|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2016‒10‒09
thirty-two papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Fanny Henriet (PSE - Paris School of Economics, CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Katheline Schubert (PSE - Paris School of Economics, CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | In the context of the deep contrast between the shale gas boom in the United States and the recent ban by France of shale gas exploration, this paper explores whether climate policy justifies developing more shale gas, taking into account environmental damages, both local and global, and addresses the question of a potential arbitrage between shale gas development and the transition to clean energy. We construct a Hotelling-like model where electricity may be produced by three perfectly substitutable sources: an abundant dirty resource (coal), a non-renewable less polluting resource (shale gas), and an abundant clean resource (solar). The resources differ by their carbon contents and their unit costs. Fixed costs must be paid for shale gas exploration, and before solar production begins. Climate policy takes the form of a ceiling on atmospheric carbon concentration. We show that at the optimum tightening climate policy always leads to bringing forward the transition to clean energy. We determine conditions under which the quantity of shale gas extracted should increase or decrease as the ceiling is tightened. To address the question of the arbitrage between shale gas development and the transition to clean energy, we assume that the social planner has to comply to the climate constraint without increasing energy expenditures. We show that when the price elasticity of electricity demand is low, a binding financial constraint leads to an overinvestment in shale gas and postpones the switch to the clean backstop. We calibrate the model for Europe and determine whether shale gas should be extracted, depending on the magnitude of the local damage, as well as the potential extra amount of shale gas developed because of a financial constraint, and the cost of a moratorium on extraction. |
| Keywords: | shale gas,global warming,non-renewable resources,energy transition |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01169310&r=env |
| By: | Barra, Cristian; Zotti, Roberto |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses how national income (per capita real GDP) influences the environmental pollution (per capita CO2 emissions) using a very heterogenous sample composed by 120 countries during the 2000-2009 period. We firstly apply a panel unit root test suggested by Im et al. (2003) in order to examine the stationarity properties of CO2 emissions and GDP and then a two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, paying particular attention to the non-linearity of the national income-environmental pollution relationship, to investigate the existence of a Kuznets curve for CO2 emissions. Preliminary evidence showing the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between national income and environmental pollution, validating the Kutznes’s hypothesis, turned out to be measleading once the issue of (non) stationarity has been taken into account. Results also show that as population and industrial output expand, more pressure will be put forth the environment, leading to more emissions, calling for more strict environmental and energy conservation policies. |
| Keywords: | National income; Environmental pollution; U-shaped relationship; Kutznes’s hypothesis |
| JEL: | C12 C13 C23 F18 Q51 |
| Date: | 2016–09–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:74149&r=env |
| By: | Joseph S. Shapiro (Cowles Foundation, Yale University); Reed Walker (University of California, Berkeley, IZA, & NBER) |
| Abstract: | Between 1990 and 2008, air pollution emissions from U.S. manufacturing fell by 60 percent despite a substantial increase in manufacturing output. We show that these emissions reductions are primarily driven by within-product changes in emissions intensity rather than changes in output or in the composition of products produced. We then develop and estimate a quantitative model linking trade with the environment to better understand the economic forces driving these changes. Our estimates suggest that the implicit pollution tax that manufacturers face doubled between 1990 and 2008. These changes in environmental regulation, rather than changes in productivity and trade, account for most of the emissions reductions. |
| Keywords: | Cap-and-trade, Market-based instruments, NOx Budget Program, Pollution, Productivity, Trade |
| JEL: | F18 F64 H23 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1982r&r=env |
| By: | Kristine Pakalniete (AKTiiVS Ltd., Latvia); Juris Aigars (Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Latvia); Mikolaj Czajkowski (University of Warsaw, Department of Economics, Poland); Solvita Strake (Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Latvia); Ewa Zawojska (University of Warsaw, Department of Economics, Poland); Nick Hanley (Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews) |
| Abstract: | The ecological status of coastal and marine waterbodies world-wide is threatened by multiple stressors, including nutrient inputs from various sources and increasing occurrences of invasive alien species. These stressors impact the environmental quality of the Baltic Sea. Each Baltic Sea country contributes to the stressors and, at the same time, is affected by their negative impacts on water quality. Understanding who benefits from improvements in coastal and marine waters is key to assessing public support for policies aimed at achieving such changes. We propose a new approach to account for variability in benefits related to differences in socio-demographics of respondents, by using a structural model of discrete choice. Our method (1) provides a convenient way of incorporating a wide range of socio-demographics as explanatory variables in conditional multinomial logit models without the risk of collinearity, and (2) is more statistically efficient than the alternative, typically used approaches. The new technique is applied in a study which examines the preferences of Latvian citizens towards improvements of the coastal and marine environment quality that could help the Baltic Sea waters of Latvia reach Good Environmental Status as required by the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Applying the discrete choice experiment method, we find that overall, Latvians are willing to pay for reducing losses of biodiversity, for improving water quality for recreation by reduced eutrophication, and for reducing new occurrences of invasive alien species. A significant group within the sample seems not to value environmental improvements in the Baltic Sea, and, thus,is unwilling to support costly measures for achieving such improvements. The structural model of discrete choice reveals substantial heterogeneity among Latvians towards changes in the quality of coastal and marine waters of Latvia. |
| Keywords: | good environmental status, coastal and marine water quality, biodiversity, invasive alien species, eutrophication, discrete choice experiment, observed preference heterogeneity, socio-demographic characteristics, hybrid choice model |
| JEL: | Q51 Q25 Q57 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sss:wpaper:2016-14&r=env |
| By: | Llop Llop, Maria |
| Abstract: | International environmental agreements have met with the reluctance of some countries to accept general commitments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While acknowledging the crucial significance of the climate change process, politicians and regulators in some export-oriented countries have argued that pollution measures would have a negative impact on their domestic welfare. Despite the literature having thoroughly analysed those impacts from various points of view, using different methodological approaches, the second-best general equilibrium analysis has not to date been used to analyse the relationship between environmental taxation and trade. This paper fills this gap by presenting a general equilibrium model to examine the welfare effects of taxing a polluting exported good through an explicit representation of the trade relations of the economy in the presence of pre-existing taxes. The results extend the scope of the literature on second-best taxation by demonstrating that trade affects all the traditional welfare components proposed in the previous studies. In addition, trade neutrality on welfare not only depends on partial equilibrium effects but also general equilibrium impacts, involving the ability to replace the distortionary income tax with the new tax and the influence of environmental improvements on the labour-leisure choice. Keywords: environmental taxation; trade-substitution effect; welfare trade neutrality. JEL classification: F18, H21, H23. |
| Keywords: | Comerç internacional -- Aspectes ambientals, Medi ambient -- Impostos, 339 - Comerç. Relacions econòmiques internacionals. Economia mundial. Màrqueting, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urv:wpaper:2072/267083&r=env |
| By: | ZhongXiang Zhang (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University) |
| Abstract: | In international climate change negotiations, China’s role is an issue of perennial concern. In particular, the lack of quantitative, absolute emissions commitments from China has been the focus. In line with changing domestic and international contexts, China is recalibrating its stance and strategy. Its participation in international climate change negotiations has evolved from playing a peripheral role to gradually moving to the centre. This article examines China’s stance and role in international climate change negotiations from a historical perspective. In so doing, the article discusses the evolution of international climate negotiations and China’s stance in the lead-up to and at the Paris conference. The focus is now turning to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The article discusses post-Paris issues in the international context and in particular in China’s context. These affect the post Paris negotiations and hold the key to achieving desired outcomes. |
| Keywords: | International climate negotiations; Copenhagen accord; Paris agreement; China |
| JEL: | Q52 Q54 Q58 Q43 Q48 O31 O33 O44 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:ccepwp:1607&r=env |
| By: | Yacoub Bahini (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Cuong Le Van (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics, VCREME - VanXuan Center of Research in Economics, Management and Environment - VanXuan Center of Research in Economics, Management and Environment, IPAG - Business School) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we use the CMM model (Chakravorty et al., 2006) in discrete time and obtain more results concerning the exhaustion time of Non-Renewable Resource (NRE), the dynamic regimes of energy prices, of the stocks of pollution. We show that NRE is exhausted in finite time and is directly influenced by the initial stock of NRE and the costs of NRE and RE. Higher is the initial stock of NRE, far is the time of exhaustion of NRE. Higher is the cost of NRE (resp. the difference of unit costs between RE and NRE), far is the time of exhaustion of NRE. Furthermore, we show that the abatement intervenes, when necessary, not more than two periods. We also show that, when the unit extraction cost of RE is not very high, the stocks of emissions will never be binding if and only if, the initial stock of NRE is less than a critical value. |
| Keywords: | dynamic optimization,natural resources,energetic transition,environment |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01167042&r=env |
| By: | Horbach, Jens |
| Abstract: | The profitability of green investment is crucial for the diffusion of the resulting technologies but the knowledge about these effects is still limited. Positive performance effects may be based on cost savings stemming from the introduction of cleaner production processes connected with lower material and/or energy use. The present paper empirically analyzes the effects of environmentally active behavior on the performance of a firm. The analysis is based on the 2013 wave of the Eurobarometer data for small and medium-sized firms (SME's). The analysis for SME's seems to be interesting because small firms might be especially affected by the costs of environmental measures as the introduction of resource efficiency measures are costly in the short run. The results of a bivariate probit model show that a high amount in investment in resource efficiency measures triggers the overall performance of the firm. A high selfperceived greenness of the firm and a high share of green employment are positively correlated to performance. In fact, not all measures in improving resource efficiency are connected with positive performance effects: An increased use of renewables leads to a higher performance whereas measures to reduce water consumption are negatively correlated to turnover development. |
| Keywords: | eco-innovation,bivariate probit model,SME |
| JEL: | C35 O33 Q55 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:643&r=env |
| By: | Zengkai Zhang (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University); ZhongXiang Zhang (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University) |
| Abstract: | Climate regulations tend to target energy intensive sectors whose products are widely used in industrial production as intermediate inputs, such as electricity, and the carbon abatement may be partially offset by intermediate input-led leakage. This paper aims to examine the impact of intermediate input linkage on the carbon leakage both theoretically and empirically. We develop a Harberger-type model with an input-output linkage structure, identify four leakage effects and derive closed-form solutions for these leakage effects. For empirical simulation, we build a computable general equilibrium model of China’s economy and introduce Structural Decomposition Analysis to link both the theoretical and empirical models. When imposing a carbon price on the electricity generation sector, our results show significant carbon leakage. Our decomposition analysis further suggests that such leakage is mainly through the production substitution effect, followed by the multiplier effect. Both of the two effects are closely related to the intermediate input linkage, and thus shed some light on the importance of considering sectoral linkage when discussing the carbon leakage issue of climate policies. |
| Keywords: | carbon leakage; sectoral linkage; climate regulation; general equilibrium model; production substitution effect; multiplier effect |
| JEL: | Q55 Q58 Q43 Q48 O13 O31 O33 O44 F18 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:ccepwp:1606&r=env |
| By: | Matthew Doyle (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Corrado Di Maria (School of Economics, University of East Anglia); Ian Lange (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Emiliya Lazarova (School of Economics, University of East Anglia) |
| Abstract: | Researchers have utilized the fact that many states have term limits (as opposed to being eligible for re-election) for governors to determine how changes in electoral incentives alter state regulatory agency behavior. This paper asks whether these impacts spill over into private sector decision-making. Using data from gubernatorial elections in the U.S., we find strong evidence that power plants spend less in water pollution abatement if the governor of the state where the plant is located is a term-limited democrat. We show that this evidence is consistent with compliance cost minimization by power plants reacting to changes in the regulatory enforcement. Finally, we show that the decrease in spending has environmental impacts as it leads to increased pollution. |
| Keywords: | Political Economy, Electoral Incentives, Term Limits, Environmental Policy, Pollution Abatement, Compliance Costs, Power Plants, Water Pollution, Regression Discontinuity |
| JEL: | H32 H76 Q25 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp201609&r=env |
| By: | Carmen Marchiori; Simon Dietz; Alessandro Tavoni |
| Abstract: | We investigate the effect of domestic politics on international environmental policy by incorporating into a classic stage game of coalition formation the phenomenon of lobbying by special-interest groups. In doing so, we contribute to the theory of international environmental agreements, which has overwhelmingly assumed that governments make decisions based on a single set of public-interest motivations. Our results suggest that lobbying on emissions may affect the size of the stable coalition in counterintuitive ways. In particular, a powerful business lobby may increase the government's incentives to sign an agreement, by providing it with strong bargaining power with respect to that lobby at the emission stage. This would result in lower total emissions when the number of countries involved is not too large. We also show that things change radically when lobbying bears directly on the membership decisions, suggesting that both the object and timing of lobbying matter for the way in which membership decisions, emissions and welfare are affected. |
| Keywords: | game theory; international environmental agreements; lobbying; special interest groups; strategic cooperation |
| JEL: | C7 H41 K33 Q2 Q54 |
| Date: | 2016–09–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:67923&r=env |
| By: | Joltreau, Eugénie; Sommerfeld, Katrin |
| Abstract: | Environmental policies may have important consequences for firms' competitiveness or profitability. However, the empirical literature shows that hardly any statistically significant effects on firms can be detected for the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). On the basis of existing literature, we focus on potential explanations for why the empirical literature finds hardly any significant competitiveness effects on firms, least not during the first two phases of the scheme (2005-2012). We also reason why the third phase (2013-2020) could reveal similar results. We show that the main explanations for this finding are a large over-allocation of emissions ertificates leading to a price drop and the ability of firms to pass costs onto consumers in some sectors. Cost pass-through, in turn, partly generated windfall profits. In addition, the relatively low importance of energy costs indicated by their average share in the budgets of most manufacturing industries may limit the impact of the EU ETS. Finally, small but significant stimulating effects on innovation have been found so far. These different aspects may explain why the empirical literature does not find significant effects from the EU ETS on firms' competitiveness. |
| Keywords: | Cap and Trade system,EU ETS,firm-level competitiveness |
| JEL: | Q52 Q58 D22 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:16062&r=env |
| By: | Lorenzo Cerda Planas (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | This paper intends to provide an alternative approach to the formation of International Environmental Agreements (IEA). The existing consensus within the literature is that there are either too few signatories or that the emissions of signatories are almost the same as business as usual (BAU). I start from a well-known model (Barrett 1997), adding heterogeneity in countries' marginal abatement costs (low and high) and in damages suffered (or corresponding environmental concern). I also allow for technological transfers and border taxes. I show that using either mechanism one at a time, does not change the results. But if both are used in a strategic manner, a grand (and abating) coalition can be reached, while minimizing transfers. |
| Keywords: | self-enforcing environmental agreements,border tax,tipping |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01163935&r=env |
| By: | Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | French environmental taxes are not really ecologically oriented. Their main aim is to raise revenues. Clear signs of this inappropriate direction are given by the large share of the energy taxes and by the low level of most tax rates, which for the most part, are only implicit tax rates on the polluting goods. An ecological tax reform would imply a global green tax shift with tax rates proportionate to the marginal damages. The success and the acceptation of such a reform by the taxpayers rely on the chosen recycling mechanism for the tax revenues, on government’s efforts in information and pedagogy, on transparency about the policy choices but also, somehow paradoxically, on audacity of actions. |
| Abstract: | Actuellement, la fiscalité environnementale française répond moins à une finalité écologique qu’à un objectif plus traditionnel de fiscalité de rendement. Les signes manifestes de cette inadéquation sont la très grande part prise par la fiscalité de l’énergie et le faible niveau de la plupart des taux de taxe, qui souvent ne frappent qu’implicitement les produits polluants. Réformer la fiscalité française supposerait de la « verdir » dans son ensemble en appliquant des taux de taxes en relation avec les dommages marginaux. La réussite de la réforme et son acceptation par les contribuables sont conditionnées par le mécanisme de redistribution associé, les efforts de pédagogie et d’information, la transparence mais aussi, paradoxalement, par l’audace des mesures prises. |
| Keywords: | environmental tax,double dividend,tax progressivity,progressivité de l’impôt,double dividende,écotaxe,contribution climat-énergie,fiscalité |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01199478&r=env |
| By: | James B. ANG (Division of Economics, Nanyang Technological University, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332.); Per G. Fredriksson (Department of Economics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how the implementation of modern climate change policies is related to former colonies' length of state history and their legal heritage. We argue that countries with longer statehood experience around the time of colonization were better equipped to implement the legal philosophies transplanted by their colonial powers. Therefore, the implications of receiving British common law versus French civil law should be particularly important in countries with a greater accumulated history of statehood. Using a cross section of up to 78 former colonies, our results provide support for this hypothesis. In particular, our estimates demonstrate that common law countries have weaker modern climate change policies than civil law countries and the difference is in ated by a longer statehood experience, measured by the length of state history from 1-1800 AD. Legal origin has no e ect in areas which, by the time of colonization, had no statehood experience. |
| Keywords: | Environmental policy; climate change; state antiquity; history; state capacity;legal origins; colonization. |
| JEL: | Q58 K23 O44 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nan:wpaper:1610&r=env |
| By: | Mirjam Schindler (IPSE, Université du Luxembourg); Geoffrey Caruso (IPSE, Université du Luxembourg); Pierre M. Picard (CREA, Université du Luxembourg, CORE Université catholique de Louvain) |
| Abstract: | Exposure to urban traffic-induced air pollution is a major health concern of cities. This paper analyzes the urban structure when localized pollution exposure arises from commuting traffic and investigates the feedback effect of endogenous pollution on residential choices. The presence of stronger traffic-induced air pollution exposure reduces the geographical extent and the population of cities. Land rents fall with distance from the city center while population densities may be non-monotonic. Cleaner vehicle technolo- gies reduce pollution exposure everywhere, increase population and density everywhere and do not affect the spatial extent of the city. The paper com- pares the urban equilibrium with the first-best. The first-best structure is a less expanded city with higher densities at the center and lower densities at the fringe. |
| Keywords: | residential choice, traffic-induced air pollution, localized pollution exposure, urban structure |
| JEL: | R11 R14 R41 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:luc:wpaper:16-08&r=env |
| By: | Michel Beine (CREA, Université du Luxembourg); Christopher R. Parsons (University of Western Australia) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we revisit the issue of environmental change as a potential determinant of international migration, thereby providing an extension of our earlier paper. In contrast to Beine and Parsons (2015) and in light of recent empirical contributions, we adopt an alternative identification strategy in which we only include fixed effects together with our measures of climatic change in order to quantify the net partial effect of climatic change on bilateral migration. Again drawing on panel data from 1960-2000, we further exploit the dyadic dimension of our data to highlight the importance of neighbouring countries and former colonial powers in determining the direction of climate-induced emigration. We additionally highlight the importance of how differences in modelling climate change can lead to differing results. Our baseline results suggest that climatic change affects individuals’ credit constraints more than their desire to move. Our key findings are that natural disasters deter emigration from all origin countries but importantly spur emigration to neighbouring countries while for middle income origins, natural disasters while deterring migration, foster emigration to former colonial powers. |
| Keywords: | International Migration, Environmental change; Natural disasters |
| JEL: | F22 J61 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:luc:wpaper:16-11&r=env |
| By: | Andor, Mark A.; Frondel, Manuel; Vance, Colin |
| Abstract: | This paper presents evidence that the accumulating cost of Germany's ambitious plan to transform its system of energy provision - the so-called Energiewende - is butting up against consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for it. Following a descriptive presentation that traces the German promotion of renewable energy technologies since 2000, we draw on two stated-preference surveys conducted in 2013 and 2015 that elicit the households' WTP for green electricity. Two models are estimated, one based on a closed-ended question framed around Germany's target of 35% renewable energy in electricity provision by 2020, and the other on an open-ended format that captures changes in WTP over time. To deal with the bias that typifies hypothetical responses, both models distinguish respondents according to whether they express definite certainty in their reported WTP. The results from both models reveal a strong contrast between the households' general acceptance of supporting renewable energy technologies and their own WTP for green electricity. |
| Abstract: | Dieser Artikel vergleicht die wachsenden Kosten für die Energiewende mit der Zahlungsbereitschaft deutscher Haushalte für grünen Strom. Basierend auf zwei Erhebungen aus den Jahren 2013 und 2015 werden zwei Modelle geschätzt, die einerseits auf einer offenen Frage zur Zahlungsbereitschaft für die Erreichung des 35%-Ziels für das Jahr 2020 basieren und andererseits auf einer Frage mit fest vorgegebenen Werten für die Zahlungsbereitschaft. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen einen starken Kontrast zwischen der generellen Befürwortung der Förderung erneuerbarer Energien und der Zahlungsbereitschaft für grünen Strom. |
| Keywords: | certainty approach,energy policy,willingness-to-pay |
| JEL: | D12 Q21 Q41 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:645&r=env |
| By: | Nadezhda S. Mikova (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the future perspectives of climate change. First, it analyzes the possibilities of using the media as an information source for anticipating trends and challenges in this area through exploring the topics that have been actively discussed in the news in the recent 5 years. Second, qualitative and quantitative approaches are combined in this study in order to identify trends of different categories: social, technological, economic, environmental, political and values/culture. It allows integrating the results of trends monitoring obtained from qualitative and quantitative sources and create a complex map of trends. Qualitative approach is based on the literature review and consultations with the experts, while quantitative analysis includes collecting the news from Factiva database and processing it in Vantage Point software using bibliometric analysis, natural language processing, statistical analysis and principal component analysis. The results shown that 58% of trends were validated by the news and its contribution to the final trends list accounts for 25% on average, which means that the media can be considered as a useful additional data source for validating and updating trends. The results of this multidisciplinary study can be of interest to researchers, economists, business representatives and policy makers that are involved in the climate change related activities |
| Keywords: | climate change, foresight, trends monitoring, news, quantitative methods |
| JEL: | O33 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:65sti2016&r=env |
| By: | - |
| Keywords: | DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, PROYECTOS DE DESARROLLO, POLITICA ENERGETICA, RENDIMIENTO ENERGETICO, INNOVACIONES, EVALUACION, EVALUATION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, ENERGY POLICY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, INNOVATIONS |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col093:40620&r=env |
| By: | Cati Torres (Applied Economics Department, Universitat de les Illes Balears); Nick Hanley (Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews) |
| Abstract: | Quantifying the monetary value of ecosystem services provided by coastal and marine resources can help policy makers assess the trade-offs and synergies inherent in ecosystem -based management of marine and coastal environments, thus increasing the social efficiency of decision-making processes. As shown by the valuation literature, the number of coastal and marine management settings where valuation researchers have attempted to make a contribution is rising fast. However, this rise in research activity has not been matched by the increase in the use of economic valuation (EV) in the actual management of coastal and marine resources. This raises an interesting question: is EV responding to the needs of policy makers? This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledg e base regarding the economic values for coastal and marine ecosystems. It then discusses how to improve the uptake of ES valuation research by focussing on two core issues which are thought to be essential for more effective communication with the policy community. |
| Keywords: | economic valuation, marine and coastal ecosystem services, coastal and marine management, policy analysis, benefit transfer |
| JEL: | Q51 Q25 Q57 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sss:wpaper:2016-13&r=env |
| By: | MOTHE Caroline; NGUYEN Thi Thuc Uyen |
| Abstract: | The antecedents of environmental innovation and the impact of openness on technological innovation have been well studied, yet the role of external knowledge search remains largely unknown. This study explores whether six dimensions of open search (external R&D, acquisition, R&D cooperation, and three types of external information sourcing) enhance firms? environmental innovation (EI) when used either sporadically or persistently. It shows that the temporal dimension of openness matters. Persistent open knowledge search efforts are associated with a firm?s propensity to introduce EI, more so than sporadic search. Furthermore, the different types of knowledge search have heterogeneous effects on different types of EI. It also shows that persistent innovation is more relevant in the case of radical EI. |
| Keywords: | Environmental innovation; Incremental/radical; Openness; Persistence; Search |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irs:cepswp:2016-13&r=env |
| By: | Toke Emil Panduro (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen); Cathrine Ulla Jensen (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen); Thomas Hedemark Lundhede (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen; Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen); Kathrine von Graevenitz (Department of Environmental and Resource Economics, Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW)); Bo Jellesmark Thorsen (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen; Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen) |
| Abstract: | The hedonic pricing method has been used extensively to obtain implicit prices for availability of urban green space, but few hedonic studies have obtained households’ preference parameters. We estimate willingness to pay functions for park availability in Copenhagen using an approach that places identifying restrictions on the utility function. We do this for two different measures of park availability. We apply our results to a policy scenario and show how estimates of aggregate welfare changes are highly sensitive to the measure of park availability applied. Thus, the approach in this study applies an alternative path for estimation of demand schedules for public goods using hedonic data. The findings also stress the importance of paying attention to how public goods are defined when undertaking welfare economic policy analyses. |
| Keywords: | hedonic house price model, green space, preference heterogeneity, identification |
| JEL: | R21 Q51 |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:foi:wpaper:2016_06&r=env |
| By: | William L. Huth; O. Ashton Morgan; John C. Whitehead |
| Abstract: | We fuse and jointly estimate revealed and stated preference data over the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill time horizon to analyze the potential for a new seafood traceability system to mitigate long-run decreases in product demand following a major contamination event. Findings indicate that traceability information flows that provide more precise information to oyster consumers regarding the location of harvest ameliorate consumers’ perceived risk of eating oyster meals after the spill, leading to a significant increase in demand. Further, the magnitude of the increase is greater than the negative long-term post-spill effects, leading to overall welfare gains. However, any price increase associated with the information will mitigate the initial welfare gains. Overall, our findings suggest that the potential success of a new seafood traceability system depends on the implementation costs and the extent to which price increases are passed onto consumers. Key Words: Traceability, oyster consumers, consumer surplus, contamination event, risk preferences |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:apl:wpaper:16-17&r=env |
| By: | Dill, Alexander; Gebhart, Nicolas |
| Abstract: | Eight out of ten leading international indices to assess developing countries in aspects beyond GDP are showing strong redundancy, bias and unilateralism. The quantitative comparison gives evidence for the fact that always the same countries lead the ranks with a low standard deviation. The dependency of the GDP is striking: do the indices only measure indicators that are direct effects of a strong GDP? While the impact of GDP can be discussed reverse as well, the standard deviation shows a strong bias: only one out of the twenty countries with the highest standard deviation is among the Top-20 countries of the world, but 11 countries among those with the lowest standard deviation. Let’s have a look at the backsides of global statistics and methods to compare their findings. The article is the result of a pre-study to assess Social Capital for development countries made for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The study leaded to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) project World Social Capital Monitor. |
| Keywords: | Beyond GDP, GDP, Gross Domestic Product, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, UN SDG, bias, unilateralism, redundancy, Global Index Benchmark, indices, country rankings |
| JEL: | A11 A12 A13 A14 B40 C10 C83 E16 E66 F62 F63 G01 H41 H5 H50 I31 I32 O1 O11 O2 O57 P00 Q5 Q50 Y8 Y80 Z1 Z13 |
| Date: | 2016–09–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:74268&r=env |
| By: | Michael Redlinger (Department of Revenue, State of Alaska); Ian Lange (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Peter Maniloff (Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines interfirm learning economies in improving productivity and environmental safety in Bakken oil drilling. We distinguish between firms accruing match-specific relationship capital, idiosyncratic match quality, and learning about match quality. We find some evidence that firms do accrue relationship-specific capital which improves firm productivity. However, we do not find evidence that firm or interfirm learning leads to increased environmental safety. We do find evidence that idiosyncratic match quality leads to both higher productivity and improved environmental safety. |
| Keywords: | Learning, Shale Oil, Drilling, Environmental Accidents |
| JEL: | L51 L71 Q35 Q53 |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp201610&r=env |
| By: | Takumi Motoyama (Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University) |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study is to present an analytical framework for publicly optimal disasterpreventive expenditure. We examine the optimal policy combination of tax rate, disaster-preventive expenditure, and productive government expenditure in a neoclassical growth model, in which natural disasters occur stochastically and partially destroy existing capital. Based on this model, we can decompose the welfare effect of raising preventive expenditure into three effects: the damage reduction, crowding out, and precautionary effects. By identifying these marginal benefits and costs, we obtain the policy conditions that maximize household welfare. Furthermore, we show that optimal prevention is increasing in disaster probability, and by using a numerical example, we show that there is an inverse U-shaped relationship between the expected growth rate and disaster probability. |
| Keywords: | Natural disasters, Disaster-preventive expenditure, Optimal policy |
| JEL: | E13 H4 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osk:wpaper:1503r&r=env |
| By: | Sahoo, Anshuman (Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, Stanford University); Sawe, Nik (Stanford University) |
| Abstract: | The Energy Star program labels energy efficient goods and has been credited with reducing the external costs of energy consumption. Its social value is nonetheless ambiguous if, in its absence, consumers both over-value and under-value the energy consumption attribute of goods, relative to their economic preferences. The label must perform opposite tasks to guarantee an increase in consumer welfare: it must prompt some individuals to increase their valuation of the energy consumption attribute and others, to decrease it. Otherwise, the program could yield "negative dividends" by inducing losses in individual-level welfare that outweigh externality reductions. We develop a method to quantify the impact of the program on individual-level decision-making behavior and welfare. Using novel data from a stated choice experiment involving light bulbs, we illustrate the potential for negative dividends and that the value of programs such as the Energy Star depends on the choice set available to consumers. |
| JEL: | D12 H23 Q48 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:stabus:3403&r=env |
| By: | Georg Zachmann |
| Abstract: | European policymakers are struggling to identify economic policies that can create new jobs and return their economies to a stable growth path. The aim of this report is to examine how Europe can gain a competitive edge in new products and services with higher value added that can form the basis for future growth and jobs. In light of limited fiscal and political capital, the crucial issue is prioritisation in terms of technologies, regions and policies. Given global decarbonisation concerns, the wide array of low-carbon technologies offers significant growth potential. Some EU countries have already been able to develop a comparative advantage in wind turbines and electric vehicles, though the EU is less effective at exporting solar panels and batteries. Based on patenting activities we, however, see some potential – maybe not for entire countries but for some regions – to further specialise in all of these four low-carbon technologies. |
| Date: | 2016–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bre:polcon:16645&r=env |
| By: | Carole Laverlochère (Chrome - EA 7352 - UNIMES - Université de Nîmes); Veronique Thireau (Chrome - EA 7352 - UNIMES - Université de Nîmes) |
| Abstract: | La gestion des déchets radioactifs et leur localisation posent des questions décisionnelles singulières car prises dans un contexte où l’information n’est pas parfaite, l’atomicité absente et les individus peu rationnels. De fait cette variété de décision est porteuse d’un risque de nature politique où les conflits sont immanents. Aussi, après avoir présenté le cas des déchets radioactifs FAVL, particulièrement représentatifs des difficultés posées aux autorités publiques autant qu’aux populations, nous proposons des outils permettant d’appréhender ce type de conflits territorialisés. |
| Keywords: | Gestion, localisation déchets radioactifs FAVL |
| Date: | 2015–07–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01352221&r=env |
| By: | Sánchez, Luis; Reyes, Orlando |
| Abstract: | El principal objetivo de este estudio es analizar de la demanda de gasolinas, gas licuado de petróleo (GLP) y electricidad para Ecuador con base en información de series de tiempo y micro-datos. El documento está compuesto por cinco secciones. La primera sección es la introducción; la segunda sección establece un contexto general del comportamiento de la economía de Ecuador, del sector energético destacando el consumo de gasolinas, gas licuado de petróleo (GLP) y electricidad y un análisis breve de los subsidios e impuestos que se han aplicado a estos energéticos; en la tercera sección se presentan las estimaciones econométricas a nivel macroeconómico de la demanda de gasolinas, GLP y electricidad; en la cuarta sección se analiza brevemente información de micro-datos y se muestran las estimaciones de las curvas de Engel y de los modelos de demanda de tipo AIDS (Demanda Casi Ideales) y QUAIDS (Demanda Casi Ideales Cuadráticos) de gasolinas, GLP y electricidad. Fnalmente, en la quinta sección se presentan las conclusiones generales. |
| Date: | 2016–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:40629&r=env |
| By: | Alsayyed, Nidal; Zhu, Weihang |
| Abstract: | Entrepreneurs in the U.S. solar photovoltaic market businesses operate in fragile institutional settings, which can imply passive ownership and lending based mechanisms by the conduct of the public utility commissions, funding structure of many financial institutions; and associated State and federal environmental policies. In some States (e.g., Nevada), the anti-solar rulings is politicized, and the main risk relates to job losses and less solar projects. In other States (like California) this kind of risk is much lower; nevertheless the financing policies are damaging over the long run, and the lending options are not fit for a sustainable industry. The consequence of the latter for entrepreneurs and project owners is that they are more likely to lobby the government for debt subsidies rather than risk sharing activities. The authors illustrate the current financing approach by focusing on the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB) in many States nationwide relative to our proposed solar investment certificates model. The paper highlight a tangible and intangible economic exchange activity, and productive financing structure that creates a sustainable economy through a reasonable level of uncertainty in the distribution of subsidies. We present the sustainable metrics and essential stakeholders behind the possible flourishing of such structure. The proposed model will differ among different renewable technology sectors compared with other sectors. Moreover; the paper theorizes that while the performance of utility companies is more affected than the performance of small and medium companies, the impact of federal-induced incentive’s on small companies is actually less obvious. Our framework analysis, based on thousands of databases on utility companies and solar regulatory policies, takes advantage of the regional diverseness across the United States. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable Investment Certificates (SIC); Solar Photovoltaic; Clean Bonds |
| JEL: | P28 Q42 Q47 |
| Date: | 2016–06–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:74190&r=env |