|
on Energy Economics |
| By: | Janos Varga; Werner Roeger; Jan in ’t Veld |
| Abstract: | This paper describes a micro-founded, fully forward-looking dynamic general equilibrium (DGE) model with energy sectors that is used to analyse the macroeconomic impact of climate mitigation policy in the European Union (EU). The paper presents simulation results for the transitional costs of moving towards a net zero emissions economy. It does not attempt to assess the effects on growth of the green investments envisaged in the framework of the European Green Deal or the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Our model allows for substitutability between fossil fuels and clean energy inputs and considers different recycling options for the revenues collected by carbon taxes. We find that the costs of moving towards a net zero emissions economy can be significantly reduced when carbon taxes are used and are recycled to reduce other distortive taxes, or for subsidising clean energy. |
| JEL: | D5 Q43 Q50 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:euf:dispap:146&r= |
| By: | Soojin Jo; Lilia Karnizova |
| Abstract: | CO2 emissions are commonly perceived to rise and fall with aggregate output. Yet many factors, including energy-efficiency improvements, emissions coefficient variations and shifts to cleaner energy, can break the positive emissions-output relationship. To evaluate the importance of such factors, we uncover shocks that by construction reduce emissions without lowering output. These novel shocks explain a substantial fraction of emissions fluctuations. After extensively examining their impacts on macroeconomic and environmental indicators, we interpret these shocks as changes in the energy efficiency of consumer products. Our results imply that models omitting energy efficiency likely overestimate the trade-off between environmental protection and economic performance. |
| Keywords: | Business fluctuations and cycles; Climate change; Econometric and statistical methods |
| JEL: | E32 Q43 Q55 |
| Date: | 2021–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bca:bocawp:21-47&r= |
| By: | Michel Noussan (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, SciencesPo - Paris School of International Affairs); Manfred Hafner (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, SciencesPo - Paris School of International Affairs, Johns Hopkins University - School of Advanced International Studies); Loyle Campbell (SciencesPo - Paris School of International Affairs); Xinqing Lu (SciencesPo - Paris School of International Affairs); Pier Paolo Raimondi (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, Istituto Affari Internazionali); Erpu Zhu (FSciencesPo - Paris School of International Affairs) |
| Abstract: | This work compares the different decarbonization strategies of the power sector in China, the European Union and the United States, by considering the historical evolution of electricity generation and the current situation. Such a comparison is gaining a broader significance when evaluated with an additional level of geographic detail, by comparing European countries, Chinese provinces, and US states. The differences among these geographies highlight the challenges and opportunities of pushing towards low-carbon technologies, by making clear that regional decarbonization will need to address very different local contexts. Moreover, multiple policy and planning levels are involved, and those mechanisms are different in the three blocs being compared. Our analysis shows that these three blocs, although moving towards similar decarbonization targets, are currently at different levels of carbon intensity. The zero-carbon pathway will need to be declined in different local goals, based on the availability of low-carbon resources and the electricity demand. Given the geographical differences between demand and supply, and the likely increase of electricity demand, an improvement of power transmission networks will be essential. This work is part of a series of papers on the geopolitics of the energy transition in China, the European Union and the United States of America. |
| Keywords: | Electricity, Power, Decarbonization, Energy Transition, China, EU, US |
| JEL: | N70 O13 P48 Q42 |
| Date: | 2021–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2021.24&r= |
| By: | Karakara, Alhassan; Osabuohien, Evans; Asongu, Simplice |
| Abstract: | Purpose – This paper analyses the extent to which households are deprived (or otherwise) of clean energy sources in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – It engages the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data (GDHS VI). Three different energy deprivation indicators were estimated: cooking fuel deprivation, lighting deprivation and indoor air pollution. The empirical evidence is based on logit regressions that explain whether households are deprived or not. Findings – The results show that energy deprivation or access is contingent on the area of residence. Energy access and deprivation in Ghana show some regional disparities, even though across every region, the majority of households use three fuel types: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), charcoal and wood cut. Increases in wealth and education lead to reduction in the likelihood of being energy deprived. Thus, efforts should be geared towards policies that will ensure households having access to clean fuels to reduce the attendant deprivations and corresponding effects of using dangerous or dirty fuels. Originality/value – This study complements the extant literature by analysing the extent to which households are deprived (or otherwise) of clean energy sources in Ghana. |
| Keywords: | Energy deprivation, Ghana, Households, Sustainable development |
| JEL: | O13 P28 Q42 |
| Date: | 2021–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110137&r= |
| By: | Thomas M\"obius; Iegor Riepin; Felix M\"usgens; Adriaan H. van der Weijde |
| Abstract: | Flexibility options, such as demand response, energy storage and interconnection, have the potential to reduce variation in electricity prices between different future scenarios, therefore reducing investment risk. Moreover, investment in flexibility options can lower the need for generation capacity. However, there are complex interactions between different flexibility options. In this paper, we investigate the interactions between flexibility and investment risk in electricity markets. We employ a large-scale stochastic transmission and generation expansion model of the European electricity system. Using this model, we first investigate the effect of risk aversion on the investment decisions. We find that the interplay of parameters leads to (i) more investment in a less emission-intensive energy system if planners are risk averse (hedging against CO2 price uncertainty) and (ii) constant total installed capacity, regardless of the level of risk aversion (planners do not hedge against demand and RES deployment uncertainties). Second, we investigate the individual effects of three flexibility elements on optimal investment levels under different levels of risk aversion: demand response, investment in additional interconnection capacity and investment in additional energy storage. We find that that flexible technologies have a higher value for risk-averse decision-makers, although the effects are nonlinear. Finally, we investigate the interactions between the flexibility elements. We find that risk-averse decision-makers show a strong preference for transmission grid expansion once flexibility is available at low cost levels. |
| Date: | 2021–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2110.04088&r= |
| By: | Anaya, K. L.; Pollitt, M. G. |
| Abstract: | This paper quantifies the benefits of introducing reactive power markets that promote the participation of distributed energy resources (DER) in a coordinated way, between the electricity system operator and the electricity distribution utilities. The contribution that DER could make by displacing conventional network assets in supplying reactive power support is evaluated in the context of a case study, the Power Potential (PP) project in Great Britain. We discuss the rising need for absorptive (leading) reactive power in the PP trial area, driven by the rapid connection of renewable generation in an area of low demand growth. A social cost benefit analysis (SCBA) is performed to quantify the net benefits, with sensitivities regarding bid prices, % of DER participation, time horizons. Price information from the PP live trial conducted between January and March 2021 is also used to evaluate the robustness of the SCBA and to estimate benefits using actual prices. Our results suggest that energy consumers could save from 8-21% of business as usual asset costs by 2050. The introduction of trial bid prices increases these savings by around 3% of business as usual asset costs out to 2050. Potential sources of additional benefits on top of those identified in the SCBA are also discussed. |
| Keywords: | reactive power, social cost benefit analysis, distributed energy resources, ancillary services procurement |
| JEL: | D44 D47 L94 Q40 |
| Date: | 2021–10–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:2168&r= |
| By: | Noussan, Michel; Hafner, Manfred; Campbell, Loyle; Lu, Xinqing; Raimondi, Pier Paolo; Zhu, Erpu |
| Abstract: | This work compares the different decarbonization strategies of the power sector in China, the European Union and the United States, by considering the historical evolution of electricity generation and the current situation. Such a comparison is gaining a broader significance when evaluated with an additional level of geographic detail, by comparing European countries, Chinese provinces, and US states. The differences among these geographies highlight the challenges and opportunities of pushing towards low-carbon technologies, by making clear that regional decarbonization will need to address very different local contexts. Moreover, multiple policy and planning levels are involved, and those mechanisms are different in the three blocs being compared. Our analysis shows that these three blocs, although moving towards similar decarbonization targets, are currently at different levels of carbon intensity. The zero-carbon pathway will need to be declined in different local goals, based on the availability of low-carbon resources and the electricity demand. Given the geographical differences between demand and supply, and the likely increase of electricity demand, an improvement of power transmission networks will be essential. This work is part of a series of papers on the geopolitics of the energy transition in China, the European Union and the United States of America. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2021–10–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:feemwp:314197&r= |
| By: | FREDERIC ANG (Business Economics Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands); KRISTIAAN KERSTENS (Univ. Lille, CNRS, IESEG School of Management, UMR 9221 - LEM - Lille Economie Management, F-59000 Lille, France) |
| Abstract: | The agricultural sector is currently confronted with the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, whilst maintaining or increasing production. Energy-saving technologies are often proposed as a partial solution, but the evidence on their ability to reduce GHG emissions remains mixed. Production economics provides methodological tools to analyse the nexus of agricultural production, energy use and GHG emissions. Convexity is predominantly maintained in agricultural production economics, despite various theoretical and empirical reasons to question it. Employing a nonconvex, free disposal hull framework, this paper evaluates energy productivity change (the ratio of aggregate output change to energy use change) and GHG emission intensity change (the ratio of GHG emission change to polluting input change) using Hicks-Moorsteen productivity formulations. We consider GHG emissions as by-products of the production process by means of multi-equation modelling. The application focuses on 1,510 Dutch dairy farms for the period of 2010-2019. The results show a positive association between energy productivity change and GHG emission intensity change, which calls into question the potential of on-farm, energy-efficiency-increasing measures to reduce GHG emission intensity. |
| Keywords: | energy, greenhouse gas emissions, productivity, dairy, nonconvexity |
| JEL: | D22 D24 Q12 Q53 Q54 |
| Date: | 2021–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ies:wpaper:e202109&r= |
| By: | Stefan Nabernegg (University of Graz, Austria) |
| Abstract: | One major barrier for the feasibility of national climate policies is limited public acceptance because of distributional concerns. In the literature, different approaches are used to investigate the incidence of climate policies across income groups. We apply three approaches of incidence analysis to the case of Austria, that vary in terms of data and computational intensity: (i) household fuel expenditure analysis, (ii) household carbon footprints and (iii) macroeconomic general equilibrium modelling with heterogeneous households. As concerns about heterogeneity within low-income groups (horizontal equity) were recently articulated as main objection for effective redistributive revenue recycling in the literature, we compare a pricing instrument of a fuel tax with two non-pricing instruments. We find that expenditure analysis, without considering embodied emissions in consumption, overestimates regressivity as well as within group variations of carbon pricing instruments. An economy-wide fuel tax without redistributive revenue recycling shows a slightly regressive distributional effect in the general equilibrium analysis, driven by the households use of income. This is well approximated by the carbon footprint analysis as income source effects play a minor role for this policy. For the two examples of non-pricing policies, we show that income source effects, which can be only evaluated in a closed macroeconomic model, strongly codetermine the mostly progressive distributional effect. Therefore we derive three general aspects that determine the incidence of climate policies: (i) the consumption patterns of households and the corresponding emission intensities of consumption, (ii) the existing distribution and composition of income, and (iii) the specific policy and policy design considered. For the feasibility of climate policy, we conclude that the evaluation as well as the clear communication of distributional effects is essential, as policy acceptance depends on the perceived individual outcome. |
| Keywords: | policy incidence; carbon footprint; carbon pricing; climate change; Computable General Equilibrium; distribution; fuel tax; heterogenous households; Multi-Regional Input-Output simulation |
| JEL: | C43 E01 E31 R31 |
| Date: | 2021–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grz:wpaper:2021-12&r= |
| By: | Olexiy Kyrychenko |
| Abstract: | This paper reexamines empirical evidence on the effectiveness of environmental regulations in India from a recent study by Greenstone and Hanna (GH, 2014). GH report that air pollution control policies in India were effective in improving air quality but had a modest and statistically insignificant effect on infant mortality. These somewhat counterintuitive findings are likely to stem from the limited availability of ground-based air pollution data used in GH and the absence of critical meteorological confounders. I leverage recent advances in satellite technology and GH’s methodology to test the sensitivity of their findings to revised air pollution outcomes, an extended number of observations, and meteorological controls. Despite striking differences between the two datasets, reexamination using satellite-based data confirms the conclusions drawn from GH’s data. The effects of the policies are, however, substantially weaker. The paper urges further research on the effectiveness of environmental regulations in developing countries and the use of satellite imagery in the examination of this important question. |
| Keywords: | air pollution; infant mortality; environmental regulation; India; |
| JEL: | I12 J13 O13 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cer:papers:wp703&r= |
| By: | Castellini, Marta; Di Corato, Luca; Moretto, Michele; Vergalli, Sergio |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we provide a real options model framing prosumers’ investment in photovoltaic plants. This is presented in a Smart Grid context where the exchange of energy among prosumers is possible. We determine the optimal size of the photovoltaic installations based on the influence the self-consumption profiles on the exchange of energy among prosumers. We calibrate the model using figures relative to the Northern Italy energy market and investigate the investment decision allowing for different prosumer profiles and consider several combinations of their individual energy demand and supply. Our findings show that the shape of individual energy demand and supply curves is crucial to the exchange of energy among prosumers, and that there could be circumstances under which no exchange occurs. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2021–10–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:feemwp:314755&r= |
| By: | McCulloch, Neil; Moerenhout, Tom; Yang, Joonseok |
| Abstract: | Fuel subsidies in Nigeria are enormous. At last estimate, the state subsidises gasoline to the tune of USD 3.9 billion — almost double the entire health budget. Subsidies exist because the government fixes the price of gasoline for consumers below the international price and uses government resources to pay for the difference. They were first introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s as a response to the oil price shock in 1973. However, despite numerous attempts at reform, Nigeria has never successfully removed gasoline subsidies, in large part due to strong popular opposition to reform. Summary of ICTD Working Paper 104 by Neil McCulloch,Tom Moerenhout and Joonseok Yang. Such subsidies come at great cost: spending on other development objectives is lower; the distribution of resources to the state governments is reduced; the vast majority of the subsidy goes to better off Nigerians; and cheaper gasoline encourages greater pollution, congestion and climate change. Despite this, our survey indicates that 70 per cent of Nigerians oppose the reduction or removal of subsidies. |
| Keywords: | Economic Development, Finance, Governance, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idq:ictduk:15183&r= |
| By: | Zambrano, Juan Carlos; Astaiza-Gómez, José Gabriel; García, Juan David |
| Abstract: | In this article we analyze the remuneration mechanism for the reduction of energy losses, through a dynamic principal-agent model in continuous time. The agent represents the power distribution company, which makes investments, or in other words, makes an effort to reduce energy losses. The principal represents the regulator, who offers a contract (regulation) to the agent, designed with the purpose of inducing the agent to exert the optimal effort, in the sense that such effort maximizes the expectation of power distribution minus the cost of compensating the agent. In our model, the energy distribution follows a process of diffusion with drift (drift), determined by the effort of the agent, not observable or verifiable by the principal. The optimal contract, carried out on the basis of the continuation value of the agent as a state variable, is calculated from a differential equation. |
| Keywords: | Natural Monopoly, Electric Power Losses, Remuneration, Asymmetric Information, Moral Hazard. |
| JEL: | C61 C62 D21 D42 D61 D81 D82 D86 G32 G35 G38 H25 H32 L51 Q41 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110143&r= |
| By: | Olexiy Kyrychenko |
| Abstract: | Credible estimates of the health effects associated with changes in air pollution exposure are of considerable importance for research and policy agendas, especially for developing countries. This paper estimates the impact of the sharp reduction in particulate air pollution driven by the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 on district-level infant mortality in India. Utilizing plausibly exogenous geographic variation in the crisis-induced changes in air quality and novel data from household surveys and satellite-based sources, I find that the infant mortality rate fell by 24% more in the most affected districts, implying 1338 fewer infant deaths than would have occurred in the absence of the crisis. Analysis of the mechanisms indicates that the PM2.5 reductions affected infant mortality mainly through respiratory diseases and two biological mechanisms: in utero and postbirth PM2.5 exposure. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that the estimated decline in infant mortality translates into a three-year after crisis total of 312.5 million U.S. dollars. The resulting health benefits could be used as a benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of the policies designed to improve air quality in India. |
| Keywords: | air pollution; infant mortality; crisis; India; |
| JEL: | Q53 I12 O13 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cer:papers:wp702&r= |
| By: | Tadadjeu, Sosson; Njangang, Henri; Asongu, Simplice; Nounamo, Yann |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of natural resources on wealth inequality as a first attempt on a panel of 45 developed and developing countries over the period 2000-2014. Using the Generalized Method of Moments, the results provide stong evidence that natural resources increase wealth inequality within a linear empirical framework. These results are robust to the use of alternative natural resources and wealth inequality measures. Additionnaly, a nonlinear analysis provides evidence of an inverted U shaped relationship between natural resources and wealth inequality. The net effect of enhancing natural resources on wealth inequality is positive and building on the corresponding conditional negative effect, the attendant natural resource thresholds for inclusive development are provided. It follows that while natural resources increase wealth inequality, some critical levels of natural resources are needed for natural resources to reduce wealth inequality. |
| Keywords: | Oil wealth; Natural resources; Wealth inequality; Sustainable development |
| JEL: | F21 F54 L71 |
| Date: | 2021–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110133&r= |
| By: | Nchofoung, Tii; Achuo, Elvis; Asongu, Simplice |
| Abstract: | This study aims to empirically verify the effects of natural resource rents on inclusive human development in developing countries. The results from the IV Tobit regression show that natural resource rents have a positive direct effect on inclusive human development in developing countries and that this relationship varies by regional groupings, income levels, level of development and export structure. Looking at the transmission mechanisms, when the interactive variables of governance and environmental quality is introduced, the modulating channel through governance exerts a robust negative synergy effect in the sample of developing countries and positive synergy effects for Africa and low-income countries. When the interactive variable of CO2 emissions is introduced for Africa, a negative net effect of natural resource rents on inclusive human development is obtained. This was up to a policy threshold of 25.4412 of CO2 emissions when the negative effect is nullified. For Asia and the Latin America and Caribbean, a positive net effect is obtained. This is up to a CO2 emissions threshold of 29.038 and 3.6752 respectively, when the positive effect is nullified. Besides, the high income and the upper-middle income countries produce a negative net effect of resource rents on inclusive human development through CO2 modulation, with up to positive CO2 emission thresholds of 37.9365 and 23.6257 respectively. Policy implications are highlighted. In summary, contingent on engaged specificities, where conditional effects are negative, negative thresholds for complementary policies have been provided and in scenarios where conditional impacts are positive, actionable positive thresholds have been provided. |
| Keywords: | Resource Rents, Inclusive Human Development, Institutional Quality, Environmental Quality |
| JEL: | C23 O11 P48 |
| Date: | 2021–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110139&r= |
| By: | Hackston, David; Lake, Richard; Tardiff, Louis-Paul |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2021–10–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ctrf31:314708&r= |
| By: | Zhao, Yue; Brooks, Adria Elise; Du, Xiaodong |
| Keywords: | Resource/Energy Economics and Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/Statistical Methods |
| Date: | 2021–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea21:313883&r= |
| By: | ITF |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews opportunities and challenges for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from Morocco’s transport sector. It provides an overview of the transport system and reviews the country’s existing policies and future plans for reducing CO2 emissions from transport. The paper also provides an overview of the data on transport activity and emissions available for Morocco, and the tools used by government agencies for assessing them. Finally, it proposes options for further action in the context of ITF’s “Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies” (DTEE) project |
| Date: | 2021–03–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaac:89-en&r= |
| By: | Luo, Yufeng; Chen, Feifei; Qiu, Huanguang |
| Keywords: | Resource/Energy Economics and Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, International Development |
| Date: | 2021–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea21:313913&r= |
| By: | Mitra, Archisman; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Bouwer, Roy |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource/Energy Economics and Policy, Agricultural and Food Policy |
| Date: | 2021–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea21:313871&r= |
| By: | Frank W. Geels (Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, The Productivity Institute; Alliance Manchester Business School The University of Manchester); Jonatan Pinkse (Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, The Productivity Institute; Alliance Manchester Business School The University of Manchester); Dimitri Zenghelis (University of Cambridge) |
| Keywords: | productivity, low-carbon, digital transitions |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:anj:wpaper:009&r= |
| By: | Ertugrul, H. Murat; Güngör, B. Oray; Soytas, Ugur |
| Abstract: | We analyze the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on volatility dynamics of the Turkish diesel market. We observe that a high volatility pattern starts around mid-April, 2020 and reaches its peak on 24/05/2020. This is due to the government imposed weekend curfews and bans on intercity travels. Two policy suggestions are provided. First is a temporary rearrangement of profit margins of dealers and liquid fuel distributors; and, second is a temporary tax regulation to compensate lost tax revenue. |
| Keywords: | Diesel Consumption, ARIMA Models, ARCH Family Models, Covid-19 pandemic |
| JEL: | C10 Q43 Q47 |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110166&r= |
| By: | Adélie Ranville (GEM - Grenoble Ecole de Management, USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc); Anne-Lorene Vernay (GEM - Grenoble Ecole de Management) |
| Date: | 2021–05–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-03356278&r= |
| By: | Bouterige, Yannick; de Quatrebarbes, Céline; Laporte, Bertrand |
| Abstract: | The extractive sector is of primary importance to African states. Of the 54 countries on the continent, 20 are considered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be rich in natural resources. These are countries whose natural resources account for more than 25 per cent of total exports. All are sub-Saharan African countries: seven export mainly oil and gas, and 13 export mainly minerals: mostly gold, diamonds and precious stones. The significant weight of the extractive sector in these states raises the question of the taxation of these natural resources, which are non-renewable. An innovative database on the taxation of mining industries in Africa has been put online on the Ferdi website, in partnership with Cerdi and ICTD. This database covers 21 sub-Saharan African countries over a period that varies according to the availability of information in each country but can go back to the 1980s. It was created based on the tax legislation and regulations of each country, essentially the income tax acts, finance acts and mining acts. It separates the general regime (applicable to all companies) from the mining regime (applicable only to holders of mineral rights for prospecting or exploitation on an industrial scale). It focuses on a single ore: gold. |
| Keywords: | Economic Development, Governance, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idq:ictduk:15184&r= |
| By: | Lea, Jon; Harvey, John PhD |
| Abstract: | The processes in the pavement life cycle can be defined as: material extraction and production; construction; transport of materials and demolition; the use stage, where the pavement interacts with other systems; the materials, construction, and transport associated with maintenance and rehabilitation; and end-of-life. Local governments are increasingly being asked to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from their operations and identify changes to reduce emissions. There are many possible strategies that local governments can choose to reduce their emissions, however, prioritization and selection of which to implement can be difficult if emissions cannot be quantified. Pavement life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used by local governments to achieve the same goals as state government. The web-based software environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Pavements, also known as eLCAP has been developed a project-level LCA tool. The goal of eLCAP is to permit local governments to perform project-level pavement LCA using California specific data, including consideration of their own designs, materials, and traffic. eLCAP allows modeling of materials, transport, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and end-of-life recycling for all impacts; and in the use stage it considers the effects of combustion of fuel in vehicles as well as the additional fuel consumed due to pavement-vehicle interaction (global warming potential only). This report documents eLCAP and a project that created an interface for eLCAP that is usable by local governments. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Pavements, life cycle analysis, paving, pavement maintenance, greenhouse gases, models, web applications, local governments |
| Date: | 2021–10–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt1nm5c9gp&r= |
| By: | McCulloch, Neil; Moerenhout, Tom; Yang, Joonseok |
| Abstract: | Fuel subsidies in Nigeria are enormous. At last estimate, the state subsidises petrol to the tune of US$3.9 billion – almost double the entire health budget. Such subsidies come at great cost: the opportunity costs of such spending on other development objectives are large; the distribution of resources to the state governments is reduced; the vast majority of the subsidy goes to better-off Nigerians; and cheaper petrol encourages greater pollution, congestion and climate change. Despite this, most Nigerians oppose the reduction or removal of subsidies. We draw on a new nationally representative household survey that asked Nigerian men and women about their knowledge and attitudes towards subsidies. We construct and test a set of hypotheses about the determinants of support for subsidy reform. We also use a survey experiment to explore how different framings of the issue influence support for reform. We find that different framings of reform are not able to alter Nigerians’ opinion from opposing to supporting reform, indicating deep-rooted beliefs about the role of petrol subsidies in Nigeria’s social contract. We find that people that already pay more than the official price and that have experienced a lack of fuel availability are more likely to support reform. Trust in government is also associated with support for reform, as is delivery of reasonable national and local services, supporting the idea that building the ‘social contract’ is key to reform. Social and personal norms also appear correlated with support for reform. Intriguingly, actual knowledge about subsidies is not – people appear to form their opinions on the issue regardless of their understanding of it. |
| Keywords: | Development Policy, Economic Development, Governance, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idq:ictduk:14989&r= |
| By: | Athanasios Kampas (Agricultural University of Athens); Katarzyna Czech (Department of Econometrics and Statistics, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences); Stelios Rozakis (Technical University of Crete, Lab of Bioeconomy and Biosystems Economics, School of Environmental Engineering) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the links between globalisation and environmental policy stringency with the environmental terms of trade. The existence of dynamic links among the variables were explored using cross-correlations and Granger Causality tests. According to the results, the de jure and the de facto globalisation measures have different environmental impacts. Also, despite the fact that all V4 countries have introduced strict environmental policies, especially since 2000, the relative strength of these policies lag behind the maximum OECD stringency. As a result, the pollution heaven hypothesis cannot be excluded. The policy implications of the results are briefly discussed. |
| Keywords: | Pollution Haven Hypothesis, Globalisation, Ecological Footprint of exports/ imports, Environmental Terms of Trade |
| JEL: | Q50 Q56 Q51 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aua:wpaper:2021-1&r= |
| By: | Ozili, Peterson K |
| Abstract: | Identifying the intersection between digital finance, green finance and social finance is important for promoting sustainable financial, social and environmental development. This paper suggests a link between digital finance, green finance and social finance. Using a simple conceptual model, I show that digital finance offers a smooth, efficient and seamless channel for individuals and corporations to fund social projects that deliver a social dividend, and green projects that promote a sustainable environment. The implication is that digital finance is both an enabler and a channel for efficient green financing and social financing. |
| Keywords: | green finance, social finance, digital finance, sustainable development, environment, sustainable finance, innovation |
| JEL: | G02 G20 G21 Q56 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:110151&r= |
| By: | Joseph I. Uduji (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria); Elda N. Okolo-Obasi (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria); Simplice Asongu (Yaoundé, Cameroon) |
| Abstract: | Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on reducing incidents of electoral violence in the oil-producing communities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a survey technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1200 households were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Findings – The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that GMoU model made significant impact in deterring occurrences of electoral violence, when interventions on cluster development boards (CDBs) are designed to mitigate the intricate of political clashes in the region. Practical implication – This implies that CSR interventions of MOCs play a vital role in reducing incidents of electoral violence in Nigeria’s oil producing region. Social implication – Reducing the increasing electoral violence in the oil host communities, will in turn create an enabling environment for more extensive and responsible business of Multinational Corporation in sub-Saharan Africa. Originality/value –This paper extends and contributes to the literature on CSR initiatives of multinational enterprises in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern. |
| Keywords: | Electoral violence, corporate social responsibility, multinational oil companies, sub-Saharan Africa |
| Date: | 2021–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:21/063&r= |