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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Joseph V. Spadaro; Sérgio H. Faria; Anil Markandya |
| Abstract: | The transportation sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around one-quarter of current annual emissions. Surface transportation (passenger vehicles, buses, rail, and freight transportation) contributes 75% of total emissions, with the remaining 25% allocated equally between air and water transport. According to the recently released 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC (September 2013), the transportation sector is expected to grow significantly in future years, particularly in rapidly developing countries around the world, and will therefore be one of a few key drivers of increasing global warming. Unless there is a major political effort and consumer willingness to change current energy consumption patterns and travel modes over the next few decades, transport-related emissions are likely to double by 2050 relative to levels observed in 2010. Because of the contribution of transportation to climate change and its impact on urban air quality, a comparative assessment of potential carbon emission reductions and health benefits of reduced particulate matter emissions was undertaken considering several low carbon pathways for development of the urban road transport sector up to 2050. As a result, we conclude that aggressive changes will be needed to scale back future emissions by 20% (or more) compared to present day emissions. These changes will impact vehicle fuel economy (+50%), urban mobility patterns (lower private car demand and greater use of public transportation), choice of alternative fuels (less use of petroleum-based fuels and greater use of biofuels and electrons) and electricity generation mix (greater use of renewables, carbon capture technologies for limiting fossil fuel carbon emissions, and/or nuclear energy). Public acceptance is fundamental to bring about changes in consumer attitudes and behaviour. Given the long lead times required for research, development, demonstration and deployment of new technologies, the time to act is now if we are to limit the global mean surface temperature increase to within 2°C above preindustrial levels. |
| Keywords: | transportation; biofuels; climate change; low carbon pathways; carbon price; electricity decarbonisation; health impacts; DALY. |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bcc:wpaper:2013-14&r=env |
| By: | Bohringer, Christoph; Rutherford, Thomas F.; Springmannc, Marco |
| Abstract: | The Clean Development Mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol allows industrialized Annex I countries to offset part of their domestic emissions by investing in emissions-reduction projects in developing non-Annex I countries. Computable general equilibrium analysis of the Clean Development Mechanism's impacts so far mimics the Clean Development Mechanism as a sector emissions trading scheme, thereby overstating its potential to save climate change mitigation costs. This study develops a novel approach that represents the Clean Development Mechanism more realistically by compensating Clean Development Mechanism implementing sectors for additional abatement cost and by endogenizing Clean Development Mechanism credits as a function of investment. Compared with previous representations, the proposed approach is more consistent in its incentive structure and investment characteristics at the sector level. An empirical application of the new methodology demonstrates that the economy-wide cost savings from the Clean Development Mechanism tend to be lower than suggested by conventional modeling approaches while Clean Development Mechanism implementing sectors do not lose in output. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Economics,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Energy Production and Transportation,Economic Theory&Research,Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2013–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6720&r=env |
| By: | Hwang, In Chang |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the achievement and the limitation of our path to the stabilization of anthropogenic carbon emissions with economic growth using a stochastic Kaya model. The elasticity of carbon dioxide emissions with respect to anthropogenic drivers such as population, affluence, energy efficiency, fossil-fuel dependence, and emission factor is estimated using panel data of 132 countries from 1960 to 2010. Then the stochastic Kaya model is used for index decomposition analysis. Investigating the scale and the counteracting effects, I find that except a few countries like Germany, most countries have not achieved the goal of carbon reductions with economic growth. In addition, the current path of each nation does not guarantee the achievement of a global long-term goal of emissions reductions, say 50% by 2050 compared to the 1990 level. This is because the scale effect (the sum of the population and affluence effects) is so large that the current level of the technology effects can rarely offset carbon emissions. Should we achieve the global target for carbon reductions a significant amount of technology effects through stringent policy interventions need to be accompanied. |
| Keywords: | Climate policy; CO2 emissions; stochastic Kaya model; index decomposition analysis; LMDI |
| JEL: | Q54 Q56 Q57 |
| Date: | 2013–12–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52224&r=env |
| By: | Skurray, James H.; Pannell, David J. |
| Abstract: | Groundwater extraction can have varied and diffuse effects. Negative external effects may include costs imposed on other groundwater users and on surrounding ecosystems. Environmental damages are commonly not reflected in market transactions. Groundwater transfers have the potential to cause spatial redistribution, concentration, and qualitative transformation of the impacts from pumping. An economically and environmentally sound groundwater transfer scheme would ensure that marginal costs from trades do not exceed marginal benefits, accounting for all third-party impacts, including those of a non-monetary nature as well as delayed effects. This paper proposes a menu of possible management strategies that would help preclude unacceptable impacts by restricting transfers with certain attributes, ideally ensuring that permitted transfers are at least welfare-neutral. Management tools would require that transfers limit or reduce environmental impacts, and provide for the compensation of financial impacts. Three management tools are described. While these tools can limit impacts from a given level of extraction, they cannot substitute for sustainable overall withdrawal limits. Careful implementation of transfer limits and exchange rates, and the strategic use of management area boundaries, may enable a transfer system to restrict negative externalities mainly to monetary costs. Provision for compensation of these costs could be built in to the system. |
| Keywords: | Water markets, institutions, externalities, wetlands, Australia., Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q15 Q25 Q28 Q38 Q56 Q57 Q58 R14 R52 H41 H23 H11, |
| Date: | 2013–11–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:161074&r=env |
| By: | Allan, Corey; Kerr, Suzi |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a national dataset from 1980 to 2010 of valuations and sales data by land use category from Quotable Value New Zealand to explore patterns in and potential drivers of values of rural land in New Zealand over time. Increasing our understanding of the drivers of rural land values will aid in informing how climate change and environmental policy may influence these values. Climate change brings with it an increased likelihood of extreme weather events, for example drought conditions and severe storms, which could plausibly influence the value of rural land through their impacts on the productivity of land. It is also likely to have profound impacts on global commodity prices. Efficient climate change policy could have significant impacts on the profitability of ruminant agriculture. Who bears the losses depends critically on how land values respond to the profitability of different land uses. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Demand and Price Analysis, Financial Economics, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160191&r=env |
| By: | Fernandez, Mario Andres |
| Abstract: | Economic research on decadal climate variability (DCV) is scarce. DCV refers to ocean-related climate influences of duration from seven to twenty years. The DCV phenomena and their phases are associated with variations in crop and water yields. This paper examines the value of DCV information in the Missouri river basin using a mathematical programming model. The analysis shows the value of a perfect forecast is about 5.2 billion dollars, though 86% of this value can be obtained by a less perfect forecast based on already available data. Results show differential responses in major crops acreage and water usage. |
| Keywords: | Decadal climate variability, value of information, adaptation, crop insurance, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160199&r=env |
| By: | Shadbolt, Nicola; Valentine, Barbara |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Political Economy, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160562&r=env |
| By: | Hyytiainen, Kari; Ahlvik, Lassi; Ahtiainen, Heini; Artell, Janne; Dahlbo, Kim; Huhtala, Anni |
| Abstract: | This paper develops and applies a spatially explicit bioeconomic model to study trans-boundary nutrient pollution of the Baltic Sea. We combine catchment, marine and economic models covering the entire Baltic Sea region to weigh the costs of nutrient abatement and the benefits of improved water quality and solve for the socially optimal level of water protection. The overall benefits of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, the present convention on nutrient abatement, clearly outweigh the costs. Nevertheless, the total cost could be almost halved if the mix of measures and the regional targets were planned in a spatially cost-effective manner and if the consequent reductions of nitrogen and phosphorus, the two nutrients causing eutrophication, were better balanced. Policy optimizations, however, suggest that the socially optimal level of nutrient abatement is somewhat lower than the more ambitious level envisaged by the convention. The welfare gains from cost sharing that makes the socially optimal level of nutrient abatement worthwhile for all littoral countries would be 100 million euros annually. |
| Keywords: | cost-effectiveness, environmental valuation, eutrophication, integrated assessment modelling, nitrogen, optimization, phosphorus, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:mttfdp:160728&r=env |
| By: | Bell, Brian |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Public Economics, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160193&r=env |
| By: | Duncan, Ronlyn |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160198&r=env |
| By: | Skurray, James H.; Roberts, E.J.; Pannell, David J. |
| Abstract: | Perth, Western Australia (pop. 1.6m) derives 60% of its public water supply from the Gnangara groundwater system (GGS). Horticulture, domestic self-supply, and municipal parks are other major consumers of GGS groundwater. The system supports important wetlands and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Underlying approximately 2,200 km2 of the Swan Coastal Plain, the GGS comprises several aquifer levels with partial interconnectivity. Supplies of GGS groundwater are under unprecedented stress, due to reduced recharge and increases in extraction. Stored reserves in the superficial aquifer fell by 700 GL between 1979 and 2008. Over a similar period, annual extraction for public supply increased by more than 350% from the system overall. Some management areas are over-allocated by as much as 69%. One potential policy response is a trading scheme for groundwater use. There has been only limited trading between GGS irrigators. Design and implementation of a robust groundwater trading scheme faces hydrological and/or hydro-economic challenges, among others. Groundwater trading involves transfers of the right to extract water. The resulting potential for spatial (and temporal) redistribution of the impacts of extraction requires management. Impacts at the respective selling and buying locations may differ in scale and nature. Negative externalities from groundwater trading may be uncertain as well as not monetarily compensable. An ideal groundwater trading scheme would ensure that marginal costs from trades do not exceed marginal benefits, incorporating future effects and impacts on thirdparties. If this condition could be met, all transactions would result in constant or improved overall welfare. This paper examines issues that could reduce public welfare if groundwater trading is not subject to well-designed governance arrangements that are appropriate to meeting the above condition. It also outlines some opportunities to address key risks within the design of a groundwater trading scheme. We present a number of challenges, focusing on those with hydrological bases and/or information requirements. These include the appropriate hydrological definition of the boundaries of a trading area, the establishment and defining of sustainable yield and consumptive pool, and the estimation of effects of extractions on ecosystems and human users. We suggest several possible design tools. A 2 combination of sustainable extraction limits, trading rules, management areas, and/or exchange rates may enable a trading scheme to address the above goals. |
| Keywords: | Groundwater trading, water markets, institutions, sustainable yield, externalities, consumptive pool., Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q15 Q25 Q28 Q38 Q56 Q57 Q58 R14 R52 H41 H23 H11, |
| Date: | 2013–11–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:161073&r=env |
| By: | Jenkins, Bryan |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews the progress to date of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and identifies key developments and emerging issues. The paper examines the provision of storage, water use efficiency, environmental flow adjustments, nutrients from land use intensification, biodiversity enhancements and kaitiakitanga. The collaborative process has led to some more sustainable changes. One is the use of off-river storage and tributary storage as alternatives to mainstem storage. A second is improved environmental flow regimes by increasing minimum flows and reducing allocations at low flows; but enabling access to allocations at higher flows and providing time to adjust to new requirements. The parallel achievement of reduced nitrate loads and increased irrigation areas is proving problematic. Water use efficiency is advancing on some fronts – piped distribution replacing canal distribution and ongoing conversions to spray irrigation – but not on others – soil moisture demand irrigation and reallocation of surface and groundwater use to enhance recharge. Biodiversity enhancements and incorporating kaitiakitanga in water management are showing positive progress. Some of the key emerging issues include the allocation of nitrate capacity between existing and new users, and, the need for increased capacity for predictive modelling and field measurement to improve management of the use of scarce water and the cumulative effects of its use. |
| Keywords: | water storage, water use efficiency, nutrient management, biodiversity, kaitiakitanga, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160265&r=env |
| By: | Doole, Graeme |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160196&r=env |
| By: | Miller, Sini; Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline |
| Abstract: | Canterbury freshwater management is the focus of important decisions with significant challenges. Applying choice modelling, this study explores how Canterbury residents value freshwater attributes related to environmental, economic, social and cultural elements of wellbeing. In particular, this study explores how values for Māori cultural element of water resource relate to the other elements. Results indicate that people value all freshwater attributes considered here, with highest willingness to pay for environmental benefits followed by cultural, recreational and employment benefits. The preference ranking can provide useful information for prioritisation of Canterbury freshwater management objectives. |
| Keywords: | CHOICE MODELLING, FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT, WILLINGNESS TO PAY, CULTURAL VALUES, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160269&r=env |
| By: | Hunt, Lesley; Rosin, Chris; Campbell, Hugh; Fairweather, John |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160263&r=env |
| By: | Yang, Yuwen; Cullen, Ross; Hearnshaw, Edward; Macdonald, Ian |
| Keywords: | Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160563&r=env |
| By: | Saunders, Caroline; Guenther, Meike; Tait, Peter; John, Saunders |
| Abstract: | This study examined consumer attitudes towards food attributes and origins, alongside consumer’s willingness to pay (WTP) for food certified for these attributes in China, India and the UK. The study used surveys including a choice experiment undertaken in each country. The economic impact of the WTP for food certification in each of these countries on New Zealand was also assessed using a partial equilibrium trade model. Results showed environmental, social and basic attributes in food products were valued positively by consumers in all countries, with WTP up to 77 per cent extra for food products certified for various attributes. |
| Keywords: | WILLINGNESS TO PAY, CHOICE EXPERIMENT, TRADE MODELLING, FOOD LABELLING, SUSTAINABILITY, CROSS-COUNTRY COMPARISON, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160561&r=env |
| By: | Parminter, Terry; Greenberg, Emily |
| Abstract: | This paper describes further progress in a new approach to stakeholder consultation for policies about agricultural land uses and water quality in rural waterways; a process that was begun early in 2012. The initial consultation events provided the basis for a future draft of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s regional plan. As the next step in the consultation process, a workshop was held in late 2012 to which a range of stakeholders were invited. At the workshop, stakeholders considered ways to resolve possible conflicts in the possible policies and rules, and they suggested ways that the policies could be improved. In general, the participants supported the overall direction of the policies and rules and they had ideas about how they could be made more practical for landowners. Participants encouraged Greater Wellington Regional Council to work with primary industry organisations to encourage the use of preferred management practices through voluntary methods. Consistency and fairness was very important to the workshop participants and they did not want the policies to make exceptions for particular groups of landowners. The more exceptions to the general rules that were suggested the more that other participants wanted greater monitoring and enforcement by the Regional Council so that environmental bottom lines were still going to be protected. |
| Keywords: | rural, landuse, policy, rules, regional council, regional plan, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160560&r=env |
| By: | Olubode-Awosola, Femi; Paragahawewa, Upananda Herath; Upsdell, Martin; Vattala, Don |
| Abstract: | In this study, we have assessed the economic impact of potential increase in supply reliability of irrigation water in the Hinds Plains Area in the Ashburton district. The Hinds catchment has a number of irrigation schemes namely, Rangitata Diversion Race (provides water for Mayfield Hinds and Valetta Schemes), Barrhill Chertsey, Eiffelton and Lynford Schemes. All these schemes have varying supply reliability which ranges from 40% to 80% approximately. First, we estimated the relationship between water availability and pasture growth using experimental data. We then employed this relationship to estimate the potential incremental pasture growth with assumed increased supply reliability (95%) at farm level. We estimated the farm level benefit of increased pasture production in terms of saved costs in supplementary feed. These farm level estimates were used to assess the catchment level farm income gain. The catchment level income gain was then employed to assess the regional level economic gain (GDP and employment) by the socio-accounting matrix input-output model (SAMI-O) simulation. Income gain at catchment level is estimated to vary from $16 to $17million. This implies an additional gain in regional level income (GDP) of $85 to $91million and additional employment of 137 FTE to 207 FTE. The study indicates the importance of an increase in irrigation efficiency at farm level for the local and regional economy and also discusses the potential environmental impacts of increase irrigation efficiency at catchment level. |
| Keywords: | water, supply reliability, SAMI-O input-output modeling, irrigation, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160419&r=env |
| By: | Baker-Galloway, Maree |
| Abstract: | In assessing the regional management of farming activities on water quality, this paper focuses solely on the mechanisms contained in regional plans as at August 2013. It does not assess how particular councils implement their plans, nor has it correlated particular planning mechanisms and styles with particular water quality trends or farming productivity and profitability. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160192&r=env |
| By: | Skurray, James H. |
| Abstract: | The Gnangara groundwater system in Western Australia occupies some 2,200 km2, supports multiple ecological systems and human uses, and is under unprecedented stress due to reduced rainfall and over-extraction. The basin is currently managed according to command and control principles, by the state's Department of Water. This paper examines some of Ostrom's "situational variables" for the analysis of institutional choice - the self-provision of institutional arrangements in common-pool resources situations - as they relate to the Gnangara case. The paper approaches the topic of collective governance not as a niche concept which may be fitted only to certain specific cases, but as a basic and natural mode of human co-operation and interaction when faced with inter-dependent interests and in the absence of militating factors. We therefore conduct the analysis from the perspective of identifying elements of the current management approach - as well as of the shared norms, expectations, and attitudes of the appropriators - which could be altered to allow collective governance to develop, at least at some scale within the overall management regime. We use data from a set of water licence documents obtained from the Department of Water, among other data sources. A number of factors are identified as inhibiting the development of collective governance at present. Current arrangements are top-down in nature, with all rules, monitoring, and enforcement supplied by the state-level management agency. Current norms and expectations among the appropriators appear to be competitive rather than co-operative, and discount rates appear to be high. In view of the size of the resource, and the large number and heterogeneity of appropriators, we conclude that the use of 'nested' organisational units - beginning at the smaller scale - will be a key component of efforts to develop the requisite social and institutional capital. Further, we conclude that there are several historical and other factors in this case whose net effect is to prejudice the unassisted development of collective governance institutions by appropriator efforts alone, and that significant external support will be required from government agencies. |
| Keywords: | Institutions, collective action, governance, common-pool resources, Australia, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q15 Q25 Q28 Q38 Q56 Q57 Q58 R14 R52 H41 H23 H11, |
| Date: | 2013–11–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:161075&r=env |
| By: | Yao, Richard; Harrison, Duncan; Barry, Luke; Bradley, Tom |
| Abstract: | This study examined the benefits of establishing exotic Pinus radiata forests in New Zealand. In the first part of the study, a sensitivity analysis was carried out by using an existing afforestation data set to identify the factors affecting the private benefit of establishing exotic forests on marginal land. In the second part, a spatial economic framework was used to examine the private and public benefits from forests that were established between 1996 and 2009. Results indicate that recently established forests in less productive land provide lower private benefit but higher public benefit than forests established in more productive land. |
| Keywords: | exotic forests, spatial analysis, ecosystem services, private benefits, public benefits, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160564&r=env |
| By: | Heuson, Clemens |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the outcome of non-cooperative national efforts in combatting global pollu-tion problems when governments are elected by their citizens. It is well-known that the latter tend to vote governments that are less 'green' than the median voter in order to commit to lower national mitigation efforts, which further increases the inefficiently high amount of global emis-sions. However, the present paper shows that the option of self-protection against environmen-tal damages, which has been invariably neglected in the relevant literature to date, alleviates or even completely offsets such strategic delegation and the related adverse effects. -- |
| Keywords: | strategic delegation,global pollution problems,self-protection,non-cooperative behaviour |
| JEL: | C72 D72 H41 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ufzdps:182013&r=env |
| By: | Bigsby, Hugh; Ling, Ling |
| Abstract: | Selection logging in the tropics is increasingly moving to systems that reduce the impact of harvesting operations on forests and soils. While much of the focus has been on modifying the tractor logging system using RIL principles, alternative harvesting systems have also been introduced. One of the alternative systems is the use of helicopters, which eliminates the need for skid trails and reduces the number of roads required. WTK pioneered helicopter logging in Malaysia when it started using the helicopter logging system in Sarawak in the early 1990’s. Beginning in 2002, the company started using Sikorsky helicopters and since then has used three different models, including the Sikorsky 61F, 64E and 64F. While the use of helicopters creates a significant improvement in environmental impact of logging, the operating cost of helicopters is also significantly higher. Given the cost of using helicopters, a key element of harvest planning is understanding the factors that influence productivity. This paper provides an analysis of logging productivity in the tropics for the Sikorsky helicopters using daily production data collected by WTK on three different timber licenses between 2002 and 2009. The regression results show that average hourly volume produced is a function of the average distance flown per turn, the weighted average number of logs carried per turn, and the type of helicopter. The results also show the importance of pre-harvest inventory and planning that ensures that helicopters are used productively. |
| Keywords: | reduced impact logging, helicopter logging, productivity, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, reduced impact logging, helicopter logging, productivity, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160195&r=env |
| By: | Petrolia, Daniel R.; Hwang, Joonghyun; Landry, Craig E.; Coble, Keith H. |
| Abstract: | This paper presents one of very few analyses of the decision to undertake wind mitigation measures, and the only study to analyze the decision to purchase wind coverage for individuals whose standard homeowner’s policy excludes wind. A simultaneous mixed-process approach is used that allows for correlated disturbances across probit (insurance) and tobit (mitigation) equations. Results indicate a positive correlation between the errors of the insurance and mitigation models; conditioning on covariates, households that hold wind insurance tend to engage in greater levels of wind mitigation. Thus, the data imply two types – households that purchase insurance and mitigate and others that do neither. |
| Keywords: | mitigation, risk preferences, risk perceptions, wind insurance, wind pool, Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2013–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:misswp:160462&r=env |
| By: | Murray, Stephen J.; Satishkumar, Meena; Marfell-Jones, Alice |
| Abstract: | The Agriculture Production Survey and Annual Enterprise Survey were analysed as part of a redesign of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Farm Monitoring Programme. These data sets are hosted by Statistics New Zealand, and access is possible for accredited researchers. This paper is intended to 1) provide examples of the types of analyses possible using these data sets, and 2) describe key lessons from our experiences. |
| Keywords: | Primary industries, research, financial, Statistics New Zealand, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160416&r=env |
| By: | Greenhalgh, Jill; Rawlinson, Phillipa |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to investigate the social influence that the recent growth of dairying has had in Southland. Over 60 semi-structured and informal interviews were undertaken with a wide cross-section of organisations and individuals. Quantitative data was used to complement the qualitative data. The growth of dairying has provided sheep farmers with more farming options through dairy support and increasing their equity. It has created downstream employment for dairy services and suppliers and, consequently, more employment opportunities. Rural communities are being revitalised through the influx of younger people. Primary schools are more multicultural and their roll decline has been arrested, but the transience associated with dairying creates problems. Community relationships have been affected by the different values of dairy farmers. Their occupational demands also affect their ability to participate in community activities. Southlanders perceive that dairying does impact on the environment with iwi recognising a loss of some traditional food sources. However, most participants believe environmentally-related compliance is improving. The overall finding is that dairying has revitalised an ailing Southland economy by creating a wider range of employment opportunities, drawing in a more youthful population, and generating a more diversified economic base. |
| Keywords: | Southland, dairy farming, social influences, diversification, employment, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160200&r=env |
| By: | Huy, Hoang; Lyne, Michael; Ratna, Nazmun; Nuthall, Peter |
| Abstract: | This research investigates the efficiency and equity impacts of the cropland rental market in rural Vietnam and attempts to identify the determinants and importance of transaction costs impeding this market. A generalised ordered logit model with shifting thresholds accounting for effects of transaction costs associated with market participation was specified and estimated using pooled data extracted from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Surveys of 2004 and 2008. The findings show that the cropland rental market reduced imbalances in factor endowments, transferring cropland to those households more willing and able to farm. Equity advantages were also revealed as cropland transferred from relatively land-rich to relatively land-poor households, allowing young farmers to ‘scale the agricultural ladder’. However, the market is constrained by transaction costs that effect lessors and lessees differently. It is recommended that the Vietnamese government should complete its land registration programme and consider relaxing restrictions on the use of wetlands to grow crops other than rice. It should also focus on improving access to all-weather roads as this encourages participation on both sides of the rental market whereas better access to communications infrastructure was found to promote only the supply side. |
| Keywords: | Vietnam, 2003 land law, rental market, transaction costs, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2013–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar13:160264&r=env |
| By: | Quaas, Martin F.; Stoeven, Max T. |
| Abstract: | Renewable resources provide society with resource rent and surpluses for resource users (the processing industry, consumers) and owners of production factors (capital and labor employed in resource harvesting). We show that resource users and factor owners may favor inefficiently high harvest rates up to open-access levels. This may explain why public resource management is often very inefficient. We further show that privatizing inefficiently managed resources would cause losses for resource users and factor owners, unless (a) the stock is severely depleted and (b) the discount rate is low. We quantify our results for the Northeast Arctic Cod fishery -- |
| Keywords: | resource rent,consumer surplus,worker surplus,distribution,political economy |
| JEL: | Q28 D33 D72 Q57 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cauewp:201202r&r=env |
| By: | Bachev, Hrabrin; Yovchevska, Plamena; Mitova, Dilyana; Toteva, Desislava; Mitov, Anton |
| Abstract: | This study is a part of the research project on “Eco-management in agriculture” funded by the Agricultural Academy with period of implementation 2013-2014. This report summarizes the results of the first year and includes: - state of the studies in the area; - theoretical and methodological framework of analysis of eco-management in agriculture; - review of experiences of EU and other developed countries in eco-management in agriculture; - framework for analyzing, assessment and improvement of eco-management in Bulgarian agriculture; - analysis of evolution of institutional environment during transformation and European integration of Bulgarian agriculture; - analysis of the development of market, private and public modes of eco-management during transformation and European integration of Bulgarian agriculture; - analysis of the development and the importance of organic farming in recent years; - analysis of ecological culture of agricultural producers; - analysis of ecologization of grape and wine sector; - identification of major ecological problems, risks and challenges in Bulgarian agriculture; - conclusions. Detailed information for the project is available at: http://iae-eko.alle.bg/ |
| Keywords: | agri-eco-governance; market; private; public modes; agricultural transition; EU integration; Bulgaria |
| JEL: | O1 O13 O17 Q12 Q13 Q15 Q18 Q24 Q25 Q26 Q28 Q53 Q56 Q57 Q58 |
| Date: | 2013–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:52202&r=env |