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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Stephan Weiler |
| Abstract: | Site designation by the National Park Service conveys a unique set of signals to information-constrained potential visitors. Changes in designation thus offer natural experiments to evaluate the signaling importance of names. This paper estimates the visitation effect of the conversion of National Monuments to National Parks through panel data analyses of the 8 designation changes that occurred between 1979 and 2000. These conversions have substantial and persistent effects on annual visitation, indicating that designation signals are indeed significant and credible. These signals appear to be particularly important to information-constrained visitors from a broad national audience compared to more proximate state and metro populations who have better information about nearby sites. Furthermore, increased annual visitor flows to newly designated parks do not appear to occur at the expense of visitation at alternative sites. Finally, visits to these parks appear to be quasi-inferior goods, as visitation is inversely related to various measures of national income. |
| Date: | 2005 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedkrw:rwp05-09&r=env |
| By: | Jason Henderson; Sean Moore |
| Abstract: | Wildlife recreation – hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching – appears to be an increasingly important past time for many Americans as people continue to increase their spending on wildlife recreation. Land lease and ownership expenditures by wildlife recreation participants are rising and appear to be capitalized into farmland values. This paper analyzes the impact of hunting lease rates on farmland values in Texas. The results indicate that counties with higher wildlife recreation income streams have higher land values. |
| Date: | 2005 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedkrw:rwp05-10&r=env |
| By: | Philippe Quirion (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - http://www.centre-cired.fr - CNRS : UMR8568 - Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales;Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural des Eaux et des Forêts;Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées) |
| Abstract: | Environmental policies often set ‘‘relative'' or ‘‘intensity'' emission caps, i.e. emission limits proportional to the polluting firm's output. One of the arguments put forth in favour of relative caps is based on the uncertainty on business-as-usual output: if the firm's production level is higher than expected, so will be business-as-usual emissions, hence reaching a given level of emissions will be more costly than expected.<br />As a consequence, it is argued, a higher emission level should be allowed if the production level is more<br />important than expected. We assess this argument with a stochastic analytical model featuring two random<br />variables: the business-as-usual emission level, proportional to output, and the slope of the marginal<br />abatement cost curve.We compare the relative cap to an absolute cap and to a price instrument, in terms of<br />welfare impact. It turns out that in most plausible cases, either a price instrument or an absolute cap yields a<br />higher expected welfare than a relative cap. Quantitatively, the difference in expected welfare is typically very small between the absolute and the relative cap but may be significant between the relative cap and the price instrument. |
| Keywords: | Uncertainty; Policy choice; Environmental taxes; Tradable permits; Intensity target |
| Date: | 2006–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:papers:halshs-00007162_v1&r=env |
| By: | Minh Ha-Duong (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - http://www.centre-cired.fr - CNRS : UMR8568 - Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales;Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural des Eaux et des Forêts;Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses aspects of risk and uncertainty relevant in an interdisciplinary assessment of climate change policy. It opposes not only the objective approach (viewing probabilities as degrees of truth) versus the subjective approach (viewing them as degrees of certainty), but also situations of risk (when precise probabilities are well founded) versus situations of uncertainty (broader forms of ignorance such as Knightian or deep uncertainty, incompleteness, vagueness). It argues that the evolution of the IPCC guidelines on risk and uncertainties from the third to the fourth report can be read as a move away from a core objective and probabilistic position, to include more complex aspects of uncertainty. Still, many human dimensions such as strategic uncertainties, surprises, metaphysics, taboos and epistemic uncertainties remain missing from the IPCC guidelines' systematic typology. |
| Keywords: | risk; uncertainty; climate change; integrated assessment |
| Date: | 2006–01–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:papers:halshs-00008089_v1&r=env |
| By: | Dominique Drouet; Ronald Steenblik; George Stubbs |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the synergistic relationships between trade in environmental services and trade in environmental goods. It forms part of a series of OECD studies that analyse various issues related to Paragraph 31(iii) of the World Trade Organization’s 2001 Doha Development Agenda, which mandates negotiations at the WTO on “the reduction or, as appropriate, elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods and services.” For the purpose of this study, environmental services are defined as wastewater management services, solid-waste management services, sanitation and similar services and other environmental services. Services related to the collection, purification and distribution of water are also discussed in the paper. After describing the nature of each environmental service, the paper identifies broad categories of goods used in the performance of those services, and notes that for some goods environmental services are what is driving growth in their markets. The analysis then draws on case studies of actual business-to-business exports of environmental services, mainly from OECD countries to developing countries, to form general insights into the kinds of environmental goods used by service providers, and how these goods are procured. The case studies provide qualitative evidence that many of the goods included on either the APEC or the OECD lists of environmental goods are used in the performance of environmental services. These include, in particular, items for holding, conveying, treating and filtering liquids, and instruments for monitoring and measuring. Many of these goods are procured from local suppliers, if not initially then over time as local demand for the associated services develops. The benefits to the businesses that engage environmental-service providers are many, allowing them to concentrate on their core activities, and to shift some of the liability of meeting environmental regulations to other companies. Local employment is also generated. The general implication of this study for developing economies is that the potential benefits to simultaneously liberalising trade in environmental services and in environmental goods are likely to be much greater than liberalising trade in only one or the other. |
| Keywords: | trade, developing countries, environmental goods, environmental services |
| JEL: | F14 F18 O33 Q56 |
| Date: | 2005–07–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:traaaa:2005/1-en&r=env |
| By: | Ronald Steenblik |
| Abstract: | This chapter explores some practical issues that have arisen in the WTO negotiations on environmental goods and services, especially issues pertaining to liberalising trade in environmental goods. Since environmental goods are not covered by a single chapter of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) — the international basis for codifying trade and tariffs — an agreement on environmental goods must be defined by reference to an agreed list. In such a case, when the most detailed (6-digit) product level is insufficiently specific, it becomes necessary to agree to create common commodity descriptions at the 8- or 10-digit level in national tariff schedules. Another important concern is the so-called “dual use” problem: many goods with environmental uses also can be used for nonenvironmental purposes. Possible solutions to these problems are explored, drawing on past experience in negotiating and implementing sectoral liberalisation agreements. The chapter also discusses issues relating to separate tariff lines for whole plants and to goods distinguished by their superior environmental performance in use. Finally, it considers some procedural and institutional issues that will have to be addressed before an agreement is concluded, notably whether to allow for the periodic addition of new goods to the agreement, and how to deal with the problem of changes over time in the relative environmental performance of competing goods. |
| Date: | 2005–12–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:traaaa:2005/5-en&r=env |
| By: | R. BRACKE; J. ALBRECHT |
| Abstract: | This paper seeks to advance current understanding of uneven adoption of international environmental management systems (EMS) in developed countries. It is shown that empirical results have only limited explanatory power in this context and that social, cultural and institutional factors determine whether a country offers a favourable environment for the voluntary adoption of international EMS. We argue that a country classification based on the degree of statism of the collective agency on the one hand and the degree of corporatism of society’s organization on the other offers a valuable perspective for analysing a country’s response to the introduction the management standards ISO 14001 and EMAS. In more liberal and associational societies, private alternatives for national regulation are welcomed and adopted with enthusiasm. In more statist and corporatist countries, such alternatives are looked upon with suspicion resulting in a delayed take-up and a preference for government-based EMAS. |
| Date: | 2005–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rug:rugwps:05/342&r=env |
| By: | Graham Hall; Roger Cratchley |
| Abstract: | Mechanisms of flooding are being investigated in the mountainous catchment of the Mawddach in the Snowdonia National Park of North Wales, where an estimated 300-year maximal flood event in 2001 caused extensive damage to bridges and roads. Interest has centred on the middle course of the river system, where deeply incised valleys cut through the extensive forest of Coed y Brenin. Investigations are combining field hydrological monitoring with modelling of ground and surface water flows. Forestry plantations, now reaching maturity, are found to have significant moderating effects on flooding downstream: Humid microclimates, resulting from cloud catching on steep Atlantic-facing hillslopes, promote prolific moss growth beneath mature conifers. Deep forest brown earth soils have formed, providing an enhanced water storage and buffering effect during storm events. Clear felling leads to rapid soil erosion, with reversion to thin peaty podsols. Areas of floodplain forestry within the deep valleys impede overbank discharges through generation of lateral turbulence. Models indicate a water depth increase of up to 1m in comparison to grassland floodplain. This represents a significant temporary storage capacity during flood events. Natural broadleaf woodland within the riparian zone stabilises river banks and reduces erosion of periglacial gravel deposits which infill the main valleys. Eroded gravel entering rivers can accumulate downstream, reducing the effectiveness of flood defence embankments. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p105&r=env |
| By: | Izet Ibreljic; Salih Kulenovic |
| Abstract: | In wide region of South-Eastern Europe it has been notice even long ago that special attention must be given to a faster making of new creative and innovative regional structure of energetics which will made it possible for this geo-space to get incorporated in the energy structure of EU soon.However, in many documents done by foreign experts and institutions it is point out for that to happen it will take a long time. This topic is especially actual in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country with the biggest reserve of coal in the region as well as with the biggest problem in a sphere of mining and energetics. In the paper that will be presented the mentioned task will be viewed in wider context of global development trends and process of restructuring not just energetics but also the entire economy in South-Eastern Europe and current process of rationalization of the European internal market of energy products. Certainly, in the focus of this paper will be environmental problem, which always follow these processes. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p134&r=env |
| By: | Lale Berkoz; Ömer Kellekci |
| Abstract: | In this study, in order to assess the factors that improve dwelling and environmental quality satisfaction, the concepts of dwelling and its environment, and the subject of dwelling and environmental quality satisfaction have been investigated; the conceptual model of dwelling and environmental quality satisfaction has been developed, which takes up the subject of user satisfaction in dwelling and environment quality as a whole; and the factors increasing level of satisfaction in dwelling and environment quality have been specified. Also the independent variables that increase the level of user satisfaction in dwelling and environment quality have been determined. This level is dependent on the analyses implemented with independent variables. These independent variables include accessibility, the characteristics of household members, security, neighbor relationships, and appearance of the environment. Totally, 400 questionnaire inquiries have been made in planned housing estate areas in Istanbul Metropolitan Region. Applying factor analysis to the data that have been gathered as a result of questionnaire inquiries, the following factors have been determined, according to their level of importance, to increase the level of user satisfaction in dwelling and environmental quality: in the subject of convenient accessibility centrality, accessibility to educational institutions, accessibility to open areas, accessibility to health institutions, and accessibility to public transportation; in the subject of environmental quality variants satisfaction in recreational areas, satisfaction in centrality, satisfaction in the social structure – physical features of the settlement, satisfaction in transportation and accessibility, and satisfaction in social facilities; in the subject of environmental security structural and environmental security of the dwelling as well as life and property security; in the subject of neighbor relationships social homogeneity and distanced neighbor relationships; in the subject of appearance of dwelling environment and economic value the compatibility between the physical appearance of the dwelling area and user status. Taking into consideration all the characteristics that determine dwelling and environmental quality satisfaction as a result of analyses, new perspectives to this subject have been opened by obtaining these factor groups as the determinants of user satisfaction in dwelling and environmental quality. It has, also, been revealed that throughout their work planners and designers need to take into consideration the factors that will increase user satisfaction in dwelling and environmental quality. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p143&r=env |
| By: | Fernando González Laxe; Federico Martín Palmero; Fernanda Miguélez Pose |
| Abstract: | Although the calculation of indicators of sustainable development is increasing on both national and global levels, its implementation to the regional analysis is still very incipient, especially regarding those indicators that are considered as measures of the strong sustainability. Some recent researches have determined that the ecological footprint in Galicia reaches 7.01 hectares per capita, much higher than the Spanish one (4.90) or the world average (2.18). Among others, one of the main reasons of this figure for this indicator in this specific Spanish region is the excessive contribution of the footprint of energy (2.18 hectares per capita), and, in this group, the significant weight of the means and methods of transport that are used. This document deals with the analysis of this specific component of the ecological footprint in Galicia from different perspectives: first, the influence of using an intensive transport of goods on the combustion of fossil fuels to the detriment of other more sustainable transports; secondly, the mobility habits of the population (both acquired or imposed as there are no alternatives); and, finally, some reflections about the structural reasons of this behaviour. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p151&r=env |
| By: | Kayo Ito |
| Abstract: | International interests in improving environmental management practices in both the public and private sector have increased. Many surveys relating to environmental management systems (EMS) in particular have been conducted, but these have focused primarily on the private sector, especially in manufacturing. While the surveys and questionnaires explain the standard itself and how to implement EMS, no comparative analysis have been made that exceed specific economic region and/ or country. This paper focuses on the public sector. The objective is to assess the social meaning of EMS for the public sector. The information presented in this paper is comprised of an empirical survey in Japan as compare to the EU and United States. It includes environmental reports, government material and field survey information. Public sectors with EMS in these regions not only succeed in controlling environmental impact (including daily activity, public works and procurement), but may improve the sustainability of the production and consumption behavior of other economic sector by applying EMS in their policy. These activities may serve as a model for other regions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p169&r=env |
| By: | Markus Groth |
| Abstract: | This paper presents an outcome-based payment scheme to reward ecological services in agriculture. It was designed by a research group from the Georg-August-University of Goettingen. Starting in January 2004 the payment scheme is tested upon it’s implementation as an agri-environmental program in a model-region (administrative district Northeim in the south of Lower Saxony – Germany). The intention of the program is to overcome the disadvantages of existing and mostly action-orientated agri-environmental programs, especially those in the European Union. The design of the payment scheme is based on fundamental criteria of market economy such as supply and demand and it integrates auctions as an award procedure. Furthermore it is outcome-based and considers the interests of the local people and the relevant stakeholders and their demand for botanical diversity. The main research topic is to explore the use of auction in agri-environmental programs seen from an transaction cost economics point of view. Therefor the relevant farmers transaction costs will be measured. In the course of this research it is essential to analyse the practical relevance of transaction costs and to draw conclusions to their theoretical foundation. Results as well as of the first auction and two surveys of local farmers already show, that this payment scheme is not just an theoretical construct but that it is already practicable in the model-region. However further research is needed to make sure that at the end of the current case study this payment scheme is authorised from an ecological economics point of view and has a high potential to be a part of a sustainable future agri-environmental policy in Germany and the European Union. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p180&r=env |
| By: | Bin Li; Yoshiro Higano |
| Abstract: | Global warming is likely to be the greatest environmental challenge among various known climate changes that related with many aspects of land use and water management in the 21st century. In general, the phenomenon of global warming is almost proportionally related with the pace of industrialization, which has to be resolved with high priority. Fossil fuel production and consumption is primarily responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), into the environment, increasing the level of global warming. In this research, a policy mix as a kind of climate change strategy is proposed, imposing carbon tax in China. Based on available data, an eco-conscious socioeconomic framework model is built and several scenarios of energy use and CO2 emission are developed in order to evaluate comprehensively the effect of carbon tax on CO2 emission curtailment and introduce suitable alternative energy in China. Sustainable power technologies mean solar power technology and wind power technology in the research. The main target is to form a low carbon sustainable society in China, using a multi-sectoral macro-economical model including Input-Output (I-O) table. Then an optimum carbon tax rate is derived endogenously by running the simulation model under CO2 emission restrictions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p218&r=env |
| By: | Tomaz Dentinho; Vasco Silva |
| Abstract: | Accross river basins water can have different types of values according not only to its production costs but also due to changes in the willingness to pay across the territory. The generalized view that integrated water management must be made through a centralised mechanism does not consider those facts and often assumes that command and control policies are the only tool available and effective. Therefore the functioning of river basins tend to be symplified with dams and the reserach agenda has been directed to design major models with powerful decision support systems for one coordinator body to decide. Nevertheless the effects of these centralised and controled systems has not been able to address the impredictability of human and ecosystem behaviour. The hypothesis we would like to test is that boundaries and negotiation between boundaries can be good tools for sustainable water management. First we review the literature on cases of basins' manegement trying to discuss the relation between boundaries. Then we develop a formal model with upstream and downstream regions and try to understand in what conditions boundaries can be good for sustainable water management. Finaly we try to introduce the concept of boundaries in an applied model for a particular river basin and simulate the solutions for a centralised planning body and for a descentralised negotiation system. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p248&r=env |
| By: | Itay Fischhendler |
| Abstract: | Building and operating wastewater facilities to treat transboundary effluents requires dividing the cost of pollution prevention between the bordering states. When cost-sharing questions arise, the solution often suggested is the “polluter pays principle” (PPP). However, when political and economic relations between neighboring countries are asymmetrical the effectiveness of the PPP to resolve the wastewater problem is not clear. This paper argues that implementing the PPP ignores many of the existing asymmetries between the different sides, including asymmetries in power, willingness and ability to pay for wastewater treatment and operational capacities. As a result, the PPP's ability to provide adequate wastewater treatment is hampered. In response, neighboring countries sometimes replace the PPP with other cost-sharing arrangements that offset, to some degree, the existing asymmetries, thereby creating a more politically feasible and institutionally sustainable water pollution regime. Among these alternative principles are "beneficiary pays the difference" and "equal division of the cost burden" of wastewater treatment. This implies that it is not enough for a cost-sharing principle to be fair; it also has to offset, at least in part, the existing asymmetries otherwise the regime set will not be sustainable and thus economically viable. This is the focus of analysis in this paper, to which is added an historical perspective of the cost-sharing evolution of the pollution prevention regime along the San Diego/Tijuana border over the last century. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p26&r=env |
| By: | Jian Zhang; Hiroyuki Shibusawa; Yuzuru Miyata |
| Abstract: | We are surely faced with the unavoidable problem as an element of important restrictions of development of human beings. It must be required to be solved immediately. It also brought the economic concerns to academic fields long ago. The positive and negative impacts of environmental and ecological changes are concerned the shift to a circulated type society from the conventional society. It is required by the end of today when the environmental problem in a global scale is aggravating. The view of the compact city of energy and resources saving is observed in recent years. The research on the balance of environmental load and urban growth needs to attract attention. In this paper, we consider a problem concerning the relationship between the spatial efficiency and the sustainability in an urban system. An urban model with natural environment is constructed to examine the possibility of such future urban forms. The idea of compact city offers us an important concept for sustainability. Our approach is based on the urban economic framework. Urban models, which have been developed since the 1970s, are classified into two categories, static and dynamic models. We adopt the framework of the dynamic urban model. In our study, the dynamic urban economic model with natural environment is built. The optimal control is applied into our numerical computation and the simulation analysis of the model is performed under several scenarios. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p280&r=env |
| By: | Carlos J. C. Bacha; Luiz Carlos E. Rodriguez |
| Abstract: | Brazil has the largest tropical rainforests in the world and most of them are located at Amazon River basin area. During the last three decades, deforestation are growing very fast in this region, having negative impacts at local and global weather. In order to minimize these impacts and protect part of the biodiversity, Brazilian government established several national forests in this area, but just one have being explored, the Tapajós National Forest (known as Flona Tapajós). This paper evaluates the economic and social features of a reduced impact logging project conducted at Flona Tapajós from 1999 to 2003. It was coordinated by IBAMA (the Brazilian governmental agency responsible for managing National Forests), funded by ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization) and conducted by Treviso Agropecuária Ltda (a private enterprise). This project is locally known as ITTO project. Basing on field interviews and examining IBAMA´s and Treviso´s documents, this paper concludes that ITTO project was highly profitable for the private company, in spite of the company had obeyed all Brazilian working laws, what is not very common at this Brazilian region. Treviso´s internal rate of return was 35.79%. ITTO project impacted significantly the community workers involved with the project and it was able to teach this population how to manage rainforests in order to produce timber without destroying them. The paper ends by suggesting some attitudes that Brazilian government can follow in its discussion about new reduced impact logging projects to be implemented at Flona Tapajós and other national forests by both private enterprises and local communities. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p400&r=env |
| By: | Ajibola Isau Badiru; Maria Aparecida Faustino de Pires |
| Abstract: | Considering the physiographic characteristics of Registro-SP, a municipal area situated in the coastal Atlantic region in Brazil. This research has tried to reframe sub-regional water basins for adequate system planning of the urban areas and rural zone. By observing the urban and rural soil use and ocupation interrelated to flood and river areas, five local water basins were identified and investigated for community water basin management. However, urban equipments associated with the natural and human systems were translated into maps and evaluated together with Satellite imagery (Landsat-7UTM RGB-453). Technique has correlated maps for each micro water basin’s evaluations focusing on types of natural and artificial sub-systems under landscape analyses of the physical and ecological conditions. A secondary analysis has also characterized the local water basin involved in urban and rural zoning for decision making process (DMP). Synthesis of a general framework associated to sub-regional rivers within the main basin has clearly illustrated different environmental standard for new water management hydrographic unites within the municipal area, as adequate references and suggestions for strategic plan. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p402&r=env |
| By: | Katsuhiro Sakurai; Takeshi Mizunoya; Shintaro Kobayashi; Yoshiro Higano |
| Abstract: | Northeast Asia countries (e.g. around the Sea of Japan area) cooperate in economic and environmental policies, etc., because the comprehensive problems like the climate change and global warming occur in recent years. The ring Sea of Japan area consists of Japan, Republic of Korea, China, and Far East Russia in Northeast Asia, and the countries have to join forces in order to control the ocean environment and attain the sustainable development in the region. In this study, we try to evaluate the policy measure to control the land-based water pollutant into the Sea of Japan through a system simulation approach. The system simulation model is formulated a definition of an objective function and the structure of water pollutants inflow and the socio-economic system of the target countries and regions of the ring Sea of Japan. We present an optimal international policy for environmental investment taking account of economic situations and environmental influences of this area over a certain period of time through the dynamic simulation. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p413&r=env |
| By: | Vanessa Eve Daniel; Raymond J.G.M. Florax; Piet Rietveld |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this article is to explore the determinants of the implicit price of the risk of flooding. We carry out a meta-analysis on estimates resulting from the application of hedonic price models. The variable under scrutiny is the relative change in the price of a house located in a floodplain when compared to a house located outside a floodplain, per level of risk (the reference level being the 100-year floodplain). It appears that the choice of specification of hedonic price models affects the variability between estimates. Factors related to the exploitation of spatial characteristics of the data do also play a role. Besides, a higher level of income goes together with a lower implicit price of risk, as it can be a proxy for a lower vulnerability to material loss. Finally it appears that specific attention has to be paid to the perceived level of risk; elements affecting the perception of individuals on the effective risk of flooding and allowing them to update their perception of the level of risk explain variability between estimates. In areas where a flood recently took place, the relative change in the price of a house due to flood risk is larger than in areas not affected. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p447&r=env |
| By: | Susumu Uchida; Yoshiro Higano |
| Abstract: | Utilizing potential energy in wastes is significant for achieving sustainable development of the environment and the society. It can not only prevent the wastes from polluting the environment, but also possess many other advantages such as saving energy resources, material recycle and creation of employment. Moreover, reuse of wastes can also play an important role in mitigating global warming by reducing emission of methane, which is likely to be generated from stockbreeding wastes left in the open. The greenhouse effect of a methane molecule is 21 times higher than that of a carbon dioxide. To promote effective use of potential energy in wastes and restructuring the existing energy system, some management instruments and economic policies need to be adopted. In this regard, levying tax on emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and subsiding industries producing energy from wastes are considered most applicable and effective. The aim of this study is to evaluate Japanese economic policies in which the tax and subsidy are introduced. For this purpose, a socioeconomic model has been constructed. The model is based on an I/O model and considers the flow of wastes and energy. New industries which produce energy from wastes, as well as the economic policies of the tax and the subsidy are introduced in the model. Being subject to restriction on total emission of GHGs, GDP is maximized as the objective function.The effects of the policies on reducing GHG emission and promoting new industries have been analyzed and the optimum tax rate is proposed. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p537&r=env |
| By: | Robert Noland |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews recent changes to transport policy in the UK. This is discussed within the context of changes from policies of “predict and provide” to an integrated transport policy and the role of new knowledge on induced travel effects. New assessment procedures including the move towards Strategic Environmental Assessment and how this could best be practiced in the transport sector are discussed. These issues are viewed in terms of proposed ideal assessment procedures which would focus on the objectives of transport policy and how this is clearly linked to changes in accessibility and economic effects as shown by simple urban economic theory. A brief case study review of new assessment procedures in practice is provided with critical comments on whether these have led to improvements in decision making, especially from an environmental perspective as well as from stated government policy goals. Conclusions suggest that political considerations are a critical part of transport and environmental planning and that that while much research progress has been made in recent years to fully understand behavioural linkages, practical political realities remain critical for decision making. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p548&r=env |
| By: | Olivier Rousse; Benoît Sévi |
| Abstract: | At present, it is widely recognized that under the hypothesis of perfect market, a system of emission permits is a flexible instrument to attain an environmental objective at least aggregate cost. Unfortunately, perfect market assumptions rarely hold in practice. Indeed, emission permits markets can suffer of several impediments such as uncertainties, high transaction costs, market power, imperfect monitoring and enforcement. In this paper, we focus our attention on uncertainty. In a marketable permits market, firms may face various kind of uncertainty like permit price uncertainty, demand uncertainty that means production and emissions uncertainty, abatement costs uncertainty, and regulatory uncertainty. Assuming that the overall uncertainty is included in the permits price uncertainty (which is a reasonable assumption even if in previous contributions, other uncertainties were assumed to capture the whole risk ), we provide an analytical explanation of banking, using the concept of prudence developed by Kimball (1990). We show that prudence behaviour is a sufficient condition for the firm to save permits in portfolio (equivalent to a precautionary premium) and that the number of permits saved in portfolio decreases when interest rate increases. Results are not so far from previous literature and seem to indicate that uncertainty has disturbing effects on trading. Prudent behaviours of regulated firms lessen trade volumes in emissions permits markets and seem to indicate that possible welfare gains exist from governmental intervention (trading pro-actively in the emission permits market as mentioned by Baldursson and von der Fehr (2004) for instance). The more interesting point of the paper is the estimation of prudence provided using data from the US Acid Rain Program (Phase II, 2000-2004). To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to measure prudence in a production framework, compared to works estimating prudence in a consumption framework (Guiso, Jappelli, Terlizzese (1996), Lusardi (1997,1998), Parker (1999) among others\footnote{Eisenhauer & Ventura (2003, 2004) and Halek & Eisenhauer (2001) may also be cited.}) or using experimental data (Eisenhauer(2000) or Miyata (2003)). Particularly, trade level are put in perspective with the structure (utilities or not, number of units owned, total revenues,...) of the firm to assess if there is a form of corporate prudence. Corporate prudence is no more than a form of corporate hedging if we consider permits as forward contracts following Maeda & Tezuka(2004). Discriminant characteristics are also discussed. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p550&r=env |
| By: | Ellen Moons; Bert Saveyn; Stef Proost; Martin Hermy |
| Abstract: | In this paper we develop a methodology to select a combination of forest sites that maximizes net social benefits taking into account restrictions on the total surface/size of new forest land. We use GIS technology to estimate for each site the major cost and benefit elements including lost agricultural output, timber and hunting values, carbon sequestration, non-use and recreation benefits. Special emphasis is placed on the recreational value of a potential site as this raises two issues. First, the recreation benefits of a base site estimated via the travel cost method need to be transferred to all potential sites. Second, the recreation benefit of each potential site depends on the existing sites and on the other sites that are in the selection. We show that the same ‘amount’ of afforestation (i.e. the same total surface divided into multiple sites at varying locations) creates a wide range of potential net social benefits due to the role of a varying set of recreation substitutes.We show that the net social benefit of new forest combinations respecting the area constraints may differ up to a factor 21. The substitution effect between forests, both new and existing, turned out to be the dominant factor in the benefit estimation. Compared to the existing literature, our paper improves the methodology by working with realistically feasible sites rather than grid sites, by including the complex recreation substitution effects between potential sites and by including all costs and benefits of afforestation bringing the analysis closer to a real cost benefit analysis. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p58&r=env |
| By: | Ajibola Isau Badiru; Ana Cristina Machado Rodríguez; Maria Aparecida Faustino de Pires |
| Abstract: | The necessity of handling green areas relating to urban settings has become one of the vital environmental challenges in view of several accumulated environmental problems in the last few decades. In United States and Canada, many investments are being made for new techniques and instruments that are needed in environmental planning involving urban forest researches both in the local and national scale. However, there are few reports on urban forest classification connecting spatial characteristics, physical structures involving pattern and process. With the objective to classify urban green areas for integrated approach, this research have focused on urban pattern for an effective understanding of urban forest concept, green areas and urban vegetation types. The urban morphology in consistency with the urban forest Focus Chat (FC) recently designed has been applied to characterize spatial categories of urban vegetation involved in the urban arrangement of Registro-SP. Method has integrated zones, patterns and processes for technical analyses to contemplate the urban dynamics, occupation and land use. Categories of urban forest and vegetation types were derived for the urban planning and system management. The resulting pattern can be technically monitored in the use of suitable GIS (Geographical Information System) software for physical and environmental records. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p585&r=env |
| By: | Benjamin Görlach; Eduard Interwies |
| Abstract: | In the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive, the concept of environmental and resource costs applies above all to the cost recovery of water services. Article 9 of the Directive stipulates that „Member States shall take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, including environmental and resource costs.“ However, environmental and resource costs were not sufficiently defined in the Directive. In order to further clarify the concept of environmental and resource costs, and in order to discuss their assessment in practice, a European working group (DG Eco 2) was set up in September 2003. The paper “Economic Valuation of Environmental and Resource Costs: The Case of Germany” first summarises some of some main results of the DG Eco 2 working group. It then moves on to describe how environmental and resource costs are currently dealt with in Germany, and examines how the results of the DG Eco 2 can be put to use in the German context. A further point is the link between the assessment of environmental and resource costs and the selection of cost-effective combinations of measures. Two options are discussed here: first, addressing the question whether and how information obtained through the selection of measures can be used to assess environmental and resources costs; and secondly, discussing how the selected measures themselves can help to achieve cost recovery for environmental and resource costs. In this way, the results of the DG Eco 2 are linked to a previous research project, in which Ecologic developed a handbook for the cost-effective selection of measures under the WFD. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p611&r=env |
| By: | Gonzalo Gamboa; Giuseppe Munda; Daniela Russi |
| Abstract: | Since Kyoto Protocol, the international community is compromising itself to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. However, the implementation of energy policies, such as the construction of renewable energy installations, in many cases doesn’t suit with local perceived necessities and causes conflicts. In this paper, some types of local conflicts originating by the introduction of RES are presented. The relevance of social multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) in dealing with this type of conflicts is discussed by means of theoretical and empirical arguments. SMCE supplies a structured process to gather, synthesize and evaluate information from several sources, which can be used as input for social debate and decision-making. In SMCE, the use of social research provides insights on the different and legitimate values and interests involved. Also, multi/inter disciplinarity gives information about the alternatives’ impacts on different dimensions (environmental, social, economic, and so on). These data aren’t translated in a common unit of measure, but they are presented in their original form. By combining social research with multi-criteria methodologies, transparency of the decision-making process is increased. In this way, the policy-maker is able to make sound decision and is hold responsible for his/her choices. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p701&r=env |
| By: | Ludo Peeters; Coro Chasco-Yrigoyen |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we compare the results obtained by the application of three alternative methods of ecological inference. The data is on per capita household disposable income in the 50 provinces and 78 municipalities of Asturias, Spain. The first method is based on Ordinary Least Squares regression model, which assumes constancy or homogeneity. The second method is based on a spatial autocorrelation model, which assumes heterogeneity in two spatial regimes. The third method is based on a varying-coefficients model, which assumes total heterogeneity. The second model is estimated by Maximum Likelihood, whereas the latter is estimated by using Generalized Maximum or Cross Entropy. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p705&r=env |
| By: | Eftychia Antoniou |
| Abstract: | The city is a vital sum of functions, of human actions, of resources and of a built and physical environment. The sustainability of cities is relatively a new area of interest, especially for the Greek cities. Only in the last decade was sustainability introduced to the Greek planning process. Unfortunately, the Greek cities do not follow the Local Agenda 21, an instrument that is trying to promote sustainability issues for the built environment. The city of Volos in Greece seems to be more sensitive in the environmental and sustainable development issues than other Greek cities due to its proximity to vital natural resources and to a unique position between sea and mountain. Further more Volos is one of the few medium sized cities in Greece that have a local agenda 21 and numerous Life and EMAS smaller more focused projects. Even if the city of Volos is not the leader city in the cases of sustainability nevertheless the city has undertaken lots of initiatives, projects and programmes to promote the sustainability issues. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the way in which the city faces the sustainability and could act as a useful example for the sustainable urban planning in Greece. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p712&r=env |
| By: | Maria Nijnik; Arie Oskam; A. Nijnik |
| Abstract: | This paper focuses on the establishment of forest plantations on bare lands and marginal agricultural lands: a multifunctional afforestation programme for Ukraine is elaborated. The multiple forest functions are limited in this research to wood production and erosion prevention. Ukraine is faced with erosion on 35% of its arable lands. Some 20 million ha of lands are experiencing various stages of erosion, and it is increasing with time. Erosion is especially harmful in the Carpathian Mountains where it causes windthrows and floods, and in the Steppe zone where it results in blowing up sands. Along with exploration of the expanded timber supply from the newly created forest plantations, soil protection forest functions therefore are examined. The proposition that forest cover affects the rates of soil erosion is tested empirically by means of regression analysis. The results of the estimations show a statistically significant negative relationship between soil erosion and forest cover in Ukraine and across the forestry zones. Using the results of the analysis, indicative estimates of the soil protection role of the forests are computed. Further discussion focuses on the proposed expansion of forest cover and on the potential positive effects for agriculture due to erosion prevention. Calculations have been made at different levels of detail. By using a simulation technique and cost-benefit analysis, in combination with LP modelling, it is revealed that for the discount rate of 4%, planting trees on bare lands, except in the Polissja and the Crimea, is an economically efficient means to address wood production and erosion prevention. Results are highly dependent on the relevant discount rate. For marginal agricultural lands mixed results are obtained. Moreover, there is a difference between estimated benefits for agriculture and benefits for the planter of the trees. It seems therefore necessary that e.g. the government balances costs and benefits to provide incentives for the planter of the trees. Finally, the research comes up with some practical suggestions for forest management decisions. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p746&r=env |
| By: | Margaret Walls; Peter Nelson; Elena Safirova |
| Abstract: | In 1999 US Congress passed the National Air Quality and Telecommuting Act. This Act established pilot telecommuting programs (Ecommute) in five major US metropolitan areas with the express purpose of studying the feasibility of addressing air quality concerns through telecommuting. The major goal of the Ecommute program was to examine whether a particular type of economic incentive, tradable emissions credits from telecommuting, represents a viable strategy for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and improving air quality. Under the Ecommute program, companies could generate emissions credits by reducing the VMT of their workforce through telework programs. They would then be able to sell the credits to firms that needed the reductions to comply with air quality regulations. The paper provides analysis of the results of Ecommute program. First, we establish some context for evaluating whether the envisioned trading scheme represents a feasible approach to reducing mobile source emissions and promoting telecommuting and review the limited experience with mobile source emissions trading programs. We find that from a regulatory perspective, the most substantial drawback to such a program is its questionable environmental integrity, resulting from difficulties in designing a sufficiently rigorous quantification protocols to accurately measure the emissions reductions from telecommuting. And perhaps more importantly, such a program is not likely to be cost-effective since the emissions reductions from a single telecommuter are very small. The paper also presents the first analysis of data collected from the Ecommute program. Using two-and-one-half years of data, we look at telecommuting frequency, mode choice, and emissions reductions as well as at reporting behavior and dropout rates. Finally, we use the program's emissions reductions findings to calculate how much telecommuting would be needed to reach an annual volatile organic compounds emission reduction target in each city. |
| Date: | 2005–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p801&r=env |
| By: | Macauley, Molly (Resources For the Future) |
| Abstract: | The lay of the policy land for addressing and managing environmental risk includes the hillock of the precautionary principle, the mountain of the practice and ethics of monetary valuation, and the tectonic plates of real-world innovations in markets and trading exchanges for nonmarketed environmental goods. This paper offers an overview of these contemporary and as yet unresolved issues and asks how each might be addressed in disparate environmental risks such as lightning, climate change, and severe weather. The overview focuses on issues that may be of interest to the American Meteorological Society’s annual policy colloquium. |
| Keywords: | risk, environment, public policy, economics |
| JEL: | Q00 D89 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-06-01&r=env |
| By: | Dachraoui, Kaïs; Harchaoui, Tarek |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a production framework that allows for self-supplied water intake, an unpriced 'natural' input. The framework is then exploited to estimate the corresponding water shadow prices and to assess the extent to which water impacts on the multifactor productivity performance of the Canadian business sector's industries. |
| Keywords: | Environment, National accounts, Environmental impact, Productivity |
| Date: | 2004–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp5e:2004026e&r=env |
| By: | Dachraoui, Kaïs; Harchaoui, Tarek |
| Abstract: | Dans ce document, on élabore un cadre de la mesure de la production qui tient compte de l'auto-approvisionnement en eau, un facteur « naturel » dont le prix n'est pas établi. On utilise par la suite ce cadre pour estimer les prix fictifs correspondants de l'eau et pour déterminer dans quelle mesure cette ressource a des répercussions sur la productivité multifactorielle du secteur des entreprises au Canada. |
| Keywords: | Environnement, Comptes nationaux, Impact environnemental, Productivité |
| Date: | 2004–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp5f:2004026f&r=env |