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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Kibonge Naik, Aziza |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:172350&r=env |
| By: | Moss, Jonathan; Cacho, Oscar |
| Abstract: | Carbon mitigation through land-use change and forestry has received considerable attention as a low-cost method of addressing climate change. However, spatial and productive heterogeneity is often lost in broader scale analyses frequently used to inform climate mitigation policy. Most research to date does not integrate these analyses with transaction costs; often a significant barrier to implementation. This paper demonstrates a technique for assessing project feasibility while considering both transaction costs and spatial heterogeneity. Ignoring farm heterogeneity was found to significantly overestimate both the market price of carbon and quantity of carbon sequestration required before projects become feasible. |
| Keywords: | carbon markets, transaction costs, project feasibility, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar14:187402&r=env |
| By: | Badau, Flavius |
| Keywords: | shadow price, distance function, non-market valuation, carbon market, carbon dioxide, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170172&r=env |
| By: | Yao, Richard; Harrison, D; Monge, Juan; Velarde, Sandra |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar14:187711&r=env |
| By: | Surender Kumar (University of Delhi, India); Shunsuke Managi (Tohoku University) |
| Abstract: | Climate and institutions might be crucial in lowering the vagaries of climate change impacts in terms of productivity. This study measures the relationships of productivity measures adjusted for the regulation of carbon emission and institutions together with climate change throughout the world. This paper finds there is higher potential for reduction of CO2 emissions in developing countries at lower cost. However, the cost to reduce emissions lowers their growth potential in terms of lost productivity growth. Better institutions help to lower the negative impacts of climate change by improving the process of technological adoption in developing countries. Climate change reduces the productivity growth in developing countries by lowering the process of technological adoption, and better institutions result in higher productivity. |
| Keywords: | Carbon Sensitive Productivity, Climate, Institutions, Efficiency |
| JEL: | Q25 Q32 C61 D24 O12 P24 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kch:wpaper:sdes-2014-15&r=env |
| By: | Matthew E. Kahn; Randall Walsh |
| Abstract: | This paper surveys recent literature examining the relationship between environmental amenities and urban growth. In this survey, we focus on the role of both exogenous attributes such as climate and coastal access as well as endogenous attributes such as local air pollution and green space. A city's greenness is a function of both its natural beauty and is an emergent property of the types of households and firms that locate within its borders and the types of local and national regulations enacted by voters. We explore four main issues related to sustainability and environmental quality in cities. First, we introduce a household locational choice model to highlight the role that environmental amenities play in shaping where households locate within a city. We then analyze how ongoing suburbanization affects the carbon footprint of cities. Third, we explore how the system of cities is affected by urban environmental amenity dynamics and we explore the causes of these dynamics. Fourth, we review the recent literature on the private costs and benefits of investing in "green" buildings. Throughout this survey, we pay careful attention to empirical research approaches and highlight what are open research questions. While much of the literature focuses on cities in the developed world, we anticipate that similar issues will be of increased interest in developing nation's cities. |
| JEL: | Q4 Q5 R1 R3 R4 |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20503&r=env |
| By: | Marshall, Liz; Aillery, Marcel; Malcolm, Scott; Williams, Ryan |
| Abstract: | General circulation models predict significant and accelerating changes in local patterns of precipitation and temperature over the next century. The vulnerability of agriculture to climate change will depend on both the biophysical impacts of climate change on crop yields and on the agricultural system’s ability to adapt to changing production conditions. Shifts in the extent and distribution of irrigated and dryland production are a potentially important adaptation response. Farmer flexibility to adapt may be limited, however, by changing availability of irrigation water under future climate conditions. This study uses a suite of models to explore the biophysical and economic impacts of climate change on U.S. fieldcrop production under several potential future climate projections, and the potential limits and opportunities for adaptation arising from shifting regional water balances. Study findings suggest that the impacts of irrigation shortage on cropland use vary by region but that the net impacts on national production of surface-water irrigation shortages attributable to climate change are small relative to the direct biophysical impacts of climate change on yield. |
| Keywords: | climate change, adaptation, agriculture, irrigation shortage, water resources, Regional Environment and Agriculture Programming (REAP) model, regional crop production, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2014–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:177185&r=env |
| By: | Zehetmeier, Monika; Hoffmann, Helmut; Sauer, Johannes; O'Brien, Donal |
| Keywords: | GHG emissions, land use, beef, milk, dairy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170325&r=env |
| By: | Siriwardana, Mahinda |
| Abstract: | This paper examines both economic and environmental impacts of the two new free trade agreements (FTAs) that Australia has recently negotiated with Japan and South Korea using the GTAP-E general equilibrium model. We analyse two trade policy scenarios: first a ‘Free trade scenario’ where bilateral tariffs are eliminated between Australia and Japan, and Australia and South Korea; second a ‘Green trade scenario’ where the ‘Free trade scenario’ is complemented by an environmental policy using an emissions trading scheme (ETS). The results indicate that two trade agreements enhance Australia’s trade at a modest expense on the environment. The paper illustrates that an ETS between Australia, Japan and Korea is an expensive policy to mitigate emissions arising from FTAs. |
| Keywords: | Free Trade Agreement, Australia, GTAP-E model, Emissions, Emissions Trading Scheme, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar14:187405&r=env |
| By: | Catherine Benjamin (CREM UMR CNRS 6211, University of Rennes 1, France); Isabelle Cadoret (CREM UMR CNRS 6211, University of Rennes 1, France); Marie-Hélène Hubert (CREM UMR CNRS 6211, University of Rennes 1, France) |
| Abstract: | We investigate the carbon emission trends among the Member States by testing the assumption of -type convergence for per capita CO2 emissions, conditional upon per capita output and energy use per capita. Our results reveal that: EU-15 countries switch to a less carbon intensive economy from the early nineties, e-g, the relation emission growth/income is strictly negative. This result is robust to the inclusion of the new Member States. Thus, we argue that the decline in EU carbon emissions s a long term-trend and not the result of the economic crisis. Then, we discuss the eectiveness of the 20/20/20 climate package and the burden-sharing agreement. Some countries like Germany and Great-Britain can meet their carbon target without putting more eorts. Other historical Member States like France, Luxembourg, Sweden and Belgium can meet their carbon target by decreasing their energy use by 10%, ceteris paribus. Most of the New Member States can reach their target by increasing their energy per capita to the 1990 level while stabilizing their carbon emissions. This implies that their investment in renewable energy should be substantial. |
| Keywords: | Convergence, Dynamic Panel Data Models, Carbon Dioxide, European-Union, Climate Policy |
| JEL: | Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tut:cremwp:201415&r=env |
| By: | Barns, Sandra |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar14:187722&r=env |
| By: | Ji, Yongjie; Rabotyagov, Sergey; Kling, Catherine L. |
| Abstract: | In this research, we propose a framework to connect SWAT model with a dynamic discrete choice based land use model. With the recent years of cropland data layers published by NASS, USDA and data complied from other sources, we apply this framework to land use change in Upper-Mississippi River Basin in different scenarios and evaluate water quality consequences associated with induced land use change. |
| Keywords: | dynamic land use model, SWAT, water quality, climate change, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q15, Q22, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170640&r=env |
| By: | Spolador, Humberto F.S.; Smith, Rodney B.W. |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a multisector growth model to examine the potential effects of climate change and Brazilian agriculture. In keeping with the current literature, the model assumes climate (here temperature and rainfall) affects agricultural output via its impact on total factor productivity (TFP). We begin by estimating an aggregate agricultural technology for Brazil, with econometric results suggesting a strong relationship exists between rainfall, temperature and agricultural TFP. We then introduce the climate effects into a dynamic multisector growth model of Brazil. Model results suggest climate change could have a negative impact on agriculture, but benefit manufacturing, with long run agricultural output per unit of labor being less than half of agricultural output per worker in a no climate change world. |
| Keywords: | Climate Changes, agricultural growth, multisector growth model, Environmental Economics and Policy, Productivity Analysis, O10, O11, Q1, |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170294&r=env |
| By: | Maria José Gil-Moltó (University of Sheffield); Dimitrios Varvarigos (University of Leicester) |
| Abstract: | We compare economic and environmental outcomes under mixed and private oligopolies, in order to examine the effects of privatization when firms invest in abatement and emissions are taxed. We show that the number of competing firms in the market is an important factor in the determination of these effects. While privatization often involves a welfare trade-off, in the sense that higher (lower) output production implies higher(lower) pollution, there are also circumstances where it leads to both lower output and higher emissions simultaneously. Our results also indicate that privatization tends be associated with reductions in social welfare. |
| Keywords: | Privatization; Pollution; Abatement; Mixed Oligopoly |
| JEL: | L22 L32 Q52 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:shf:wpaper:2014018&r=env |
| By: | Ralf Martin |
| Abstract: | Policies on climate change that encourage 'clean innovation' while displacing 'dirty innovation' could have a positive impact on short-term economic growth while avoiding the potentially disastrous reduction in GDP that could result from climate change over the longer term. |
| Keywords: | Innovation spill-overs, Climate Change, Growth, Patents, Clean technology, Optimal climate policy |
| JEL: | O30 O44 Q54 Q55 Q58 H23 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:ceppap:017&r=env |
| By: | Esther Duflo; Michael Greenstone; Rohini Pande; Nicholas Ryan |
| Abstract: | In collaboration with a state environmental regulator in India, we conducted a field experiment to raise the frequency of environmental inspections to the prescribed minimum for a random set of industrial plants. The treatment was successful when judged by process measures, as treatment plants, relative to the control group, were more than twice as likely to be inspected and to be cited for violating pollution standards. Yet the treatment was weaker for more consequential outcomes: the regulator was no more likely to identify extreme polluters (i.e., plants with emissions five times the regulatory standard or more) or to impose costly penalties in the treatment group. In response to the added scrutiny, treatment plants only marginally increased compliance with standards and did not significantly reduce mean pollution emissions. To explain these results and recover the full costs of environmental regulation, we model the regulatory process as a dynamic discrete game where the regulator chooses whether to penalize and plants choose whether to abate to avoid future sanctions. We estimate this model using original data on 10,000 interactions between plants and the regulator. Our estimates imply that the costs of environmental regulation are largely reserved for extremely polluting plants. Applying the cost estimates to the experimental data, we find the average treatment inspection imposes about half the cost on plants that the average control inspection does, because the randomly assigned inspections in the treatment are less likely than normal discretionary inspections to target such extreme polluters. |
| JEL: | D22 L51 Q56 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20590&r=env |
| By: | Ortiz-Bobea, Ariel; Kim, Do-Hyung; Chen, Yanyou |
| Abstract: | The paper estimates the countervailing climatic factors driving the timing of US corn planting decisions. We combine very diverse sources of data, including daily fine-scale satellite-derived information, to infer the timing of planting decisions over the past 30 years at the county-level. We match this information with daily data on temperature and soil moisture conditions to assess their contributions to the planting decision. Using a panel logit model we find that warmer spring temperatures increase the probability of planting, while extremely low or high levels of moisture reduce it. We find that the levels of moisture necessary to fully offset the season-expanding effect of a temperature rise of 3ºC would need to be very extreme, suggesting that the growing season for corn is likely to expand with climate change. |
| Keywords: | agriculture, climate change, adaptation, planting dates, corn, temperature, soil moisture, panel logit, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q54, Q19, |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170674&r=env |
| By: | Ding, Jinxiu; McCarl, Bruce A. |
| Abstract: | Agricultural production and water resources are sensitive to climate variability and change. Decadal climate variability (DCV) phenomena are in the early stages of being explored. This paper investigates the economic value of DCV information in the Edwards Aquifer region of Texas as well as possible adaptation to that information. To do this we first do an econometric estimate of the impacts of DCV phase combinations on crop yields in the EA region, then we alter regional model to include DCV information. We find that the average economic value of perfect DCV information forecast is $40.76 million per year. And for a less perfect forecast in terms of knowing DCV information under transition probability, the average economic value is around $1.52 million per year. |
| Keywords: | Decadal Climate Variability, PDO, TAG, WPWP, Perfect Information, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Productivity Analysis, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170216&r=env |
| By: | Antoine Bommier (Chair for Integrative Risk Management and Economics - ETH Zurich); Bruno Lanz (Center for International Environmental Studies - Graduate Institute Geneva); Stéphane Zuber (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - CNRS : UMR8174 - Université Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne, EEP-PSE - Ecole d'Économie de Paris - Paris School of Economics - Ecole d'Économie de Paris) |
| Abstract: | We study the role of alternative intertemporal preference representations in a model of economic growth, stock pollutant and endogenous risk of catastrophic collapse. We contrast the traditional "discounted utility" model, which assumes risk neutrality with respect to intertemporal utility, with a multiplicative choice model that displays risk aversion in that dimension. First, we show that both representations of preferences can rationalize the same "business as usual" economy for a given interest rate and no pollution externality. Second, once we introduce a collapse risk whose hazard rate is a function of the pollution stock, multiplicative preferences recommend a much more stringent policy response. An illustration in the context of climate change indicates that switching to the multiplicative preference representation has a similar effect, in terms of policy recommendations, as scaling up the schedule of the hazard rate by a factor of 100. |
| Keywords: | Environmental policy; climate change; catastrophic risks; risk aversion; discounting |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00973491&r=env |
| By: | Ben Jebli, Mehdi; Ben Youssef, Slim; Apergis, Nicholas |
| Abstract: | This paper employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds methodological approach to investigate the relationship between economic growth, combustible renewables and waste consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and international tourism for the case of Tunisia spanning the period 1990-2010. The results from the Fisher statistic of both the Wald-test and the Johansen test confirm the presence of a long-run relationship among the variables under investigation. The stability of estimated parameters has been tested, while Granger causality tests recommend a short-run unidirectional causality running from economic growth and combustible renewables and waste consumption to CO2 emissions, a bidirectional causality between economic growth and combustible renewables and waste consumption and unidirectional causality running from economic growth and combustible renewables and waste consumption to international tourism. In the long-run, the error correction terms confirm the presence of bidirectional causality relationships between economic growth, CO2 emissions, combustible renewables and waste consumption and international tourism. Our long-run estimates show that combustible renewables and waste consumption increases international tourism, and both renewables and waste consumption and international tourism increase CO2 emissions and output. We recommend that: (i) Tunisia should use more combustible renewables and waste energy as this eliminates wastes from especially tourist zones and increases the number of tourist arrivals, leading to economic growth, and (ii) a fraction of this economic growth generated by the increase in combustible renewables and waste consumption should be invested in clean renewable energy production (i.e., solar, wind, geothermal) and energy efficiency projects. |
| Keywords: | Combustible renewables and waste; Tourism; Autoregressive distributed lag model; Cointegration; Granger causality; Tunisia. |
| JEL: | C32 O55 Q42 Q43 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–11–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:59827&r=env |
| By: | Garnache, Cloe; Merel, Pierre; Lee, Juhwan; Six, Johan |
| Abstract: | This article investigates the role of greenhouse gas (GHG) offset payment design on abatement efficiency in agriculture. We develop a regionally disaggregated positive mathematical programming model of California agriculture calibrated to economic and agronomic information. Regional yield and GHG emission responses to production practices are derived from a biophysical process model. The economic optimization model allows for simultaneous and continuous changes in water, nitrogen fertilizer, and tillage intensities, and captures crop substitution effects. Empirical results show that second-best policies relying on regionally aggregated emission factors lead to small abatement efficiency losses relative to the first-best policy with finer-scale emission factors. Because the costs of such second-best policies are substantially lower, this finding suggests that they could be cost-effective in California. In contrast, second-best policies targeting a single GHG or a single input entail significant abatement efficiency losses, which nonetheless can be reduced by combining policy instruments. |
| Keywords: | Greenhouse gas emission, agricultural production, pollution abatement, policy design, mathematical programming, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, C6, Q1, Q5, |
| Date: | 2014–05–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170718&r=env |
| By: | Duro Moreno, Juan Antonio; Teixidó Figueras, Jordi Josep |
| Abstract: | Typically, conflicts in world environmental negotiations are related, amongst other aspects, to the level of polarization of the countries in groups with conflicting interests. Given the predictable relationship between polarization and conflict, it would seem logical to evaluate the degree to which the distribution of countries – for example, in terms of their CO2 emissions per capita – would be structured through groups which in themselves are antagonistic, as well as their evolution over time. This paper takes the concept of polarization to explore this distribution for the period 1992-2010, looking at different analytic approaches related to the concept. Specifically, it makes a comparative evaluation of the results associated with endogenous multi-polarization measures (i.e. EGR and DER indices), exogenous measures (i.e. Z-K or multidimensional index) and strict bipolarization measures (i.e. Wolfson’s measure). Indeed, the interest lies not only in evaluating the global situation of polarization by comparing the different approaches and their temporal patterns, but also in examining the explanatory capacity of the different proxy groups used as a possible reference for designing global environmental policy from a group premise. JEL codes: D39; Q43; Q56. Key words: polarization; carbon emissions; conflict; |
| Keywords: | Energia -- Aspectes econòmics, Desenvolupament sostenible, Grups de pressió, Emissions atmosfèriques, Anhídrid carbònic, Distribució de rendes, 33 - Economia, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urv:wpaper:2072/242277&r=env |
| By: | Ferris, Jeffrey |
| Keywords: | Land Use, Wildfire Hazard, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170342&r=env |
| By: | Zhang, Wendong |
| Abstract: | Using field-level data on cropping patterns and a survey of 7,500 farmers in western Lake Erie basin, we estimate farmers’ heterogeneous derived demand for phosphorus fertilizer that vary by both farmer and field characteristics. We combine these results with a spatially-explicit hydrological model to quantify the impacts of a fertilizer tax on fertilizer application rates, total and dissolved reactive phosphorus loadings. Finally, an efficiency frontier is constructed to quantify the trade-offs among predicted changes in agricultural profits, fertilizer application rates, and phosphorus loadings under a uniform fertilizer tax versus one that is targeted either spatially or based on farmer characteristics. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Q12, Q28, Q57, Q51, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170594&r=env |
| By: | Sun, Shanxia; Delgado, Michael S.; Sesmero, Juan |
| Abstract: | Policies that aim to mitigate water pollution from fertilizer use in agriculture include input-based and output-based policies. Both cost-effectiveness and the speed for policies to take effect are important for policy assessment. In this study, we found that fertilizer price policies cannot decrease fertilizer use significantly due to the insignificant effect of fertilizer price on fertilizer use. Contrarily, the fertilizer use is elastic to output price, and policies that impose tax on corn production or subsidize soybean production or both are able to mitigate water pollution form fertilizer use significantly. Policies that can increase labor supply in planting season may also have strong effect on mitigation of water pollution. The slow adjustment rate of land allocation suggests that policies that affect fertilizer use through motivating farmers’ land allocation adjustment from fertilizer-intensive crop to fertilizer-saving crop may be time costly. |
| Keywords: | water pollution, fertilizer use, policy assessment, land allocation adjustment, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170645&r=env |
| By: | Heindl, Peter; Wood, Peter J.; Jotzo, Frank |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effects of combining an international cap-and-trade scheme with national carbon taxes. We consider a two-country stochastic partial equilibrium model with log-normally distributed uncertainty. The situation is analogous to the situation where European countries impose national carbon taxes in addition to the EU emissions trading. The allowance price in the joint cap-and-trade scheme depends on the tax rate, the relative size of countries and abatement options, the magnitude of uncertainty, and correlation of abatement costs. In most cases, the additional tax will not lead to additional production of the public good beyond the fixed targets. The additional tax results in higher costs of abatement to the country introducing the additional tax, and higher costs overall. |
| Keywords: | prices vs. quantities,linking,cap-and-trade,carbon tax,uncertainty,EU Emissions Trading Scheme |
| JEL: | Q53 H23 H41 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:14086&r=env |
| By: | Robalino, Juan; Sandoval, Catalina; Villalobos, Laura; Alpizar, Francisco |
| Abstract: | We estimate local effects of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) programs on poverty in Costa Rica between 2007 and 2009. Using household surveys and spatial geographic data, we are able to control for socioeconomic and geographic characteristics at the individual and census tract level. We find that the effects are insignificant at a national level. However, this reflects countervailing forces. We find that PES coverage increases poverty in low-slope places and decreases poverty in high-slope places. These results are robust to demographic characteristics of the individuals. However, the magnitudes of the impacts are very low, even when they are statistically significant. We conclude that the PES program has not increased or decreased poverty substantially in Costa Rica. Policymakers could increase the impact on poverty by focusing their efforts in low-slope areas; however, as others have shown, such a focus could also reduce the impact on avoided deforestation. |
| Keywords: | payment for environmental services, poverty, impact evaluation, conservation policies, heterogeneous effects |
| JEL: | Q58 Q56 Q24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-14-12-efd&r=env |
| By: | Asian Development Bank (ADB); (Regional and Sustainable Development Department, ADB); ; |
| Abstract: | This publication showcases a compilation of project briefs culled from case studies of good practices, new approaches, and working models on sanitation and wastewater management from di erent countries. The project briefs demonstrate solution options from which useful lessons can be derived. Not only do they illustrate how sanitation and wastewater management challenges can be addressed, the project briefs also aim to inspire replication and show opportunities for actions and investments. Given the more complex water resource and health challenges in many parts of the world, it is time to engage in a rational analysis of all possible management strategies, learn from others’ experiences, apply innovative approaches, and tap potential markets. |
| Keywords: | sanitation services; Wastewater management; sanitation; toilet; wastewater; septage; ecosan; ecological sanitation; decentralized wastewater treatment; anaerobic baffled reactor; contructed wetland; small bore sewerage; simplified sewerage; biogas digester; water stabilization pond; duck weed; microfinancing; carbon credits; user fee; performance-based contract; public-private partnership; membranes; membrane bioreactor; on-site sanitatio'; toilet block; eco tanks; ikotanks; DEWATS; ABR; reed bed; reuse; nutrient recovery; biogas; recycling; pisciculture; eco lagoon; environmental sanitation; innovative financing; innovative technology; pollution reduction; reverse osmosis; microfiltration; ultrafiltration; biomass |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:asd:wpaper:rpt146362-2&r=env |
| By: | Woodard, Joshua D.; Verteramo Chiu, Leslie J.; Miller, Alyssa P. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170692&r=env |
| By: | Roy, René; Thomassin, Paul J. |
| Abstract: | The objectives of this research were to design and estimate an agricultural wealth account for the province of Quebec and to demonstrate how this information can be used in the decision making process. A hedonic pricing model was used to calculate the value of the agricultural wealth account based on the implicit prices of the attributes of the physical account. The estimated account includes both an estimate of the physical characteristics of the agricultural land inventory and the valuation of that inventory. The information generated from the wealth account will be used to illustrate its use to estimate “green GDP” for the agriculture sector and to account for land use and land use changes. Implicitly pricing the attributes of agricultural land provides a more flexible means of estimating the potential impact of agricultural land policy on the value of the wealth account. This method can fulfill an important informational gap about the behaviour of the asset facing various exogenous shocks. |
| Keywords: | Natural Resource Economics, Environmental and Non Market Valuation, Resource & Environmental Policy Analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170516&r=env |
| By: | Carola Kniebes; Katrin Rehdanz; Ulrich Schmidt |
| Abstract: | This paper establishes a new method for eliciting Willingness to Pay (WTP) in contingent valuation (CV) studies with an open-ended elicitation format: the Range-WTP method. In contrast to the traditional approach for eliciting Point-WTP, Range-WTP explicitly allows for preference uncertainty in responses. Using data from two novel large-scale surveys on the perception of solar radiation management (SRM), a little-known technique for counteracting climate change, we compare the performance of both methods in the field. In doing so, we use the criterion of theoretical validity and measure the degree to which WTP values are consistent with theoretical expectations. In addition, we analyse the test-retest reliability and stability of our results over time. Our evidence suggests that the Range-WTP method clearly outperforms the Point-WTP method |
| Keywords: | contingent valuation, willingness to pay, valuation uncertainty, willingness-to-pay range, open-ended elicitation, reliability, validity, preference uncertainty |
| JEL: | Q51 Q53 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kie:kieliw:1972&r=env |
| By: | He, Xiaoyang; Spink, Elizabeth; Khan, M. Jawad; Connelly, Nancy A.; Li, Shanjun; Poe, Gregory L. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014–07–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170534&r=env |
| By: | Sauer, Johannes; Finger, Robert |
| Keywords: | Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:172679&r=env |
| By: | Mathias Reynaert |
| Abstract: | Emission standards are one of the major policy tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The welfare e¤ects from this type of regulation depend on how  firms choose to abate emissions: by changing relative prices, by downsizing their flÂeet or by adopting technology. This paper studies the response of fi rms to a new emission standard in the European car market using panel data covering 1998-2011. The data show that  firms choose to comply with the regulation by adopting new technology. To evaluate the welfare effects of the regulation I estimate a structural model using data from before the policy announcement and explicitly test the ability of the model to explain the observed responses. I  find that, because the abatement is done by technology adoption, consumer welfare increases and overall welfare effects depend on market failures in the technology market. The design of the regulation matters to induce technology adoption. |
| JEL: | Q48 R48 L62 H23 |
| Date: | 2014–11–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jmp:jm2014:pre327&r=env |
| By: | Cai, Ruohong; Zhang, Xin; Kanter, David |
| Abstract: | The use of N fertilizer in agriculture is a major source of Nitrous Oxide, an important greenhouse gases. Market-based instruments, such as incentives or taxes, may help reduce Nitrous Oxide emission by changing Nitrogen application rate. Using a dynamic programming approach, we found that changing corn price or fertilizer price have effects on both farm profit and Nitrogen application rate. However, farm profit and Nitrogen rate always change in the same direction when affected by either input or output prices. Furthermore, as the corn price is relatively higher than the fertilizer price, changing the corn price is more effective in influencing Nitrogen rate, and thus Nitrous Oxide emission. This analysis can provide policymakers with useful information when designing Market-based tools to help reduce Nitrous Oxide emissions and mitigate global warming. |
| Keywords: | Nitrous Oxide Emissions, Dynamic Programming, Agricultural Prices, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2014–05–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170691&r=env |
| By: | Kurkalova, Lyubov |
| Abstract: | This article presents analysis and synthesis of findings concerning the problem of cost-effective placement of best management practices (BMPs) emerging from NIFA CEAP and the USDA NRCS jointly-funded competitive grant projects, and future research needs. The synthesis focuses on two fundamental aspects of the cost-effectiveness problem: (1) how to assess the location- and farmer-specific costs of BMP implementation, and (2) how to decide on which BMPs need to be implemented and where within a given watershed so that a given water quality goal is achieved with the lowest possible policy outlay or a given conservation policy budget results in the best possible water quality improvement. We find that data availability remains a significant limiting factor for capturing within-watershed variability in the costs. Evolutionary algorithms have shown to provide workable ways to identify cost-effective BMP placement even for large, diverse watersheds and large numbers of potential BMPs. Future research needs include furthering the investigation, both conceptually and empirically, of the impact of the uncertainty in the BMP costs and water quality improvement benefits within the cost-effectiveness problem, and the development of the models that could consistently integrate the estimates of BMP cost components developed using alternative modeling approaches and/or attained under alternative economic conditions and for alternative geographic regions. |
| Keywords: | BMPs, Watershed management, Water quality economics, Optimization, Cost-effective BMP placement, Costs of BMPs, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Q25, Q52, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:169768&r=env |
| By: | Nkansah, Kofi; Collins, Alan |
| Abstract: | In 2015, West Virginia will implement a Renewable and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act. Meeting these standards with either natural gas or wind power will generate different welfare impacts across society. In particular, this study examined how energy source and generation proximity influence consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for electricity. Using choice modelling, residents within two counties with distinct location characteristics (existing coal power plant or wind farm) were asked to choose between a renewable source (wind farm) and an alternative energy source (natural gas power plant). We also seek to determine how residents’ proximity to a hypothetical electricity generation facility (wind farm or natural gas generation source) influences their WTP for renewable and alternative electricity. Results showed that the sampled population in both counties were willing to pay a much higher positive premium to site a natural gas-fired power plant at a distances far from their residence compared to siting wind turbines at a similar distance. Compensation was required to site a natural gas-fired power plant at a moderate distance from an individuals’ residence. |
| Keywords: | Willingness to Pay, Choice Experiment, Renewable energy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:175698&r=env |
| By: | McCann, Laura; Claassen, Roger |
| Abstract: | A deeper understanding of barriers to participation in conservation programs, including farmer transaction costs, may improve program design and implementation as well as producer outreach, and thus improve water quality. Data on perceived barriers and transaction costs from the 2012 USDA Agricultural Resources Management Survey of soybean farmers were analyzed. For people who have not applied for programs, the percentage of people agreeing that applying for programs and documenting compliance were barriers, indicates that perceived transaction costs are a barrier to participation. The measured magnitudes of transaction costs of farmers who actually applied to these programs do not seem particularly onerous and are lower than the transaction costs that have been measured for European AESs. Regression analysis indicates there are fixed costs to applying to the programs and there is some evidence that complexity of the program and the farming system increases transaction costs. |
| Keywords: | Adoption, Conservation programs, Transaction costs, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170390&r=env |
| By: | Chen, Xuan |
| Abstract: | Our study focuses on modeling Colorado potato beetle (CPB) outbreaks and damage caused in Maine. The approach is to evaluate CPB outbreak frequency in a spatio-temporal framework. A block bootstrapping method with has been used to evaluate the CPB damage on a experimental field of potatoes. With this approach, impacts of environmental factors on CPB outbreaks and implications of crop rotations are assessed. Some explanatory variables, including temperature, crop rotations and soil minerals have been detected to have significant impacts. Consequently, our method offers a way to design spatial layout to minimize the risks of CPB outbreaks, given the current environmental information of a field. |
| Keywords: | Colorado Potato Beetle, Potato, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2014–05–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170679&r=env |
| By: | Alejandro Guevara (Department of Economics, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City. Mexico); Juan Manuel Torres |
| Abstract: | The study identifies the existence of a bequest motive, or intergenerational value, closely related with the conservation of forests in poor rural communities with communal forests under logging. A survey with the contingent-valuation question type was applied to the households of two populations living in two contrasting forest communities. Results show that 83 and 71% of head of households declared a willingness to make an altruistic sacrifice for the subsequent enjoyment of their children of this forest resource, measured in different ways. Variables such as age, gender, income, education, and forest type are closely related with the bequest motive, as other literature has found to be the case regarding private forest owners. Differences among communities show that the larger the benefits they obtain from the forest resources they own, the larger the bequest motive. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uic:wpaper:0614&r=env |
| By: | Trindade, Federico |
| Abstract: | Agriculture is a resource-intensive activity. It currently uses a substantial portion of the Earth’s natural resources: crop production, pasture and livestock grazing systems occupy around 40% of total land area, nitrogen fertilizer applied to agricultural land comprises more than half of the global reactive nitrogen attributable to human activity and agricultural production consumes more fresh water than any other human activity since it accounts for 80% of all freshwater consumption (Cassman 2003). Water is one of the key determinants of agricultural land productivity, adequate water supply to crops is essential to achieve maximum yield and greater stability, enabling also greater scope for diversification. The success of irrigation in improving food security and fostering rural welfare during the last decades has been extremely important but an inappropriate management of it can contribute to a series of environmental problems. The achievement of the required sustained (and sustainable) growth in agricultural production over the next 40 years calls for understanding the current and future enhancers and constraints of agricultural productivity. As water becomes scarcer it is important to estimate the real contribution that water has for agricultural productivity given the whole set of variables that are present in the farming production process, including also the amount of fertilizer and chemicals used, the environment where the process is held (such as temperature, precipitation and soil organic matter) and the farmers profit maximizing behavior. The objective of this study is to measure the contribution that the amount of water irrigated has on agricultural productivity in addition to the effect of weather and the traditional inputs. The data set used in this study consists on data from a survey done to farmers in three different Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) in the state of Nebraska during the period 2004 to 2011. The chosen NRDs are spread over the 41st parallel along East, Center and West Nebraska accounting for important weather (temperatures and precipitation) and soil variability. The data set consists of more than 30,000 observations with information on actual yield, type of crop, inches of water employed, nitrogen applied and manure rates. Additionally we include estimations on temperature (measured in intervals of degree days), precipitation and soil organic matter. Using these variables, this research develops an econometric production function that assumes a semi transcendental logarithmic technology. Particular interest is given to the amount of water used and its interactions with the remaining variables. We do not know of any other similar study done at this level of aggregation and with this great amount of observations. The hypothesized production function follows the form: Where for each field Yi represents the log of the biomass produced at year t for all the crops, Xit is a vector of the log of the amount of water used, amount of fertilizer used, amount of manure used and the time trend at year t, Kit is soil organic matter for year t and rit is a vector of rainfall an 2 degree days intervals (dd30-35 and dd35-40) for year t. By estimating the production elasticities from this translog specification we are able to obtain the effect of water and the other inputs in our hypothesized biomass yield function at each data point. Initial results quantify the critical importance that the amount of irrigated water has on agricultural productivity. As expected the amount of water used has a positive effect on the expected yield, for every extra inch of water pumped the yield is expected to increase by 6.74 percent. Results also highlight the significant negative effect of higher temperatures, a full day of temperatures over 35ºC is expected to decrease the yield in 33.1 percent but this harmful negative effect can be decreased by the use of irrigation. Results also highlight and quantify the importance of the use of Nitrogen as fertilizer. As a next step in this analysis, we plan to use the already available information on nitrogen and electricity prices to improve our estimation; by incorporating share equations we will be able to account for the economic behavior of the producer (as well as the physical relations between the inputs) and additionally to study the effect that price changes due to market or policy modifications can have on factor allocation (in the short run) or in technical change (induced by price changes in the long run). |
| Keywords: | Agricultural productivity water irrigation weather climate, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170224&r=env |
| By: | Halkos, George; Kevork, Ilias; Galani, Georgia; Tzeremes, Panagiotis |
| Abstract: | This study is focused on the construction of long – term scenarios for the transition to renewable energy. Utilizing European and national targets, the key objective of this work is to investigate how these targets are reflected in both economic and environmental terms. The constructed model via the Long range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) software describes the impacts of energy supply and demand along with their implications for national long – term policy. Specifically, the research provides a look to the 2030 horizon in the energy and power system in Greece. Three scenarios are generated under different options, baseline (which is based on historical trends), target 2020 (which is based on the European target set in 2020) and target 2030 (which is based on the European target set in 2030). Furthermore, two additional scenarios are developed for the Greek GDP growth; the first one based on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates and the second taking into account the estimates of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The results show a substantial shift in the electricity generation mix by 2030, something that has to be reversed into renewable energy solutions. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; Renewable energy sources; Greek energy system. |
| JEL: | Q20 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–11–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:59975&r=env |
| By: | Marisa Beck, Randall Wigle (Wilfrid Laurier University) |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses a number of issues about the disposition of the funds generated by the Alberta Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER), focusing on the allocation of funds among three competing broad categories of expenditures: 1. revenue recycling via tax reductions, 2. support for developing new technologies, and 3. support for adoption of existing technologies. |
| Keywords: | Carbon policy; Alberta; Canada |
| JEL: | O31 O38 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–01–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wlu:lcerpa:0079&r=env |
| By: | Savage, Jeffrey; Claassen, Roger; Breneman, Vince; Loesch, Chuck; Williams, Ryan |
| Abstract: | Conversion of native sod (grassland) to cropland in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is threatening important breeding habitats for migratory birds. About 50 percent of North American ducks are produced in the grasslands of the PPR, even though this habitat accounts for only ten percent of duck breeding territory. Once lost, native grassland habitats are difficult to reconstruct. To protect these habitats, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) holds permanent easements prohibiting grassland-to-cropland conversion or wetland drainage on more than 3.5 million acres. The USDA also holds easements against grassland conversion.We estimated the additionality of grassland easements purchased in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota from 1997—2010. Higher additionality implies that a larger proportion of eased grasslands would have been converted to another use in the absence of the easement. Using propensity score models, our estimate of additionality for all easements is 3.4 percent for the years 1997-2010. For relatively high quality land, which is more likely to be converted, our estimate of additionality is 6.4 percent. When measured over longer periods, additionality will higher because more of the eased land would have been converted to another use. |
| Keywords: | Prairie Pothole Region, additionality, conservation easements, grassland conversion, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170422&r=env |
| By: | Klatt, Jessica; Lupi, Frank; Melstrom, Richard T. |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes changes in angler behavior in response to state natural resource agency regulations designed to limit the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) in the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. These regulations restrict the use of baitfish and vary in stringency over parts of the state and have varied over time. We use a linked participation model to identify the combined effect of the disease and associated regulations on angler site choice and trip frequency. Survey data was collected on Michigan anglers over a period of several years, including the years before and after the agency regulations were introduced. Results indicate that anglers significantly alter their behavior at the site choice and participation levels in response to a new disease and its regulations. We find that anglers were less likely to visit a site considered to be VHSv positive and subject to bait use restrictions and more likely to choose a site free of disease regulations. To our knowledge, this is the first such study to apply a multi-dimensional database to modeling wildlife disease regulations. We expect that natural resource policy makers will find these results useful in developing and maintaining the regulations necessary for the sustainable use of recreational fisheries. |
| Keywords: | disease regulation, recreational fisheries, fisheries management, travel cost method, linked participation model, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q22, Q26, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170580&r=env |
| By: | Williams III, Roberton C. (Resources for the Future); Gordon, Hal (Resources for the Future); Burtraw, Dallas (Resources for the Future); Carbone, Jared C.; Morgenstern, Richard D. (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | Carbon taxes introduce potentially uneven cost burdens across the population. The distribution of these costs is especially important in affecting political outcomes. This paper links dynamic overlapping-generations and microsimulation models of the United States to estimate the initial incidence of a carbon tax across states. Geographic differences in incidence are driven primarily by differences in sources of income. Differing patterns of energy use also matter but are relatively less important. The use of the carbon tax revenue plays an important role, particularly in determining how different income sources are affected, as: (1) using carbon tax revenue to cut capital taxes disproportionately benefits states with large shares of capital income; (2) returning the revenue via lump-sum transfers favors relatively low-income states; and (3) returning the revenue via cuts in labor taxes provides a relatively even distribution of cost across states. In general, geographic differences in incidence are substantially smaller than the differences across income groups. |
| Keywords: | carbon tax, distribution, incidence, tax swap, states, geography, climate change |
| JEL: | H22 H23 Q52 |
| Date: | 2014–10–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-14-25&r=env |
| By: | Chiara Criscuolo; Nick Johnstone; Carlo Menon; Victoria Shestalova |
| Abstract: | The study assesses the role of feed-in tariffs (FITs) and renewable energy certificates (RECs) in creating incentives for cross-border investments and for investments in particular technological portfolios via M&A. The analysis explores the dataset on M&As in alternative energy sources worldwide over 2005-2011. The results suggests that FITs encourage more diversified M&A than RECs. With respect to foreign investment, the study finds a linear relationship between FITs and cross-border M&As in the wind energy sector, but an inverted U-shaped relationship in the solar energy sector. One possible explanation for the latter may lie in reduced policy credibility due to the public finance implications of ‘generous’ FITs. Another possible explanation for this finding concerns the use of high solar FITs by countries whose natural conditions provide little comparative advantage in solar energy, suggesting that low profitability and limited potential of solar energy in those countries might have deterred the entry of foreign investors. |
| Keywords: | foreign direct investment, renewable energy policy, solar and wind energy, energy portfolio, M&A |
| JEL: | G34 Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2014–10–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2014/3-en&r=env |
| By: | Charnovitz, Steve; Fischer, Carolyn (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | In the first dispute on renewable energy to come to World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement, the domestic content requirement of Ontario’s feed-in tariff was challenged as a discriminatory investment-related measure and as a prohibited import substitution subsidy. The panel and Appellate Body agreed that Canada was violating the GATT and the TRIMS Agreement. But the SCM Article 3 claim by Japan and the European Union remains unadjudicated, because neither tribunal made a finding that the price guaranteed for electricity from renewable sources constitutes a ‘benefit’ pursuant to the SCM Agreement. Although the Appellate Body provides useful guidance to future panels on how the existence of a benefit could be calculated, the most noteworthy aspect of the new jurisprudence is the Appellate Body’s reasoning that delineating the proper market for ‘benefit’ analysis entails respect for the policy choices made by a government. Thus, in this dispute, the proper market is electricity produced only from wind and solar energy. |
| Keywords: | feed-in tariff, renewable energy, subsidies, international trade, WTO, green growth, local content requirement |
| JEL: | K33 Q48 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–10–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-14-38&r=env |
| By: | Amare, Mulubrhan; Waibel, Herman |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of climate variability and shocks on non-farm employment in rural areas of Northeast Thailand. The paper utilizes a large panel data set that includes detailed and retrospective information about shock experience and a corresponding twenty-year historical village-level monthly rainfall data set from rural Northeast Thailand. The paper finds that the labor market is heterogeneous in terms of adapting to climate variability and coping with shocks. Households use non-agricultural wage and self-employment as a means of adapting to rainfall variability while they use agricultural wage to cope with agricultural and demographic shocks. We also show that there is a concave relationship between rainfall variability and both non-agricultural wage and non-farm self-employment. Economic slowdown and idiosyncratic shocks, such as demographic shocks, lead to substantial non-agricultural wage employment reduction. Overall, our findings show that the labor market can be less effective as a means for adapting to severe rainfall variability, economic and demographic shocks. It is also observed that poorer households are less able to exploit the high returns of the labor market to cope with shocks because of a lack of start-up assets. |
| Keywords: | Key Words: Climate Variability, Shocks, Non-farm Employment, Asset, Rural Thailand, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gewi14:187571&r=env |
| By: | Useche, Pilar; Blare, Trent |
| Abstract: | Our research examines how the changing cultural norms and legal status in Ecuador have impacted women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector and in rural communities. Cacao provides a particularly relevant case because of its economic and ecological importance to Ecuador and the region. The traditional cacao agroforests also provide many ecological services such as habitat for many endangered plants and animals. However, they are not as profitability as the monoculture systems. Because of these economic and ecological concerns, promotion of cacao agroforests has been the focus of development efforts by the Ecuadorian government, nongovernmental organizations, and international donor agencies, many of whom also have goals of empowering Ecuadorian women (Suarez 2013). Thus, women’s involvement in cacao production would be an important indicator of women’s status in rural Ecuador. To determine the value that men on women place on these nonmarket benefits and ability of women to influence household production decisions, we conducted 350 household interviews throughout coastal Ecuador from February through July, 2013. We implemented a choice experiment separately with the principle male and female member of the household. The choice experiment consisted of the household member choosing between pictures of two parcels to determine how much more profit the participant would need to receive in order to prefer the monoculture system over the agroforestry system. By employing a Random Effects Logit regression, we were able calculate men and women’s average willingness to pay for the attributes of the cacao agroforests (Birol et al. 2006). We found that both genders place a higher value on the agroforests than monoculture corps; however, women place a higher value on these benefits than men do. |
| Keywords: | gender, cacao, Ecuador, willingness to pay, choice experiment, agroforestry, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:174285&r=env |
| By: | Nigatu, Getachew; Hjort, Kim; Hansen, James; Somwaru, Agapi |
| Abstract: | This study assesses the role of energy prices in determining cross-commodity and cross- country projections of production costs, area harvested and production of four major commodities and ethanol and biofuels production. The analysis is conducted using a dynamic global partial equilibrium model of agricultural trade. By simulating changes in energy prices that might result as a consequence of changes in energy policy, we capture the link between the energy market and the agriculture-biofuels sector and present resulting changes in production in major production regions for corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice. Input costs will increase with higher energy prices, but decline slightly with lower energy prices. The projection indicates that higher energy prices will have significant impact on increasing ethanol production in Brazil while decreasing wheat production in the EU. Production in the US and India is relatively unaffected by change in energy prices. |
| Keywords: | energy price, cost of production, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:169953&r=env |
| By: | Mahmud, Sakib; Barbier, Edward |
| Abstract: | This paper introduces a household model of private investment in storm protection under an endogenous risk framework to determine how ex-ante self-protection and ex-post self-insurance spending by coastal households to mitigate storm-inflicted damages are affected by the availability of public programs and the presence of a mangrove forest. The theoretical results show that ex-ante publicly constructed physical barriers and mangroves are complements to self-protection but substitutes to self-insurance. However, ex-post public disaster relief and rehabilitation programs are substitutes to self-protection but complements to self-insurance. Our empirical analysis of coastal households in Bangladesh impacted by Cyclone Sidr reveals partial support for crowding out and crowding in effects of public investments and programs. Households located in a mangrove protected area invest more in self-protection and less in self-insurance. Other controls, such as household socioeconomic characteristics, also influence and add a degree of complexity to the relationship. |
| Keywords: | self-protection; self-insurance; Cyclone Sidr; mangroves; Bangladesh |
| JEL: | D81 Q51 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–04–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:60001&r=env |
| By: | Vaiknoras, Kate; Norton, George; Alwang, Jeffrey; Taylor, Daniel |
| Abstract: | Conservation agriculture has many potential benefits for small farmers. This study seeks to estimate the value that farmers in eastern Uganda place on some these benefits. Data from a choice experiment study are analyzed with a mixed logit model to determine farmers’ willingness to pay for increases in maize yield, reductions in erosion, and reductions in land preparation labor requirements. It finds that farmers have a statistically significant willingness to pay for increases in yield and reductions in erosion, but not for reductions in land preparation labor. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170062&r=env |
| By: | Anna Lo Prete (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Torino); Federico Revelli (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Torino) |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of exogenous variation in Italian municipal elections'voter turnout rates on city performance scores and elected mayors' indicators of valence. First, we build a simple model of voluntary and costly expressive voting, where the relative weight of ideology and valence issues over voting costs determines how people vote, and if they actually turn out to vote. We show that the cost of voting depresses voter turnout, yet can raise the chances of selecting higher valence candidates and thereby improve government performance. Em- pirically, city performance is measured along a number of dimensions including a unique index of overall urban environmental quality, and mayors'valence is proxied by variables reflecting their professional experience and competence. The staggered nature of the municipal election schedule allows us to exploit exogenous variation in voter turnout rates through the 2000s due to the pres- ence of concomitant regional, general and European parliament elections, and to weather conditions (rainfall) on the election day. The results from a number of specifications and quality of policy-making indicators consistently point to a negative impact of voter turnout rates on the performance of cities and the valence of mayors. |
| Keywords: | local elections, voter turnout, urban environmental quality, weather |
| JEL: | D72 H72 C26 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipu:wpaper:10&r=env |
| By: | Foders, Federico |
| Abstract: | In Schleswig-Holstein entsteht mehr als die Hälfte der deutschen Muschelproduktion. Die Produktionsmenge aus der Nordsee ist jedoch seit Jahren rückläufig; die Erzeugung in der Ostsee befindet sich noch im Aufbau. Diese Entwicklung trifft auf eine wachsende Nachfrage nach Miesmuscheln in Deutschland und in Europa, die den inflationsbereinigten Preis im Trend langfristig zunehmen lässt. Miesmuscheln haben nicht nur ein ökonomisches Potential. Über ihre Filtrierleistung sorgen sie für eine bessere Wasserqualität und wirken einer Eutrophierung der Küstengewässer entgegen. Weiterhin binden sie CO2 in ihren Schalen und weisen einen insgesamt weit niedrigeren ökologischen Fußabdruck als Zuchtfische oder landwirtschaftliche Nutztiere auf. Aufgrund der in Schleswig-Holstein herrschenden Rahmenbedingungen für die Muschelproduktion sind Neuinvestitionen in den letzten Jahren unterblieben und die Beschäftigung in der Branche stagniert oder ist rückläufig. Dabei könnten ökonomisch sinnvollere Rahmenbedingungen zu einer Produktionssteigerung beitragen und den strukturschwachen Gebieten an der Nord- und Ostseeküste einen wichtigen Impuls verleihen. Nicht zuletzt würde dadurch die Aquakulturtechnologie in Schleswig-Holstein gefordert, und es könnten neue Chancen für die Mehrung des Wohlstands in der Region entstehen. |
| Abstract: | Schleswig-Holstein is responsible for more than half of total German blue mussel production. The production of mussels from the North Sea has been decreasing for several years now, whereas the production in the Baltic Sea is still in its infancy. On the other hand, there is a growing demand for mussels in Germany and Europe and the real price of mussels follows an upward trend in the long run. Mussels are not only impressive from an economic point of view. Through their role as natural filters mussels improve the water quality and help avoid eutrophication of coastal waters. Also, mussels attract CO2 to their shells and present a much lower ecological footprint than farmed fish and other farmed animals. Due to the regulation of mussel production in Schleswig-Holstein investment in the industry has been declining and employment has been stagnating or decreasing for years. Economically improved regulation could contribute to boost output and to give coastal communities with rather bleak economic prospects an important stimulus. Also, in meeting the challenge ahead, aquaculture technology in Schleswig-Holstein could create much needed opportunities for higher income and employment in the region. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkpb:80&r=env |
| By: | Horan, Richard; Finnoff, David; Reeling, Carson; Berry, Kevin |
| Abstract: | Many invaded ecosystems appear subject to regime shifts—abrupt changes from one state to another after crossing a threshold or tipping point. The stability landscapes of such multi-stable systems, including their associated thresholds, have been shown to be endogenously determined within a coupled socioeconomic-ecological system (SES) where human choices, including those of managers, are feedback responses. Which outcome arises within traditional SES models, for a given set of available policy options, is ultimately determined by exogenously-defined initial conditions. We examine optimal management when the initial conditions at the onset of an invasion are endogenous. This is accomplished by considering the economically optimal management of a non-invaded system at risk of invasion and subsequent multi-stability. Methodologically, this requires that we account for two uncertain processes: introduction and establishment of the invader, where establishment is defined by a random invader population level that serves as the initial condition for the invaded system. Both random processes are conditional on how the native population is managed, making them endogenous. We find multi-stability of the invaded system, as well as uncertainty regarding the initial established invader population, may create economic non-convexities that yield multiple candidate solutions to the ex ante optimization problem. Some candidate solutions may involve attempting to prevent invasion, while others may attempt to increase the likelihood that any invasion becomes contained within a “good” ex post state. |
| Keywords: | invasive species, infectious disease, multi-stability, non-convexities, optimal control, Poisson, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170693&r=env |
| By: | Klein, Florian |
| Abstract: | Das Leitbild der Nachhaltigkeit gewinnt angesichts der steigenden ökologischen, ökonomischen und sozialen Herausforderungen immer mehr an Bedeutung. Dieses Arbeitspapier widmet sich der Fragestellung, inwieweit dieses Leitbild für Genossenschaftsbanken, denen ein traditionell nachhaltiges Wirtschaften attestiert wird, von strategischer Relevanz ist. Es wird herausgestellt, dass Genossenschaftsbanken ihre Unternehmensstrategie nicht ausschließlich am Leitbild der Nachhaltigkeit ausrichten, sondern dieses in eine MemberValue-Strategie integrieren sollten. Dabei kann gezeigt werden, dass umfassende Nachhaltigkeitsleistungen die Voraussetzung für die Schaffung eines unmittelbaren, mittelbaren und nachhaltigen MemberValues sind. |
| Abstract: | With the increasing environmental, economical and social challenges, the concept of sustainability is becoming more and more important. This working paper analyses the strategic relevance of the concept for cooperative banks, who are considered to be traditionally sustainable. The paper shows that cooperative banks should not simply implement the concept of sustainability in the center of their business strategy. It is advised to integrate this concept into their MemberValue-strategy, since comprehensive sustainable activities are the requirement for the creation of a direct, indirect and sustainable MemberValue. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:wwuifg:145&r=env |
| By: | Claude Ménard (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - CNRS : UMR8174 - Université Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne) |
| Abstract: | The extraordinary influence of The Problem of Social Cost" is now well acknowledged. Beyond the official recognition coming with the award of the Alfred Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences as well as the myriad citations, what may matter most, as emphasized by Mary Shirley (2013), is that in introducing the concept of 'transaction costs', Coase initiated a revolution in the way economists and social scientists should look at the organization of economic activities in a market economy. Actually, the concept of transaction could well be considered one of the most important in economic theory, together with the concept of the division of labor. As emphasized by Coase (1998), the two concepts complement each other. In order to take advantage of the division of labor economic actors must specialize their activity; this is sustainable and beneficial if and only if they can organize transactions among them at a cost that is less than the expected benefits. Paradoxically, this organizational dimension that Coase pinpointed as "The Institutional Structure of Production" in his Nobel Lecture has been largely neglected in the literature inspired by "The Problem of Social Cost." In what follows, I would like to show how this missing dimension is rooted in some misinterpretations of the 1960 paper (section 1) and what consequences it should have in partially redefining the research agenda sketched by Coase in his paper (section 2). |
| Keywords: | Transaction costs; property rights; organization; environmental policies |
| Date: | 2013–10–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01059076&r=env |
| By: | Akram, Agha Ali |
| Abstract: | Irrigation systems are critical to agricultural systems in semi-arid parts of the developing world. Although there is ample evidence that canal systems fail to reach their design capacity, there have been surprisingly few studies of the allocation efficiency of water within canal systems. Partly this is due to poor data concerning water withdrawals per farm. In the first part of this study, we collected refined measures of water withdrawals and find evidence supporting the hypothesis that farmers near the head of a canal get more water than farmers near the tail. Accounting for the conveyance efficiency of the canal system ameliorates the efficiency loss somewhat. The analysis builds a strong evidence-based case that water is not allocated efficiently now within the canal. The results suggest that improvements in canal water management or an internal water market would yield efficiency gains for the canal. In the second part of this study, we analyse farmer adaptations to heterogeneous canal water availability. Farmers adapt to reduced flows by reducing their overall planted area. Next, they modify their crop mix by switching from a water intense crop (cotton) to a crop that is less sensitive to water (millet). Finally, we consider input choice and find, not surprisingly, that most inputs are complementary to surface water irrigation and reductions in surface water deliveries result in reductions in use of other inputs. We explore two cases more thoroughly. First, we find that own-labour tends to increase as canal water decreases and we test to find that this tends to be a function of scale. Finally, we consider an input of special interest, groundwater, which we expected to act as a substitute to surface water. Instead, we see evidence of complementarity to surface water. This suggests that groundwater quality plays a distinct role in its usage and we do find evidence of groundwater quality modulating the amount of groundwater usage in tandem with surface water use. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation systems, irrigation water, agriculture, Environmental Economics and Policy, D61, Q15, Q25, Q10, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea14:170855&r=env |
| By: | Isabel Teichmann; Claudia Kemfert |
| Abstract: | In Anbetracht des Klimawandels stehen wir vor großen Herausforderungen, Mittel und Wege zu finden, die Emissionen von Treibhausgasen wie Kohlendioxid (CO2), Methan (CH4) und Lachgas (N2O) zu reduzieren beziehungsweise diese Gase aus der Atmosphäre zu entfernen. Es wird verstärkt diskutiert, inwieweit aus Bio¬masse gewonnene Biokohle einen Beitrag zum Klimaschutz leisten kann, indem sie zur Kohlenstoffspeicherung in landwirtschaftlichen Boden eingearbeitet wird. Während einige Forscher und Interessensvertreter der Biokohle ein großes Poten¬zial zuschreiben und ihre Aufnahme in den internationalen Katalog der anrechen¬baren Treibhausgasvermeidungsstrategien fordern, betonen andere den mangeln¬den Kenntnisstand über die Wirkung von Biokohle im Boden und stellen ihre Ge-fahren in den Vordergrund. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwrup:47de&r=env |