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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environmental Economics and Policies Environment - Climate Change and Environment Environment - Wildlife Resources Rural Development - Forestry |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21276&r=env |
| By: | Thomas Nikolokakis; Debabrata Chatopadhyay |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Energy - Energy and Environment Power and Energy Conversion Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21359&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Water Supply and Sanitation - Wastewater Treatment Water Resources - Water and Industry Water Supply and Sanitation - Sanitation and Sewerage Water Supply and Sanitation - Town Water Supply and Sanitation Environment Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21097&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Subnational Economic Development Public Sector Expenditure Policy Science and Technology Development - Science of Climate Change Public Sector Development |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21036&r=env |
| By: | Friedel Bolle (Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)); Wolfgang Buchholz (Department of Economics, University of Regensburg); Wolfgang Peters (Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)); Reimund Schwarze; Aneta Ufert (Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)); Patrick Gneuss (Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)); Özgür Yildiz (Technische Universität Berlin Fakultät VII - Wirtschaft und Management Fachgebiet Umweltökonomie und Wirtschaftspolitik Sekretariat H 50, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin) |
| Abstract: | Policy recommendations: Reciprocity and trust can facilitate multilateral agreements in various ways, if they are appropriately used: Instruments for climate policy should be designed so that they are compatible with the principle of reciprocity. Cost sharing and matching is recommended as these instruments increase the incentives for unilateral and multilateral climate protection activities. A hybrid control mechanism consisting of unilateral reporting and an independent external verification proves to be the optimal strategy for fostering trust. The current system based on national reporting should gradually be transformed into a MRV architecture based on external mechanisms. Satellite-based monitoring is recommended, as it allows independent, external control of CO2 emissions at low cost and technical stability. |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:euv:dpaper:19&r=env |
| By: | Nikodinoska, Dragana; Schröder, Carsten |
| Abstract: | By using estimates from an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS), we investigate how the German energy tax on car fuels changes the private households-CO2 emissions, living standards, and post-tax income distribution. Our results show that the tax implies a trade-off between the aim to reduce emissions and vertical equity, which refers to the idea that people with a greater ability to pay taxes should pay more. |
| Keywords: | energy taxes,environmental taxes,energy demand,emissions,tax incidence,redistribution,inequality |
| JEL: | C31 D12 D63 H22 H23 I3 K32 Q21 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fubsbe:20156&r=env |
| By: | Fabian, Capitanio; Felice, Adinolfi; Fabio G., Santeramo |
| Abstract: | Rapid environmental changes can affect agriculture by introducing additional sources of uncertainty. Conversely, policy interventions to help farmers cope with risks may have strong impacts on the environment. In this paper, we evaluate the effects of public risk management programmes, particularly subsidies on crop insurance, on fertilizer use and land allocation. We implement a mathematical programming model based on data collected from 1,092 farms in Puglia, a southern Italy region. The results show that under the current crop insurance programmes, input use is expected to increase, while the effect on production is likely to be crop-specific. The policy and environmental implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | uncertainty; risk management; input use; multifunctionality |
| JEL: | Q18 Q50 |
| Date: | 2014–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:62505&r=env |
| By: | Sunar, Nur (University of NC); Plambeck, Erica (Stanford University) |
| Abstract: | A state with climate policy may impose a tax on imported products for greenhouse gas emissions that occur in production and transportation to its border (a so-called border adjustment). A buyer may voluntarily commit to offset its upstream supply chain emissions, with similar effect. When a process yields co-products in fixed proportions, how should emissions from the process be allocated among the co-products? We address that question from the perspective of a border adjustment policy maker and buyer, in turn. Emissions and a buyer's profit can increase due to border adjustment, or because a buyer is required to use a higher allocation or pay a higher tax (offset price) per unit emissions. |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:stabus:3177&r=env |
| By: | Löschel, Andreas; Pothen, Frank; Schymura, Michael |
| Abstract: | One of the most promising ways of meeting climate policy targets is improving energy efficiency, i.e. reducing the amount of scarce and polluting resources needed to produce a given quantity of output. This study undertakes an empirical exercise using the World Input-Output Database (WIOD), a harmonized dataset comprising time-series of input-output tables along with environmental satellite accounts and socioeconomic information. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part we begin with an aggregated picture of EU27 energy intensity and its evolution between 1995 and 2009. Then we dig deeper and introduce sectoral detail to identify the economic changes that occurred during the same period. Finally, we disaggregate the EU27 into countries for regional analysis and perform a sectoral disaggregation for a fine-grained picture of energy intensity in Europe. In the second part of the study we take our findings from index decomposition analysis and subject them to panel estimations. The objective is to control for factors that may have shaped the evolution of energy intensity in the European Union. In particular, we investigate the impact of technological change, structural change, trade, environmental regulation and country-specific characteristics. |
| Keywords: | Environmental and Climate Economics,Energy Intensity,Index Decomposition |
| JEL: | Q0 Q50 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:15011&r=env |
| By: | Heindl, Peter; Löschel, Andreas |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews the literature on distributional effects of energy and carbon taxation with focus on microsimulation models. Most studies find that direct energy and carbon taxation tends to be regressive. Regressive effects occur mostly with respect to taxation of electricity or space heating. Taxation of transportation fuels show less regressive, neutral, or even progressive effects. Adequate revenue recycling often allows for neutralisation or full elimination of regressive effects so that energy and carbon tax reforms can be progressive. Some studies find evidence for the existence of a double dividend. There seems to be an efficiency-equity trade-off in revenue recycling, i.e. whether to foster growth or to assist low-income households. While a large number of studies on advanced economies are available, there clearly is a gap with regard to evidence for developing countries. Another gap relates to the lack of documentation on the challenges of incorporating macroeconomic models and long-term modelling perspectives in microsimulation. Both aspects can be of great importance with respect to the design of green growth policies. Thoughtful incorporation of social considerations, including aspects of poverty in modelling approaches could enhance the existing instruments of exante policy assessments since poverty is a tangible concept which is well-known, understandable, and openly observable for citizens and policy makers. |
| Keywords: | Distributional Effects,Environmental Tax Reform,Green Growth,Energy Poverty,Microsimulation |
| JEL: | H23 H31 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:15012&r=env |
| By: | Christopher Khawand |
| Abstract: | I demonstrate how scientific models of pollution processes can be leveraged in quasi-experimental econometric designs to credibly estimate the impacts of environmental quality on health or other outcomes while also improving precision and external validity over previous approaches. I simulate the geographic distribution of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) caused by wildfires for the entire continental United States during 2004-2010 using a set of scientific models of wildfire emissions and air pollution transport commonly used wildfire and air quality applications. Regressing observed concentrations of PM2.5 at pollution monitoring stations on simulated PM2.5 from wildfires, I find that wildfires can explain at least 15 percent of ambient ground-level PM2.5 and even larger fractions of toxic mercury and lead particulates. I then regress county-level health outcomes on station-measured PM2.5 using simualted wildfire PM2.5 as an instrumental variable. I find that a 10 microgram per cubic meter (approximately 2.3 standard deviation) increase in monthly PM2.5 concentration is associated with one additional premature death per 100,000 individuals. This effect is driven primarily by deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases for individuals over age 65. With a control function approach, I find evidence that dose response is approximately linear below the U.S. ambient air quality standard for PM2.5. In addition, I find that in-utero exposure to PM2.5 is associated with higher rates of prematurity, lower birth weights, and changes in the sex ratio, which I interpret as evidence of fetal attrition. Finally, I show that the estimated health effects of PM2.5 are sensitive to the inclusion of controls for other pollutants. I present suggestive evidence that this sensitivity reflects a heterogeneous response to metallic particulates, which are known to be particularly detrimental to health. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the health dangers of fine particulate matter. |
| JEL: | Q53 Q54 I18 |
| Date: | 2015–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jmp:jm2015:pkh318&r=env |
| By: | Tapas Mishra; Mamata Parhi; Claude Diebolt; Prashant Gupta |
| Abstract: | We re-examine the frequency observed inverted U-Shaped relationship between income and environmental quality (Environmental-Kuznets-Curve, EKC) by introducing the roles of institutional quality and distributional heterogeneity. A panel quantile regression of 127 economies run over a period of four decades demonstrates that once endogeneity bias is corrected and heterogeneity in the effects of income and institutional quality is introduced, EKC tends to disappear at higher quantiles of emission but proves its existence at lower quantiles. The non-uniqueness of EKC is also confirmed by robustness checks where various instruments for institutional quality as well as an alternative measure of emission are introduced. |
| Keywords: | Income and environment, Endogeneity bias, Institutional heterogeneity, Instrumental variable, Panel quantile regression. |
| JEL: | Q56 C21 C23 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2015-05&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Crops and Crop Management Systems Private Sector Development - E-Business Agriculture - Agricultural Research Transport Environment Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21041&r=env |
| By: | Ito, Yutaka; Managi, Shunsuke |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the economic validity of the diffusion of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and all-electric vehicles (EVs), employing a cost-benefit analysis from the social point of view. This research assumes the amount of NOx and tank-to-wheel CO2 emissions and gasoline use reduction as the benefits and the purchase costs, infrastructure expenses, and maintenance costs of alternative vehicles as the costs of switching internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to alternative energy vehicles. In addition, this study conducts a sensitivity analysis considering cost reductions in FCV and EV production and increasing costs for CO2 abatement as well as increasing gasoline prices. In summary, the results show that the diffusion of FCVs is not economically beneficial until 2110, even if the FCV purchase cost decreases to that of an ICE vehicle. EV diffusion might be beneficial by 2060 depending on increases in gasoline prices and CO2 abatement costs. |
| Keywords: | Fuel cell vehicle; Electric vehicle; Cost benefit analysis; Sensitivity analysis |
| JEL: | D61 Q42 Q55 R49 |
| Date: | 2015–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:62362&r=env |
| By: | Plambeck, Erica L. (Stanford University); Taylor, Terry A. (University of CA, Berkeley) |
| Abstract: | Deadly factory fires. Illegal pollution. Injured workers. Many brands have recently been tarnished by publicity of suppliers' labor and environmental violations. This paper provides guidance to buyers as to how they can motivate their suppliers to comply with labor and environmental standards. Obvious approaches (increasing auditing, making it more difficult for the supplier to deceive an auditor, publicizing negative audit reports) can be counterproductive. Less obvious approaches (squeezing the supplier's margin by reducing the price paid to the supplier or increasing wages for workers, precommitment to a low level of auditing) might better motivate supplier compliance effort. Even if the buyer ensures that the supplier's facility is compliant (e.g., through direct investment in the facility), the supplier may outsource some production of the buyer's order to unauthorized subcontractors, exposing the buyer to risk of brand damage. The results in the paper also apply to mitigation of unauthorized subcontracting. |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:stabus:3176&r=env |
| By: | Mohr, Karsten; Suda, Jerzy; Kros, Hans; Brümmer, Christian; Kutsch, Werner Leo; Hurkuck, Miriam; Woesner, Elisabeth; Wesseling, Wim |
| Abstract: | Der im deutsch-niederländischen Grenzgebiet liegende 'Internationale Naturpark Bourtanger Moor/Bargerveen' zeichnet sich durch zahlreiche noch verbliebene Moore aus, deren Lage inmitten einer landwirtschaftlich intensiv genutzten Region aufgrund der erhöhten Stickstoff (N)-Deposition aus der Atmosphäre eine zusätzliche Belastung für die durch Torfabbau und Wassermangel z.T. bereits stark degradierten Moorgebiete bildet. Aus den sehr unterschiedlichen Nutzungsansprüchen in dieser Region ergeben sich unvermeidliche Konflikte zwischen Landwirtschaft und Naturschutz, die in dieser Studie aufgegriffen wurden. Gemessene Jahresmittelwerte der Ammoniak (NH3)-Konzentrationen auf den Hochmoorflächen von 3,9 bis 5,6 μg m-3 lagen auf dem Niveau landwirtschaftlich intensiv genutzter Räume. Eine effektive abschirmende Wirkung haben die an und in den Mooren vorkommenden Gehölzreihen mit einer Minderungswirkung von 14-18 %. Mit insgesamt sechs weitgehend unabhängigen Verfahren wurden N-Depositionen von 21 bis 25 kg ha-1 a-1 ermittelt. Damit sind die Critical Loads, welche für die untersuchten Hochmoortypen bei etwa 5 bis 10 kg ha-1 a-1 liegen, deutlich überschritten. Die innerhalb des Untersuchungsgebietes freigesetzten NH3-Emissionen tragen zu einem Anteil von 23 % zur Stickstoffbelastung bei, etwa 7 % stammen aus deutschen und 1 % aus niederländischen Ställen. Mit 13 % wird der größte Beitrag durch die Ausbringung von Wirtschaftsdüngern (Gülle) und Gärsubstraten von deutschen landwirtschaftlichen Flächen freigesetzt. Deutlich geringer ist der niederländische Anteil von 1,6 %. Dies ist sowohl auf den verstärkten Einsatz emissionsmindernder Ausbringungstechniken als auch auf den deutlich niedrigeren Flächenanteil im Untersuchungsgebiet zurückzuführen. 77 % der N-Depositionen gelangen über den Ferntransport in die Moore des Untersuchungsgebietes. Auch die N-Deposition über Ferntransport stammte überwiegend aus NH3-Emissionen der Landwirtschaft. In einem Szenario wurde unter Berücksichtigung aller technischen Möglichkeiten (teilweise zurzeit nur in den Niederlanden gebräuchlicher Verfahren) zur Abluftreinigung und Gülleausbringung eine maximale Minderung der NH3-Emissionen im Untersuchungsgebiet von 64 % berechnet. Das größte Minderungspotenzial von ca. 2 kg ha-1 a-1 Depositionsminderung besitzt die Ausbringung von Wirtschaftsdüngern mittels Injektionsverfahren. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass regionale NH3-Minderungskonzepte alleine nicht ausreichend sind, um die untersuchten Moorgebiete vor schädlichen Stickstoffeinträgen zu schützen. Regionale Emissionsminderungskonzepte sollten daher in umfassende nationale und internationale Strategien zur Minderung der NH3-Emissionen aus der Landwirtschaft eingebunden werden. |
| Abstract: | The 'International Nature Park Bourtanger Moor/Bargerveen' located at the German-Dutch border region is characterized by numerous remaining raised bogs within an intensively managed agricultural landscape and is thereby subjected to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition from the atmosphere. This situation leads to unavoidable conflicts of interest between agriculture and nature conservation, which are being investigated in this study. Measured annual means of ammonia (NH3) concentrations at the study sites were between 3.9 and 5.6 μg m-3, thus on the same level as values for arable sites. Grove lines form an effective protection against NH3 dispersion with a mitigation potential of 14-18 %. N deposition was determined by six independent methods and was found to be in a range from 21 to 25 kg ha-1 yr-1. These results show that bog-specific critical loads of 5 to 10 kg ha-1 yr-1 were clearly exceeded. NH3 emissions from the study area contribute 23 % to the overall nitrogen load that is locally deposited. 7 % and 1 % originate from German and Dutch stables, respectively. While the highest share of 13 % is released through the application of farm fertilizer (slurry) and fermented substrate from German arable land, only 1.6 % is emitted from Dutch sites mainly due to more efficient low-emission techniques and the smaller Dutch part of the study site compared to the German part. 77 % of the overall N deposition into the peatlands of the study area originates from non-local - but nevertheless agricultural - sources with the nitrogen being transported over long distances. A maximum reduction of NH3 emissions within the study area under consideration of all technical capabilities for waste air quality control and slurry application (some of them currently only used in the Netherlands) were found to be 64 %. Deposition can be reduced by ca. 2 kg ha-1 yr-1 through injection of fertilizer into the soil. The results show that regional NH3 mitigation concepts are not sufficient to protect the studied peatland sites against harmful excess nitrogen loads. Thus, regional concepts should be integrated into comprehensive national and international strategies to achieve an effective reduction of NH3 emissions from agricultural activities. |
| Keywords: | Stickstoffdeposition,Hochmoore,Ammoniak,Landschaftspflegemasnahmen,Handlungsempfehlungen,Nitrogen deposition,Peatland ecosystems,Ammonia,Landscape conservation measures,Policy recommendations |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtire:23&r=env |
| By: | Isabelle Chort (LEDa, UMR DIAL-Paris-Dauphine); Maëlys de la Rupelle (THEMA, Université de Cergy-Pontoise) |
| Abstract: | (english) In this paper, we investigate the determinants of the regional patterns of Mexico-US migration flows. Along with traditional economic determinants, we examine the role played by environmental factors and violence in Mexico in determining migration patterns and their evolutions. We estimate a microgrounded gravity model of migration using a panel dataset of state-to-state emigration and return migration flows between Mexico and the US for the period 1995-2012. We exploit the time and dyadic dimension of the data to control for time-invariant and time-variant characteristics of destination states, including migration policies. Our results suggest that along with the traditional economic determinants of migration, climatic and social factors contribute to shaping regional migration patterns. _________________________________ (français) Nous étudions dans cet article les déterminants des tendances régionales des flux migratoires entre le Mexique et les Etats-Unis. A côté des déterminants économiques traditionnels des migrations, nous explorons le rôle de facteurs environnementaux et sociaux sur les caractéristiques et l’évolution des flux migratoires entre états. Nous estimons un modèle de gravité micro-fondé, à partir de données de panel sur les flux migratoires entrants et de retour entre états mexicains et états-uniens sur la période 1995-2012. Nous exploitons la dimension temporelle et dyadique de nos données pour contrôler pour les caractéristiques des états de destination susceptibles d’affecter les flux migratoires, notamment les changements de politiques migratoires. Nos résultats suggèrent que les facteurs sociaux et climatiques contribuent à expliquer les tendances régionales observées. |
| Keywords: | International migration, Mexico-U.S. migration, Gravity equation, Climate change, Natural disasters, Migration internationale, Mexique, Etats-Unis, Modèle de gravité, Changement climatique, Catastrophes naturelles. |
| JEL: | F22 J6 J68 R23 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt201503&r=env |
| By: | Raphaël Jachnik; Randy Caruso; Aman Srivastava |
| Abstract: | Quantifying the effect of public interventions aimed at mobilising private finance for climate activities is technically complex and challenging. As a step towards addressing this complexity, the report presents a framework of key decision points for estimating publicly mobilised private finance. This framework outlines different methodological options and choices needed to make these estimates. It assesses trade-offs and implications of these choices in terms of their accuracy, the incentives they provide, their potential to be standardised across entities, and their practicality (data availability, expertise and resource demands). The report further identifies and suggests practical options available in the short-term for estimating mobilised private finance, while underlining the need to provide transparency about underlying definitions, assumptions and limitations. It also recommends longer-term actions to improve these methods, including the need to converge on definitions, to build data systems and to improve and standardise estimation methods.<P> The primary objective of this report is to inform the development of methods to measure in a transparent manner progress towards the fulfilment of the financial commitments made by developed countries in the context of international negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It also aims to encourage careful examination of the links between public interventions and private climate finance. This is to ensure that methods to estimate mobilisation help encourage the efficiency and effectiveness of public interventions aimed at mobilising such finance. |
| Keywords: | climate change, measurement, mobilisation, public interventions, private finance, estimation |
| JEL: | F21 F53 G2 O16 O19 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–02–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaaa:83-en&r=env |
| By: | Ngoma, Hambulo; Mason, Nicole M.; Sitko, Nicholas |
| Abstract: | Raising agricultural productivity to meet growing food demands while increasing the resilience of rain-fed farm systems to climate variability is one of the most pressing contemporary development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Anchored on the three core principles of minimum tillage (MT), crop residue retention, and crop rotation; conservation agriculture (CA) technologies have been actively promoted over nearly the last two decades as potential solutions to raise farm productivity in the context of increased climate variability. |
| Keywords: | Land Economics/Use, Productivity Analysis, Public Economics, |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midcwp:198701&r=env |
| By: | Dasgupta, Susmita; Huq, Mainul; Wheeler, David |
| Abstract: | Bangladesh, with two-thirds of its land area less than five meters above sea level, is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Low-lying coastal districts along the Bay of Bengal are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, tidal flooding, storm surges, and climate-induced increases in soil and water salinity. This paper investigates the impact of drinking water salinity on infant mortality in coastal Bangladesh. It focuses on the salinity of drinking water consumed during pregnancy, which extensive medical research has linked to maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, and post-partum morbidity and mortality. The study combines spatially-formatted salinity measures for 2001-09 provided by Bangladesh with individual and household survey information from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys for 2004 and 2007. It uses probit and logit analyses to estimate mortality probability for infants less than two months old. Controlling for many other determinants of infant mortality, the analysis finds high significance for salinity exposure during the last month of pregnancy and no significance for exposure during the preceding months. The estimated impact of salinity on infant mortality is comparable in magnitude to the estimated effects of traditionally-cited variables such as maternal age and education, gender of the household head, household wealth, toilet facilities, drinking water sources, and cooking fuels. |
| Keywords: | Population Policies,Water Conservation,Town Water Supply and Sanitation,Water and Industry,Water Supply and Sanitation Governance and Institutions |
| Date: | 2015–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7200&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Conflict and Development - Peace & Peacekeeping Environment - Climate Change and Environment Poverty Reduction - Achieving Shared Growth Poverty Reduction - Equity and Development Poverty Reduction - Inequality Poverty Reduction - Poverty Reduction Strategies |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21037&r=env |
| By: | Usman Mustafa (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad); Iftikhar Ahmad (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad); Miraj ul Haq (Azad Jammu and Kashmir University, AJK, Pakistan) |
| Abstract: | A dignified and healthy life remains a distant nightmare to the large majority of population in developing countries including Pakistan. Large masses living in this world particularly South Asian country (that is home to over one fifth of the world’s population) is still striving for it. Pakistan, being a developing country, is no exclusion to that state. The condition of sanitation and solid waste management (SWM) in the country carriages a grave challenge to health and hygiene. This study was carried out to show at the household’s HHs) demand for improved environmental settings over valuing their willingness to pay (WTP) for better SWM facilities. The study follows contingent valuation method for assessing the HHs preferences for better living standards. Primary data used in the research was gathered with the application of tailor made questionnaire from both rural and urban regions of district Abbottabad, Pakistan at HHs premises. The objective was to discover the determinants of HH’s WTP for improved environment through better SWM services; the binomial logit regression method was used. Education, income, awareness, location and HH size were found to be influencing HH’s WTP. The study concluded that HHs were WTP, if adequate services were delivered to them. |
| Keywords: | Contingent Valuation Method, Binomial Logit Regression, Willingness to Pay, Solid Waste Management, Environment, Pakistan |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:wpaper:2014:110&r=env |
| By: | Grabowski, Philip; Kerr, John; Donovan, Cynthia; Mouzinho, Bordalo |
| Abstract: | The development of improved agricultural technologies has tremendous potential for improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Conservation agriculture (CA) has been widely promoted to improve farmers’ productivity and decrease their vulnerability to climate change. However, the benefits and challenges associated with reducing tillage vary by soil type and rainfall regime and the different minimum tillage technologies (basins, jab-planters, ox-drawn rippers, and tractor rippers) have unique labor, knowledge and financial requirements for effective use. Due to the complexity of both the livelihood strategies of resource-poor farmers and of their agro-ecological conditions, widespread adoption of any one form of CA is unlikely. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midcwp:198703&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policies Public Sector Corruption and Anticorruption Measures Public Sector Regulation Governance - Parliamentary Government Banks and Banking Reform Finance and Financial Sector Development Public Sector Development Environment |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21108&r=env |
| By: | Mensah, Justice Tei (Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences); Elofsson, Katarina (Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences); Kjellander, Petter (Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a bioeconomic model to analyze the role of interspecies competition between roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) and the implications of the competition on optimal harvesting strategies. Analytical solutions derived from the model suggest that the degree of inter-specie competition is an important factor in the landowner’s decision to maintain a given population of both species, as it affects the net marginal benefit from managing the two species. Our numerical results suggest that the effect of inter-species competition on total net economic benefit is small compared to the impact on roe deer population density. Inclusion of trophy values implies reduced harvest of young males, but also reduced harvest of females. Our model also shows that a pulse harvesting regime for the dominant species is economically optimal. |
| Keywords: | Stage-structured modeling; Optimal management; Species competition; Bioeconomic |
| JEL: | Q26 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–02–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:slueko:2015_002&r=env |
| By: | Liverpool-Tasie, Lenis Saweda O.; Omonona, Bolarin T.; Sanou, Awa; Ogunleye, Wale |
| Abstract: | Inorganic fertilizer use across Sub-Saharan Africa is generally considered to be low. Yet, this belief is predicated on the assumption that it is profitable to use rates higher than currently observed. However, there is little rigorous empirical evidence to support this notion. Using a nationally representative panel data set, and with due recognition of the role of risk and uncertainty, this paper empirically estimates the profitability of fertilizer use for maize production in Nigeria. The analysis finds that inorganic fertilizer use in Nigeria is not as low as conventional wisdom suggests. Low marginal physical product and high transportation costs significantly reduce the profitability of fertilizer use. The paper finds evidence that strategies to reduce transportation costs are likely to have a much larger effect on the profitability of fertilizer use than fertilizer subsidies. Apart from reduced transportation costs, other constraints such as timely access to the product; availability of complementary inputs such as improved seeds, irrigation, and credit; as well as good management practices are also necessary for sustained agricultural productivity improvements. |
| Keywords: | Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Climate Change and Agriculture,Crops and Crop Management Systems,Fertilizers,Fertilizers&Agricultural Chemicals Industry |
| Date: | 2015–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7201&r=env |
| By: | Singh, K.M.; Kumar, Abhay; Singh, R.K.P. |
| Abstract: | The application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture is increasingly important. E-Agriculture is an emerging field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural and rural development through improved information and communication processes. More specifically, e-Agriculture involves the conceptualization, design, development, evaluation and application of innovative ways to use information and communication technologies (ICT) in the rural domain, with a primary focus on agriculture.ICTs promise a fundamental change in all aspects of our lives, including knowledge dissemination, social interaction, economic and business practices, political engagement, media, education, health, leisure and entertainment. ICTs are most natural allies to facilitate the outreach of Agricultural Extension system in the country. Despite large, well-educated, well-trained and well-organized Agricultural extension manpower, around 60% of farmers in the country still remain unreached, not served by any extension agency or functionary. Information is vital to tackle climate change effects: for this reason, a shift is needed in the agriculture sector to disseminate appropriate knowledge at the right time to the ones who are at the front line in the battle: the farmers, in both developed and developing countries. At the same time, information alone is not enough, but appropriate communications systems are needed to ensure that information come to farmers in an effective, accurate and clear way. The present papers tries to capture some of the ICT initiatives in agricultural sector, with reference to Indian agriculture. |
| Keywords: | ICTs, Agriculture, Decision Support System, Climate change |
| JEL: | Q0 Q01 Q1 Q16 |
| Date: | 2015–02–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:62413&r=env |