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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Nordén, Anna (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Coria, Jessica (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Villalobos, Laura (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University) |
| Abstract: | Voluntary forest certification is an increasingly popular tool allowing producers who meet stringent environmental standards to label their products in the marketplace and potentially achieve greater market access and receive higher prices for their products. The voluntary nature of certification programs implies, however, that it is difficult to determine the effects of forest certification due to selection bias. This paper contributes to the impact evaluation of forest certification by estimating the effects of certification of non-industrial private forest owners in Sweden – one of the countries with the largest total area of certified forests. We rely on official forest inventory data at the plot level, information on certification status, and standard impact evaluation methods to identify the causal effect of certification on three environmental outcomes: environmentally important areas preserved during the felling, number of trees and high stumps left after the felling, and area set aside for conservation purposes. Moreover, we analyze the effect of the two most important certification schemes: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Our results indicate that certification has not improved any of these outcomes. Furthermore, we find no differences between the FSC and PEFC schemes. Our findings suggest that for forest certification to have an effect, the standards should be tightened and the monitoring and enforcement of forest certification schemes strengthened. |
| Keywords: | certification; impact evaluation; sustainable forest management; treatment effects; Sweden; FSC; PEFC |
| JEL: | L15 Q12 Q23 Q28 |
| Date: | 2016–06–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0657&r=env |
| By: | Timilsina,Govinda R.; Jorgensen,Erika A. |
| Abstract: | Despite the declining trends in total energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, energy intensity, and emission intensity over the past two decades, Romania still emits more greenhouse gas per unit of output than many other members of the European Union. The country is looking for further greening of its energy supply system to achieve the clean energy and climate change mitigation goals included in the European Union's 2030 target and 2050 Roadmap. Using an energy supply optimization model, TIMES, this study develops energy supply mixes for Romania under a baseline scenario that satisfies the European Union's current energy and climate targets for 2020, a green scenario that satisfies the European Union's 2030 energy and climate targets, and a super green scenario that satisfies the European Union's prospective 2050 energy road map. The study finds that although Romania could achieve the green scenario at a moderate cost, it would be challenging and costly to achieve the super green scenario. |
| Date: | 2016–06–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7698&r=env |
| By: | Tzemi, Domna; Breen, James P. |
| Abstract: | Livestock is a very significant sector in Irish agriculture and it could possibly mitigate a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. However, farmers’ awareness and acceptance towards climate change might be a significant barrier to voluntary adoption of best practice techniques. This paper presents results from a supplementary survey of 747 Irish farmers conducted as part of the National Farm Survey (NFS) in 2014, with a view to understanding farmers’ awareness of and attitudes to climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Survey results showed that there was a general uncertainty towards a number of agricultural GHG emissions related questions and that farmers’ attitude towards GHG emissions reduction was not very positive. In order to explore further farmers’ attitudes towards climate change, a multinomial logit model was used to examine the socio-economic factors that affect farmers’ willingness to adopt an advisory tool that would show the potential reduction in GHG emissions from the adoption of new technologies. Results showed that investment in machinery, awareness, region, environmental subsidies, use of social networking, agri-training encouraged adoption while off-farm income was negatively related to adoption. |
| Keywords: | climate change, adoption, awareness, multinomial logit, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics, Environmental and Ecological Economics, P32, |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc16:236331&r=env |
| By: | G. Calzolari; M. Casari; R. Ghidoni |
| Abstract: | Greenhouse gases generate impacts that can last longer than human civilization itself. Such persistence may affect the behavioral ability to cooperate. Here we study mitigation efforts within a framework that reflects key features of climate change and then contrasts a dynamic versus a static setting. In a treatment with persistence, the pollution cumulates and generates damages over time while in another treatment it has only immediate effects and then disappears. We find that cooperation is not hampered, on average, by pollution persistence. Mitigation efforts, though, should not be delayed, because cooperation levels appear to deteriorate for high stocks of pollution. |
| JEL: | C70 C90 D03 Q54 |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bol:bodewp:wp1065&r=env |
| By: | Jesse D. Jenkins; Valerie J. Karplus |
| Abstract: | The economic prescription for climate change is clear: price carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions to internalize climate damages. In practice, a variety of political economy constraints prevent the introduction of a carbon price equal to the full social cost of emissions. This paper develops insights about the design of climate policy in the face of binding political constraints, formulated here as limits on the CO2 price itself, on increases in energy prices, and on energy consumer and producer surplus loss. We employ a stylized model of the energy sector to develop intuition about the welfare-maximizing combination of CO2 price, subsidy for clean energy production, and lump-sum transfers to energy consumers or producers under each constraint. We find that the strategic use of subsidies or transfers can compensate for or relieve political constraints and significantly improve the efficiency and environmental efficacy of carbon pricing policies.. |
| Keywords: | political economy, carbon pricing, environmental economics, public economics, climate change, instrument choice, carbon tax, emissions trading |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-044&r=env |
| By: | Cai, Ruohong; Lubowski, Ruben; Reis, Tiago; Stabile, Marcelo; Azevedo, Andrea |
| Abstract: | In recent decades, global society has paid growing attention to tropical deforestation as it contributes significantly to global warming. One promising way of addressing the issue is to create economic incentives to protect forests. In this study, we estimate the opportunity costs of reducing legal deforestation in Mato Grosso of Brazil, based on an econometric model using fine resolution spatial data and administrative data on properties registered in the rural land registry. We find that, inside the properties that have rights to legally clear forest area, most projected demand for deforestation will fit within the legal limitations, making it essential to establish additional positive economic incentives for forest protection. Also in these properties, for the period of 2014-2030, total incentives of about US$ 279 million could reduce 77% of projected legal deforestation, from 278,257 ha to 64,287 ha. Certain incentives could come from the properties with forest restoration requirements under Brazil’s forest code, since we found that our modeled incentives can only cover about 7% of the forest restoration requirement in those properties through passive land abandonment. As a result, active reforestation or purchasing the Environmental Reserve Quota from properties with legal deforestation allowance may become attractive alternatives. |
| Keywords: | Tropical deforestation, Forest policy, Opportunity cost, Brazil, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea16:236637&r=env |
| By: | Gozgor, Giray; Can, Muhlis |
| Abstract: | This paper re-estimates the environmental Kuznets curve over the period 1971–2010 in China. To this end, it uses the unit root tests with one structural break and the autoregressive-distributed lag (ARDL) estimations. The special role is given to the impacts of export product quality and energy consumption on CO2 emissions in the empirical models. The paper finds that the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is valid in China. It also observes the positive effect from energy consumption to CO2 emissions. In addition, it finds that the export product quality is negatively associated with CO2 emissions. The paper also argues potential implications. |
| Keywords: | environmental Kuznets curve; energy consumption; export product quality; ARDL estimation; structural break |
| JEL: | C32 L15 O13 Q56 |
| Date: | 2016–06–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:71873&r=env |
| By: | Geoffrey G. Jones (Harvard Business School, General Management Unit); Andrew Spadafora (Harvard Business School) |
| Abstract: | Between the 1970s and the 2000s Costa Rica became established as the world's leading ecotourism destination. This working paper suggests that although Costa Rica benefited from biodiversity and a pleasant climate, the country's preeminence in ecotourism requires more than a natural resource endowment explanation. The paper argues that the ecotourism industry was a co-creation of the public, private, and tertiary sectors. While the role of the government and conservation NGOs is acknowledged in the existing literature, this study draws attention to the critical role of small entrepreneurs. Making extensive use of oral history, the working paper demonstrates the role of tour companies in drawing affluent Western ecotourists to the country, and of the creators of ecolodges and other forms of accommodation in providing them with somewhere to stay. These entrepreneurs, many of them expatriate Americans, helped ensure that formally protected areas remained sustainable parks and reserves, by providing revenues, education in conservation to tourists, and community development and jobs. Clustering created positive externalities for new entrepreneurs to enter the industry, who could also learn from knowledge spillovers. There were downsides to the new industry, however. The creation of the national image of a natural paradise enabled many businesses which were not environmentally sustainable to free-ride on the green image. Even values-driven ecotourism entrepreneurs faced questions about their impact as they expanded the scale of their operations. While scaling was a sign of success and delivered many benefits to Costa Rica, there were distinct drawbacks from a sustainability perspective. |
| Keywords: | eco-tourism; Costa Rica; entrepreneurship; sustainability |
| JEL: | N56 N86 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hbs:wpaper:16-136&r=env |
| By: | Joshua Hall (West Virginia University, Department of Economics); Elham Erfanian (West Virginia University, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics); Caleb Stair (West Virginia University, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics) |
| Abstract: | Environmental regulation is a polarizing issue. In 2014, a bill came to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives that would limit the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency. This empirical note identifies the characteristics that influenced the voting behavior of House Representatives on this bill. Political party, educational background, the location quotient of the mining industry in the representative’s state, and the amount of emissions in the Representative’s state are considered. A member’s political party is the primary factor influencing voting behavior but the location quotient of the mining industry also plays an important role. |
| Keywords: | EPA regulations; carbon emissions; fossil fuel-fired; electric utility generating |
| JEL: | H7 Q4 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wvu:wpaper:16-11&r=env |
| By: | Fujii, Hidemichi; Cao, Jing; Managi, Shunsuke |
| Abstract: | This study analyzes productive efficiency in relation to CO2 emissions using a unique dataset of 562 Chinese manufacturing firms for the period from 2005 to 2009. We develop a directional distance function approach to identify technical innovators in the area of CO2 emissions. The results indicate that a large number of technical innovators are observed in the textile, paper, steel, and computer industries. Furthermore, there are clearly different trends in productivity change and corporate performance across industries and provinces. This result implies that policy makers need to consider industrial and regional characteristics to develop effective policies that conserve energy and reduce CO2 emissions. |
| Keywords: | Technical innovator; total factor productivity; technology adoption; CO2 emissions; Chinese manufacturing firm |
| JEL: | D24 O14 Q55 |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:71851&r=env |
| By: | Da-Rocha, Jose-Maria; Gutierrez, Maria Jose; Trelles, Rafael |
| Abstract: | Payments for environmental services (PES) are based on the beneficiary-pays rather than the polluter-pays principle. In this paper we argue that this is a key factor for identifying what ecosystems are amenable to PES. We build a general equilibrium framework to identify what ecosystems are amenable to PES as an efficient solution. In economies where society has a higher degree of environmental responsibility and produces a low level of alternative land services income efficient transfers cannot be financed with voluntary payments. There- fore PES programs must be seen as environmental subsidies (to ES providers) and must be combined with a user fee (on ES users). We use Costa Rica’s Payments for Environmental Services program (PSA) to illustrate our findings. We find that the efficient payments for forest conservation are higher than the value reported by Pagiola (2008). Implementing an efficient system implies an increase in payments for forest conservation by 4.15-fold. |
| Keywords: | PES, Coase, Efficiency |
| JEL: | Q50 |
| Date: | 2016–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:72061&r=env |
| By: | Barbara Annicchiarico (DEF and CEIS, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"); Luca Correani (Dipartimento di Economia e Impresa, Università degli Studi della Tuscia); Fabio Di Dio (Sogei S.p.a. - IT Economia) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a simple dynamic general equilibrium model with supply-side strategic interactions to study the economic effects of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in an economy with an emission cap and oligopolistic firms competing on prices. With such endogenous market structure a gradual decarbonization policy is likely to induce higher markups, while the number of active firms displays a U-shaped behavior, first decreasing and then increasing. In the long run more firms are active, but they transfer a part of the compliance cost to households by charging a higher markup. The negative effects on the level of economic activity of this anti-competitive outcome are strongly mitigated by recycling policies. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Policy, Dynamic General Equilibrium Model, Endogenous Market Structure. |
| JEL: | E32 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–06–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rtv:ceisrp:384&r=env |
| By: | Henry Wüstemann; Dennis Kalisch; |
| Abstract: | Action 5 of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy explicitly mentions that member states will map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national territory by 2014 with the assistance of the Commission. Access to urban green is a key contributor to social and ecological functions in urban environments. However, in Germany - like in many other European countries - a national indicator measuring the provision of urban green on household and individual level is missing. This study develops a national indicator for urban green space provision and environmental inequalities in Germany on household and individual level. We investigate the provision of urban green by merging geo-coded household data from the German Socio- Economic Panel (GSOEP) and census population data with geo-coded data on land use from the European Urban Atlas (EUA) for German major cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants. Based on open green space standards applied in European urban city planning we de ne two variables measuring access to green: First, we estimate the distance to urban green measured as the Euclidean distance between the household and the nearest green-site in meters. Secondly, we calculate the coverage of urban green space around the households in square meters. Results of the distance analysis based on GSOEP data show a mean and median distance to public green space of 229:1m and 190:5m, respectively. The results further indicate that 93% of the German households have access to green space within a 500m and 74.1% within a 300m bu er around their location. The average green space provision in German major cities adds up to 8:1m2 per capita (median). Moreover, statistical analysis of the socio-economic background of the households shows di erences in urban green provision related to income, education, employment status, migration background and nationality. We also identify di erences in green space provision on the city level ranging from 10:6ha (city of Frankfurt/Oder) to 1:2ha (city of Schwerin) green space within 500m around the household. Distances to the nearest urban green also vary between cities ranging from 99m (city of Frankfurt/Oder) to 349m (city of Schwerin). The coverage of green space per capita ranges from 36m2 (city of Bergisch Gladbach) to 2:5m2 (city of Schwerin). We also provide a ranking of German major cities based on the green space provision on city level. The analysis further shows an unequal distribution of green within cities. The ndings provide helpful information for policy and planning to ensure an adequate green space provision and to eliminate related environmental inequalities in Germany. |
| Keywords: | Urban Green, Indicator, Household and individual level, Geocoded data, Environmental inequities |
| JEL: | Q56 Q58 R14 R20 R52 |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hum:wpaper:sfb649dp2016-022&r=env |
| By: | Richard Swanson; Vivek Sakhrani |
| Abstract: | Large hydropower dams are at the centre of a debate weighing the value and costs of renewable energy against the risks of climate change. The debate is especially relevant on the African continent, which offers vast hydropower potential, but which is exposed to possible climatic changes.This paper presents one possible framework for analysing, valuing, and mitigating the possible impacts of climate change on investment returns. It applies the framework to the proposed series of Inga projects. We find that project concessions can recapture value by phasing dam build-out. Our optionality framework can help structure P3 contracts to improve hydropower project value as well as insure sponsors against climate risk. |
| Keywords: | Environment, Renewable energy sources |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-030&r=env |
| By: | Nop, Sothun |
| Abstract: | This paper explores main opportunities and key challenges for community participation in implementing climate change adaptation policy (CCAP) in Cambodia. It also determines potential priorities that can help promote community to actively involve in CCAP implementation. This study reveals that communities remain passively participate in implementing CCAP because key challenges seems to outweigh the opportunities. To promote community to actively join in the process of CCAP implementation, relevant policy legislations that established to fully empower local communities to effectively manage their livelihood resources need to be strictly enforced. Also, the exclusive livelihoods improvement programs and infrastructure projects, which help sustain incomes of vulnerable communities, upgrade their capacity, and promote their security, should be increased. |
| Keywords: | community participation, implementation, climate change adaptation policy |
| JEL: | O21 Z00 |
| Date: | 2015–03–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:71656&r=env |
| By: | Tom Chang; Joshua Graff Zivin; Tal Gross; Matthew Neidell |
| Abstract: | We investigate the effect of pollution on worker productivity in the service sector by focusing on two call centers in China. Using precise measures of each worker’s daily output linked to daily measures of pollution and meteorology, we find that higher levels of air pollution decrease worker productivity by reducing the number of calls that workers complete each day. These results manifest themselves at commonly found levels of pollution in major cities throughout the developing and developed world, suggesting that these types of effects are likely to apply broadly. When decomposing these effects, we find that the decreases in productivity are explained by increases in time spent on breaks rather than the duration of phone calls. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the negative impacts of pollution on productivity extend beyond physically demanding tasks to indoor, white-collar work. |
| JEL: | J22 J24 Q51 Q53 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22328&r=env |
| By: | Takayoshi Kato; Jane Ellis |
| Abstract: | The Paris Agreement, adopted by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reinforces the international framework for adaptation action by establishing a global adaptation goal. Under the Paris Agreement, countries have also agreed to an enhanced transparency framework for action, which includes adaptation. The Agreement also requests each Party to submit and update an “adaptation communication” as appropriate. This paper explores what elements of countries’ adaptation responses and progress could be reported under the Paris Agreement so as to better communicate efforts towards enhanced adaptation and resilience. The paper also highlights the potential benefits both at a national and an international level from identifying and collating adaptation-related information. Finally the paper outlines a possible structure of an adaptation communication, and identifies options and associated information needs for the adaptation-related components of the global stocktake agreed to in the Paris Agreement. Communiquer sur les progrès accomplis au plan national et international en matière d'adaptation au changement climatique L'Accord de Paris, adopté par les Parties à la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur le changement climatique (CCNUCC), renforce le cadre international des efforts d'adaptation en établissant un objectif mondial d'adaptation. Au sein de l’Accord, les pays sont également convenus d'un cadre de transparence renforcé pour l'action, qui comprend l'adaptation. Aux termes de l'Accord, chaque Partie devrait aussi, selon qu'il convient, présenter et actualiser une « communication relative à l'adaptation ». Le présent rapport passe en revue les éléments des mesures d'adaptation et des progrès accomplis par les pays qui pourraient être notifiés au titre de l'Accord de Paris, afin d’améliorer la communication sur les efforts déployés en faveur de l'adaptation et de la résilience. Ce rapport montre les retombées positives que pourraient avoir l’identification et le rassemblement des informations sur l'adaptation au plan tant national qu’international. Il propose enfin une structure pour une communication relative à l'adaptation, et recense les options envisageables pour la composante adaptation du bilan mondial prévu dans l'Accord de Paris, ainsi que les besoins d'information correspondants. |
| Keywords: | transparency, adaptation, UNFCCC, climate change |
| JEL: | F53 O29 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–06–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaab:2016/1-en&r=env |
| By: | Colombelli, Alessandra; Quatraro, Francesco (University of Turin) |
| Abstract: | There is wide consensus about the importance of green technologies for achieving superior economic and environmental performances. The literature on their determinants has neglected the creation of green start-ups as a channel to bring about green technologies in the market. Drawing upon the knowledge spillovers theory of entrepreneurship, we test the relevance of local knowledge stocks, distinguishing between clean and dirty stocks, for the creation of green start-ups. Moreover, the effects of the technological composition of local stocks is investigated, by focusing on technological variety, both related and unrelated, as well as on coherence. Consistently with recent literature, green start-ups are associated to higher levels of variety, pointing to the relevance of diverse and heterogeneous knowledge sources, but in related and complementary technological fields. |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uto:labeco:201604&r=env |
| By: | Eppink, Florian; Daigneault, Adam |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235274&r=env |
| By: | Rosegrant, Mark W. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235590&r=env |
| By: | Greiner, Romy |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235320&r=env |
| By: | Lavric, Lucia |
| Abstract: | Using simple indexes of consumption alongside GHG emissions trends can help understand how trade may affect emissions and whether short term fluctuations in emissions are sustainable. An illustration for the old EU Member States based on Prodcom and EU ETS data is presented here. |
| Keywords: | sustainable consumption, consumption-based GHG accounting |
| JEL: | Q5 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:71895&r=env |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | This study assesses the impact of international sulphur emission reduction regulations on global shipping. Ships emit a large amount of sulphur oxides that have significant health impacts. To mitigate these, international regulations cap the sulphur content of ship fuel. In certain parts of the world, emission control areas (ECAs) with even stricter standards have been established. In the emission control areas, new requirements introduced in 2015 limit the sulphur content of ship fuel to 0.10%. A new, lower global sulphur cap of 0.50% is planned for 2020. This report examines the 2015 cap effects on shipping and the potential effects of the new requirements foreseen for 2020. It assesses the cost increase for maritime transport associated with the sulphur caps, impacts on shipping operations as well as on other transport modes, and on the environment. The report also highlights policy gaps and challenges for the enforcement of sulphur emissions regulation for shipping. |
| Date: | 2016–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaac:18-en&r=env |
| By: | Chika Ezeanya; Abel Kennedy |
| Abstract: | The disappearance of Rwanda. forests and attendant change in climatic conditions prompted the government to explore clean energy alternatives such as biogas. Unlike at any other time in Rwanda.s history, more and more Rwandans in rural areas are becoming owners of cattle because of Government of Rwanda.s agricultural direct assistance and poverty reduction programme known as Girinka.This paper focuses on the various strategies employed by the government of Rwanda in achieving increased biogas use among the rural poor Girinka beneficiaries who use cow dung for their domestic biogas plants. Conditions necessary for successful implementation of clean energy pro-poor reforms in rural communities are explored. |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-023&r=env |
| By: | Ellis, Ciaran; Hanley, Nick; Kleczkowski, Adam; Goulson, David |
| Abstract: | Production of insect-pollinated crops typically relies on both pesticide use and pollination, leading to a potential conflict between these two inputs. In this paper we combine ecological modelling with economic analysis to investigate the effects of pesticide use on wild and commercial bees, whilst allowing farmers to partly offset the negative effects of pesticides on bee populations by creating more on-farm bee habitat. Farmers have incentives to invest in creating wild bee habitat to increase pollination inputs. However, the optimal allocation of on-farm habitat strongly depends on the negative effects of pesticides, with a threshold-like behaviour at a critical level of the impairment. When this threshold is crossed, the population of wild bees becomes locally extinct and their availability to pollinate breaks down. We also show that availability of commercial bees masks the decrease in pollination services which would otherwise incentivise farmers to conserve the wild pollinator population, therefore indirectly leading to local wild bee extinction. The paper demonstrates the importance of combining ecological modelling with economics to study sustainability in the provision of ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems. |
| Keywords: | pollination, pesticides, wild bees, commercial bees, ecological-economic modelling., Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc16:236355&r=env |
| By: | Butler, Leslie; MacEwan, Duncan; Zhou, Tianxia; Brock, Andrea; Jacobs, Paul; Scheer, Jennifer; Tumber, Kabir |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235256&r=env |
| By: | Dakpo, K Hervé; Latruffe, Laure |
| Abstract: | In this article we assess the impact of agri-environmental subsidies on farms’ technical efficiency, when the latter is measured with and without accounting for greenhouse gases (GHGs). The application is to a sample of beef cattle farms located in grassland areas in France during the period 1993-2013. In a first stage we calculate robust technical efficiency accounting for both good output (meat) and bad output (GHGs). In a second stage we regress the different technical efficiency scores on a set of explanatory variables including agri-environmental subsidies as an amount received by the farmer related per livestock unit. The results indicate that these subsidies had a positive impact on farms’ technical efficiency among the farmers that have adopted agri-environmental measures. This is the first work on the effect of subsidies on technical efficiency including environmental outputs, and it does not confirm the negative effect generally found in existing studies based on classic technical efficiency. |
| Keywords: | by-production, GHG emissions, agri-environmental subsidies, livestock, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, D24, O47, Q10, Q50, |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc16:236339&r=env |
| By: | Greer K. Gosnell; John A. List; Robert Metcalfe |
| Abstract: | Understanding motivations in the workplace remains of utmost import as economies around the world rely on increases in labor productivity to foster sustainable economic growth. This study makes use of a unique opportunity to “look under the hood” of an organization that critically relies on worker effort and performance. By partnering with Virgin Atlantic Airways on a field experiment that includes over 40,000 unique flights covering an eight-month period, we explore how information and incentives affect captains’ performance. Making use of more than 110,000 captain-level observations, we find that our set of treatments—which include performance information, personal targets, and prosocial incentives—induces captains to improve efficiency in all three key flight areas: pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. We estimate that our treatments saved between 266,000-704,000 kg of fuel for the airline over the eight-month experimental period. These savings led to between 838,000-2.22 million kg of CO2 abated at a marginal abatement cost of negative $250 per ton of CO2 (i.e. a $250 savings per ton abated) over the eight-month experimental period. Methodologically, our approach highlights the potential usefulness of moving beyond an experimental design that focuses on short-run substitution effects, and it also suggests a new way to combat firm-level externalities: target workers rather than the firm as a whole. |
| JEL: | D01 J3 Q5 R4 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22316&r=env |
| By: | Green |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235315&r=env |
| By: | Zhiyang Shen (IESEG School of Management (LEM 9221-CNRS)); Jean-Philippe Boussemart (University of Lille 3 and IESEG School of Management (LEM 9221-CNRS); CNRS-LEM 9221 and IESEG School of Management) |
| Abstract: | Unlike most previous research, which has focused on estimating carbon shadow prices at regional or sectoral levels, this paper attempts to estimate carbon shadow prices at a worldwide level. A non-parametric robust framework estimates carbon shadow prices for 119 countries from all continents in 12 large groups. Our empirical results reveal that the global carbon shadow price is increasing by around 2.24% per annum and reached 2845 US dollars per ton in 2011. Regional carbon shadow prices present significant disparities and evolve within different categories over the analyzed period. We find a substantial sigma convergence process of carbon shadow prices among countries during 1990–2007 while divergence appears after the global financial crisis. We then analyze the relationship between carbon shadow prices and the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. |
| Keywords: | Undesirable Output, Carbon Shadow Price, Robust Frontier, Weak Disposability |
| JEL: | D24 Q56 |
| Date: | 2016–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ies:wpaper:e201604&r=env |
| By: | Settre, Claire; Connor, Jeff; Wheeler, Sarah |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235607&r=env |
| By: | Ross Astoria |
| Abstract: | The United States. greenhouse gas mitigation strategy decentralizes mitigation responsibility to the states and states have primary regulatory jurisdiction over electrical power utilities. Using the biophysical approach, this paper introduces the notion of hydrocarbon infrastructure. Focusing on a utility rate case from the state of Wisconsin, I argue that the law and the electrical markets which it organizes presuppose hydrocarbon infrastructure. A necessary aspect of greenhouse gas mitigation and transition to renewable energy is a state-level reconfiguration of law and legal institutions around renewable energy generation. Length: 17 pages |
| Keywords: | Keywords: electric utilities, energy returned on energy invested, law |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-051&r=env |
| By: | Jiumpanyarach, Waripas |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235339&r=env |
| By: | Olander, Lydia |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao16:236871&r=env |
| By: | Lucas Bretschger (ETH Zurich, Switzerland); Andreas Schaefer (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of economic policy on the importance of history and expectations for the macroeconomic performance of an economy. In our model the energy mix is based on the conversion of heterogeneous energy sources. Markups over marginal costs are endogenous so that the marginal revenue product of capital becomes non-monotonic in capital. We derive multiple steady states and identify regions in which initial conditions are insufficient as a selection criterion for development. In these situations, pure expectations determine the equilibrium selection process which is crucial for long-run performance. Energy policy affects the interplay between history and expectations by shifting the region where expectations matter and by affecting the location of the equilibria in the dirty and the clean economy. We find that taxes and subsidies should be used simultaneously to guide an energy transition. We argue that expectations and momentum effects are important for the energy transition because they decrease policy costs and thus raise political acceptance. |
| Keywords: | Clean production, multiple equilibria, history vs. expectations, energy transformation, endogenous markups |
| JEL: | Q43 O44 Q50 O11 |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eth:wpswif:16-250&r=env |
| By: | Bermeo, Santiago; Doole, Graeme; Austin, Darran; Fenemor, Andrew |
| Abstract: | The Waimea Plains (Tasman District, New Zealand) is a major horticulture area, highly reliant on irrigation. Irrigators draw water from an integrated surface water and groundwater system. Fresh water is over-allocated by 64%. Irrigators face significant restrictions due to natural fluctuations in river flow and groundwater levels, i.e. water is unreliable. This case study evaluates different options to address these problems. A catchment optimisation model is used to assess the benefits from enabling water permit transfers and from the proposed Waimea Community Dam (‘the dam’). A spreadsheet model is used to assess the impact of different ways of cutting back water permits, should the dam not go ahead. The case study is based on farm- and orchard-level models which estimate irrigation need, profit and nitrogen leaching under different levels of water allocation, reliability and soil type for apples, viticulture, market gardening and dairy farming over a period of 40 years. Key findings are that: • water permit transfers would result in moderate benefits on average (8.6% increase in average profit) but significant benefits in dry years (46% increase in profit); • the dam would result in significant benefits by enabling expansion of irrigated areas and conversion from unirrigated pasture to higher value crops, and providing a reliable water supply for existing and future irrigators (103% increase in average profit and 10% decrease in nitrogen leaching). • Should the dam not go ahead, water permit cuts based on irrigation need would result in lower, and a more even distribution of, costs than flat-rate cuts. |
| Keywords: | Horticulture, irrigation, freshwater management, water storage infrastructure, over-allocation, reliability, transferability, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235246&r=env |
| By: | Kenta Tanaka (Faculty of Economics, Musashi University); Keisaku Higashida (School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University); Arvin Vista (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Philippines Los Baños); Anton Setyo Nugroho (Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Republic of Indonesia); Budi Muhamad Ruslan (Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effect of fishery resource depletion experiences on the social cooperative preferences of fishermen. We adopt (i) the value orientation test to measure cooperativeness and (ii) experiences that are subjectively perceived. Additionally, we focus on the perceived causes of resource depletion experienced by fishermen. Similar to previous studies, we find clear correlations between experiences and preferences. Moreover, we find that the impact of resource depletion experiences depends on whether fishermen perceive artificial factors or changes in the natural environment to be its causes. Particularly, resource depletion experiences caused by artificial factors are likely to make fishermen more cooperative, while those caused by changes in the natural environment are likely to make fishermen less cooperative. |
| Keywords: | Cooperativeness, Experiences, Fishery resource depletion, Value orientation test |
| JEL: | C93 Q22 Q56 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kgu:wpaper:143&r=env |
| By: | Ramezani, Fariba; Harvie, Charles; Arjomandi, Amir |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235585&r=env |
| By: | Hutton, Trevor; Pascoe, Sean; Innes, James; Yamazaki, Satoshi; Kompas, Tom |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235335&r=env |
| By: | Lucy Baker |
| Abstract: | This paper situates South Africa.s new renewable energy sector within the context of the country.s electricity system and in turn its unique political economy. I chart major developments in the country.s energy policy and governance since the end of apartheid and show how electricity policy is determined by economic, political, and technological factors. I examine the contested negotiation of key policies, which have been fundamental to the introduction of a renewable energy sector. I consider how the new renewable energy sector has evolved thus far and raise key challenges and concerns for its future development. |
| Keywords: | South Africa, electricity, renewable energy, political economy, policy |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-015&r=env |
| By: | Todd, Brian |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao16:236876&r=env |
| By: | Dewi Yuliani |
| Abstract: | To accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies and to secure the electricity supply, the Government of Indonesia has issued several feed-in-tariff regulations for various renewable energy sources, which were previously predominated by pilot projects using government funding. The feed-in tariff is a policy instrument that has been successfully applied in many other countries to support renewable electricity, and it is known for its simplicity in implementation. This study undertakes exploratory research to evaluate how the policy works in Indonesia, not only as stated in official reports, but also in the field. The study's results show that while the policy triggers investment interest in renewable power plants, there are many obstacles encountered at the deployment stage due to imperfections in the feed-in-tariff policy package and some non-cost factors. In addition, several unanticipated side effects were identified at the local level as a consequence of the upturn in investment interest. The study indicates that the transition to cleaner energy is much more challenging for developing countries such as Indonesia. |
| Keywords: | feed-in-tariff policy, renewable energy, deployment |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2016-059&r=env |
| By: | Daniel Rais |
| Abstract: | SECO Working Paper 7/2014 |
| Date: | 2014–08–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wti:papers:912&r=env |
| By: | Webster, Tony; Mallawaarachchi, Thilak |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235787&r=env |
| By: | Polyakov, Maksym; Zhang, Fan; White, Ben; Pandit, Ram |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235502&r=env |
| By: | Khairo, Salahadin; Cacho, Oscar; Hadley, David; Fleming, Peter; Hean, Robyn |
| Keywords: | Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235344&r=env |
| By: | Bartkowski, Bartosz |
| Abstract: | Biodiversity is often believed to be economically valuable, but it is unclear where its value stems from. To date, a number of economic valuation studies targeted biodiversity in highly diverse ways, yet there exists no consistent framework for valuing it. In this paper, a conceptual framework for the economic valuation of biodiversity is presented. By drawing insights from both ecology and economics, the ways through which biodiversity influences human well-being are identified. It is argued that biodiversity’s economic value has four sources: biodiversity contributes to ecosystem functioning (insurance value), is the carrier of future options (option value), provides ‘efficient’ support for migrating species (spill-over value) and influences the aesthetic appreciation of ecosystems (aesthetic value). Being only a property of ecosystems, it does not have value per se, but only contributes to the overall value of an ecosystem. The paper also includes a discussion of the conceptual framework’s fit within the conventional TEV framework, from which the need is derived to expand TEV to better account for biodiversity; a possible extension is offered. |
| Keywords: | biodiversity, economic valuation, ecosystem functioning, insurance value, option value, TEV, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q51, Q57, |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc16:236293&r=env |
| By: | Umberger, Wendy; Windle, Jill; Rolfe, John; Malek, Lenka; Anders, Sven |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235640&r=env |
| By: | Diederik Dicou; Saskia van Ewijk; Jan Kakes; Martijn Regelink; Guido Schotten |
| Abstract: | Economic activity and energy consumption are inextricably linked. Given this, changes in energy systems can have a major impact on the economy and financial stability. This is particularly true in the case of the Netherlands, which is still dependent on polluting energy sources to a significant extent. We are currently in the early stage of a major energy transition: the global challenge of switching to a carbon-neutral energy system in time. |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dnb:dnbocs:1402&r=env |
| By: | Ponce Oliva, Roberto; Vásquez Lavín, Felipe; Alonso Orrego, Sergio |
| Keywords: | CAMBIO CLIMATICO, RECURSOS HIDRICOS, CUENCAS FLUVIALES, ESTUDIOS DE CASOS, CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER RESOURCES, RIVER BASINS, CASE STUDIES |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col043:40195&r=env |
| By: | Minh Duc, Nguyen; Ancev, Tihomir; Randall, Alan |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare16:235419&r=env |
| By: | Yvon Pesqueux (LIRSA - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Sciences de l'Action - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM]) |
| Abstract: | D'un point de vue étymologique, le mot de « déchet », dérivé du verbe déchoir, signifie, à partir du Moyen-âge, la part qui est perdue. Au début du XIX° siècle, le mot caractérise également une personne dégénérée. Il faut en souligner la proximité avec la notion d'obsolescence. Comment ne pas mentionner non plus La part maudite de G. Bataille. Il est possible de considérer le déchet comme étant un des analyseurs possibles du fonctionnement d'une société dans la mesure où ils sont représentatifs de rapports sociaux, de différences de classes, de la dualité hommes / femmes (les déchets masculins peuvent être substantiellement différents des déchets féminins), des différences culturelles entre société (cf. l'archéologie des poubelles du paléolithique) ou encore des conceptions de l'hygiène venant fonder la différence entre le propre et le sale, le sale étant la première étape d'une sorte de cycle de vie du déchet. Le rapport au déchet peut de plus être considéré comme étant un enjeu de construction institutionnelle (1975 en France avec l'apparition du Ministère de l'Environnement). Il pose aussi la question des rapports entre société biologique (l'univers de la famille et ses déchets domestiques), société civile (économique avec les déchets industriels, non économique avec le débat sur la place des ONG dans la thématique du déchet) et société politique (existence d'un Ministère en charge de la question, des politiques publiques exprimées tant en termes de subvention que d'incitations que pour l'alternative qui vaut entre la collecte et ce qui se passe après au regard du thème de la protection de l'environnement). |
| Keywords: | Développement durable, Déchet |
| Date: | 2016–04–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:cel-01325113&r=env |
| By: | Shannon, Harlan D. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao16:236602&r=env |