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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | George Halkos |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a dynamic panel data for 23 OECD and 50 non-OECD countries for the time period 1960-1990 in order to estimate the relationship between economic development (in the form of GDP) and environmental pollution (in the form of sulphur emissions) |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p527&r=env |
| By: | Frank Joest (University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics); Martin Quaas (UFZ-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Department of Ecological Modelling); Johannes Schiller (UFZ-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Department of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Population growth is often viewed as a most oppressive global problem with respect to environmental deterioration, but the relationships between population development, economic dynamics and environmental pollution are complex due to various feedback mechanisms. We analyze society’s economic decisions on birth rates, investment into human and physical capital, and polluting emissions within an optimal control model of the coupled demographic-economic-environmental system. We show that a long-run steady state is optimal that is characterized by a stable pollution stock, and by population and economic growth rates depending on the possibilities of emission abatement and technical progress due to human capital accumulation. We derive a condition on the production technologies and opportunity costs of raising children, under which the optimal birth rate is constant even during the transition to a steady state. In particular in an economy where only human capital is needed to produce output, the optimal choice of the birth rate is not affected by the states of the economy or the environment. In such a setting, the optimal birth rate is constant and policy should concentrate on intertemporal adjustment of per-capita emissions. |
| Keywords: | sustainability, endogenous fertility, externalities |
| JEL: | J18 O13 Q25 |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:awi:wpaper:0428&r=env |
| By: | Parry, Ian W.H. (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | Energy models suggest that the cost of reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector is high relative to other sectors, such as electricity generation. However, this paper shows that taxes to reduce passenger vehicle emissions produce large net benefits, rather than costs, when account is taken of (a) their impact on reducing non-carbon externalities from passenger vehicle use, and (b) interactions with the broader fiscal system. Both of these considerations also strengthen the case for using a tax-based approach to reduce emissions over fuel economy regulation, while fiscal considerations strengthen the case for taxes over (non-auctioned) emissions permits. |
| Keywords: | carbon policies, passenger vehicles, externalities, welfare costs |
| JEL: | Q54 R48 H23 |
| Date: | 2006–12–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-06-14-rev&r=env |
| By: | Vangelis Tzouvelekas (Department of Economics, University of Crete, Greece); Dimitra Vouvaki (Department of Economics, University of Crete, Greece); Anastasios Xepapadeas (Department of Economics, University of Crete, Greece) |
| Abstract: | We examine whether the use of the environment, proxied by CO2 emissions, as a factor of production contributes, in addition to con- ventional factors of production to output growth, and thus it should be accounted for in total factor productivity growth (TFPG) mea- surement and deducted from the ‘residual’. A theoretical framework of growth accounting methodology with environment as a factor of production which is unpaid in the absence of environmental policy is developed. Using data from a panel of 23 OECD countries, we show that emissions’growth have a statistically signi…cant contribution to the growth of output, that emission augmenting technical change is present along with labor augmenting technical change, and that part of output growth which is traditionally attributed to technical change should be attributed to the use of the environment as a not fully com- pensated factor of production. Our results point towards the need for developing a concept of Green Growth Accounting. |
| Keywords: | Solow Residual, Total Factor Productivity Growth, Growth, Environment, Green Growth Accounting. |
| JEL: | O47 Q2 |
| Date: | 2006–12–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crt:wpaper:0617&r=env |
| By: | Effie Antoniou |
| Abstract: | During the past few decades there appeared to be an important increase in the interest about the environmental issues, the sustainability and the better management of development, respecting the environmental resources. New legislations, national and international (i.e. the European Union) influence, nowadays, the relationship between the development and the environment. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of policies, plans and programmes, introduced by the European Commission and incorporated to the national legislation of the member states, is trying to achieve sustainable development always respecting the environment. It is widely believed that SEA have the ability to influence the environmental and sustainable nature of strategic decisions and to provide efficient, integrated and sustainable policies and planning frameworks in order to support and help the development process of projects. Sustainability has been developed as a very popular term for planners, politicians, experts, businesses, local authorities, non governmental orginisations and the public. The role of SEA is closely connected to the idea of sustainability since it was recognized as a mechanism for the success of sustainable development. The added value that is attributed to the environment through the SEA process is the ability to assess the economic and social impacts of plans or programmes, so that the plans or programmes could become sustainable. In order to apply the principles of sustainable development into plans and programmes someone should not target only to the natural and ecological issues but also should extend to the sectors of social prosperity and economic development. Strategic Environmental Assessment constitutes a motive and at the same time a challenge for all the EU member states in order to promote a more sustainable way of assessing the impacts of plans and programmes. A large number of the EU member states have incorporated the SEA into their national legislation, while some others, including Greece, are expected to incorporate it in the current year of 2006. Applying SEA to Greek programmes and plans, as well as to all the other countries of the EU the sustainability of the countries could be strengthened and confirmed. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p863&r=env |
| By: | Heracles Polatidis; Dias Haralambopoulos |
| Abstract: | Geothermal energy is one of the renewable energy resources with a vast potential. It is extended spatially in many areas, isolated from urban areas and direct uses, whereas its utilisation when it is not for electricity production is many times hampered due to lack of a proper development framework. In this work we present a design framework for sustainable geothermal systems incorporating modules covering the various aspects of exploration, utilisation, end-use and management. The overall framework consists of the following sub modules: a. geophysical model of the assessment of the geothermal reservoir capacity b. model for the management of the geothermal wells, pumping and re-injection c. model for the distribution network d. model for the various end-uses, e. environmental model for sustainable operation The overall framework incorporates the basic axes of sustainable development, i.e. resources, economy, environment, energy, technology, society. The theoretical framework is applied to an existing geothermal reservoir which at the current is being underutilized, from an energy, environmental and economic perspective. The search for an optimum design includes the formulation of different scenarios and the multi-criteria decision analysis of them. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p27&r=env |
| By: | Jie He (GREDI, Département d'économique, Université de Sherbrooke) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for the case of China’s industrial SO2 emission through both reduced and structural model. The estimated Chinaspecific EKC curve for per capital industrial SO2 emission predicts the turning point of 9000 yuan (2750 USD, PPP). However, given China’s fast population expansion speed, the decreasing trend in the per capita emission will not bring an immediate reduction in total industrial SO2 emission. Our structural EKC model succeeds in decomposing industrial SO2 emission density into the contribution from its three famous structural determinants and a marginal impact from international trade. The latter is actually composed of a significantly negative direct impact and indirect ones going through the composition effect, which further depends on the current capital/labour abundance ratio and the actual income level of a province. |
| Keywords: | : China, EKC, international trade, SO2 emission, decomposition, pollution haven. |
| JEL: | Q53 Q56 O13 |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:shr:wpaper:06-27&r=env |
| By: | Torok Adam |
| Abstract: | It is a well-known that the growth of GDP induces the growth of motorization. Motorization has developed so dramatically that the air, soil, water pollutions are considerable to the amounts of air, soil and water of Earth. Some of the pollutants affect on local or regional scale while others affect on global scale. There is the natural, non-antropogeneous greenhouse gas emission developed before the human activity that has been essential for life on Earth. Without it the average world temperature would be -20ºC. [1] Sustainable development is a development where the pace of technical development, the satiation of increasing supply, raw materials and resources of Earth are poised so that the rate of living and opportunities of the next generations need not to be worse. So global warming caused by the antropogeneous and non-antropogeneous CO2 can be estimated. The measured data is from the non-antropogenous source, but prediction can be done. To have the best result I have made a Best Fit Analize. The prediction should be parabolic because when the CO2 concentration grows smog or cloud arises that blocks sunlight from Earth, the only source of heat. The growing CO2 concentration part of the parabola can be approximated by linear trend. The other part of the emissions caused by the motorization is local or regional. Theoretically one solution could be to stop motorised transportation. Transportation cannot be replaced because it is the part of the production chain. Societies are horizontally and vertically differential. People live in different places and do different things for living. The manpower, the stock, the semi-finished and finished products must be transported. The importance of the transportation sector is indicated by the sector production which is 10% of the GDP of the European Union and more than 10 million people are working in this sector. One of the most emphasized goals of the transport policy of the European Union is sustainable mobility. For this reason transportation systems must be developed and standardized, the effectiveness of transportation service must be increased, while the environmental pollution must be decreased or prevented. This is a task for engineers and operators as well. People who would like to make rational decisions, make an optimization, choosing the maximum utility and benefit. Theoretically, all benefits and costs should be accounted in the analysis. Externalities should be internalised and indicated in the cost of transportation according to the EU guideline „Users should pay the billâ€. Some of the external costs can simply be added to the average costs but some of them need a totally different aspect and pricing method, the marginal costs based pricing method. The more realistic pricing method we want the more externalities should be included to the marginal costs based pricing method. Some of them can be calculated and monetized, some of them can be estimated, and some of them cannot be expressed in monetary terms. The environmental external effects of transport cover a wide range of different impacts, including for example noise, local/regional air pollution and climate change. Transport infrastructure projects often affect local and regional air pollution. Emissions from road traffic are good examples of a complex system with an output that cannot be completely measured. It is natural to analyze the emissions from a sample of vehicles under different driving conditions and other conditions (temperature, fuel content, road gradients, etc.) and to try to create an emission model for the traffic. Depending on what data are collected about the traffic the model may be more or less detailed and complex. Traffic data are not collected in the same way and with the same level of detail in every country and this is a problem if a model is meant to be used for calculations in many countries or for comparisons between them. The EURO standards based on the ECE-R15 driving cycle: [3] Each vehicle category has its own limits. The vehicle flow can be divided into groups by EURO standards and vehicle categories with its pollutant limits. Being aware of the vehicle numbers in each category multiplied with the limit they can be summarised. Now the pollutants can be calculated from the given vehicle flow and the given distance. [4] References: [1] http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v399/n6735/extref/399429a0.co2nat.txt [2] MC-ICAM Deliverables 4, 5, 6 - EU Commission DG TREN, 2003 [3] Vehicle Emission Standards and Inspection and Maintenance - Recent European Union (EU) emissions standards www.unece.org [4] Calculation of the emission surplus of the incoming vehicles in the traffic flow consideration of the international limits (in Hungarian) - Scientific Review of Transport – 2005/9 Adam Torok, Mate Zoldy |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p489&r=env |
| By: | Chirata Caraiani; Mihaela Dumitrana; Corina Dumitru; Mihai Ristea; Cornelia Dascalu; Cleopatra Sendroiu; Raluca Guse; Iulia Jianu; Camelia Lungu; Florian Colceag |
| Abstract: | The paper debates solutions, points of view and a commune language for Green Accounting. The main purposes of our research are the following: 1.Define the object of Green Accounting 2.Scope 3.Theory and specific practices 4.Disclosure and financial analysis 5.Romanian experience in Green Accounting. How to define Green Accounting? Is Green Accounting a part of Environmental Accounting? How to ensure the balance between business interests and envinronmental protection? Are environmental goals based on Total Quality Management? How to design for Environment? This are some questions proposed to be discused in this paper. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p476&r=env |
| By: | Büsgen, Michael |
| Keywords: | voluntary organizations; nonprofit organizations; grass roots groups; environmentalism; civil society; advocacy; China; |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iss:wpaper:422&r=env |
| By: | Frank Joest (University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics); Martin Quaas (UFZ-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Department of Ecological Modelling) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we investigate the external effects of the parent's decisions on the number of newly born children and the firm's decisions on the amount of polluting emissions that occur in industrial production. We employ an optimal control model which comprises three stock variables representing population, the economic capital stock and the pollutant immissions in the natural environment. We distinguish two different types of households, in which the decision on the number of births takes place. These two types may be regarded as two extremes: dynastic households, in which the family sticks together forever and micro-households, in which children leave their parent's household immediately after birth. We conclude that in both cases the decentralized outcome is not optimal due to two externalities: one occurs in the individual decision on polluting emissions, the other one in the individual decision on the number of births. It turns out that whereas the environmental externality is of the same form in both cases, the type of external effect from the household's decision on fertility is qualitatively different. The different types of population externalities require different policy instruments in order to internalize them. We discuss a Pigouvian tax on emissions as well as taxes on population: if an appropriate tax on the household size is applied in the case of dynastic households and an appropriate tax on children is applied in the case of small households a first best development of the economy is obtained. |
| Keywords: | sustainability, endogenous fertility, externalities |
| JEL: | J18 O13 Q25 |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:awi:wpaper:0427&r=env |
| By: | Grischa Perino (University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics) |
| Abstract: | The performance of market based environmental regulation is affected by patents and vice versa. This interaction is studied for a new type of innovation where new technologies reduce emissions of a specific pollutant but at the same time cause a new type of damage. A robust finding is that the efficiency of permits is affected by monopoly pricing of the patent-holding firm. This result carries over to other types of innovation. Taxes are inefficient if technologies produce perfect substitutes and share all scarce inputs. Moreover, the optimal tax on pollution might be negative. |
| Keywords: | Innovation; Environment; Instrument Choice; Patents; Monopoly Pricing |
| JEL: | Q55 L5 H23 O3 |
| Date: | 2006–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:awi:wpaper:0426&r=env |
| By: | Vito Genna |
| Abstract: | This report pursues the objective to define the connection that ties exploitation of the environment quality in the protected areas and the opportunities of economic and tourist development. Sicilian protected areas involve a territory full of an extraordinary variety and concentration of historical, artistic and environmental resources, so that they represent one of the main tourist attractions of the Island. Unfortunately, the Sicilian protected areas system shows serious backwardnesses, so that the prevailing image is one of wide zones in state of abandonment and degrade. It needs to start a process of investments and programmes in order to realize an integration between both the basical aims of environmental safeguard and the promotion of sustainable touristic and economic activities. The report presents a brief description of protected areas’ features, as long as considering protected territories as an instrument of local economic and social development. The second part of the paper is focused on the main features of the Sicilian protected areas system, in order to highlight the matters concerning the tourist-recreational exploitation of the protected territories in a sustainable viewpoint. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p670&r=env |
| By: | Nava Haruvy; Sarit Shalhevet |
| Abstract: | Regional planning should consider the impact of agricultural crops on housing value and leisure, as well as on the local environment. We designed an optimization model for allocating agricultural crops based on farmers profits as well as the impact on these three factors. Each crop creates a different landscape, as well as a different effect on shading and noise reduction. These in turn influence the value of nearby housing and the regional leisure opportunities. Each crop also has a positive and negative environmental impact, including potential use of treated wastewater as well as the effects of pesticides and fertilizers. All these factors were combined with economic considerations to suggest the optimal regional allocation of agricultural crops. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p822&r=env |
| By: | Martin Winter (Workgroup for Infrastructure Policy (WIP), Technische Universität Berlin); Christian von Hirschhausen (Chair of Energy Economics and Public Sector Management, Technische Universität Dresden) |
| Abstract: | Our paper estimates the effects of an environmentally-oriented, time-differentiated road charging system for heavy duty vehicles (HDV) in Berlin. We develop a network based simulation model, which explicitly takes into account the interdependence between HDV and passenger car traffic. The model covers the whole metropolitan area. Our estimations of traffic effects are based on our own estimates of trip demand elasticities, as well as on data taken from other recent studies. Three main effects of the HDV toll are estimated: The potential reductions of air pollution, noise and congestion. The welfare effects of diminished air pollution due to lower traffic levels are computed, taking into account Berlin specific fleet emission data. For the valuation of noise effects we apply the Impact- Pathway-Approach: changes of health risks due to changes in traffic levels are calculated and expressed in monetary terms, using an immission model, dose-response-functions, and monetary values from other studies. In addition, we estimate the welfare effects of reduced congestion due to fewer trips, a changed routing behaviour and subsequent higher average speeds. It is concluded that while there is a social surplus of a Berlin city charge for HDV (about 25 million €), it may be smaller than the installation and operation cost of such a system. |
| Keywords: | North-South, growth model, innovation assimilation |
| JEL: | E32 R10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cni:wpaper:2006-01&r=env |
| By: | Anna Alberini; Aline Chiabai |
| Abstract: | We use contingent valuation to elicit WTP for a reduction in the risk of dying for cardiovascular and respiratory causes, the most important causes of premature mortality associated with heat wave and air pollution, among the Italian public. The purpose of this study is three-fold. First, we obtain WTP and VSL figures that can be applied when estimating the benefits of heat advisories, other policies that reduce the mortality effects of extreme heat, and environmental policies that reduce the risk of dying for cardiovascular and respiratory causes. Second, our experimental study design allows us to examine the sensitivity of WTP to the size of the risk reduction. Third, we examine whether the WTP of populations that are especially sensitive to extreme heat and air pollution—such as the elderly, those in compromised health, and those living alone and/or physically impaired—is different from that of other individuals. We find that WTP, and hence the VSL, depends on the risk reduction, respondent age (via the baseline risk), and respondent health status. WTP increases with the size of the risk reduction, but is not strictly proportional to it. All else the same, older individuals are willing to pay less for a given risk reduction than younger individuals of comparable characteristics. Poor health, however, tends to raise WTP, so that the appropriate VSL of elderly individuals in poor health may be quite large. Our results support the notion that the VSL is “individuated.†|
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p293&r=env |
| By: | Can Tuncay Akin |
| Abstract: | Today although a contemporary house or apartment is built with new materials according to technology and regulations to provide a satisfactory microclimate within the building, it is difficult to say they are successful comparing with a house that is constructed with traditional methods and materials even built by a non-architect. In this paper microclimatic elements of traditional Diyarbakýr houses are determined systemically comparing with the typology, design features that makes a house sustainable, ecological and environmental influence. Traditional Diyarbakýr houses that is constructed in a castle are courtyard type. They are inward looking and their sizes and complexities are different according to owner’s power, social status, building site, privacy with five different plan typology. User requirements, desire, personality and habits are connected with socioeconomic and socio-cultural values. Social experiences, visions, beliefs, ethical principles those are sourced from nature and living styles have affected the traditional Diyarbakýr housing architecture. The reflections of the culture and civilization with the integration of environment and material in physical space can be seen in traditional Diyarbakýr houses. Houses those are constructed with traditional and materials even built by a non architect or architecture without architect. Microclimatic elements these are used in traditional house are natural, for example the use of stone or wood that designates the size of the house. The main aim of traditional way is to decrease the stress of the climate. So these make all old settlements seems more successful and architecturally more interesting. Climatic conditions and social structure has been played an important role in the shaping of the interior and exterior spaces of the traditional Diyarbakýr houses. User requirements, desire, personality and habits are connected with socioeconomic and socio-cultural values. Social experiences, visions, beliefs, ethical principles those are sourced from nature and living styles have affected the traditional Diyarbakýr housing architecture. The reflections of the culture and civilization with the integration of environment and material in physical space can be seen in traditional Diyarbakýr houses. In this paper microclimatic elements of traditional Diyarbakýr houses are determined systemically comparing with the typology, design features that makes a house sustainable, ecological and environmental influence. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p465&r=env |
| By: | Di Maria, Corrado; Valente, Simone |
| Abstract: | We analyze a multi-sector growth model with directed technical change where man-made capital and exhaustible resources are essential for production. The relative profitability of factor-specific innovations endogenously determines whether technical progress will be capital- or resource-augmenting. We show that convergence to balanced growth implies zero capital-augmenting innovations: in the long run, the economy exhibits purely resource-augmenting technical change. This result provides sound microfoundations for the broad class of models of exogenous/endogenous growth where resource-augmenting progress is required to sustain consumption in the long run, contradicting the view that these models are conceptually biased in favor of sustainability. |
| Keywords: | Endogenous Growth; Directed Technical Change; Exhaustible Resources; Sustainability |
| JEL: | Q32 O33 O31 O32 |
| Date: | 2006–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:1040&r=env |
| By: | Krawczyk, Jacek; Azzato, Jeffrey |
| Abstract: | In this report, we outline a method for approximating a Markovian (or feedback-Nash) equilibrium of a dynamic game, possibly subject to coupled-constraints. We treat such a game as a "multiple" optimal control problem. A method for approximating a solution to a given optimal control problem via backward induction on Markov chains was developed in Krawczyk (2006). A Markovian equilibrium may be obtained numerically by adapting this backward induction approach to a stage Nikaido-Isoda function (described in Krawczyk & Zuccollo (2006)). |
| Keywords: | Computational techniques; Noncooperative games; Econometric software; Taxation; Water; Climate; Dynamic programming; Dynamic games; Applications of game theory; Environmental economics; Computational economics; Nikaido-Isoda function; Approximating Markov decision chains |
| JEL: | C87 C63 Q25 C72 E62 |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:1195&r=env |
| By: | Luca Di Corato (University of Padua and University of York) |
| Abstract: | In this paper the theory and practical limits of a voluntary incentive program for the conservation of biodiversity are presented. The design of conservation contracts in the context of still forested areas in developing countries is considered. The aim of the governmental agency implementing the conservation program is to induce the landowners to set aside a part of their land from agriculture conversion, compensating them for the resulting profit loss. The optimal contract scheme needs to deal with information asymmetry on the opportunity cost of conservation and reduces the information rents due to the landholder incentive to misreport her "type". I show how information asymmetry can seriously impact on the optimal mechanism design and may lead to contracts by which types cannot be separated and/or landholders may receive some payments even if they are conserving the same extent of land they would have conserved without contract. |
| JEL: | D82 D86 Q57 Q58 |
| Date: | 2006–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pad:wpaper:0034&r=env |
| By: | Dimitrios Lagos; Eleni Stamatiou |
| Abstract: | The effective comprehension of mechanisms of achievement of sustainable tourism development presupposes the existence of standardised models. Endogenous development models constitute decisive factor for the development of theoretical discoveries and in the tourism activity. The modern bibliography provides usually inaccurate criteria of sustainability, mainly because of the restrictive standardisation of environmental components. This fact influences considerably the choice of policies, because in certain cases it is likely that dilemmas of the environment or development will present themselves. Moreover, the importance of the consuming behaviour of tourists tends to be neglected in the effort of finding ecological ways of development, even though this analysis allows the discovery of new tools of tourism policy for public organizations. In the frame of the above reflection with this proposal is targeted the critical research of the possibility of integration, but also the way of incorporation of sustainable tourism development in the various models of endogenous development. In the theoretical analysis of this subject, the detailed description of various endogenous models of development will be sought. Then, will be examined the importance of sustainable tourism development and the necessity for its integration in the endogenous development models. Immediately next, will be examined critically the functional incorporation of the tourism activity in each model of endogenous development and will be underlined the importance that it has on tourism policy. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p369&r=env |
| By: | Forni Andrea; Olivetti Ivano; Frenquellucci Ferdinando; Regina Pasquale; Scipioni Federica; Di Giampietro Federica |
| Abstract: | The study deepens the problem list in the application of the VAS and the new procedures relative EMAS II° to industrial areas e/o territorial organizations, and it analyzes some cases of study. The cases of study analyzed are those of the district of Solofra and the area ASI in Trapani in south Italy, and Prato in centre Italy, The objective principals of the project are integral part of the project LIFE-SIAM 2005: to define to analyze the degree of vertical integration (from the directive UEs to the local actions) and horizontal (from the partenariato for the governance to the forums of AG21L) of the principles of the sustainability and the governance in the territory beginning from the location and management of the industrial areas; the analysis of the methods experimented of shared territorial planning of the development, based on an approach multidisciplinary, comprendente partenariato, planning, evaluation and monitoring; the analysis of the levels of know managerial how and necessary planning development of a collaborative climate and of effective relationships among the Local Authorities, the citizens, the productive system, the experts and the scientific world; the analysis of the necessary professional dimensions and applications with the purpose to form new subject responsible and figures professional able to plan and to manage the governance and the sustainable development beginning from the industrial areas. The project as defined a new Model of Industrial Sustainable Area. These objectives of analysis will be pursued through the verification on the field of the state of application, the adaptation and the integration of different community tools of environmental politics, what the Evaluation Environmental Strategy (VAS), ex Directive 2001/42/CE and the EMAS, ex Rule 761/2001/CE, in the procedures of governance effected on the territory. The study intends to give a contribution to show the difficulties attuative in to integrate different voluntary community tools inside models as the governance, or of policy as the sustainable development, and to allow one innovative approach of theirs, how much more possible inserted in the planning and territorial management. The study as experimented the application of the Model in the case study. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p9&r=env |
| By: | Boris A. Portnov; Jonathan Dubnov; Micha Barchana |
| Abstract: | In behavioral studies, ecological fallacy is a wrong assumption about an individual based on aggregate data for a group. In the present study, the validity of this assumption was tested using both individual estimates of exposure to air pollution and aggregate air pollution data estimated for 1,492 schoolchildren living in the in vicinity of a major coal-fired power station in the Hadera sub-district of Israel. In 1996 and 1999, the children underwent subsequent pulmonary function (PF) tests, and their parents completed a detailed questionnaire on their health status, and housing conditions. The association between children’s PF development and their long-term exposure to air pollution was then investigated in two phases. During the first phase, the average rates of PF change observed in small statistical areas in which the children reside were compared with average levels of air pollution detected in these areas. During the second phase of the analysis, an individual pollution estimate was calculated for each child covered by the survey, using a "spatial join" tool in ArcGIS. While the analysis of aggregate data showed no significant differences in the PF development among the schoolchildren surveyed, the comparison of individual pollution estimates with the results of PF tests detected a significant negative association between changes in PF results and the estimated level of air pollution. As argued, these differences are attributed to the fact that average exposure levels are likely to cause a misclassification bias of individual exposure, as further demonstrated in the study using pattern detection techniques of spatial analysis (local Moran's I and Gettis-Ord statistic). The implications of the results of the analysis for geographical and epidemiological studies are discussed, and recommendations for public health policy are formulated. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p18&r=env |
| By: | Giovanni Luca Barletta; Dino Borri; Domenico Camarda; Giovanni Circella |
| Abstract: | International concerns about security in transport systems are leading to a new international regulation in this field. This introduces new requirements for operators and authorities as well as it opens new challenges, in particular when referred to seaports and maritime transport in the Mediterranean area, where many seaport terminals and infrastructures are affected by a noteworthy technological divide from North European contexts. In such contexts, the adoption of the new regulations can represent the right chance for upgrading the local operative standards, increasing latu sensu the quality of maritime transport performances, while conferring a greater level to security and safety checks. This paper explores the chances for increasing the level of Mediterranean seaport competitiveness allowed by technological innovations in transport systems, both in operations and organization of these infrastructures. The aim of the work is to study the effects of the adoption of technological solutions such as wireless communications and radiofrequency identification on the competitiveness of Mediterranean seaport infrastructures. Technological solutions designed to identify good items help operators in organizing activities in terminals and make maritime transport faster in delivering goods, by cutting the handling time and costs in seaport terminals. Seaports that adopt this kind of technologies, and the surrounding economic areas connected to seaports, have a greater attractiveness on shipping companies and operators, since they allow faster handling activities and easier checks on goods. Besides, the analysis of direct and indirect effects of the use of such technologies specifically focuses on the contribution that the use of these solutions gives in ensuring higher security levels, by increasing the level of information and knowledge associated to goods. The different types of security provided (e.g. for people, environment and goods) and the extreme flexibility of the technologies involved give the overall worth of the challenge. It seems to be a great chance of growth for the Mediterranean area, more than a mere compliance to the international security regulations. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p607&r=env |
| By: | Valente, Simone |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes overlapping-generations models where natural capital is owned by selfish agents. Transfers in favor of young agents reduce the rate of depletion and increase output growth. It is shown that intergenerational transfers may be preferred to laissez-faire by an indefinite sequence of generations: if the resource share in production is sufficiently high, the welfare gain induced by preservation compensates for the loss due to taxation. This conclusion is reinforced when other assets are available, e.g. man-made capital, claims on monopoly rents, and R&D investment. Transfers raise the welfare of all generations, except that of the first resource owner: if resource endowments are taxed at time zero, all successive generations support resource-saving policies for purely selfish reasons. |
| Keywords: | Distortionary Taxation; Intergenerational Transfers; Overlapping Generations; Renewable Resources; Sustainability; Technological Change |
| JEL: | Q01 H30 Q20 |
| Date: | 2006–10–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:1042&r=env |
| By: | Marcelo Pereira Da Cunha; Jose Antonio Scaramucci |
| Abstract: | Many issues of strategic importance that have emerged in recent years are contributing to the formulation of national policies for promoting biofuels worldwide. In the developed countries, such initiatives result mainly from concerns on energy security and greenhouse gases emissions. Developing countries envisage biofuels as a potential means to improve access to energy, increase income and employment, alleviate poverty, spur rural development, reduce oil imports and enhance exports of biomass products. These interests converge as to render bioethanol trade a unique opportunity for sustainable development. Despite its simplicity and ease of use, the basic input-output (i-o) model does not allow the representation of technology-differentiated sectors producing the same good or service. For instance, in Brazil, sugarcane can be collected manually or via harvesting machines and alcohol can be produced in plants appended to a sugar mill or in autonomous distilleries. An i-o model with mixed technologies was constructed for the purposes of the study. A linear technology is used to represent the sugarcane and ethanol sectors, whereas the remaining industries are characterized by the usual Leontief production function. Activity levels for the linear-technology sectors are set by a scenario analysis, avoiding the use of much more complicated mathematical tools, such as a computable general equilibrium (cge) model. The construction of the database was done in two stages. Firstly, an i-o table containing 42 sector and 80 commodities was estimated for the base year of 2002. Secondly, the sugarcane and ethanol industries were disaggregated from the sectors they appear in IBGE economic tables, based on detailed engineering information obtained from experts and specialized publications. The extended input-output model with mixed technologies was used to analyze the socioeconomic impacts of a large-scale expansion of bioethanol production in Brazil so as to replace 5% of the estimated global demand for gasoline in 2025. The resulting direct, indirect and induced effects indicate that if ethanol production is augmented in nearly 800%, GDP would increase by a factor of 11.4%, equivalent to approximately the entire economy in the Northeast region of Brazil, and more than 5 million of jobs would be created. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p242&r=env |
| By: | Gabriela Pascariu; Dragan Gabriela |
| Abstract: | The perspectives of the international tourism development justify the interest about the touristic specialization of many rural regions. Such an orientation may however generate high opportunity costs, if it's not founded on an analysis of the competitive advantages, of the demand and supply and the market tendencies. The results also depend on the founding of a sustainable touristic development strategy, considering not only the economic aspects, but also environment, social and ethic aspects. This implies, first of all, a general strategy for development and a perfect corelation between all its components. Thus, an essential role is given to the partnership between the firms of the tourist channel, between these firms and firms of complementary fields and between public and private partners. The present study includes an analysis of the roles and formes of the public-private partnership in the sustainable development of the rural tourist destinations and it is organized in 4 parts. In the first part, I presented the particular aspects of the relationship tourism – development in the rural environment; the second part includes an application of the concept of quality integrated management in tourism, especially in the rural tourism. From the first two parts it results the necessity and the role of the public-private partnership in assuring the sustainability of the rural touristic destinations. The third part suggests some forms of the public-private partnership, with reference to the sustainable development principles. In the last part it is presented the importance of the rural tourism for Romania. The study closes up with suggestions for a strategy of sustainable tourist development of rural destinations. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p510&r=env |
| By: | Anna Alberini; Aline Chiabai |
| Abstract: | We use conjoint choice questions to ask public health and climate change experts, contacted at professional meetings in 2003 and 2004, which of two hypothetical countries, A or B, they deem to have the higher adaptive capacity to certain effects of climate change on human health. These hypothetical countries are described by a vector of seven attributes, including per capita income, inequality in the distribution of income, measures of the health status of the population, the health care system, and access to information. Probit models indicate that our respondents regard per capita income, inequality in the distribution of income, universal health care coverage, and high access to information as important determinants of adaptive capacity. A universal-coverage health care system and a high level of access to information are judged to be equivalent to $12,000-$14,000 in per capita income. We use the estimated coefficients and country sociodemographics to construct an index of adaptive capacity for several countries. In panel-data regressions, this index is a good predictor of mortality in climatic disasters, even after controlling for other determinants of sensitivity and exposure, and for per capita income. We conclude that our conjoint choice questions provide a novel and promising approach to eliciting expert judgments in the climate change arena. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p292&r=env |
| By: | Vasileios Galifianakis |
| Abstract: | The downgrade of natural environment in the last decades is obvious and the source of problem is located in urban centers. Respectively, the solution of the problem should be sought there. The ecological urban planning aims at the upgrade of urban space, redefining its relationship with residents. The present article methodizes the approach to the ecological urban planning and it is one of the there are too. Particularly, it essays an approach to the ecological urban planning through the management of those elements that compose the operation of a city and concerns the management and the control of green space, energy, water, transports, litter and society. In this way, a catholic consideration and management of the urban space, as well as a set of policies and actions for its upgrade, is achieved. Furthermore, specific references to examples in Greece – problems and perspectives – are made. Coinstantaneously, the study of international and European cities that have achieved a high level of quality of life is the proof that the ecological city does not constitute a utopia, but a challenge for the society, the planners, the local governments and the residents-users. Finally, the institutional frame and the policies, that support the ecological urban planning, are analyzed, as these are the base for its implementation. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p408&r=env |
| By: | Helen Papadopoulou; Afroditi Efthimiadou; G. Siardos |
| Abstract: | A large number of areas in our country are characterized as mountainous and less developed due to some special characteristics of their natural environment and landscape, due to which agriculture operates under serious comparative disadvantages. However, at the same time, these special characteristics of he natural environment and landscape of the remote and mountainous areas can be considered as advantages for other income generating activities, such as alterative types of tourism. More specifically, hills, mountains and lakes, can attract visitors in the area and support leisure fun and sports activities like trekking, climbing, fishing, animal watching and outdoor sports, which can positevely contribute development for the local communities.Both visitors and people of the local communities can be benefited. Visitors relax in a peaceful natural environment whereas the residents of the area can diversify their activities in order to increase their income from other community-based sources. European Community Agricultural and Regional Policy emphasizes the role of the natural environment and landscape of mountainous areas in the community development. Special provision on the Agricultural Development Policy of CAP incorporates the environment in the local development strategy . Local Development Agencies apply a number of Local Development Plans(LDPs) and EU Initiatives, such as Leader in the EU regions with an emphasis on landscape and natural environment management, since 1988. This study examines the role of the LDPs in income generating, employment increase, infrastructure maintenance and improvement and the environment quality and preservation. The attitudes of permanent reseidences of a remote area-of the municipality of Vegoritida-Pella-Greece-towards LDP is also examined. The local stakeholders(residents) were interviewed during November-December 2005, having already a ten years experience of LDPs in their region. Data were processed with SPSS and useful results were drawn about the regional development policy in the agricultural area of Vegoritis. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p646&r=env |
| By: | David Meintrup; Chang Woon Nam |
| Abstract: | This study identifies the shadow market area of air pollutants based on the Gaussian plume model. Since pollutants are dispersed by wind, transport costs are irrelevant in its formation. Pollutant distribution on the ground level has an asymmetric bell-shape in the wind direction. Apart from the linear functions, the exponential and quadratic shadow price functions are considered for the compensation of health hazard of consumers, when the strict liability in the framework of Coase theorem applies. The shadow market area for pollutants is shell-shaped. This specific characteristic has an implication for market boundaries between polluters and their location decisions. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p412&r=env |
| By: | Can Tuncay Akin; Mucahit Yildirim |
| Abstract: | For the sustainability of historical towns and traditional buildings those are no longer feasible, an adaptive use must be given. This adaptive use must be convenient with socio-economic and cultural structure of the historical site. The most popular way for the maintenance of the historical site is the tourism activity. The case study held on for this reason is the historical town of Diyarbakýr. The town is surrounded by old city walls. The black basalt walls are perfect examples of the mediaeval architecture. Although some of the walls were from Roman, and even earlier times, the present walls date back to early Byzantine times. The main from civil architecture examples inside the walls are the traditional houses which are relevant with user requirements, desirability; habits of users are connected with socio-economic and socio-cultural values. Social experience, visions, believes, ethical principles are sourced from nature and living styles have affected the traditional Diyarbakýr housing architecture. The reflections of culture and civilization with integration of environment and material in physical space can be seen in traditional Diyarbakýr houses. Climatic conditions and social structure have played an important role in the shaping of the interior and exterior spaces of the traditional Diyarbakýr houses. There are few examples of restored houses in the old town. Some of them have become museum being due to the birth place of very popular writers and poets in them. The large houses which oriented for the patriarchal family style lost their function in the contemporary life style. Some of them can not be conserved as a house as before because of being too large for a small family. Some adaptive uses must be given for them concerning: • gaining these 100-150 years buildings which lose partly their function world tourism and world cultural heritage, by giving new functions to them • conservation of these buildings providing new usage, • conservation of historical environment, • by distinguishing different functional groups according to necessities considering location and size of the buildings in the historical town by means of building determination work • economical evaluation • The necessity of giving new function to buildings those do not meet the need due to changing social environment • The reuse of the buildings by relevant techniques not only in building scale also in historical town scale. The other structures that have already lost their original uses and no longer feasible in the medieval town are the hamams, the inns and old bazaar where the hand crafts production are made must be protected. For example, by means of production of some touristic handcrafts and selling them inside, restaurants or hostels in those traditional houses in order to get the authentic atmosphere. The aim of the study is to preserve those structures for a sustainable conservation and the very convenient way to do it is using them for tourism. In order to give an adaptive use for these structures the analysis of the existing structures has to be made and the requirements of the tourism innovations have to be considered. |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p884&r=env |
| By: | Bazhanov, Andrei |
| Abstract: | A technique for the construction of the model of nonrenewable resources depletion is offered. The approach is based on the assumption of the fulfillment of a variation principle. The model adequacy is examined with respect to world oil extraction data from 1859 to 2005. The possibilities of the use of the model in forecasting problems and in construction of the path of extraction, satisfying the intergenerational justice principle are discussed. Empirical justification of the hypothesis of the fulfillment of the Hamilton principle in resource economics gives an opportunity of the use of some laws of mechanics in economics. |
| Keywords: | nonrenewable resource; variation principle; intergenerational justice |
| JEL: | C63 Q32 |
| Date: | 2005–08–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:1309&r=env |
| By: | Luki Budiarto |
| Abstract: | One of the pressing issues in today discussion about globalization and urban and regional development concerns about the role of local space in ‘situating’ the global economy. That every bit of ‘local’ economic activities has become subsumed into ‘the global’ is something we know already, but what is the role of local spatial conditions in ‘translating’ (following the definition in Law, 2002) the global economy to site and by doing so making firms able to operate effectively at the global scale while sitting in a particularly local space? The motive of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it explores the relation between urban form and economy by taking Amsterdam as case study. It attempts to show a consistent relationship between a topological spatiality and the distribution and organisation of economic functions (i.e. locations of firms, particularly those operating at the global scale) –a premise which partly developed out of Space Syntax. Secondly, it tries to develop an instrument for urban analysis by recasting the issue of economy from spatial/urban perspectives, rather than putting forward economic arguments. Drawing mainly from Amin & Thrift (2002), it is being argued that the global economy becomes situated in local space through the everyday spatial performances of people who perform the work of ‘relay’ and ‘translation’ of the fluid global processes. We offer a proposition that the location of urban economic functions in cities can be explained by analysing the way their circuits mesh with diverse other (including those driven by economic motives at much lesser degree, for example social and family life) which help to create ‘situatedness’ in a particular local site This paper starts with briefly presenting the theoretical framework and then concentrating on the analysis of case study using a series of spatial and temporal mapping. As empirical demonstration, we will present analysis on a particular urban field (1x1 km2) in the city of Amsterdam, which has the intention to allow us to start capturing the circuits cutting across between what commonly seen as two or more discontinuous economies or different set of activities. This analysis is then presented as an alternative approach to recast the issue of economic spaces in terms of ‘ecology of presence’ |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa06p703&r=env |