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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2015‒09‒18
forty-four papers chosen by |
| By: | Roberto Ponce; Ramiro Parrado (School of Business and Economics, Universidad del Desarrollo) |
| Abstract: | Water resources are facing several stresses in terms of quantity and quality. These pressures are closely related to the human interventions in fields like: agriculture, land-use/land use change, and pollutant emissions, among others. Within this context, the expected changes in climate pattern will exacerbate the challenges faced by water resources. Considering the critical role that water plays for agricultural production, any shock in water availability will have great implications for agricultural production, and through agricultural markets these impacts will reach the whole economy with economy-wide consequences. In this paper a new modeling approach is developed aiming to include water explicitly within the ICES CGE model. In order to reach this objective a new database was built considering explicitly the water endowment, precipitation changes, and unitary irrigation costs. The results suggest different economic consequences of climate change on the LAC economy. The impacts are related to change in crop production, endowment demands, and international trade. |
| Keywords: | CGE Models, Climate Change, Agriculture, Water Resources, Irrigation |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dsr:wpaper:16&r=all |
| By: | Willy, Daniel Kyalo; Muyanga, Milu; Jayne, T.S. |
| Abstract: | This study provides empirical evidence on the link between population density and agricultural intensification and other strategies that rural communities use to adapt to increasing population density. The qualitative data used in this study were collected through Focus group discussions (FGDs) among experienced community members who provided historical accounts on the dynamics of rural communities and transitions in agriculture that can be linked to scarcity of land associated with population density growth. The results generated by this study offer some insights on the link between population density growth and agricultural development. The study finds evidence of a Boserupian type of agricultural transformation in rural Kenya. Rural communities mainly responded to scarcity of land through agricultural intensification, migration and off farm diversification. Unsustainable land fragmentation, decline in agricultural outputs and incomes and deterioration in soil quality were cited as key phenomena accompanying the strategies adopted in response to population density growth. From the results we draw some policy implications that can provide insights to policy makers to guide sustainable agricultural development in the densely populated areas which include reversal of land fragmentation, improved market access, proper use of fertilizers and land policies that encourage migration into scarcely populated areas. |
| Keywords: | population density, agricultural intensification, sustainable, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:egtewp:208250&r=all |
| By: | Christine Roguet; Carl Gaigné; Vincent Chatellier; Sylvain Cariou; Marie Carlier; Romaric Chenut; Karine Daniel; Christophe Perrot |
| Abstract: | This article looks at recent developments (since 2000) of the location of livestock production (milk, beef, pigs and poultry) within the European Union. Using the latest available statistical data at a fine geographical level (NUTS3), an analysis is conducted on the processes of productive specialization and geographical concentration of the territories. The forces that affect these processes are not new and have already been the subject of many works of economists. They mainly concern the comparative advantages, the economies of scale and agglomeration, the quality of industrial and commercial structure. If environmental standards and rural development measures of the Common Agricultural Policy constitute a lever to counteract the strengthening of animal density, their influence is often less than the forces mentioned above. An analysis of the co-location of animal production shows that the denser areas frequently associate dairy cattle, pigs and poultry. The most common binary associations are milk and pork or pork and poultry. Suckler cows tend to be pushed in disadvantaged areas where other livestock are struggling to implement or maintain. |
| Keywords: | animal production, concentration, economies of scale, agglomeration economies, EU |
| JEL: | Q12 Q18 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rae:wpaper:201505&r=all |
| By: | Weinrich, Ramona; Spiller, Achim |
| Abstract: | Labelling is an important cue for consumers as it helps to quickly communicate information about a product or production process. However, the majority of labels on the market are binary, such as labels that indicate whether a product was produced using animal welfare friendly standards or not. Yet, there are many intermediate qualities that binary labels do not display. In the long run, if consumers are not able to identify if high quality attributes are contained in the product, due to a lack of information on the product label, then these attributes may disappear from the food market. In turn, this could lead to a market failure. A multi-level label can show different process standards of products explicitly. Nonetheless, before launching a multi-level labelling system, it should be tested if a multi-level labelling system can shift market shares in favour of the labelled products. Using a consumer study with 1538 German consumers (approximately representative for the German population regarding age, gender, income, education and regional distribution) the shares of product choices are calculated. Two comparisons of the shares of product choices will be made, one between no label and a binary label and the other between no label and a multi-level label. The results suggest that a multi-level labelling system achieves higher market shares, can improve animal welfare and can result in higher revenues or sales. The results deliver important information for policymakers in consumer policy and industry. |
| Keywords: | labelling,multi-level labelling,consumer research,animal welfare |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:daredp:1511&r=all |
| By: | Eyal Apatov (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Richard Fabling (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Adam B Jaffe (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Michele Morris; Matt Thirkettle (Cornell University) |
| Abstract: | Exports of dairy and sheep/beef products account for over 40% of New Zealand's aggregate merchandise exports. As a consequence, the performance of farms in these industries has a significant impact on the New Zealand economy. In this study, we link financial and agricultural data from the New Zealand Longitudinal Business Database (LBD) to estimate production functions of dairy and sheep/beef firms in New Zealand. Overall, we find that the data enables us to explain much of the industry-level variation in productivity and output, offering greater flexibility and insight than simply examining the official (aggregated) statistics. We find that variation in output can be largely explained by variation in capital, labour, intermediate expenditure, and productive land. We also find differences across industries in the way various farm practices (e.g. stocking rates, fertilizer use, supplementary activities, etc.) and area characteristics (including weather) relate to output. Finally, we find that estimating firm productivity at the industry level is less likely to accurately model the relationships for some sub-groups of firms (e.g. firms with different land size). We believe that our methodology could be useful for future studies addressing research questions relevant to this sector. |
| Keywords: | Firm-level productivity; dairying; sheep-beef farming; Translog; fixed effects |
| JEL: | D22 Q12 R30 |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mtu:wpaper:15_13&r=all |
| By: | Euler, Michael; Krishna, Vijesh; Schwarze, Stefan; Siregar, Hermanto; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | The recent expansion of oil palm in Indonesia is largely smallholder-driven. However, its socio-economic implications are under-examined. Analyzing farm-household data from Jambi Province, Sumatra, oil palm adoption is found to have positive consumption and nutrition effects. However, these effects are largely due to farm size expansion that is associated with oil palm adoption. Potential heterogeneity of effects among oil palm adopters is examined using quantile regressions. While nutrition effects of oil palm adoption are found to be homogenous across quantiles, the effects on non-food expenditure are expressed more strongly at the upper end of the expenditure distribution. |
| Keywords: | non-food cash crops,oil palm expansion,smallholder livelihoods,quantile regression,Indonesia |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:12&r=all |
| By: | Nicholas Kilimani (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria) |
| Abstract: | The volatile changes in climate are increasingly becoming a threat to many economies globally. This study assesses Uganda’s vulnerability to climatic variability in the context of how these volatile changes in climate are likely to affect long-run water resources availability. This is done by using household survey data, rainfall data as well as findings from a water resource accounting study on Uganda. First, we use the results from the water accounts to establish the current level of demand for available water resources. Second, these findings are mirrored to the drought prevalence results with a view to highlight the potential adverse affects on water availability, and ultimately economic activity in Uganda. Whereas the country’s water resource accounting position shows that the current level of water resources is still adequate to meet current demand, drought is affecting economic activity primarily in the agricultural sector since it is rain-fed. It is also affecting the water recharge system as a big proportion of precipitation is lost through evapo-transpiration. This has implications for long-run water availability for the country. The findings point to the need for policy interventions that can ensure optimal water use in the economy. These may include improved hydrological planning and the development of water supply infrastructure. |
| Keywords: | Water accounting, Drought, Standardized Precipitation Index, Economic activity, Uganda |
| JEL: | E01 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201562&r=all |
| By: | Danuta Chmielewska (IPC-IG); Darana Souza (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "Although Brazil and India have quite different agrarian structures and specific classifications for farmers (see the table), in both countries the proportion of generally disadvantaged rural groups in the total population, especially smaller-scale producers, is significant. The two countries have instituted large-scale procurement programmes whereby the government purchases agricultural goods that support farmers' livelihoods by offering advantageous market alternatives. These initiatives reconcile trade opportunities for producers with the provision of goods to vulnerable populations." (...) |
| Keywords: | Food Security, Pathway to Productive Inclusion, Brazil and India |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:oparab:127&r=all |
| By: | Paolo Prosperi (MOISA - Marchés, Organisations, Institutions et Stratégies d'Acteurs - Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA) - Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - IAMM, IAMM - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier, UniCT - Università degli Studi di Catania); Thomas Allen (Bioversity International); Martine Padilla (IAMM - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier); Luri Peri (UniCT - Università degli Studi di Catania); Bruce Cogill (Bioversity International) |
| Abstract: | Recurrent food crises and climate change, along with habitat loss and micronutrient deficiencies, are global issues of critical importance that have pushed food security and environmental sustainability to the top of the political agenda. Analyses of the dynamic linkages between food consumption patterns and environmental concerns have recently received considerable attention from the international and scientific community. Using the lens of a broad sustainability approach, this conceptual article aims at developing a multidimensional framework to evaluate the sustainability of food systems and diets, applicable to countries of the Mediterranean region. Derived from natural disaster and sustainability sciences, a vulnerability approach, enhanced by inputs from the resilience literature, has been adapted to analyze the main issues related to food and nutrition security. Through causal factor analysis, the resulting conceptual framework improves the design of information systems or metrics assessing the interrelated environmental, economic, social, and health dynamics of food systems. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01189996&r=all |
| By: | R. Balasubramanian |
| Abstract: | There are few economic studies that have estimated the impact of climate variables on agriculture by identifying their impacts on irrigation sources, even though irrigation serves as a critical adaptation strategy for farmers' in water-deficit countries such as India. In this study, we examine the implications of variations in climate variables on ground water sources of irrigation and agricultural income in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Our findings, based on a panel of 11 districts observed over a 40-year period, suggest that while increases in rainfall positively influence the water table, increases in maximum temperature significantly reduce ground water availability. There is also significant spatial correlation in water levels across districts. In terms of impacts on farm income, groundwater availability and free electricity have a positive effect, while increases in well density have a negative effect on income. Significantly, temperature has an inverted U-shaped relationship with income, with income decreasing at temperatures higher than a threshold temperature of 34.31°C. In our panel dataset, this threshold temperature has already been breached 61 times or in 14 % of the total number of observations. As temperatures increase as a result of climate change, our findings raise two important practical concerns for agricultural management: a) ground water reductions are likely and alternate sources of irrigation may need to be identified; and, b) because richer farmers are able to dig deeper wells, electricity subsidies will benefit the rich more and small land holders are likely to see lower returns to agriculture with increases in well density. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, groundwater table, farm income, spatial dynamic panel data, Tamil Nadu |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:snd:wpaper:95&r=all |
| By: | Weinrich, Ramona; Franz, Annabell; Spiller, Achim |
| Abstract: | As more food labels enter the retail market, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to review the underlying standards of products. The most common labels communicating ethical values tend to be binary. However, many attributes, such as animal welfare, are of a continuous nature and are not binary. One solution to communicate differentiated information about the process or product standards is through the use of multi-level labels, which indicate various levels of standards. This way, consumers might realize the differences in the production or process qualities more easily. However, since multi-level labels are more complex, the impact on consumers' comprehension is not clear. The objective of this paper is to test whether a multi-level labelling approach is comprehensible for consumers and could therefore be an effective tool to communicate information about standards and thus enhancing willingness to pay. The results show that when an explanation about the levels of the label is provided, there is an increasing willingness to pay for products with higher standards of animal welfare. Hence, a multi-level label can work if information is provided. |
| Keywords: | labelling,multi-level labelling,binary labels,animal welfare,consumer research |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:daredp:1512&r=all |
| By: | A. Jadevicius; S. Huston; A. Baum |
| Abstract: | The dissemination of robust real estate data helps to improve market efficiency. Sound investment analysis requires long series to form a long-term view but, whilst this has been available for the commercial sector, the same has not been true for agricultural land. Comparable series on the long-term market position of the farmland in England are fragmented. The current paper navigates the methodological complexities involved in rectifying the land price information deficiency. The study employs chain-linking approach to construct a long-term farmland series for England. It then adjusts series for inflation to examine real land market returns. The constructed 200 year series of English farm land prices performance tightens analysis and enhances decision making. |
| Keywords: | Chain-Linking; England; Farmland; Prices; Returns |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2015–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_235&r=all |
| By: | Sebastien Pouliot (Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD)); Bruce A. Babcock (Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD)) |
| Abstract: | EPA's justification for proposing to reduce ethanol mandates is that the supply of ethanol that consumers will use is less than original mandates specified in the Renewable Fuels Standard. Using more straightforward language, EPA believes that consumer demand for ethanol is not high enough to meet the original targets. The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) pegs current US consumption of gasoline at about 137 billion gallons. Nearly all of this gasoline contains 10 percent ethanol (E10). Thus, as much as 13.7 billion gallons of ethanol can be consumed in E10. The original mandate for conventional biofuel (widely assumed to be corn ethanol) was supposed to increase to 15 billion gallons in 2016. This would require 1.3 billion gallons of ethanol consumption in gasoline-ethanol blends that contain more than 10 percent ethanol. The two blends that contain more than 10 percent ethanol approved for sale are E15 and E85. The number of stations that sell E15 is currently quite small, whereas almost 3,000 stations sell E85. Thus, EPA focuses on the contribution of potential E85 sales to make its claim that there is insufficient demand for ethanol to support a mandate of 15 billion gallons. |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ias:cpaper:15-bp54&r=all |
| By: | Channing Arndt; Sam Jones; Finn Tarp |
| Abstract: | Since 1994, a great deal has been accomplished. We argue that poverty reduction was temporarily sidelined in the 2000s. A series of shocks, especially the fuel and food price crisis of 2008, combined with poor productivity growth in agriculture and a weather shock, undermined progress in measured consumption poverty. We expect progress in poverty reduction to resume. These shocks also exposed persistent weaknesses in development strategies and programmes. Nevertheless, Mozambique has the potential to achieve rapid and broad-based economic and social progress. With key reforms and success in maintaining peace and stability, it will. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2015-044&r=all |
| By: | Krishna, Vijesh V.; Pascual, Unai; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically examines the emergence and functioning of land markets and their impacts on deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia. While the evolution of land markets is expected to promote deforestation activities by rural households, we find no sizeable impact, due to two major reasons. First, land transactions occur in cultural and spatial isolation from forest encroachment. Second, the emergence of speculative land markets, which could accelerate deforestation, is evaded through institutional constraints, primarily weak property rights on land. However, while land markets do not promote deforestation, they also do not deter forestland appropriation, because of ambiguous legal frameworks. |
| Keywords: | Forest conservation,Indonesia,Land resources,Plantation crops,Property rights,Open access |
| JEL: | O13 Q12 Q15 Q23 R14 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:7&r=all |
| By: | Krishna, Vijesh V.; Euler, Michael; Siregar, Hermanto; Fathoni, Zakky; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | The study examines the heterogeneous livelihood impacts of oil palm expansion among smallholder farmers in Jambi Province, Sumatra. Per-capita annual consumption expenditure (PACE) is chosen as a quantitative measure of livelihood status of farm-households. Its determinants are estimated using standard treatment-effect and endogenous switching regression models. After controlling for self-selection bias, adopters of oil palm are found increasing their PACE significantly in comparison to the counterfactual. On the other hand, most of the non-adopters are better-off without oil palm, presenting a strong case of comparative advantage. Differential consumption impacts of observed variables are evident across adoption and non-adoption regimes. In general, farm-households with higher opportunity cost of family labour benefit disproportionately more with oil palm adoption. |
| Keywords: | adoption,agricultural development,endogenous switching,impact,Indonesia,farmer welfare |
| JEL: | O12 O33 Q12 P36 R14 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:13&r=all |
| By: | Clark, William C.; Harley, Alicia Grace; Holbrook, Noel Michele |
| Abstract: | This report is a summary of themes discussed during a two-day workshop on “Innovation for Vulnerable Farmers: Drought and Water Scarcity Adaptation Technologies.†The workshop was held at Harvard University on September 11–12, 2014. It brought together a diverse group of scholars to explore how actors in the agriculture innovation system can better promote the needs of small and marginal farmers. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hrv:hksfac:22341420&r=all |
| By: | Hagos, Fitsum; Erkossa, Teklu; Lefore, Nicole; Langan, Simon |
| Abstract: | The study examined whether the use of spate irrigation in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia reduced poverty. Each of about 25 users of indigenous and modern spate irrigation schemes and an equal number of corresponding nonusers from the same peasant associations in Oromia and Tigray regional states were interviewed. The survey found that the poverty level of the spate irrigation users was significantly lower than that of the nonusers in terms incidence, depth and severity. Access to improved spate irrigation has led to reduced poverty, measured by all poverty indices, compared to traditional spate. Finally, the dominance test showed that the poverty comparison between users and nonusers was robust. From the study, it can be concluded that the use of spate irrigation in areas where access to other alternative water sources is limited, either by physical availability or by economic constraints, can significantly contribute to poverty reduction, and that modernizing the spate system strengthens the impact. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation schemes, Spate irrigation, Traditional farming, Poverty, Arid zones, Households, Income, Ethiopia, Africa, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Public Economics, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iwmicp:208908&r=all |
| By: | Alexandre Gohin |
| Abstract: | We analyze two puzzling results released by the California Air Resource Board who recently revises its land use changes and greenhouse gas emissions induced by biofuels. First the absolute reduction in the US average soya biodiesel estimate is much greater than the reduction in the US average corn ethanol one. Second the EU canola biodiesel estimate is twice the US canola biodiesel one. We find that these two puzzling results are mostly explained by some weak initial economic data. In both cases, the underestimation of the oilmeal production values biases upwards the carbon emission estimates. We then recall that any economic analysis is only worth the quality of the supporting data. The current focus on unobserved elasticity values to assess biofuel impacts is not sufficient. |
| Keywords: | biofuels, land use changes, models, data |
| JEL: | Q11 Q57 C68 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rae:wpaper:201508&r=all |
| By: | Adimassu, Zenebe; Langan, Simon; Johnston, Robyn |
| Abstract: | Although there has been a considerable effort to reduce soil erosion and improve land productivity in Ethiopia, farmers’ investments in SWC remain limited. There is a long and rich tradition of empirical research that seeks to identify the determinants that affect farmers’ investments in SWC practices. Nevertheless, the results regarding these determinants have been inconsistent and scattered. Moreover, the impacts of different SWC practices have not been reviewed and synthesized. Thus, this paper reviews and synthesizes past research in order to dentify determinants that affect farmers’ investments in SWC practices, and to also assess the impact of SWC practices within the framework of ecosystem services, particularly in relation to provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. The review identified several determinants that affect farmers’ investments in SWC practices, which are categorized into two groups: (i) factors that are related to farmers’ capacity to invest in SWC practices, and (ii) farmers’ incentives to invest in such practices. Farmers’ investments in SWC are limited by both the capacity to invest and incentives from their investments related to land improvement. The review also showed that farmers’ capacities to invest in SWC practices and their incentives for making such investments have been influenced by external factors, such as institutional support and policies. This suggests that creating enabling conditions for enhancing farmers’ investment capacities in SWC practices, and increasing their incentives for making such investments, is crucial. The review and synthesis showed that the impact of most SWC practices on provisioning ecosystem services (e.g., crop yield) is negative, which is mainly due to the reduction of effective cultivable area due to soil/stone bunds. However, these practices were very effective in regulating ecosystem services, such as soil erosion control, soil fertility improvement and surface runoff reduction. |
| Keywords: | Water conservation, Soil conservation, Farmers, Investment, Ecosystem services, Incentives, Erosion, Land productivity, Ethiopia, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iwmicp:208416&r=all |
| By: | Erkossa, Teklu; Hagos, Fitsum; Lefore, Nicole |
| Keywords: | Flood water, Flood irrigation, Food security, Climate change, Adaptation, Irrigation schemes, Irrigation systems, Spate irrigation, Livestock products, Crop production, Siltation, Arid zones, Semiarid zones, Community involvement, Water rights, Water resources, Water harvesting, Water use, Land rights, Poverty, Households, Living standards, Nutrition, Malnutrition, Drought, Farmers, Indicators, Sedimentation, Canals, Discharges, Models, Surface runoff, Calibration, Rainfed farming, Agriculture, Technology transfer, Africa, Ethiopia, Africa South of Sahara, Oromia Region, Tigray Region, Keleta River, Boru River, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iwmicp:208911&r=all |
| By: | Euler, Michael; Schwarze, Stefan; Siregar, Hermanto; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | Many tropical regions experience a rapid expansion of oil palm, causing massive land use changes and raising serious environmental and social concerns. Indonesia has recently become the largest palm oil producer worldwide. While much of the production in Indonesia comes from large-scale plantations, independently operating smallholders are increasing in importance and may domi-nate production in the future. In order to control the process of land use change, the micro level factors influencing smallholder decisions need to be better understood. We use data from a survey of farm households in Sumatra and a duration model to analyze the patterns and dynamics of oil palm adoption among smallholders. Initially, smallholders were primarily involved in government-supported out-grower schemes, but since the mid-1990s independently operating oil palm farmers have become much more important. In addition to farm and household characteristics, village level factors determine oil palm adoption significantly. Independent smallholders adopt oil palm especially in those villages that also have contracts and out-grower schemes, leading to a regional path-dependency of former government policies. |
| Keywords: | Oil palm expansion,Land use change,Indonesia,Duration models |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:8&r=all |
| By: | Mayshary, Joram (Department of Economics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem); Moav, Omer (Department of Economics University of Warwick, School of Economics Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya,); Neeman, Zvika (Eitan Berglas School of Economics, Tel-Aviv University,); Pascali, Luigi (Pompeu Fabra University, University of Warwick and CAGE) |
| Abstract: | We propose that the development of social hierarchy following the Neolithic Revolution was an outcome of the ability of the emergent elite to appropriate cereal crops from farmers and not a result of land productivity, as argued by conventional theory. We argue that cereals are easier to appropriate than roots and tubers, and that regional differences in the suitability of land for different crops explain therefore differences in the formation of hierarchy and states. A simple model illustrates our main theoretical argument. Our empirical investigation shows that land suitability for cereals relative to suitability for tubers explains the formation of hierarchical institutions and states, whereas land productivity does not. |
| Keywords: | Geography ; Hierarchy ; Institutions ; State Capacity |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cge:wacage:238&r=all |
| By: | Legrand D.F. Saint-Cyr; Laurent Piet |
| Abstract: | This article compares the respective performance of the mover-stayer model (MSM) and the Markov chain model (MCM) to investigate whether accounting for unobserved heterogeneity in the rate of movements of farms across size categories improves the representation of the transition process. The MCM has become a popular tool in agricultural economics research to describe how farms experience structural change and to study the impact of the various drivers of this process, including public support. Even though some studies have accounted for heterogeneity across farms by letting transition probabilities depend on covariates depicting characteristics of farms and/or farmers, only observed heterogeneity has been considered so far. Assuming that structural change may also relate to unobserved characteristics of farms and/or farmers, we present an implementation of the MSM which considers a mixture of two types of farms: the `stayers' who always remain in their initial size category and the `movers' who follow a first-order Markovian process. This modeling framework relaxes the assumption of homogeneity in the transition process which the basis of the usual MCM. Then, we explain how to estimate the model using likelihood maximization and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. An empirical application to a panel of French farms over 2000-2013 shows that the MSM outperforms the MCM in recovering the underlying year-on-year transition process as well as in deriving the longrun transition matrix and predicting the future distribution of farm sizes |
| Keywords: | structural change, unobserved heterogeneity, arkov chain mover-stayer model,em algorithm |
| JEL: | Q12 C15 D92 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rae:wpaper:201506&r=all |
| By: | A. Kashyap; J. Berry |
| Abstract: | The capitalisation of transit access in property values has long been investigated by property researchers and policy analyst. A premium in property price induced by transit services measures the rate of capitalisation and indicates positive impact of transit investments, which can be used to develop transit-based policies such as value-capture and transit-oriented development strategies. Land development impacts of mass transit have long been studied in the developed economies. Yet relatively little is known by the outside world about the Indian experience due to India’s rather short history in the development of mass transit and real estate market. This paper attempts to fill the gap by presenting evidence from India, with a detailed case study of Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation by selecting two transit lines in Jaipur, the study examined land development context and estimated hedonic housing price models to measure the proximity premiums associated with these metro lines. The empirical evidence shows that investments in mass transit can have significant and positive impacts on land development. Properties with transit proximity enjoy sizable price or value premiums. The research findings underscore the importance of introducing zoning and other land regulatory changes prior to the initiation of transit projects as well as applying value-capture tools to help finance investments and redress inequities. |
| Keywords: | Capitalisation; Land Development; Property Values; Transit; Value capture |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2015–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_266&r=all |
| By: | Hettig, Elisabeth; Lay, Jann; Sipangule, Kacana |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews 70 recent empirical and theoretical studies that analyse land-use change at the farm-household level. The review builds on a conceptual framework of land-use change drivers and conducts a meta-analysis. It turns out that the most frequently analysed scenario is the conversion of non-used forests or forested areas into land used for agricultural purposes about a third of all considered scenarios. The second largest share is accounted for by studies that look into the conver-sion of non-used forests or forested areas into ranching. Most studies analyse land-use change using household and/or village data and, in doing so, often rely on relatively small samples of 100-200 ob-servations. There is a clear regional concentration of studies on Central and South America and some studies on African countries, with only few studies on Asian countries. This is surprising, since evi-dence hints at high deforestation rates in South-East Asia due to logging activities and plantation agri-culture. We find that a number of studies face problems of internal validity because of endogeneity (simultaneity and reverse causality) and omitted variable bias that are not adequately addressed. De-spite these weaknesses, the literature points at micro-level economic growth, for example in income and capital endowments, as a strong catalyst of human induced land-use change. The rich reviewed empirical literature illustrates the complexity of micro-level land-use change processes, in particular the inter-relationships between household-level characteristics, factor market conditions, and land-use change. These are conditioned by institutions and policies. In particular, the market-oriented re-forms adopted by many developing countries in the 1980s and 1990s seem to have had an important role in altering land use, while impacts of more recent policies, like PES or REDD+, still need to be bet-ter explored. However, the empirical designs of many reviewed studies fail to properly account for this complexity. Finally, the review reveals a lack of interdisciplinary work that uses integrated data and models to analyse land-use change. |
| Keywords: | land-use change,farm households,deforestation,meta-analysis,micro-level |
| JEL: | Q12 O57 R14 Q15 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:15&r=all |
| By: | Asongu, Simplice; NGUENA, Christian L. |
| Abstract: | Large-scale agricultural land acquisitions have been covered substantially in recent literature. Despite the wealth of theoretical and empirical studies on this subject, there is no study that has reviewed existing literature in light of concerns over sustainable and equitable management. This chapter fills the gap by analyzing and synthesizing available literature to put some structure on existing knowledge. The paper has a threefold contribution to the literature. First, it takes stock of what we know so far about the determinants of land grab. Second, it presents a picture of sustainable and equitable development of the foreign land acquisitions. Third, policy syndromes are examined and policy implications discussed. Based on the accounts, the issues are not about whether agricultural investments are needed, but on how they can be sustainably and equitably managed to make positive contributions to food security and domestic development. |
| Keywords: | Governance; Equity; Sustainable Development; Land Grab |
| JEL: | F22 O13 O55 Q15 Q34 |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66598&r=all |
| By: | Dislich, Claudia; Keyel, Alexander C.; Salecker, Jan; Kisel, Yael; Meyer, Katrin M.; Corre, Marife D.; Faust, Heiko; Hess, Bastian; Knohl, Alexander; Kreft, Holger; Meijide, Ana; Nurdiansyah, Fuad; Otten, Fenna; Pe'er, Guy; Steinebach, Stefanie; Tarigan, Suria; Tscharntke, Teja; Tölle, Merja; Wiegand, Kerstin |
| Abstract: | Oil palm plantations have expanded rapidly in the last decades. This large-scale land-use change has had great impacts on both the areas converted to oil palm and their surroundings. Howev-er, research on the impacts of oil palm agriculture is scattered and patchy, and no clear overview ex-ists. Here, we address this gap through a systematic and comprehensive literature review of all ecosys-tem functions in oil palm plantations. We compare ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations to those in forests as forests are often cleared for the establishment of oil palm. We find that oil palm planta-tions generally have reduced ecosystem functioning compared to forests. Some of these functions are lost globally, such as those to gas and climate regulation and to habitat and nursery functions. The most serious impacts occur when land is cleared to establish new plantations, and immediately after-wards, especially on peat soils. To variable degrees, plantation management can prevent or reduce losses of some ecosystem functions. The only ecosystem function which increased in oil palm planta-tions is, unsurprisingly, the production of marketable goods. Our review highlights numerous research gaps. In particular, there are significant gaps with respect to information functions (socio-cultural functions). There is a need for empirical data on the importance of spatial and temporal scales, such as the differences between plantations in different environments, of different sizes, and of different ages. Finally, more research is needed on developing management practices that can off-set the losses of ecosystem functions. |
| Keywords: | ecosystem functions,ecosystem services,biodiversity,oil palm,land-use change,Elaeis guineensis,review |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:16&r=all |
| By: | Moser, Stefan; Mußhoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | This article compares the use of risk-increasing and risk-reducing production inputs with the experimentally measured risk attitudes of farmers. For this purpose, the Just-Pope production function indicates production inputs' influence on output risk and a Holt-Laury lottery is used to measure the producer´s risk attitude. We test whether more risk averse farmers use more risk-reducing and less risk-increasing production inputs. Therefore, we apply a unique data set which includes 185 small-scale farmers which are producing rubber on 260 plots on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Just-Pope production function indicates that fertiliser usage has a risk-reducing effect, whereas herbicide usage and plot size have risk-increasing effects. For labour and plantation age, the influence on output risk is ambiguous. By including the outcome of a Holt-Laury lottery into the analysis, we found the expected result that more risk averse farmers use more (risk-reducing) fertiliser and less (risk-increasing) herbicides. These consistent results provide an example for the external validity of measuring risk attitude with the Holt-Laury lottery. |
| Keywords: | Holt-Laury lottery,Just-Pope production function,output risk,rubber,Indonesia |
| JEL: | C91 C93 Q12 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:14&r=all |
| By: | Mochalova, Elizaveta; Anarbekov, Oyture; Kahhorov, U. |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a multifactor approach for performance assessment of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in Uzbekistan in order to identify the drivers for improved and efficient performance of WUAs. The study was carried out in the Fergana Valley where the WUAs were created along the South Fergana Main Canal during the last 10 years. The farmers and the employees of 20 WUAs were questioned about the WUAs’ activities and the quantitative and qualitative data were obtained. This became a base for the calculation of 36 indicators divided into 6 groups: Water supply, technical conditions, economic conditions, social and cultural conditions, organizational conditions and information conditions. All the indicators assessed with a differentiated point system adjusted for subjectivity of several of them give the total maximal result for the associations of 250 point. The WUAs of the Fergana Valley showed the score between 145 and 219 points, what reflects a highly diverse level of the WUAs performance in the region. The analysis of the indicators revealed that the key points of the WUA’s success are the organizational and institutional conditions including the participatory factors and awareness of both the farmers and employees about the work of WUA. The research showed that the low performance of the WUAs is always explained by the low technical and economic conditions along with weak organization and information dissemination conditions. It is clear that it is complicated to improve technical and economic conditions immediately because they are cost-based and cost-induced. However, it is possible to improve the organizational conditions and to strengthen the institutional basis via formal and information institutions which will gradually lead to improvement of economic and technical conditions of WUAs. Farmers should be involved into the WUA Governance and into the process of making common decisions and solving common problems together via proper institutions. Their awareness can also be improved by leading additional trainings for increasing farmers’ agronomic and irrigation knowledge, teaching them water saving technologies and acquainting them with the use of water measuring equipment so it can bring reliable water supply, transparent budgeting and adequate as well as equitable water allocation to the water users. |
| Keywords: | Water users associations, Performance evaluation, Performance indexes, Water supply, Technology, Economic aspects, Sociocultural environment, Farmer participation, Organizational development, Valleys, Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Fergana Valley, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Industrial Organization, International Development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iwmicp:208907&r=all |
| By: | Kuhlgatz, Christian; Mofya-Mukuka, Rhoda |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midcpb:208578&r=all |
| By: | Meskoub, M. |
| Abstract: | Cash transfers (CT) whether as income support to the elderly, poor households or other vulnerable groups have been hailed as one of the most innovative and effective social policy initiatives in the developing world. Available evidence suggest that their success would depend on their financial sustainability, low inflation and maintenance of a broad social policy support in areas such as food, health, education and housing. It is against this international experience and evidence that this paper sets out to evaluate the Iranian CT programme that was introduced by Ahmadi-Nejad as part of a major liberalization of energy prices in 2010 in order to bring domestic prices of energy and public utilities (water and electricity) in line with international prices. The Iranian CT programme became one of the largest of its kind in the world, with 90 per cent of population covered and costing 12 per cent of the GDP in 2010. This paper discusses the main characteristics of the Iranian programme and evaluates its impacts on household income, inflation, poverty alleviation and related welfare issues in areas such as health and nutrition. Comparison will be made with some of the major CT programmes around the world (e.g. Mexico and Brazil) to explore lessons that can be learned from such international experiences to reform the Iranian programme towards a targeted approach. It is in this context that the paper will ask whether CT programmes are complementary to or a substitute for broader social policy measures in developing countries. |
| Keywords: | cash transfer, social policy, energy/fuel subsidy, adjustment policy, poverty, inequality, Iran |
| Date: | 2015–09–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ems:euriss:78631&r=all |
| By: | Dumas, Christelle |
| Abstract: | Economic shocks have been shown to affect child labor and particularly so when households fail to access credit. This paper endeavours to assess whether access toagricultural labor markets also reduce the impact of shocks on child labor. Using panel data from Tanzania, we confirm that households respond to transitory productivity shocks by changes in child labor, but that (1) child labor increases with increases in rainfall, (2) it increases less when households have access to a labor market and (3) the agricultural labor market seems more efficient than the credit market to smooth rainfall shocks. These findings are consistent with the theoretical model offered in the paper. They highlight that imperfect agricultural labor markets are important determinants of child labor. |
| Keywords: | child labor; labor market imperfections; credit market imperfections; Tanzania |
| JEL: | O12 O13 O15 J13 J43 |
| Date: | 2015–09–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fri:fribow:fribow00458&r=all |
| By: | Yoann Verger (REEDS - REEDS - Centre international de Recherches en Economie écologique, Eco-innovation et ingénierie du Développement Soutenable - UVSQ - Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines) |
| Abstract: | References to Sraffa and to the neo-Ricardian school is something quite customary in ecological economics. By looking at contributions in this area since the beginning of ecological economics and at contributions on environmental problem from the neo-Ricardian school, we see that a connection between both school still has to be made. This connection should be articulated around the initial aim of Sraffa: to develop a new paradigm, competing against the neoclassical one. Only then it will be possible to develop a real eco-Sraffian approach able to pursue the analysis of the sustainability of the economic system. |
| Keywords: | Sraffa,neo-Ricardian,ecological economics,value,natural resources,political economy |
| Date: | 2015–09–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01193070&r=all |
| By: | P. Castanheira; J. Oliveira |
| Abstract: | Appraisers often use discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques to value timber and timberland. Land expectation value (LEV) is a standard DCF technique applied to many timberland situations. LEV calculates the value of bare land in perpetual timber production and is often used to value even- aged pine plantations. However, it is also useful in the valuation of immature timber stands and uneven-aged timber stands cut periodically. These models have wide applicability in timberland appraisal situations. LEV as used to estimate the oportunity costs or varoius management regimes for pinnus pinaster forestry in several locations in Portugal. We made modelation to estimate present value of costs and revenues from an infinite series of identical even-aged forest rotations starting from bare land and take a Forest Value (a generalization of LEV): the present value of a property with an existing stand of trees plus the present value of a LEV for all future rotations of timber that will be grown on the property after harvesting the current stand. So we determine when a given stand should be cut; separate the management of the current stand from that of future stands and account for price changes that might occur during the life of the current stand. We will still assume that the rotations and prices associated with the future stands (i.e., the stands that are established after the current stand is cut) will be the same. We show some exemples os land value and timber value for the pinnus pinaster forestry. |
| Keywords: | Land Expectation Value |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2014–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2014_109&r=all |
| By: | Dislich, Claudia; Hettig, Elisabeth; Heinonen, Johannes; Lay, Jann; Meyer, Katrin M.; Tarigan, Suria; Wiegand, Kerstin |
| Abstract: | Land-use changes have transformed tropical landscapes throughout the past decades dramatically. We describe here an ecologicaleconomic land-use change model to provide an integrated,exploratory tool to analyze how tropical land use and land-use change affect ecological and socio- conomic functions. The guiding question of the model is what kind of landscape mosaic can improve the ensemble of ecosystem functioning, biodiversity and economic benefit based on the synergies and trade-offs that we have to account for. The economic submodel simulates smallholder land-use management decisions based on a profit maximization assumption and a Leontief production function. Each household determines factor inputs for all household fields and decides about land-use change based on available wealth. The ecological submodel includes a simple account of carbon sequestration in above- and belowground vegetation. Initialized with realistic or artificial land use maps, the ecological-economic model will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the trade-offs and synergies of ecological and economic functions in tropical landscapes. |
| Keywords: | ecological-economic model,land-use change,smallholder,oil palm,rubber,Indonesia,simulation model,NetLogo |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:17&r=all |
| By: | Schwarze, Stefan; Euler, Michael; Gatto, Marcel; Hein, J.; Hettig, Elisabeth; Holtkamp, Anna Mareike; Izhar, Lutfi; Kunz, Y.; Lay, J.; Merten, J.; Moser, S.; Mußhoff, O.; Otten, Fenna; Qaim, M.; Soetarto, Endriatmo; Steinebach, S.; Trapp, K.; Vorlaufer, Miriam; Faust, Heiko |
| Abstract: | The rapid expansion of the oil palm area in many tropical countries has raised concerns about its negative impact on local communities, food security, and on the environment. While the expansion of oil palm in early stages was mainly driven by large private and public companies, it is expected that smallholders will outnumber large estates in the near future. For policy formulation it is hence important to better understand who these smallholders are and why they have started to cultivate oil palm. In this paper, we used a rich dataset collected in the province of Jambi, which is one of the most important production areas for oil palm, to analyse smallholders' decision making by combining qualitative, quantitative, and experimental methods. We identified agricultural expertise, lacking flexibility in labour requirements, availability of seedlings, and investment costs as the major constraints for farmers to cultivate oil palm. Important reasons for oil palm cultivation are the higher returns to labour and the shorter immature phase of oil palm. We also showed that oil palm farmers are neither risk-averse nor risk-loving, rather, they appear to be risk-neutral. |
| Keywords: | smallholders,crop choice,oil palm,rubber,Indonesia |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:11&r=all |
| By: | Moser, Stefan; Mußhoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | Palm oil production creates negative externalities, e.g., through intensive fertiliser applica-tion. If policy wants to limit externalities, an effective, sustainable and efficient measure seems desira-ble. Embedded in a framed field experiment in Indonesia, we apply a business simulation game to test ex ante several incentives for reducing the use of fertiliser in palm oil production. These incentives are arranged in the form of different designs, i.e., either a reward or punishment, varying in their magni-tude and probability of occurrence but constant in the effect on expected income. Results show that participants react significantly different depending on the incentive design. A high reward with a low probability to occur has been found to be the most effective and sustainable incentive design. For effi-ciency, a low and certain reward is indicated to be the best design. |
| Keywords: | policy influence analysis,effective incentive,framed field experiment,business simulation game,palm oil production,Indonesia |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:5&r=all |
| By: | B.(Tony) Ciochetti; M.Emre Camlibel |
| Abstract: | Buildings are responsible for more than a third of global energy consumption, and emit nearly 40% of all CO2 emissions. A small, but growing body of literature seeks to identify and isolate methods which may be employed in order to reduce the energy consumed in the operation of these structures. In this study, we develop a decision-making algorithm to mitigate the uncertainty of financial and environmental factors related to energy improvements of existing buildings, and how to efficiently allocate available funds in order to undertake such improvements. We develop a case study, in which forty two energy efficiency measures (EEM) are identified within the existing buildings of a University campus in Turkey. The operations of the buildings are analyzed, and energy consumption, energy costs and carbon emissions are measured. Costs and savings of these specific EEMs are calculated as are a number of their possible combinations. Of the more than four trillion possible combinations of energy improvement packages, the ones providing the greatest savings per unit of investment are computed for a range of limited investment budgets. This optimization problem is solved through the uses of both a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP), and a custom developed heuristics model. Our findings suggest that over the optimized investment curve, the most efficient use of EEM capital occurs withing a very tight range of allocation, providing the greatest returns in terms of energy savings, energy costs and carbon emission. Retrofitting of existing buildings with an optimized investment budget appears to be a viable investment strategy, providing yearly savings of 33% in energy use, 22% in energy cost and 23% in carbon emission. Our results show that a decision-maker can comfortably use a less sophisticated heuristics approach, which only minimally deviates from an exact MIP solution. Finally, we compare optimized solutions for retrofitting existing buildings against alternative investments of building new energy production plants and demolishing and re-constructing new buildings. In both cases retrofitting proved to be significantly more efficient in terms of investment cost, energy savings and CO2 reduction. |
| Keywords: | Carbon Emissions; Energy Efficiency Measures; Mixed Integer Programming; Sustainability |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2015–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_237&r=all |
| By: | Chisanga, Brian; Mofya-Mukuka, Rhoda; Chapoto, Antony |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midcpb:208577&r=all |
| By: | Gatto, Marcel; Wollni, Meike; Rosyani, Ir.; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | Through contract farming schemes between cohorts of farmers and private companies the Indonesian government intended to spur rural economic development. In particular within the oil palm sector, such community-company 'partnerships' are commonplace. Yet, empirical evidence of the success of these formations remains mixed. In this paper, we investigate the effects of contract farming on economic development at the village level. At the same time, little is understood regarding the fac-tors that determine that cohorts of farmers sign a contract. Analyzing data from a structured village survey, we find a positive effect of contract farming schemes on economic development, in particular on village wealth. The share of farmers under contract and contract length play a significant role in this. Regarding contract adoption, we observe that contract participation is conditional on the visit of a private investor. Controlling for this conditionality, we find that villages that have no access to electricity are more likely to participate in community-company partnerships. Finally, considering the government's intention to spur rural economic development through contract farming and the positive wealth effects associated with it, we find that contract farming has not been entirely equally accessible; however, we do not find evidence that the rural poor were excluded. |
| Keywords: | oil palm,contract farming,rural development,Indonesia |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:10&r=all |
| By: | M.Mohd Ghaza Rahman; M.Mohd Raid; A.'Che Kasim; K. Hussin |
| Abstract: | Green building concept, a trend in developed nations, has spread to Malaysia. The green features improve the functions of buildings and promises higher returns. Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and Innovation (IN) are among six criteria of Green Building Index (GBI) that building owner needs to attain for its building to be certified as â€green" in Malaysia. The benefit of IEQ is to create conducive indoor environment for building occupants for living and working. While IN is to meet the objectives of GBI through green building design initiatives and sustainable construction practices. The research question is does IEQ and IN features give direct impact to residential property price? Therefore, this paper will review the broad literature regarding the impacts of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and innovation (IN) for residential property and its implication to market price and rent. The early hypothesis of this paper anticipate that innovation (IN) and indoor environmetal quality (IEQ) features will indirectly increase residential property market price and rent in spite of the lack of comparative financial data. From this paper, it is hope that the positive impacts of these features will encourage building owners, developers and other main development actors to put these criteria into the same consideration as other criteria in GBI as one of the way to compensate the impact of the building towards economic, environment and social features. |
| Keywords: | Green Building Features; Green Building Index (GBI); Indoor Environmental Quality; Innovation; Property Price And Rental |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2015–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_133&r=all |
| By: | Ambec, Stefan (Toulouse School of Economics (INRA-LERNA) and University of Gothenburg.); Coria, Jessica (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University) |
| Abstract: | We analyze the interplay between policies aimed to control global and local pollution such as greenhouse gases and particulate matter. The two types of pollution interact in the abatement cost function of the polluting firms through economies or diseconomies of scope. They are regulated by distinct entities (global versus local), potentially with di¤erent instruments that are designed according to some specific agenda. We show that the choice of regulatory instrument and the timing of the regulations matter for efficiency. Emissions of local pollution are distorted if the local regulators anticipate that global pollution will later be regulated through emission caps. The regulation is too (not enough) stringent when abatement efforts exhibit economies (diseconomies) of scope. In contrast, we obtain e¢ ciency if the global pollutant is regulated by tax provided that the revenues from taxing emissions are redistributed to the local communities in a lump-sum way.<p> |
| Keywords: | environmental regulation; multiple-pollutants; policy spillovers; emission tax; emission standard; emissions trading |
| JEL: | D62 Q50 Q53 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0626&r=all |
| By: | Bahn, O (GERAD and Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal); de Bruin, Kelly (CERE, Umeå University); Fertel, C (GERAD, HEC Montreal) |
| Abstract: | Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our planet in the foreseeable future, yet, despite international environmental agreements, global GHG emissions are still increasing. In this context, adaptation measures are an alternative to mitigation efforts. These measures involve adjustments to economic or social structures to limit the impact of climate change without limiting climate change itself. To assess the interplay of adaptation and mitigation, we propose AD-MERGE, an integrated assessment model that includes both reactive ("flow") and proactive ("stock") adaptation strategies as well as several mitigation (energy) technologies. We find that adaptation delays but does not prevent the transition to clean energy systems (carbon capture and sequestration systems, nuclear, and renewables). Moreover, applying both strategies is more effective than using just one. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; Climate policy mix; Adaptation; Mitigation; Integrated assessment |
| JEL: | Q50 Q52 |
| Date: | 2015–09–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:slucer:2015_008&r=all |