialog between selected aspects of late nineteenth and of late twentieth century globalization. Topics analyzed include the impact of the various agricultural revolutions on social and regional inequalities, the issue of sustainability, the role of experts and the impact on health of long-term environmental degradation. |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:47146&r=env |
| By: | Cappuyns, Valérie; Bellemans, Yoeri; Michielsen, Melissa; De Pauw, Jan |
| Abstract: | In 2008, the Brussels-Capital Region created “Research in Brussels” to promote scientific and technological research in Brussels and to encourage scientific study amongst young people in order to renew the pool of researchers in the future. Within this framework, a call for projects: 'Later, I'll be... Einstein!' is launched every year to financially support science awareness initiatives for young people in Brussels. In 2012, financial support was obtained for the E[co]nergy project, that aims to sensitize secondary school pupils (between 16 and 18 years old) with respect to sustainable energy production and consumption. As an introduction, pupils fill out a questionnaire with regard to their own ecological footprint and energy consumption patterns. The topic of sustainable energy production is then instructed and analyzed in more detail during the educational game Ecoduel, in which strategic choices have to be made with regard to different types of energy supply. In the following discussion, students reflect about sustainable energy production and consumption. Besides the more technical aspects such as energy efficiency and secondary environmental impacts of ‘grey’ and ‘green’ energy production, political and ethical consequence of the choices made during the game are addressed. To conclude, a visit to a solar panel installation, a windmill and biomass installation is organized in collaboration with Ecopower, a cooperative investing in projects with regards to renewable energy. The project has also been implemented in the curriculum of bachelor students of the Environmental Health and Safety Management program. The students (second bachelor year) followed a workshop in which they were trained to accompany the educational game Ecoduel with pupils of the 3rd grade of secondary school and to facilitate the discussion afterwards, encouraging pupils to consider the complexities of ‘sustainable’ energy production and consumption. By doing so, the students also practice important program-specific and behavioral competences such as team work, explaining scientific topics in a clear, comprehensive and attractive way, and leading a discussion with regard to a specific scientific subject. |
| Keywords: | sustainability; education; |
| Date: | 2013–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ner:leuven:urn:hdl:123456789/416779&r=env |
| By: | Geir H. Bjertnæs (Statistics Norway) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates whether biofuel policies or favourable taxation of electric cars should be employed to satisfy a green house gas emission target connected to private transport within the Norwegian economy. The study shows that implementation of biofuel generates a welfare gain in the presence of the current favourable taxation of electric cars in Norway. Implementation of biofuels, however, generates a welfare loss when the tax rate on purchase of electric cars is increased to the average tax rate on purchase of diesel powered cars. |
| Keywords: | Biofuel; Mandates; Electric cars; Greeen house gas emissions |
| JEL: | Q54 R48 H23 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssb:dispap:745&r=env |
| By: | Corinne Chaton (EDF R&D - EDF, CABREE - Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment); Anna Créti (Department of Economics, Ecole Polytechnique - CNRS : UMR7176 - Polytechnique - X); Benoit Peluchon (EDF R&D - EDF) |
| Abstract: | In this article we focus on carbon price dynamics, more speci cally the impact of a policy envisaged by the European Commission to increase the CO2 price. This policy consists of removing a share of the allowances allocated for a period in order to reallocate some or all of them during the following period. To analyze the impact of this backloading we determine the CO2 market equilibrium with and without the policy, considering not only the market for permits but also the output market of regulated sectors. We propose a two-period model without uncertainty, where the market for permits is perfectly competitive, and the output market can be either com- petitive or oligopolistic. First, we de ne the condition for which banking from one period to another is optimal. This condition, that is the absence of arbitrage opportunities (AOA), depends on not only from the per period initial allocation but also on production market fundamentals. When this condition is satisfi ed, the market for emission is shown intertemporally efficient. Second, we show that the back-loadingpolicy may be such that theAOA is no longer veri ed and thus create inefficiencies or being ineffective. |
| Keywords: | CO2 prices, banking, backloading, ETS reform. |
| Date: | 2013–12–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00915944&r=env |
| By: | Röder, Norbert; Osterburg, Bernhard; Kätsch, Stephanie |
| Abstract: | Der vorliegende Arbeitsbericht baut auf die Reformdebatte zur künftigen Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) der EU mit Stand von Ende September 2013 (Ergebnisse des Trilogs zwischen EUKommission, Parlament und Rat) auf und nimmt die Integration von Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung in die Agrarpolitik in den Blick. Dazu werden in Kapitel 2 die relevanten Elemente der künftigen GAP beschrieben. Dabei werden die Ergebnisse des Trilogs und ihre Bedeutung für Klimapolitiken erläutert. In Kapitel 3 werden Maßnahmenoptionen für Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung vorgestellt, die von den Mitgliedstaaten innerhalb des erwarteten Rechtsrahmens der EU umgesetzt werden können. Abschließend werden in Kapitel 4 Empfehlungen zur besseren Berücksichtigung des Klimaschutzes bei der Ausgestaltung und Umsetzung der GAP in Deutschland formuliert. Die Empfehlungen betreffen die Grünlanderhaltung, den Schutz organischer Böden und Ausgestaltungsoptionen in der zweiten Säule der GAP in den Bereichen Wirtschaftsdüngermanagement und Moorrestaurierung. Dem 'schnellen Leser' wird die Lektüre des Kapitels 4 empfohlen. Im Zusammenhang mit der GAP-Reformdebatte hat das Thünen-Institut verschiedene Publikationen und Stellungnahmen vorgelegt, auf die in dieser Stellungnahme aufgebaut wird und auf die daher verwiesen wird (vgl. die in der Einleitung, Kapitel 1, genannten Quellen). -- This working paper is based on the reform debate on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU and the status reached by end of September 2013 (results of the trilogue between the European Commission, Council and European Parliament). The focus is on integration of climate protection (greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation) and adaptation into the CAP. In chapter 2, relevant elements of the future CAP are described. Results of the trilogue and their importance for climate policies are explained. In chapter 3, options for GHG mitigation and climate adaptation are presented, which can be implemented by the Member States within the expected legal framework of the EU. Finally, in chapter 4 recommendations for a better integration of climate protection in the design and implementation of the CAP in Germany are formulated. Recommendations are related to the protection of grassland, the conservation of organic soils, and the design of measures within Pillar Two of the CAP in the area of manure management and the restoration of organic soils. For quick readers, the reading of chapter 4 is recommended. In the context of the CAP reform, the Thünen-Institute has published different position and working paper, on which this paper builds on (see the references listed in chapter 1). |
| Keywords: | Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik,EU,Klimaschutz,Greening,Common Agricultural Policy,climate protection,greening |
| JEL: | Q18 Q23 Q24 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtiwp:11&r=env |
| By: | Geoffrey Heal; Jisung Park |
| Abstract: | Does temperature affect economic performance? Has temperature always affected social welfare through its impact on physical and cognitive function? While many studies have explored the indirect links between climate and welfare (e.g. agricultural yield, violent conflict, or sea-level rise), few address the possibility of direct impacts operating through human physiology. This paper presents a model of labor supply under thermal stress, building on a longstanding physiological literature linking thermal stress to health and task performance. A key prediction is that effective labor supply – defined as a composite of labor hours, task performance, and effort – is decreasing in temperature deviations from the biological optimum. We use country-level panel data on population-weighted average temperature and income (1950-2005), to illustrate the potential magnitude of the effect. Using a fixed effects estimation strategy, we find that hotter-than-average years are associated with lower output per capita for already hot countries and higher output per capita for cold countries: approximately 3%-4% in both directions. We then use household data on air conditioning and heating expenditures from the US to provide further evidence in support of a physiologically based causal mechanism. This more direct causal link between climate and social welfare has important implications for both the economics of climate change and comparative development. |
| JEL: | J01 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:19725&r=env |
| By: | Birgit Aschhoff; Georg Licht; Paula Schliessler |
| Abstract: | Europe’s innovation potential is currently dominated by well-established large companies. In most member countries the bulk of R&D expenditures is spend by large companies. Following OECD data, SME’s share in total R&D spending amount to 8% in Germany or Japan, around 15% in US, France, Korea or Italy, about 20% in Sweden, Finland or Switzerland, about 30% in Netherlands, Austria or Poland, and about 50% in Poland, Ireland, Slovakia or Greece. First of all, these figures point to a considerable heterogeneity with regard to the importance of SMEs in national R&D activities. However, young companies are said to be the driving force behind radical innovation which will be a source of employment and growth in future. In addition, the weakness of Europe is not only the small number of hightech startups but more specifically the number of hightech startups which accomplish continuing, rapid growth. However, there might be significant technology specific heterogeneity with regard to the contribution of SMEs and young firms to innovation. The central question of the paper is whether SMEs and young firms might be agents with a special contribution to new growth path in Europe. We took new renewable energy technologies as an example at test whether the contribution of SMEs and young firms is larger in this technology area compared to invention as measured by patenting. In order to focus on the most valuable patents we use patent applications at the European Patent Office which were also applied for patent production at the USPTO and the Japanese Patent Office (“triadic patent applications”). The analysis proceed in two steps: The paper looks first at trends in international patenting and compares triadic patent application in the field of energy with all triadic patent application by country of inventors. The idea is to highlight the role of EU and its member states in invention activity in a technology-field which is of special relevance for a new, sustainable growth path. In the second step we look at the contribution for SMEs and young firms to such a new growth path by a detail analyses of triadic patent application by German companies as the SMEs share to R&D is the smallest compared to all other EU member states as well as compared to OECD member states (except Japan). The focus on Germany is motivated for two reasons - to ease the analysis and to focus on the most extreme case of the firm-size R&D distribution which is observed in EU and OECD member states. The study employs the WIPO “Green Inventory” classification to identify energy-related patents via the international patent classification used by all patent offices to assign patents by technology and potential fields of application. This classification comprise as main technology classes alternative energy production, transportation, energy storage, waste management, agriculture/forestry, regulatory and design aspects, and nuclear power generation. The number of green inventory patents increased from 1991 to 2007 by a factor of 2.5 to 12.500 patent applications. The majority of this increase is observable in renewable energy product, storage of energy, design and management of energy systems, and waste management. Patents related to nuclear power account for 4% of green inventory patents and this share declined even more to 1% in 2007. Surprisingly, the increase of green inventory patent applications at the EPO more or less equals the increase in overall patent applications at the EPO. Hence, the share of green inventory patents in total patent application at EPO was constant and fluctuating always between 8-10% with not visible trend. Similarly, albeit the increase in the number of triadic patents is less impressive (only by a factor of 1.4) the structural features are the same. Overall, the importance of green patent activities does not greatly vary between countries or regions. In 2007, the share of green patent applications in all patent applications at the EPO lies between 7% and 12%. Interestingly, the new member states and southern Europe are at the upper end of the range (12% and 10%, respectively) - besides Japan (11%) and the US (10%). Green patents are slightly less important for Northern Europe and China (both 7%). Focusing on more valuable patent application (“triadic patent application”), green technologies become more important in Germany, Korea and China and lose importance in Southern Europe. The second step linked sustainable growth to the “entrepreneurial” economy by examining to which degree small and young firms are driving sustainable patenting. We find SMEs to be responsible for about 15% of all patent applications. This is the same for the WIPO Green Inventory classified “green” patents. Around half of patent applications of SMEs are made by young firms. About one half of all patent applications by SMEs are filed by micro firms. When narrowing down the analysis to triadic patents, we find the contribution of SMEs to decrease to about 9% of all patent applications which is probably caused by the larger costs of applying and maintaining triadic patents than EPO patents. The contribution to green patenting is even lower for triadic patents with only 6% of all green patents coming from SMEs. In the third step of the analysis, based on the link of German firm data to patent applications at the European Patent Office, we analyzed at the firm level whether small and young firms are more or less likely to file sustainable patents than other firms. The results show that large firms are significantly more likely to file both patents in general and green patents. We do find that, for micro, small and medium size firms, the negative effect on patenting compared to the reference category of a large firm is less strong for the younger firms. This effect exists both for the generation of patents in general and the generation of green patents. Therefore there does not seem to be a particular advantage for small or young firms in producing sustainable, green patents. Even more, SMEs and young firms seem to face larger obstacles to start inventing in green energy technologies than in other technology fields. In any case SMEs and young firms will probably not an important driver of new technologies like in some other fields of technology. Of course we have to admit that our same only covers international patent applications for the priority year 2007 or earlier. Hence, things might have changed in the meantime due to e.g. extended government support for innovation in green energy fields. However, this question can only be examined with future editions of the PATSTAT data which fully covers more recent years. In addition, we cannot rule out the SMEs and/or young firms are especially important for patents which are radical driver of technological change. To address this question several measurement issues need to be solved and/or existing measurement approaches need verification. However, this is beyond the limits of our study. What might be the contribution to the central questions of the wwwforEurope project? First of all, young and small firms might not able to drive the technology development towards a more sophisticated use of energy resources and renewable energies. Like in most other fields of technology the direction of technical change is determined by established large firms. Hence, under the current framework of innovation and industrial policies, the development of the “more entrepreneurial economy” will probably not form forerunners on the ways towards a new growth path. Secondly, private sector’s production of invention activities became not stronger directed towards technologies which aim at production, storage, distribution, and management of new energy technologies compared to other fields of technology. Given the societal need for new energy technologies the paper speaks in favor of government regulation, invention and incentives to stimulate research, development, and implementation new energy technologies. However, we do not find arguments that such stimuli should favor SMEs or young firms. |
| Keywords: | Green patents, sustainable patenting, SMEs, young firms |
| JEL: | O31 M13 C81 |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:feu:wfewop:y:2013:m:11:d:0:i:47&r=env |
| By: | Isaac Gross (Reserve Bank of Australia); James Hansen (Reserve Bank of Australia) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the effect of a shock to resource prices in a small open economy where the stock of natural resources is responsive to exploration activity, and where extraction reduces the future availability of reserves. We show that the effects of a resource price shock on resource investment, labour utilisation and extraction are all amplified in the presence of endogenous reserves. We also find that spillovers to broader economic activity, including changes in domestic production, non-resource exports and consumption, are all greater in the presence of exploration activity. However, we find that incorporating endogenous reserves does not fundamentally change the effects of a resource price shock on key price measures including consumer prices, the real exchange rate and domestic interest rates. |
| Keywords: | natural resources; small open economy |
| JEL: | F41 Q33 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rba:rbardp:rdp2013-14&r=env |
| By: | Kasai, Katsuya |
| Abstract: | The CDM plays an important role in the international GHG reduction activities. However, the distribution of CDM projects has been quite biased. Hence, considering the current distributional imbalance, this study was conducted aiming to identify the determinants of CDM project hosting in order to suggest potential measures for LDCs based on empirical evidence. By running random effects panel Tobit models, this paper sheds light on the fact that the four significant factors, GHG reduction potentials, governance levels, science and technology levels, and economic ties between host and Annex I countries in the private sector, have positive impacts on hosting CDM projects. This paper, therefore, denotes that the effective way to promote CDM activities in LDCs is to approach both sides: one is that LDCs accomplish the improvement of the significant factors by themselves; and the other is to facilitate the programmatic CDM activities by enlisting cooperation from international organisations or firms capable of investing in CDM activities in LDCs and/or providing capacity building programs. It is hoped that both Annex I and Non-Annex I countries tackle the climate change issue with stimulating the effective use of this innovative mechanism, CDM, not only in advanced developing countries but also in LDCs. |
| Keywords: | CDM; Kyoto Protocol; LDCs; ODA; Tobit model |
| JEL: | Q48 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52137&r=env |
| By: | Alem, Yonas (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Colmer, Jonathan (the Grantham Research Institute and Dept of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics, UK) |
| Abstract: | Uncertainty about the future is an important determinant of well-being,especially in developing countries where financial markets and other market failures result in ineffective insurance mechanisms. However, separating the effects of future uncertainty from realised events, and then measuring its impact on utility presents a number of empirical challenges. This paper addresses these issues and shows that increased climate variability (a proxy for future income uncertainty) reduces farmers’ subjective well-being, consistent with the theory of optimal expectations (Brunnermeier & Parker, 2005), using panel data from rural Ethiopia and a new data set containing daily atmospheric parameters. The magnitude of our result indicates that a one standard deviation (7%) increase in climate variability has an equivalent effect on life satisfaction to a two standard deviation (1-2%) decrease in consumption. This effect is one of the largest determinants of life satisfaction in rural Ethiopia. |
| Keywords: | climate variability; uncertainty; subjective well-being; fixed effects |
| JEL: | C25 D60 I31 |
| Date: | 2013–12–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0578&r=env |
| By: | Yoichi Otsubo; Bruce Mizrach (LSF) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the market microstructure of the European Climate Exchange, the largest EU ETS trading venue. The ECX captures 2/3 of the screen traded market in EUA and more than 90% in CER. 2009 Trading volumes total ?22 billion and are growing, with EUA transactions doubling, and CER volume up 61%. Spreads range from ?0:02 to ?0:06 for EUA and from ?0:07 to ?0:18 for CER. Market impact estimates imply that an average trade will move the EUA market by 1.08 euro centimes and the CER market 4.29. Both Granger-Gonzalo and Hasbrouck information shares imply that approximately 90% of price discovery is taking place in the ECX futures market. We find imbalances in the order book help predict returns for up to three days. A simple trading strategy that enters the market long or short when the order imbalance is strong is profitable even after accounting for spreads and market impact. |
| Keywords: | "Keywords: carbon; market microstructure; bid-ask spread; information share; order imbalance" |
| JEL: | G13 G32 E44 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crf:wpaper:12-7&r=env |
| By: | Corsi, Daniel J; S V Subramanian; McKee, Martin; Li, Wei; Swaminathan, Sumathi; Lopez-Jaramillo, Patricio; Avezum, Alvaro; Lear, Scott A; Dagenais, Gilles; Rangarajan, Sumathy; Teo, Koon; Yusuf, Salim; Chow, Clara K |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Public health research has turned towards examining upstream, community-level determinants of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Objective measures of the environment, such as those derived from direct observation, and perception-based measures by residents have both been associated with health behaviours. However, current methods are generally limited to objective measures, often derived from administrative data, and few instruments have been evaluated for use in rural areas or in low-income countries. We evaluate the reliability of a quantitative tool designed to capture perceptions of community tobacco, nutrition, and social environments obtained from interviews with residents in communities in 5 countries. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirteen measures of the community environment were developed from responses to questionnaire items from 2,360 individuals residing in 84 urban and rural communities in 5 countries (China, India, Brazil, Colombia, and Canada) in the Environmental Profile of a Community's Health (EPOCH) study. Reliability and other properties of the community-level measures were assessed using multilevel models. High reliability (>0.80) was demonstrated for all community-level measures at the mean number of survey respondents per community (n = 28 respondents). Questionnaire items included in each scale were found to represent a common latent factor at the community level in multilevel factor analysis models. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: Reliable measures which represent aspects of communities potentially related to cardiovascular disease (CVD)/risk factors can be obtained using feasible sample sizes. The EPOCH instrument is suitable for use in different settings to explore upstream determinants of CVD/risk factors. |
| Keywords: | Brazil; Canada; Cardiovascular Diseases; China; Colombia; Data Collection; Humans; India; Models, Statistical; Nutrition Assessment; Public Health; Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Research Design; Residence Characteristics; Risk Factors; Smoking; Social Environment |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:94141&r=env |
| By: | Bazhanov, Andrei |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effects of ignored inefficiencies on the reliability of sustainability indicators and effectiveness of investment in resource-based economies. A model of a social planner does not include some phenomena that may influence the path of utility. These unspecified phenomena may cause inefficiency of the economy. In order to simulate this natural discrepancy between theory and real life, this study assumes that the planner applies the policies developed for an efficient (undistorted) model, whereas the real economy is distorted by some neglected effects that can influence utility, production, the balance equation, and the dynamics of the natural reserve. The resulting inefficiency affects the dependence of current utility change on investment. The analysis shows that, for sustainability in the presence of inefficiency, first, changes in institutions and in the patterns of resource extraction may become more important than investments; and secondly, it is preferable to underextract a natural resource under uncertainties in production possibilities and damages from economic activities. An inadequate accounting system, misestimated production possibilities, and insecure property rights are considered as examples of disregarded inefficiencies. |
| Keywords: | Dynamic inefficiency; Investment; Natural resource; Sustainability |
| JEL: | Q28 Q38 Q56 |
| Date: | 2013–11–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:51815&r=env |
| By: | Zhu Liu; Sai Liang; Yong Geng; Bing Xue; Fengming Xi; Ying Pan; Tianzhu Zhang; Tsuyoshi Fujita |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:105356&r=env |
| By: | Guillaume Chevillon (ESSEC Business School - ESSEC Business School) |
| Abstract: | Standard tests for the rank of cointegration of a vector autoregressive process present distributions that are affected by the presence of deterministic trends. We consider the recent approach of Demetrescu et al. (2009) who recommend testing a composite null. We assess this methodology in the presence of trends (linear or broken) whose magnitude is small enough not to be detectable at conventional significance levels. We model them using local asymptotics and derive the properties of the test statistics. We show that whether the trend is orthogonal to the cointegrating vector has a major impact on the distributions but that the test combination approach remains valid. We apply of the methodology to the study of cointegration properties between global temperatures and the radiative forcing of human gas emissions. We find new evidence of Granger Causality. |
| Keywords: | Cointegration ; Deterministic Trend ; Global Warming ; Likelihood Ratio ; Local Trends |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00914830&r=env |
| By: | Amel ATTOUR (GREDEG-CNRS-UMR7321); Marc-Hubert DEPRET (Université de Poitiers, IRIAF/CRIEF) |
| Abstract: | Cet article traite du cas des villes urbaines et de la manière dont développement durable (DD), technologies de l'information et de la Communication (TIC) et stratégie territoriale se combinent au niveau local. Il définit, dans une première partie, les notions de durabilité, de ville durable, de « TIC vertes » et les intègre dans le contexte historique et institutionnel des villes urbaines contemporaines. Il dresse ensuite, dans une deuxième et troisième partie, le panorama des politiques de développement durable et de développement numérique mises en œuvre par un échantillon d’EcoCités françaises labélisées dans le cadre du « plan d’actions Ville durable » de novembre 2009. Il propose enfin une typologie des projets de villes durables sur la base de trois critères : les choix technologiques, la stratégique économique et la dimension territoriale des initiatives publiques locales. This article examines the case of cities and the way that sustainable development, information and communication technology (ICT) and territorial strategies converge at local level. Firstly, the definition of sustainability, a sustainable city, green ICT and puts them in the historical and institutional context of modern cities. In the second and third parts, it sets out a panorama of policies for sustainable and digital development that have been implemented by a sample of French EcoCities labeled under the framework of the “Sustainable City Action Plan” in November 2009. Ultimately, it proposes a typology of projects of sustainable cities based on three criteria: technological choices, economic strategy and territorial dimension of local public initiatives. |
| Keywords: | attractivité, développement durable, résilience, stratégie territoriale locale, technologies de l’information et de la Communication, ville durable, attractiveness, sustainable development, resilience, local territorial strategy, information and communication technology, sustainable city |
| JEL: | O10 O20 O38 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rii:rridoc:36&r=env |
| By: | Evangelina Dardati (Facultad de Economía y Negocios, Universidad Alberto Hurtado) |
| Abstract: | Most cap-and-trade systems allocate permits for free. However, they differ dependent on whether closing plants and new entrants get free permits. I use a dynamic model with heterogeneous firms and equilibrium conditions in the output and emission market to quantify the effect on exit/entry, investment and welfare of different allocation rules. I calibrate the model with data from the power plants participating in the US SO2 program and quantify the effects of two allocation schemes: The US SO2 case, in which closing plants keep their permits and new entrants do not get any of them; The EU-ETS case, in which plants lose permits upon exit and new entrants get allowances. If the US switched to the EU-ETS allocation scheme, the price of output would be 1:5% lower, the price of permits 7.6% higher, and there would be a distribution of dirtier and less productive plants. Consumers are better off if the US switched to the EU-ETS system (lower price), while producers are better off with the US SO2 system (higher profits). |
| Date: | 2013–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ila:ilades:inv294&r=env |
| By: | Kasai, Katsuya |
| Abstract: | The CDM has promoted GHG reduction activities in developing countries. There is, however, a controversial issue of an unequal distribution of CDM benefits among developing nations. To date, some emerging economies have been receiving the majority of CERs while most LDCs have few of them. This paper, hence, attempts to empirically identify determinants of the amount of CERs in order to suggest potential approaches for LDCs. Consequently, this paper finds that GHG reduction potentials, governance levels, and science and technical levels have significant positive effects on the amount of CERs. In contrast, looking at host countries in LDCs, ODA is the only factor having significant positive effects. This seems to show that CDM activities in LDCs have been implemented against the principle of market mechanism. Ultimately, this paper suggests that, LDCs ought to ameliorate their endogenous factors (i.e., governance levels and science and technical levels), and that international organization and advanced nations should further encourage LDCs by providing finance and capacity development programs. |
| Keywords: | CDM, CER, LDCs, Kyoto Protocol, unequal distribution, global warming |
| JEL: | O44 Q54 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2012–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52163&r=env |
| By: | Bertrand Hamaide (Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis - Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis); Sylvie Faucheux (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Martin Neve (Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis - Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis); Martin O'Connor (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456) |
| Abstract: | Cet article aborde brièvement la relation entre croissance et environnement dans l'histoire de la théorie économique (des physiocrates aux néo-classiques) et situe cette relation comme un thème dans le développement de la littérature en économie environnementale. Il expose ensuite de manière comparative deux paradigmes de l'économie environnementale (économie de l'environnement au sens large versus économie écologique) et donc les approches faible et forte de la soutenabilité. Il confronte ensuite ces deux paradigmes à propos de la croissance et de la courbe environnementale de Kuznets et réalise une analyse empirique de cette courbe et des découplages éventuels qu'elle pourrait induire pour le dioxyde de carbone en Belgique et dans d'autres pays, pour en tirer des conclusions contemporaines quant à la relation entre croissance et environnement. |
| Keywords: | Croissance; envionnement |
| Date: | 2012–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00911698&r=env |
| By: | Zhu Liu; Yong Geng; Dabo Guan; Soeren Linder |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:105346&r=env |
| By: | Johann Audrain (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Mateo Cordier (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Sylvie Faucheux (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Marie-Françoise Guyonnaud (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Isabelle Nicolaï (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Martin O'Connor (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456) |
| Abstract: | Cet article traite de la dimension environnementale de la dynamique du " Grand Paris ". Il explique comment une approche d'écologie territoriale permet d'aborder les questions degouvernance pour la métropole Parisienne. Nous présentons, dans un premier temps, des indicateurs synthétiques comme l'" empreinte écologique " et l'" empreinte environnementale ", permettant d'appréhender l'ampleur de l'impact environnemental de la métropole. Ensuite, nous mettons en évidence, à partir d'une modélisation intégrée originale couplée à une analyse de scénario quantitative, le " métabolisme " du Grand Paris et, plus particulièrement, les impacts de l'activité économique du bassin de la Seine en amont surl'écologie de l'estuaire de la Seine en aval. Les opportunités de politique territoriales suscitées par l'observation de la dégradation de l'estuaire sont démontrées. La nécessitéd'accorder une place centrale à l'environnementdans toute vision stratégique des avenirs possibles de la mégapole parisienne devient alors explicite. |
| Keywords: | Développement durable territorial; Empreinte environnementale; Grand Paris; Modélisation intégrée; Services environnementaux |
| Date: | 2012–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00911712&r=env |
| By: | Liddle, Brantley |
| Abstract: | Two important, increasing trends for those concerned about climate change to consider are urbanization/the importance of cities and energy used in transport—particularly energy used to achieve personal mobility. While national urbanization levels are not a good indicator of urban transport demand, there is an established negative relationship between urban density and such demand. This paper uses a consistent, well-known population-based framework (the STIRPAT model) and three separate, but highly related, datasets of cities from developed and developing countries (with observations from 1990, 1995, and 2001) to examine the relationship among private transport energy consumption, population, income, urban density, and several variables (e.g., network size and prices) that describe the nature of the public and private transport systems of those cities. The paper confirms the now well-established result that urban density is negatively correlated with urban private transport energy consumption. In terms of policies, improving private vehicle fuel efficiency, in particular, and increasing fuel price as well as other ownership/operating costs for private transport could have a substantial impact on lowering transport energy consumption. On the other hand, there is no evidence that further lowering the cost to riders of public transport would lower private transport energy consumption. For cities in developing countries, demographic variables (population size and urban density) are particularly important in determining private transport energy consumption. Also, private transport energy consumption is considerably less price sensitive in those developing country cities compared to cities in the most developed countries. |
| Keywords: | urban density; STIRPAT; transport energy demand; city-based data |
| JEL: | O18 Q50 Q54 R14 R40 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52089&r=env |
| By: | Jean-Louis COMBES; Pascale COMBES MOTEL; Alexandru MINEA; Patrick VILLIEU |
| Abstract: | Most of countries covered by natural forests are developing countries, with limited ability to levy taxes and restrained access to international credit markets; consequently, they are amenable to draw heavily on two sources of government financing, namely seigniorage and deforestation revenues. First, we develop a theoretical model emphasizing a substitution effect between seigniorage and deforestation revenues. Second, a panel-data econometric analysis over the 1990-2010 period confirms our findings. Consequently, a tighter monetary policy hastens deforestation. Third, we extend the theoretical model and show that international transfers dedicated to forest protection can upturn the positive link between tighter monetary policies and deforestation, and then discuss the relevance of this finding with respect to recent institutional arrangements. |
| Keywords: | deforestation, seigniorage, inflation, developing countries, Panel Data Analysis |
| JEL: | O13 Q23 E42 E52 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdi:wpaper:1492&r=env |
| By: | Yoichi Otsubo (LSF) |
| Abstract: | This study provides a case that the Thompson Waller estimator would have downward bias, which has not been carefully discussed in the literature. Such case is that (i) the buy (sell) order tends to follow buy (sell) order and (ii) the price change associated to such orders are small. The upward bias of the TW estimator would be canceled out by the downward bias, and in such case the estimator would perform better than the other absolute price change methods. The application to the European Union Allowances futures contract trading implies that its trading pattern and the price change provide the conditions that reduce the bias of the Thompson-Waller estimator. Lastly, the Madhavan-Richardson-Roomans model is applied to examine the spread component of the market. A dominance of asymmetric information component in the spread is found. The fraction of the spread attributable to that component increases gradually during the observation period. |
| Keywords: | "carbon; bid-ask spreads; futures market; European Union Allowances;" |
| JEL: | C13 G12 G13 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crf:wpaper:12-6&r=env |
| By: | Liesebach, Mirko; Degen, Bernd; Grotehusmann, Helmut; Janßen, Alwin; Konnert, Monika; Rau, Hans-Martin; Schirmer, Randolf; Schneck, Dagmar; Schneck, Volker; Steiner, Wilfried; Wolf, Heino |
| Abstract: | Der Klimawandel zählt zu den zentralen Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts. Dem umweltfreundlichen, CO2-speichernden und ressourcenschonenden Rohstoff Holz kommt bei den Anstrengungen, den unerwünschten Folgen dieser Entwicklung entgegenzuwirken, eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Mit der Suche nach CO2-neutralen Energiequellen und steigenden Energiepreisen steigt die Nachfrage nach Holz stetig. Holz wird aber nicht nur vom Energiesektor (Wärmebereich, Stromerzeugung, Biokraftstoffe) verstärkt nachgefragt, auch im stofflich-mechanischen und im chemischen Bereich werden hohe Wachstumsraten prognostiziert. Aus diesem Grund ist es notwendig, eine Vorsorgestrategie zu entwickeln, um den künftigen Herausforderungen zu begegnen. Einen wichtigen Ansatzpunkt bildet dabei die Forstpflanzenzüchtung mit der Bereitstellung von hochwertigem, leistungsstarkem und widerstandsfähigem Saat- und Pflanzgut. Die 3. Tagung zur Waldstrategie 2020 des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz (BMELV) und der im November 2011 vom Thünen-Institut für Forstgenetik und der Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR) organisierte BMELV-Workshop 'Forstpflanzenzüchtung' in Berlin gaben einen guten Überblick zum aktuellen Stand der Arbeiten, zu den enormen Potentialen, aber auch zu dem deutlichen Nachholbedarf Deutschlands in diesem Bereich im Vergleich zu anderen Ländern. Wichtiges Ziel der Züchtung ist die Bereitstellung von Vermehrungsgut, das anpassungsfähig und leistungsstark genug ist, um den erwarteten Umweltänderungen bei der Erfüllung aller Waldfunktionen gerecht zu werden. Der Workshop machte klar, dass Forstpflanzenzüchtung in Deutschland diese großen Anforderungen der Zukunft nur erreichen und sichtbare Erfolge liefern kann, wenn alle verbliebenen Bundes- und Landeseinrichtungen, die Züchtung betreiben, unter Teilung der Aufgaben noch enger zusammenarbeiten und die Finanzierung nicht nur kurzfristig, sondern auch mittelfristig für einen Zeitraum von mindestens 15 Jahren gesichert ist. [...] -- |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtire:7&r=env |
| By: | Mateo Cordier (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456); Martin O'Connor (REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) : EA4456) |
| Abstract: | Dans cet article, une démarche méthodologique est proposée pour permette d'étudier les interactions entre les activités économiques et l'environnement. La démarche consiste à intégrer au sein d'un modèle input-output les services écosystémiques intermédiaires (principalement des services d'auto-entretien et de régulation), c'est-à-dire les services qui conditionnent l'existence de tous les autres services écosystémiques nécessaires à la survie et aux activités de l'homme. La démarche est testée sur un cas d'étude réel, celui de la restauration des habitats de nourriceries de l'estuaire de la Seine. La simulation de scénarios de restauration montre que malgré des coûts de mise en oeuvre très importants, l'impact macroéconomique est négligeable. A l'échelle sectorielle par contre, l'effet des coûts est conséquent pour trois secteurs. Quant à l'impact écologique, il est positif et conduit à une augmentation conséquente des stocks de poissons produits par les habitats naturels de l'estuaire. Par sa capacité à quantifier les compromis et arbitrages entre différents usages des services écosystémiques, la démarche méthodologique développée dans ce papier constitue un outil prometteur pour les processus de décision participatifs. |
| Keywords: | services écosystémiques; analyse input-output; habitats marins |
| Date: | 2012–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00911659&r=env |