|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2019‒04‒22
forty-nine papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Ben-David, Itzhak (Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Finance; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)); Kleimeier, Stefanie (Maastricht University - Department of Finance); Viehs, Michael (Oxford University Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment; European Centre for Corporate Engagement (ECCE)) |
| Abstract: | Despite awareness of the detrimental impact of CO2 pollution on the world climate, countries vary widely in how they design and enforce environmental laws. Using novel micro data about firms’ CO2 emissions levels in their home and foreign countries, we document that firms headquartered in countries with strict environmental policies perform their polluting activities abroad in countries with relatively weaker policies. These effects are stronger for firms in high-polluting industries and with poor corporate governance characteristics. Although firms export pollution, they nevertheless emit less overall CO2 globally in response to strict environmental policies at home. |
| JEL: | N50 O13 Q56 R11 |
| Date: | 2018–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:ohidic:2018-20&r=all |
| By: | Humberto Llavador; John E. Roemer |
| Abstract: | Carbon budgets are a useful way to frame the climate mitigation challenge and much easier to agree upon than the allocation of emissions. We propose a mechanism with countries agreeing on the global carbon budget, while the decision to emit is decentralized at the country level. The revenue is collected in a global fund and allocated according to endogenously defined weights proportional to the marginal cost of climate change. The proposal features a unanimous agreement of the national citizenries of the world and global Pareto efficiency. We run a simulation in the spirit of the Paris Agreement, with zero emissions after 2055. At the Global Unanimity Equilibrium, permits are priced at 90$/tC, yielding 1.3 trillion dollars annually. Africa, India and the less developed countries in Asia are the only net recipients, while the US and China are the largest net contributors. |
| Keywords: | carbon budget, emissions, international agreement, permits, climate change |
| JEL: | Q54 Q56 Q58 F53 |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:upf:upfgen:1646&r=all |
| By: | Mikołaj Czajkowski (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Katarzyna Zagórska (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Natalia Letki (Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw); Piotr Tryjanowski (Poznań University of Life Sciences, Institute of Zoology); Adam Wąs (Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Economic Sciences) |
| Abstract: | Agri-environmental schemes have become an integral tool of land use management policies in ecologically valuable river valleys, that are commonly recognized as very important bird habitats. When high adoption of extensive agricultural practices is not only a political goal, but also a necessary condition for conservation of vulnerable ecosystems, understanding of farmers’ preferences is utterly important. Therefore, we use the case of Biebrza Marshes – a wetland complex and one of the largest wildlife refuges in Europe, which is located in northeastern Poland – and employ stated preference methods to investigate farmers’ preferences for adopting several agricultural practices, such as precision fertilization, crop diversification, catch crops, peatland protection, extensive use of meadows, and the reduction of livestock stocking density. Farmers’ willingness to participate in selected practices is explained using farms’ and farmers’ characteristics, subjectively and objectively measured farmers’ environmental knowledge, as well as by experimentally controlled information treatments about environmental benefits of agri-environmental contracts. The results provide new insights into the sources of farmers’ preference heterogeneity and show how different motivations relate to participation in agri-environmental schemes. Based on the results and consultations with local stakeholders, we make recommendations for a more efficient design and targeting of land use management instruments, including future agri-environmental schemes. |
| Keywords: | agri-environmental schemes, farmers’ preferences, choice experiments, agrobiodiversity protection, agri-environment, payments for ecosystem services |
| JEL: | Q18 Q12 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:war:wpaper:2019-06&r=all |
| By: | Schatzki, Todd (Analysis Group, Inc.); Stavins, Robert N. (Harvard Kennedy School) |
| Abstract: | Like many other states, Oregon has begun to pursue climate policies to attempt to fill the gap created by the lack of effective climate policy at the Federal level. After adopting a variety of policies to address climate change and other environmental impacts from energy use, Oregon is now contemplating the adoption of a greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade system. However, interactions between policies can have important consequences for environmental and economic outcomes. Thus, as Oregon considers taking this step, reconsidering the efficacy of its other current climate policies may better position the state to achieve long-run emission reductions at sustainable economic costs. |
| Date: | 2018–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp18-038&r=all |
| By: | Trilnick, Itai; Gordon, Benjamin; Zilberman, David |
| Abstract: | Can farmers adapt to climate change by altering weather conditions on their fields? We define the concept of ``Micro-Climate Engineering'' (MCE), where farmers change the effective temperatures on their crops by means of shading or heating, and document such implementation by California pistachio growers. With rising winter temperatures and declining winter chill portions, pistachio growers in California could face adverse climatic conditions within 20 years. Treating dormant trees with a chemical mix, acting as a shading technology, has shown to increase winter chill count to acceptable levels. Modeling a market with heterogeneous sub-climates, we run simulations to estimate potential gains from MCE in the year 2030 for California pistachio. Our results show an expected yearly welfare gain ranging between $1-4 billion. While positive in total, profits gains are highly heterogeneous given the differences in baseline climates. Market power drives gains up, pointing to a less explored intersection of IO, agriculture, and climate change. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, Climate Change, Agriculture, Micro-Climate Engineering, Innovation, Pistachio |
| Date: | 2018–02–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt3fw1q06n&r=all |
| By: | Simone Marsiglio (Department of Economcis, University of Pisa, and Center for Financial Development and Stability at Henan University, and School of Economics at Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan); Nahid Masoudi (Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Center for Financial Development and Stability at Henan University, and School of Economics at Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan) |
| Abstract: | We analyze a transboundary pollution control problem in a heterogeneous two-country differential game in which each country’s regulator cares for the implications of environmental policy on its compet- itiveness. We characterize and compare the noncooperative and the cooperative solutions, showing that under both scenarios, the heterogeneous countries impose different tax rates despite such competitiveness concerns. This may suggest that, while implementing some kind of mitigation policy is necessary to com- bat climate change, a universally homogeneous environmental tax may not be either desirable or optimal. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change; Competitiveness; Mitigation Policies; Transboundary Pollution |
| JEL: | C70 Q54 Q58 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fds:dpaper:201901&r=all |
| By: | Schmalensee, Richard (Massachusetts Institute of Technology); Stavins, Robert N. (Harvard Kennedy School) |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Clean Air Act, passed in 1970 with strong bipartisan support, was the first environmental law to give the Federal government a serious regulatory role, established the architecture of the U.S. air pollution control system, and became a model for subsequent environmental laws in the United States and globally. We outline the Act's key provisions, as well as the main changes Congress has made to it over time. We assess the evolution of air pollution control policy under the Clean Air Act, with particular attention to the types of policy instruments used. We provide a generic assessment of the major types of policy instruments, and we trace and assess the historical evolution of EPA's policy instrument use, with particular focus on the increased use of market-based policy instruments, beginning in the 1970s and culminating in the 1990s. Over the past fifty years, air pollution regulation has gradually become much more complex, and over the past twenty years, policy debates have become increasingly partisan and polarized, to the point that it has become impossible to amend the Act or pass other legislation to address the new threat of climate change. |
| JEL: | Q40 Q48 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp18-039&r=all |
| By: | Shapiro, Joseph S |
| Abstract: | U.S. investment to decrease pollution in rivers, lakes, and other surface waters has exceeded $1.9 trillion since 1960, and has also exceeded the cost of most other U.S. environmental initiatives. These investments come both from the 1972 Clean Water Act and the largely voluntary efforts to control pollution from agriculture and urban runoff. This paper reviews the methods and conclusions of about 20 recent evaluations of these policies. Surprisingly, most analyses estimate that these policies’ benefits are much smaller than their costs; the benefit/cost ratio from the median study is 0.37. Yet existing evidence is limited and undercounts many types of benefits. We conclude that it is unclear whether many of these regulations truly fail a benefit/cost test or whether existing evidence understates their net benefits; we also describe specific questions that when answered would help eliminate this uncertainty. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, Water pollution, Clean Water Act, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, environmental regulation |
| Date: | 2018–10–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt2qq4d7vn&r=all |
| By: | Richter, Philipp M.; Runkel, Marco; Schmidt, Robert C. |
| Abstract: | The loss of international competitiveness of domestic industries remains a key obstacle to the implementation of effective carbon prices in a world without harmonized climate policies. We analyze countries' non-cooperative choices of emissions taxes under imperfect competition and mobile polluting firms. In our general equilibrium setup with trade, wage effects prevent all firms from locating in the same country. While under local or no pollution countries achieve the first-best, under transboundary pollution taxes are inefficiently low and lower than under autarky where only the "standard" free-riding incentive distorts emissions taxes. This effect is more pronounced when polluting firms are mobile. |
| Keywords: | Strategic Environmental Policy,Firm Location,Carbon Leakage,General Equilibrium |
| JEL: | F12 F18 H23 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tudcep:0219&r=all |
| By: | Yoro Diallo (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Sébastien Marchand (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Etienne Espagne (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech, AFD - Agence française de développement, CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study is to examine farm household-level impacts of weather extreme events on Vietnamese rice technical efficiency. Vietnam is considered among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, and the Vietnamese economy is highly dependent on rice production that is strongly affected by climate change. A stochastic frontier analysis is applied with census panel data and weather data from 2010 to 2014 to estimate these impacts while controlling for both adaptation strategy and household characteristics. Also, this study combines these estimated marginal effects with future climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5) to project the potential impact of hot temperatures in 2050 on rice technical efficiency. We find that weather shocks measured by the occurrence of floods, typhoons and droughts negatively affect technical efficiency. Also, additional days with a temperature above 31°C dampen technical efficiency and the negative effect is increasing with temperature. For instance, a one day increase in the bin [33°C-34°C] ([35°C and more]) lessen technical efficiency between 6.84 (2.82) and 8.05 (3.42) percentage points during the dry (wet) season. |
| Keywords: | Weather shocks,Technical efficiency,Rice farming,Vietnam |
| Date: | 2019–03–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:halshs-02080285&r=all |
| By: | Bartram, Sohnke M. (Warwick Business School - Department of Finance); Hou, Kewei (Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Finance); Kim, Sehoon (University of Florida - Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) |
| Abstract: | We document that localized policies designed to mitigate climate risk can lead to regulatory arbitrage by firms, resulting in unintended consequences. Using detailed plant level data, we investigate the impact of the most extensive regional climate policy in the United States, the California cap-and-trade program, on corporate real activities such as greenhouse gas emissions and plant ownership. We show that industrial plants governed by the policy reduce emissions in California when the parent company is financially constrained, but that these firms internally reallocate their emissions to plants located in other states. Similarly, constrained firms are more likely to reduce ownership in Californian plants and increase ownership in plants outside California. In contrast, unconstrained firms generally do not adjust plant emissions and ownership either in California or in other states. Overall, firms do not reduce their total emissions when part of their assets are affected by the regulation, but in fact increase them if financially constrained. The results document real spillover effects stemming from resource reallocations by constrained firms to avoid regulatory costs, undermining the effectiveness of localized policies. Our study has important implications for the current debate on global climate policy agreements. |
| JEL: | G18 G31 G32 Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:ohidic:2019-04&r=all |
| By: | Bénédicte Niel (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Yann Laurens (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Renaud Lapeyre (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Pascale Combes Motel (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Jean-Louis Combes (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Most recent studies addressing the effectiveness of policies aiming at combatting deforestation produce mixed results, showing no consistency between a certain policy design and its success in preventing or deterring deforestation. Hence, why anti-deforestation policies succeed or not remains unclear. Against this background, this paper studies the literature evaluating the effectiveness of anti-deforestation policies. 264 empirical evaluations are reviewed and synthetized in order to reveal the theory of change (ToC) that emerges from the current practice of forest policy evaluation. This allows visualising what is described in the forest policy evaluation literature in terms of the causal relations and the conditions at stake for a policy instrument to combat deforestation successfully. It also reveals those conditions that are under-researched. In other words, the paper depicts what makes forest policies successful in evaluators' minds. Our results expose the context-specificity of the effectiveness of anti-deforestation policies and confirm the mixed-success that has been characterizing them. They also indicate that policy evaluators tend to focus on the policy implementation phase rather on than on its design, and correspondingly tend to focus their evaluations on downstream outcomes. More specifically, how implementation generates a social acceptance of and compliance to the policy rules is among the most commonly reported conditions. Likewise, results also indicate that conditions needed to deliver environmental outcomes differ from those needed to deliver social and economic outcomes, which suggests considering multi-purposes policies with care. Among most notable under-developed fields of investigation are the role of improved information on local populations' behaviour with respect to deforestation, the effect of generating social and economic benefits on environmental outcomes, and the effectiveness of anti-deforestation policies in terms of final environmental impacts (biodiversity, carbon sequestration and watershed protection). These analyses aim at providing researchers with directions for research programming, as well as providing policy designers with indications about conditions for policy effectiveness. |
| Keywords: | Deforestation,Forest degradation,Forest policy,Theory of change,Policy evaluation,Causal relations,Effectiveness,Conditions of effectiveness,Research synthesis,Research biases,Meta-database,REDD+ |
| Date: | 2019–03–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-02090658&r=all |
| By: | Derya Keles; Philippe Delacote; Alexander Pfaff; Siyu Qin; Michael B. Mascia |
| Abstract: | Protected areas (PAs) have been the most widely used tool to conserve ecosystem services. New PAs are created every year and the effective PAs block some economic development. Yet that opportunity cost of conservation leads PAs to have isolated locations and even to suffer considerable PA degazettements, downsizings and degradation (jointly ‘PADDD’). Adding to a sparse literature on PADDD, we assess some drivers of PAs’ size reductions, i.e., degazettements and downsizings. We base our empirical efforts upon a simple model of size reductions that result from interactions between agencies with differing objectives, conservation versus development. Gradients across space for the agency benefits and costs yield predictions about where each agency is most against, or for, size reductions for PAs. Analyzing Brazilian Amazon data from a relatively new and growing global data set from PADDDtracker, we find size reductions are influenced by: distance to cities and roads, i.e., transport that affects private profits and public enforcement costs; PA size, which affects enforcement costs; and previous deforestation in a PA, which lowers impacts of PADDD. |
| Keywords: | conservation, PADDD, Land-use change, Brazilian Amazon, public policy. |
| JEL: | Q56 Q57 Q58 O13 O21 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2019-12&r=all |
| By: | Sonia Schwartz (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Johanna Choumert-Nkolo (EDI - Economic Development Initiatives Limited); Jean-Louis Combes (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Pascale Combes Motel (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - Clermont Auvergne - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Éric Nazindigouba Kere (BAD - Banque africaine de développement / African Development Bank) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the determinants of the optimal size of protected areas and what conducts neighboring effects. We investigate in which measure the infrastructure effect and the scarcity effect matter. We obtain several results. The size of protected area mainly depends on preferences toward forest, on the firms' production costs and on the relation between municipalities. As far as total deforestation is concerned asymmetric regulation is better than no regulation. The infrastructure effect always leads to smaller protected areas than the scarcity effect. Under the infrastructure effect, centralized decisions do not always work in favor of larger protected areas than decentralized decisions contrary to the scarcity effect. We also show that decentralized decisions can reach the first best under the infrastructure effect without public intervention. A study of protected areas in the Brazilian Legal Amazônia corroborates our theoretical results. |
| Keywords: | Protected areas,Deforestation,Nash equilibrium,Environmental federalism,Brazilian Legal Amazônia |
| Date: | 2019–03–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-02082753&r=all |
| By: | Jan Abrell (ZHAW Winterthur and ETH Zurich, Switzerland); Mirjam Kosch (ZHAW Winterthur and ETH Zurich, Switzerland); Sebastian Rausch (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) |
| Abstract: | Carbon taxes are commonly seen as a rational policy response to climate change, but little is known about their performance from an ex-post perspective. This paper analyzes the emissions and cost impacts of the UK CPS, a carbon tax levied on all fossil-fired power plants. To overcome the problem of a missing control group, we propose a novel approach for policy evaluation which leverages economic theory and machine learning techniques for counterfactual prediction. Our results indicate that in the period 2013-2016 the CPS lowered emissions by 6.2 percent at an average cost of € 18 per ton. We find substantial temporal heterogeneity in tax-induced impacts which stems from variation in relative fuel prices. An important implication for climate policy is that a higher carbon tax does not necessarily lead to higher emissions reductions or higher costs. |
| Keywords: | Climate Policy, Carbon Tax, Carbon Pricing, Electricity, Coal, Natural Gas, United Kingdom, Carbon Price Surcharge, Policy Evaluation, Causal Inference, Machine Learning |
| JEL: | C54 Q48 Q52 Q58 L94 |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eth:wpswif:19-317&r=all |
| By: | Dunz, Nepomuk; Naqvi, Asjad; Monasterolo, Irene |
| Abstract: | It is increasingly recognized that banks might not be pricing adequately climate risks in the value of their loans contracts. This represents a barrier to scale up the green investments needed to align the economy to sustainability and to preserve financial stability. To overcome this barrier, climate-aligned policies, such as a revision of the microprudential banking framework (for example a Green Supporting Factor (GSF )), and the introduction of stable green fiscal policies (for example a Carbon Tax (CT )), have been advocated. However, understanding the conditions under which a GSF or a CT could represent an opportunity for scaling up green investments, while preventing trade-offs on risk for financial stability, is still insufficient. We contribute to fill this knowledge gap threefold. First, we analyse the risk transmission channels from climate-aligned policies, a GSF and a CT, to the credit market and the real economy via loans contracts. Second, we assess the reinforcing feedbacks leading to cascading macro-financial shocks. Third, we consider how banks could react to the policies, i.e., their climate sentiments. In this regard, we embed for the first- time banks climate sentiments, modelled as a non-linear adaptive forecasting function into a Stock-Flow Consistent model that represents agents and sectors of the real economy and the credit market as a network of interconnected balance sheets. Our results suggest that the GSF is not sufficient to effectively scale up green investments via a change in lending conditions to green firms. In contrast, the CT could shift the bank's loans and the green/brown firms' investments towards the green sector. Nevertheless, it could imply short-term negative transition effects on GDP growth and financial stability, according to how the policy is implemented. Finally, our results show that bank's anticipation of a climate-aligned policy, through stronger climate sentiments, could smooth the risk for financial stability and foster green investments. Thus, our results contribute to understand the conditions for the onset and the mitigation of climate-related financial risks and opportunities. |
| Keywords: | climate sentiments, climate risk, green supporting factor, carbon tax, financial stability, Stock-Flow Consistent modelling |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus045:6911&r=all |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | Problems associated with the environment loom large over the future well-being of young generations. A previous issue of PISA in Focus (PISA in Focus 87) shows that in 2015 many 15-year-old students believed that the future – their future – was going to be worse, environmentally, than the present. In particular, only a minority of students (fewer than one in five, on average across OECD countries) believed that problems related to air pollution, the extinction of plants and animals, clearing forests for land use, water shortages and nuclear waste would improve over the next 20 years. But are teenagers more or less pessimistic than their parents? |
| Date: | 2019–04–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:eduddd:95-en&r=all |
| By: | M. Turkensteen (Marcel); van den Heuvel, W. |
| Abstract: | Logistics decisions can have a significant impact on carbon emissions, a driver of global warming. One possible way to reduce emissions is by adapting a lower delivery frequency, which enables better vehicle utilization or the usage of relatively effcient large vehicles. We study the situation in which a decision maker decides on the amount to be shipped in each period, where he/she can order items in each period and keep items on inventory. If the shipped quantity is large, vehicle capacity is well utilized, but many products have to be stored. Existing studies in this field of research, called lot-sizing, have introduced models for incorporating carbon emissions in the decision making, but do not focus on realistic values of the emission parameters. Therefore, we conduct a survey of empirical studies in order to establish the possible marginal emissions from holding inventory and performing a shipment with a truck. We consider a case study based on real-life considerations and on the findings of the survey study, and introduce a novel bi-objective lot-sizing model to find the Pareto optimal solutions with respect to costs and emissions. In our initial experiments, we consider various demand scenarios and other relevant factors, such as product properties and driven distances. We find that it is often costly to reduce carbon emissions from the cost optimal solution, compared to carbon prices in the market. The cases in which carbon emissions can be reduced most cost-effciently are those in which carbon emissions are large relative to costs, typically because costs are the results of past investments and can be considered sunk. |
| Date: | 2019–04–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ems:eureir:115861&r=all |
| By: | Dorothée Brécard (LEAD - Laboratoire d'Économie Appliquée au Développement - UTLN - Université de Toulon); Rémy Le Boennec (Institut VEDECOM, LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec); Frédéric Salladarré (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR1 - Université de Rennes 1 - UNIV-RENNES - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique - IEMN-IAE Nantes - Institut d'Économie et de Management de Nantes - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - IUML - FR 3473 Institut universitaire Mer et Littoral - UM - Le Mans Université - UA - Université d'Angers - UN - Université de Nantes - ECN - École Centrale de Nantes - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | In this empirical article, we analyze the extent to which accessibility and environmental variables are capitalized in apartment prices in Nantes Métropole, France. Using a sample of 5,590 transactions in 2002, 2006, 2008 from the Perval database, we estimate a spatial hedonic price model that takes into account spatial autocorrelation and spatial heterogeneity. Special attention is also paid to the construction of environmental quality variables (noise exposure , air pollution). We find that apartment prices depend positively on proximity to Nantes city centre but that the public transport network (urban or non-urban) has no significant influence. Noise reduction is valued, but only at low or marginal levels of significance. Last, air quality does not significantly influence apartment prices. These results can be related to good accessibility and environmental quality in Nantes Métropole which probably makes households less sensitive to these issues than in other geographical contexts. This seems to provide little support for sustainable urban mobility plans favoring better accessibility, unless public authorities also target the greater awareness of the use of virtuous modes of transport. |
| Keywords: | spatial econometrics,hedonic price model,accessibility,air quality,noise exposure |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02090532&r=all |
| By: | Ramelli, Stefano (University of Zurich); Wagner, Alexander F. (University of Zurich); Zeckhauser, Richard J. (Harvard Kennedy School); Ziegler, Alexandre (University of Zurich) |
| Abstract: | Donald Trump's 2016 election and the subsequent nomination of Scott Pruitt, a climate skeptic and self-proclaimed opponent of the Environmental Protection Agency's "activist agenda," to lead the EPA drastically shifted expectations on US climate change policy. Firms' stock-price reactions to these events reveal whether their climate strategies affected their valuations. As widely reported, firms in industries with high carbon intensity benefited, at least briefly. It might be expected that companies with "responsible" strategies on climate change would have lost value. In fact, investors actually rewarded such firms. The analysis shows that this observed climate responsibility premium is due, at least in part, to the strategic behavior of long horizon investors who look into the future to assess the valuation of corporations. |
| JEL: | G14 G38 |
| Date: | 2018–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp18-037&r=all |
| By: | L. (Lisa B.) Ryan; Sarah La Monaca; Linda Mastrandrea; Petr Spodniak |
| Abstract: | Legacy electricity retail tariffs are ill-adapted to future electricity systems and markets, particularly with regard to accommodating the multi-faceted shift toward decarbonisation. We examine how retail tariffs need to be reformed to not only meet the future revenue requirements of energy-suppliers and networks but also to help achieve the environmental objectives of the energy transition. While existing literature has explored the link between retail tariff structure design, wholesale markets and/or network cost recovery, there is less recognition of the impact of tariff structure design on environmental objectives. This paper reviews the demand responsiveness of household customers to electricity prices and implications of retail tariff structure and design for the policy targets of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, and renewable electricity generation, in addition to electricity system. A review of the literature provides a theoretical basis for price elasticity of demand and electricity retail tariff design, and we explore the environmental implications for future retail tariff design options via examples of various tariff structures in the EU and US. The research links the topics of emissions mitigation policy and market design, and should add empirical insights to the body of academic literature on future electricity markets. It should also be of interest to policy makers wishing to consider retail tariff structures that promote decarbonisation of the electricity system through multiple objectives of improved energy efficiency and increased shares of renewable electricity within future electricity markets. |
| Keywords: | Electricity systems; Decarbonisation; Energy transition; Retail tariff structure design |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucn:oapubs:10197/9911&r=all |
| By: | George Economides; Anastasio Xepapadeas |
| Abstract: | We investigate the impact of climate change on the macroeconomic performance of a small open economy. The setup is a new Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of a small open economy without monetary policy independence in which a climate module that interacts with the economy has been incorporated. The model is solved numerically using common parameter values, fiscal data and projections about temperature growth from the Greek economy. Our results, suggest that climate change implies a significant output loss and a dramatic deterioration of competitiveness. |
| Keywords: | climate change, monetary policy, new Keynesian models |
| JEL: | E50 E10 Q50 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7582&r=all |
| By: | Witcover, Julie; Murphy, Colin |
| Abstract: | Highlights As part of the state’s overall strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP)  aims to reduce transportation sector emissions by incentivizing innovation, technological development, and deployment of low-emission alternative fuels and vehicles. It is designed as a performance standard, rather than a prescriptive approach to emissions reduction. It sets an annual declining target in fuel carbon intensity (CI) with a goal of 10% reduction by 2025 relative to 2015 levels. The CFP has been in effect for three years, with relatively small but growing CI reduction targets of 0.25% in 2016, 0.5% in 2017, and 1.0% in 2018, with a 2019 CI target of 1.5%. The CFP had 163 registered parties and 283 transportation fuel pathways available for use as of the end of 2018. From 2016 through 2018 Q3, total emissions reduction requirements were 3 million metric tons (MMT) CO2e and reported emissions reductions were 1.8 MMT CO2e, representing overcompliance of over 421,000 tons CO2e and creating a systemwide “bank†of program credits (each representing 1 MT CO2e) that can be used to meet future targets. The program generated excess credits relative to deficits in every quarter through 2017. Data for 2018 lacked residential electricity credits at the time of writing. Without those, 2018 deficits exceeded credits by under 1,700, well below the 30,000 credits generated by residential electricity in 2017 Q1–Q3, and the about 29,000 credits for the same category that would be generated under 2018 standards given the same energy. Aggregate alternative fuel energy consumption remained approximately stable over the program period—the program’s operation thus far. Ethanol contributed the largest share of alternative fuel and remained between 10% and 11% by volume of blended gasoline, at or just above the “blendwall†of 10% blends, through the period. Between 2016 and 2017, the only two years of complete data, transport energy from fossil natural gas, biogas, propane, and non-residential electricity each grew by over 50%, and from biodiesel grew by over 7%. The average annual CI rating for most reported alternative fuels declined between 2016 and 2018 through Q3, including the biggest volume contributors, ethanol (just under 1.5% decline) and biodiesel (just over 17% decline). Prices of CFP compliance credits (each representing 1 MT CO2e) remained in the $40–$50 range through 2016 and 2017. The yearly average increased to $84 in 2018 as volumes traded also rose. Data through March 2019 indicate an average price around $145. Oregon’s CFP shares some design similarities with California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), but also has some differences in terms of program targets and baseline fuel blends, treatment of indirect land use change, residential electricity for electric-vehicle (EV) charging, and other credit generation and credit market elements. The programs, along with a similar policy in British Columbia, are part of the Pacific Coast Collaborative commitment to low carbon fuels and economies among these jurisdictions. Washington state is currently considering a similar clean fuel standard as part of its legislative process. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, fuel policy |
| Date: | 2019–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt0ct4m7gs&r=all |
| By: | Julie Ing (University of Rennes, France); Jean-Philippe Nicolai (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a simple partial equilibrium model with two countries (North and South) to fathom the effects of firms’ relocation in a context of international and imperfect competition. Two different production technologies are considered, a clean technology and a dirty one, and the effects of relocation according to the kind of technology used by the relocated firms are determined. Two heterogeneous firms in the North and only one dirty firm in the South are assumed and the four different possible scenarios are compared: neither firm relocates, the two northern firms relocate, the clean one relocates and the dirty one relocates. This paper demonstrates that the relocation of a dirty firm as compared to the relocation of a clean firm is worse for the environment, better for northern consumers, and better for the domestic profits. Moreover, the relocation of a dirty firm always increases global emissions, while the relocation of a clean firm may decrease global emissions. |
| Keywords: | Relocation, Emissions tax, Trade of polluting goods, Dirty and clean production technologies, Imperfect competition |
| JEL: | L13 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eth:wpswif:19-319&r=all |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | Good quality and sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs of women, men, children, minorities, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups is essential for human well-being, economic growth and environmental sustainability. This Policy Paper shows how women and men may use infrastructure differently according to their needs, social roles or preferences. Building on OECD policy tools and several axes of work, it provides a framework to help countries align their infrastructure policies and projects with other societal and environmental goals, including supporting gender equality. |
| Date: | 2019–04–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaac:15-en&r=all |
| By: | Dupoux, Marion (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Martinet, Vincent (Economie Publique, AgroParisTech, INRA, University of Paris-Saclay) |
| Abstract: | Theoretical models often assume the environment to be a normal good, irrespective of one’s income. However, a priori, nothing prohibits an environmental good from being normal for some individuals and inferior for others. We develop a conceptual framework in which private consumption and an environmental public good act as substitutes or com-plements for satisfying different needs. Subsequently, the environment can switch between normal and inferior depending on one’s income and environment. If the environment is in-ferior for some range of income, then the willingness to pay for environmental preservation becomes non-monotonic, thereby having implications for benefit transfers. |
| Keywords: | substitutability; environmental public goods; context; willingness to pay; inferior goods; needs |
| JEL: | D11 H41 Q50 |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0759&r=all |
| By: | Obrovsky, Michael |
| Abstract: | Die Europäische Kommission hat mit dem Reflexionspapier "Auf dem Weg zu einem Nachhaltigen EUROPA bis 2030" Ende Jänner 2019 eine brauchbare Diskussionsgrundlage mit drei Szenarien zur Umsetzung der Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Europa vorgelegt. Jetzt liegt es an den WählerInnen des EU-Parlaments und an den Regierungen der Mitgliedsländer zu entscheiden, wie ein nachhaltiges Europa bis 2030 gestaltet werden kann. |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:oefsep:302019&r=all |
| By: | Arvind Shrivats; Sebastian Jaimungal |
| Abstract: | Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Markets (SREC) markets are a relatively novel market-based system to incentivize the production of energy from solar means. A regulator imposes a floor on the amount of energy each regulated firm must generate from solar power in a given period, providing them with certificates for each generated MWh. Firms offset these certificates against the floor, paying a penalty for any lacking certificates. Certificates are tradable assets, allowing firms to purchase/sell them freely. In this work, we formulate a stochastic control problem for generating and trading in SREC markets for a regulated firm's perspective accounting for generation and trading costs, and the impact both have on prices. We provide a characterisation of the optimal strategy using the stochastic maximum principle and develop a numerical algorithm to solve this control problem, Based on this numerical solution, we provide detail and intuition for the optimal strategy for a regulated firm. |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1904.06337&r=all |
| By: | Fabrice Ochou (Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan-Cocody - Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan-Cocody - Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan-Cocody); Philippe Quirion (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech) |
| Date: | 2019–03–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:hal-02080392&r=all |
| By: | Cyril Bourgeois (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech); Louis-Gaëtan Giraudet (ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech, CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech); Philippe Quirion (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech, CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | As carbon taxes gain traction and grow tighter in OECD countries, the question of their recycling becomes crucial for political acceptance. Considering the impact of the French carbon tax in the residential sector, we examine the trade-offs between fuel poverty alleviation, energy savings and economic leverage for two revenue-recycling options-as a lump-sum payment or as a subsidy for energy efficiency improvement, each restricted to low-income households-defined as those belonging to the first two quantiles of the income distribution. We do so using Res-IRF, a highly detailed energy-economy model that interacts housing features (single vs. multi-family, energy efficiency, heating fuel) with key household characteristics (tenancy status, income of both owners and occupants). We find that the energy efficiency subsidy recycling is superior to the lump-sum payment in all respects; it even fully offsets the regressive effect of the carbon tax from 2025 onwards. No recycling, however, effectively addresses fuel poverty in private, rented housing. |
| Keywords: | carbon tax,revenue-recycling,building sector,fuel poverty,energy efficiency subsidies JEL codes: D63,H23,Q47 |
| Date: | 2019–03–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:hal-02073964&r=all |
| By: | Michael Saidani (LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec); Alissa Kendall (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering [UC Davis] - UC Davis - University of California [Davis, USA]); Bernard Yannou (Ingénierie de la conception - Design Engineering - LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec); Yann Leroy (Ingénierie de la conception - Design Engineering - LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec); François Cluzel (Ingénierie de la conception - Design Engineering - LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec) |
| Abstract: | In this study, material flow analysis (MFA) is applied to quantify and break the obstacles for advancing a circular economy (CE) of platinum (Pt) from catalytic converters (CC) in Europe. First , the value chain and related stakeholders are mapped out in a MFA-like model to both facilitate the assessment of stocks and flows, and get a comprehensive view of potential action levers and resources to close-the-loop. Then, through the cross analysis of numerous data sources, two MFA are completed: (i) one general MFA, and (ii) one sector-specific MFA, drawing a distinction between the fate of Pt from (a) light-duty vehicles, under the ELV Directive 2000/EC/53, and (b) heavy-duty and off-road vehicles. Key findings reveal a leakage of around 15 tons of Pt outside the European market in 2017. Although approximately one quarter of the losses are due to in-use dissipation, 65 % are attributed to insufficient collections and unregulated exports. Comparing the environmental impact between primary and secondary production, it has been estimated that halving the leakages of Pt during usage and collection could prevent the energetic consumption of 1.3x10^3 TJ and the greenhouse gases emission of 2.5x10^2 kt CO2 eq. Through the lens of circularity indicators, activating appropriate action levers to enhance the CE performance of Pt in Europe is of the utmost importance in order to secure future productions of new generations of CC and fuel cells. Moreover, the growing stockpile of Pt from CC in use urges for better collection mechanisms. Also, the CC attrition during use and associated Pt emission s in the environment appears as non-negligible. Based on the scarce and dated publications in this regard, we encourage further research for a sound understanding of this phenomenon that can negatively impact human health. |
| Keywords: | circularity indicators,value chain,MFA,catalytic converter,Circular economy,platinum |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02094798&r=all |
| By: | Gawlik, Remigiusz |
| Abstract: | Goal of the paper: proposal of a model for decision-making enhancement that includes qualitative and quantitative elements influencing managerial decision-making processes under geopolitical uncertainty. Methods: primary: Analytic Hierarchy Process – for assessment of individual and collective utility of indexes describing the functioning of enterprises; secondary: Delphi questionnaires, Pareto-Lorenz diagram, stratified random sampling; AHP evaluations came from six professional managers Results: a mixed qualitative and quantitative instrument bringing geopolitical occurrences into managerial decision-making under turbulent environmental conditions; Practical implications: increased efficiency of managerial decision-making processes, with managerial decisions closer to the possible optimum, under given environmental conditions. Added value: the application of multicriteria models for enhancement of managerial decision-making provides a larger perspective on environmental threats and lowers the decision-making uncertainty. |
| Keywords: | decision-making; management; Analytic Hierarchy Process; geopolitical environment; uncertainty; |
| JEL: | C44 D81 F00 |
| Date: | 2018–10–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:93361&r=all |
| By: | Koessler, Ann-Kathrin |
| Abstract: | Sustainability pledges are en vogue. In the business sector, but also in climate negotiations, pledges are used to signal actors’ intention to act pro-environmentally. Laboratory experiments testify to the potential effectiveness of these public declarations. Previous work has examined under which conditions subsequent trust and cooperation can flourish. In this study, I postulate that also conformity is an important determinant for the effectiveness of pledges. In specific, I examine what role social influence plays in the decision to pledge. In a public good game, subjects can make prior play a pledge to contribute to the public good in the socially optimal way. Across treatment conditions, I vary the way in which the pledges are elicited. Hence, the degree of social influence on pledge making is manipulated and its impact can be examined. I find that when individuals are aware that the majority of other subjects decided to pledge, they are likely to conform and also make the pledge. The emergence of such a critical mass can be stimulated when the elicitation of pledges is based on previous contribution behavior. Overall, this commitment nudge is effective. Both socially-oriented and previously not socially-oriented subjects modify their behavior after the pledge. |
| Keywords: | voluntary approaches,environmental policy,pledge,social dilemma,public good,commitment,conformism |
| JEL: | A13 C72 C91 H41 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:195048&r=all |
| By: | Jorge Cunha; Rainer Mensing; Paul Benneworth |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a conceptual framework to understand the value of an increasing number of university study programmes that send students to the global south by learning through volunteering. We ask the research question what determines the benefit that these activities bring to the host community. To understand this, we conceptualise these activities as academic student volunteerism and propose a framework to understand the value of these activities using Callahan & Thomas’s (2005) volunteer tourism framework. We examine our research question using a single case study of a Minor programme in a Dutch university, exploring how course design and student selection affect student behaviour as an antecedent step to creating student benefits. We identify six kinds of factors that appear to promote ‘deeper’ (better) contributions and argue that these six factors require further analysis to better realise university contributions to societal development in Global South contexts. |
| Keywords: | Student Volunteerism, Academic volunteering, Global south, Sustainable development, University engagement, Knowledge society |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chs:wpachs:201803&r=all |
| By: | Purkus, Alexandra; Lüdtke, Jan; Becher, Georg; Dieter, Matthias; Jochem, Dominik; Lehnen, Ralph; Liesebach, Mirko; Polley, Heino; Rüter, Sebastian; Schweinle, Jörg; Weimar, Holger; Welling, Johannes |
| Abstract: | Die Charta für Holz 2.0 (CfH 2.0) verfolgt das Ziel, den Klimaschutzbeitrag der Forst- und Holzwirtschaft zu steigern, Wertschöpfung und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Clusters Forst & Holz zu festigen und zu stärken, und endliche Ressourcen durch eine nachhaltige und effiziente Nutzung von Wäldern und Holz zu schonen. Die Umsetzung der CfH 2.0 stützt sich auf einen Dialogprozess, der sich an Akteure aus Politik, Verwaltung, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft richtet und sechs Handlungsfelder umfasst. Begleitend zum Charta-Prozess findet eine Evaluation statt, deren Aufgabe es ist, Charta-Akteuren wissenschaftlich basierte Informationen zum Fortschritt in den Handlungsfeldern zur Verfügung zu stellen. Der vorliegende Bericht beschreibt die wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen der Evaluationsmethodik und das Konzept der Evaluation. Als langfristig angelegter Prozess, der vielfältige Akteure einbindet und auf vielen Ebenen abläuft, weist die CfH 2.0 mehrere Besonderheiten auf. So verfügt sie über ein komplexes Zielsystem mit drei primären Zielen (Klimaschutz, Wertschöpfung und Ressourceneffizienz) und handlungsfeldspezifischen Unterzielen. Die Umsetzung der CfH 2.0 erfordert nicht nur koordiniertes Handeln auf verschiedenen Politik- und Verwaltungsebenen, sondern erfolgt unter aktiver Einbindung von Akteuren aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft. Zuständigkeiten für Maßnahmen resultieren demnach aus dem Charta-Prozess. Der Instrumentenmix zur Umsetzung der Charta-Ziele ist bewusst nicht abschließend formuliert, sondern unterliegt einer kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung. Bei vielfältigen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Instrumenten kann die Abgrenzung des Beitrags, den eine einzelne Maßnahme zu einem bestimmten Ergebnis geleistet hat, mit hohen Unsicherheiten verbunden sein. [...] |
| Keywords: | Forstwirtschaft,Holzwirtschaft,Holznutzung,Klimaschutz,Bioökonomie,Evaluation,Innovationspolitik,forestry,forest-based industries,wood use,climate change mitigation,bioeconomy,evaluation,innovation policy |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtire:68&r=all |
| By: | Bartolini, M.; Bottani, E.; Grosse, E. H. |
| Date: | 2019–04–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dar:wpaper:112369&r=all |
| By: | Pritish Behuria |
| Abstract: | The environmental damage that plastic waste is causing has catalysed government action against plastic bags around the world. Despite anti-plastic bag policies gaining traction globally, there has been limited investigation of how the implementation of bans has varied. This paper is the first to comparatively examine why there has been variation in implementing bans on plastic bags, using the examples of three East African countries: Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Explanations of why anti-plastic bag policies have been blocked in other countries usually rely on business power-based explanations, with the assumption that plastic manufacturers (and the broader manufacturing sector) have obstructed implementation. The comparatively limited strength and size of plastic manufacturers in Rwanda, as compared to Kenya and Uganda, suggests that business power may partly explain why the ban in Rwanda has been implemented. However, business power-based arguments do not explain the variation between implementation in Kenya and Uganda. In both countries, anti-plastic bag actions have been announced repeatedly but implementation has stuttered, with commitment to implementation stronger and less contested in Kenya than in Uganda. Criticisms of the existing business power literature tend to be weak on examining why governments may go ahead with policies that are against the interests of businesses. This paper argues that developing country government’s ecological modernisation initiatives may be shaped by pressures from three levels – business power, the local environment and the external environment – to explain why implementation of plastic bag bans has varied in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bwp:bwppap:372019&r=all |
| By: | Caron, Justin; Fally, Thibault |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Date: | 2018–11–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt0n98j4z7&r=all |
| By: | Naqvi, Asjad; Monasterolo, Irene |
| Abstract: | Assessing the short-term socio-economic impacts of climate-led disasters on food trade networks requires new bottom-up models and vulnerability metrics rooted in complexity theory. Indeed, such shocks could generate cascading socio-economic losses across the networks layers where emerging agents¿ responses could trigger tipping points. We contribute to address this research gap by developing a multi-layer behavioral network methodology composed of multiple spatially-explicit layers populated by heterogeneous interacting agents. Then, by introducing a new multi-layer risk measure called vulnerability rank, or VRank, we quantify the stress in the aftermath of a shock. Our approach allows us to analyze both the supply- and the demand-side dimensions of the shock by quantifying short-term behavioral responses, the transmission channels across the layers, the conditions for reaching tipping points, and the feedback on macroeconomic indicators. By simulating a stylized two-layer supply-side production and demand-side household network model we find that, (i) socio-economic vulnerability to climate-led disasters is cyclical, (ii) the distribution of shocks depends critically on the network structure, and on the speed of supply-side and demand-side responses. Our results suggest that such a multi-layer framework could provide a comprehensive picture of how climate-led shocks cascade and how indirect losses can be measured. This is crucial to inform effective post-disaster policies aimed to build food trade network resilience to climate-led shocks, in particular in more agriculture-dependent bread-basket regions. |
| Keywords: | complexity economics, multi-layer networks, behavioral economics, food trade, climate-led shocks, vulnerability rank, post-disaster policy |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus045:6914&r=all |
| By: | Stefano Carattini; Eli P. Fenichel; Alexander Gordan; Patrick Gourley |
| Abstract: | The tradable or transferable permit system, “cap and trade”, is one of the most innovative policy options developed by environmental economists. Over the last 40 years, cap and trade programs have been used around the globe by some of the world’s biggest economies. By placing a cap on a bad, whether a pollutant or excess fish mortality, and then allowing firms to buy and sell the right to generate it, policy makers combine government intervention with market-based incentives in order to improve welfare and internalize the externality. Such programs represent a great opportunity for economics instructors to show students how economic theory can be used in the real world by policy makers while teaching foundational economic concepts. By using an in-class game that utilizes a mobile app or paper-based interaction to create a market for a pollutant (or another rival but non-excludable resource), students can learn several important tenants of economics. These include how prices are formed and how price-based incentives lead to voluntary, as if cooperative, behavior by agents. This active learning method engages students while improving their comprehension of price formation, gains from trade, voluntary response to incentives, and an important environmental economics policy. |
| Keywords: | classroom game, price formation, cap and trade, emissions trading scheme, carbon tax, catch shares, individual transferable quotas |
| JEL: | A20 Q31 Q38 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7583&r=all |
| By: | Bennett, Benjamin (Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Finance); Wang, Zexi (University of Bern) |
| Abstract: | We document the dynamics of primary municipal bond (muni) markets after severe natural disasters. We find that yields of muni issuance increase significantly in the first three months after disasters. Disasters have little effect on issuers’ credit risk but can temporarily reduce investors’ demand, which is consistent with the salience theory of choice (Bordalo, Gennaioli, and Shleifer, 2012). Natural disasters significantly increase the proceeds from muni issuances. Reacting to the larger financing costs, muni issuers use shorter maturity and a less complex structure to offset the larger financing costs. The higher yields after disasters provide speculation opportunities. |
| JEL: | G19 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:ohidic:2019-9&r=all |
| By: | Victor Champonnois (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Olivier Chanel (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Les analyses coûts-bénéfices constituent un moyen pour le décideur public comme privé de rationaliser ses choix. Le processus semble transparent et le traitement des préférences égalitaire, puisque les préférences de chaque individu sont prises en compte de façon similaire lors de l'agrégation. Toutefois, en présence de composantes non marchandes évaluées sur la base des préférences de la population, les individus sont limités dans l'expression de leurs préférences, à la fois par leur revenu et par leur besoin de subsistance. Nous étudions les conséquences de ces contraintes sur la révélation des préférences et sur l'évaluation monétaire des biens non marchands. Nous trouvons qu'elles amènent à favoriser implicitement les préférences des individus à revenu élevé. Se pose alors la question de la correction des évaluations monétaires lors du traitement des préférences individuelles. |
| Keywords: | environment and public health,consumer preference,environmental policy,health policy,economics |
| Date: | 2018–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01988917&r=all |
| By: | Bachev, Hrabrin; Ivanov, Bodjidar; Toteva, Dessislava |
| Abstract: | Ecosystem approach has been increasingly incorporated in the management and evaluation of sustainability levels. Despite huge progress in the theory and practice of this new area, still there is no consensus on how to assess the sustainability of agro-ecosystems due to diverse understandings, approaches, methods, employed data, etc. In Bulgaria there are practically no deep studies on sustainability level of diverse agro-eco-systems. This paper tries to fill the blank and assesses the sustainability level of agro-ecosystems of different type in Bulgaria. First a holistic hierarchical framework for assessing integral, economic, social and ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems in Bulgaria is suggested including 17 principles, 35 criteria, and 46 indicators and reference values. After that, an assessment is made on overall and aspects sustainability of large (agro)ecosystems in North-Central, South-Eastern, South-Central and South-Western geographic regions, and particular main and specific types of agro-ecosystems of the country - mountainous, plain-mountainous, plain, riparian (Struma, Maritza, Yantra), southern Black Sea, mountainous area with natural constraints, non-mountainous area with natural constraints, protected areas and reserves, Western Thracian Plain, Middle Danube Plain, Dupnitsa and Sandansko-Petrich Valley, Sredna Gora Mountains and Western Rila Mountains. The assessment is based on first-hand information collected though in-depth interviews with the managers of “typical” farms in the respective ago-ecosystems. The study has found out that there is a considerable differentiation in the level of integral sustainability in agricultural ecosystems of different types. Furthermore, there are substantial variations in the levels of economic, social and ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems of different type, and the critical indicators enhancing or deterring overall and particular sustainability of individual agro-ecosystems. Results of the integral agrarian sustainability level of this study, based on the micro agro-ecosystem (farm) data, are similar to the previous assessment based on the aggregate sectoral (statistical, etc.) data. There are large differences in the impact of socio-economic, institutional, behavioral, international, natural, etc. factors and individual public policy instruments on the sustainability of farming enterprises of different types and agro-ecosystems. Having in mind the importance of holistic assessments of this kind for improving agrarian sustainability, farm management and agrarian policies, they are to be expended and their precision and representation increased. |
| Keywords: | agro-ecosystem, sustainability, assessment, economic, social, ecological, Bulgaria agro-ecosystem, sustainability, assessment, economic, social, ecological, Bulgaria |
| JEL: | Q1 Q12 Q15 Q18 Q2 Q3 |
| Date: | 2019–04–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:93320&r=all |
| By: | Pascal Delwit; Caroline Close |
| Abstract: | Nés dans les années 1980, les partis verts européens se profilent comme des acteurs électoraux aux destins très divers. Dans les démocraties consociatives, ils se sont imposés comme des partis politiques pertinents. Pour autant, ils sont confrontés au plafond de verre électoral des 10%. S’ils s’affirment également dans certains pays d’Europe du Nord, les partis écologistes sont des organisations faibles voire insignifiantes en Europe méridionale, centrale et orientale. Au terme d’une analyse des performances électorales au cours des quarante dernières années, les partis verts européens apparaissent donc confrontés à deux défis :franchir un plafond de verre là où ils ont acquis une certaine visibilité et devenir des acteurs significatifs dans les nombreux pays qui sont encore pour eux des terres de mission. Sous l’angle de la sociologie électorale, et sur la base de la European Social Survey (2012), l’électorat vert peut toujours être analysé comme un groupe partageant des caractéristiques qui les distinguent des électeurs des autres partis etc e au-delà des frontières nationales. Au plan sociodémographique, les jeunes, les athées et agnostiques, les femmes, les citadins et les citoyens au capital éducatif élevé sont plus susceptibles de soutenir des partis écologistes. Ainsi, le vote vert peut être vu comme un vote basé sur une thématique qui transcende l’ancien clivage de classe. Enfin, les électeurs verts ont un profil militant spécifique puisqu’ ils sont clairement plus impliqués dans les nouvelles formes de participation politique enracinées dans le mouvement New Politics. |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulb:ulbcvp:2013/265376&r=all |
| By: | Pacca, Lucia; Rausser, Gordon C.; Olper, Alessandro |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Date: | 2017–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt2mx7d5zp&r=all |
| By: | Hans Koster (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Mohammad Saeed Zabihidan (Razi University) |
| Abstract: | We measure the economic effects of urban growth boundaries or greenbelts that prohibit new construction beyond a predefined urban fringe. We focus on England, where 13% of the land area is designated as greenbelt land. Using spatial differencing, we show that the external effects of these regulations are substantial (about 15-20%) but very local. In contrast to the previous literature, we find no evidence for internal or 'own-lot' effects. We further show that supply effects are important: greenbelt policy reduces housing construction in greenbelts by about 80%, thereby increasing prices throughout the housing market by about 4%. We show that greenbelt policy implies a negative welfare cost of about £ 7.5 billion a year (0.5% of England's GDP). We further find evidence that greenbelts are no popular recreational destinations (proxied by geocoded pictures), and do not imply longer commutes or more housing CO2 emissions. |
| Keywords: | housing, supply constraints, greenbelts, urban growth boundary, open space |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20190023&r=all |
| By: | Dominique Ami (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales, AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Frédéric Aprahamian (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales, AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Olivier Chanel (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales, AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Stephane Luchini (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales, AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Stated preference surveys are usually carried out in one session, without any follow-up interview after respondents have had the opportunity to experience the public goods or policies they were asked to value. Consequently, a stated preference survey needs to be designed so as to provide respondents with all the relevant information, and to help them process this information so they can perform the valuation exercise properly. In this paper, we study experimentally an elicitation procedure in which respondents are provided with a sequence of different types of information (social cues and objective information) that allows them to sequentially revise their willingness-to-pay (WTP) values. Our experiment was carried out in large groups using an electronic voting system which allows us to construct social cues in real time. To analyse the data, we developed an anchoring-type structural model that allows us to estimate the direct effect (at the current round) and the indirect effect (on subsequent rounds) of information. Our results shed new light on the interacted effect of social cues and objective information: social cues have little or no direct effect on WTP values but they have a strong indirect effect on how respondents process scientific information. Social cues have the most noticeable effect on respondents who initially report a WTP below the group average but only after receiving additional objective information about the valuation task. We suggest that the construction and the provision of social cues should be added to the list of tools and controls for stated preference methods. |
| Date: | 2018–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01897065&r=all |
| By: | Fix, Blair; Bichler, Shimshon; Nitzan, Jonathan |
| Abstract: | Nowadays, it is commonplace to claim that the economy overuses our limited material and energy resources and that this overuse threatens both human society and the biosphere. Other than anti-science cranks, the only ones who seem to deny this claim are mainstream economists. In our view, though, this conventional condemnation of the economy is somewhat misleading. As we see it, the root of our ecological problems lies not in the ‘economy’, but in the hierarchical power structure of capitalism. |
| Keywords: | energy,hierarchy,power,sustainability |
| JEL: | P48 P16 Q01 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:195043&r=all |
| By: | Brighton, Henry |
| Abstract: | If we reassess the rationality question under the assumption that the uncertainty of the natural world is largely unquantifiable, where do we end up? In this article the author argues that we arrive at a statistical, normative, and cognitive theory of ecological rationality. The main casualty of this rebuilding process is optimality. Once we view optimality as a formal implication of quantified uncertainty rather than an ecologically meaningful objective, the rationality question shifts from being axiomatic/probabilistic in nature to being algorithmic/ predictive in nature. These distinct views on rationalitymirror fundamental and longstanding divisions in statistics. |
| Keywords: | cognitive science,rationality,ecological rationality,bounded rationality,bias bias,bias/variance dilemma,Bayesianism,machine learning,pattern recognition,decision making under uncertainty,unquantifiable uncertainty |
| JEL: | A12 B4 C1 C44 C52 C53 C63 D18 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwedp:201925&r=all |