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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Annabelle Mourougane |
| Abstract: | Energy represents a major sustainable-development challenge for Canada. In the short term, labour shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks are likely to hinder energy developments and need to be addressed. In addition, provincial fiscal management could be improved by adopting prudent allocation and withdrawal rules of revenues from non-renewable resources to and from a long-term fund. Eventually the main challenge will be to curb greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), despite the rapid expansion of high emitting sectors. The effectiveness of environmental policies could be enhanced by better federal-provincial coordination. Efforts should be concentrated on designing and implementing an emissions-trading scheme compatible with corresponding systems abroad. Finally, effective and efficient systems of regulation and taxation are essential to facilitate the timely realisation of energy supply plans. <P>Maintenir la viabilité du secteur de l’énergie au Canada <BR>L’énergie représente pour le Canada un défi majeur en termes de développement durable. Dans l’immédiat, il faut remédier aux pénuries de main-d’oeuvre et d’infrastructure qui risquent d’entraver la réalisation des projets énergétiques. En outre, on pourrait améliorer la gestion budgétaire provinciale en adoptant des règles prudentes d’allocation et de retrait pour les recettes de ressources non renouvelables affectées à un fonds à long terme. En définitive, le principal défi consistera à réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES), en dépit de l’expansion rapide des secteurs gros émetteurs. L’efficacité des politiques environnementales pourrait être renforcée par une meilleure coordination entre l’administration fédérale et les administrations provinciales. Les efforts devraient se focaliser sur la conception et la mise au point d’un système d’échange de droits d’émission compatible avec les mécanismes similaires à l’étranger. Enfin, des systèmes de réglementation et d’imposition efficaces et efficients sont indispensables pour faciliter la réalisation en temps voulu des plans d’approvisionnement en énergie. |
| Keywords: | Canada, Canada, environment, environnement, energy, énergie, climate change, changement climatique, oil sands, GHG emissions, biofuels, sables bitumineux, émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES), bio-carburants |
| JEL: | H2 H7 Q2 Q4 |
| Date: | 2008–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:618-en&r=env |
| By: | Silvio Schmidt; Claudia Kemfert; Peter Höppe |
| Abstract: | Economic losses caused by tropical cyclones have increased dramatically. It can be assumed that most losses are due to increased prosperity and a greater tendency for people to settle in exposed areas, but also that the growing incidence of severe cyclones is due to climate change. This paper aims to isolate the socio-economic effects and ascertain the potential impact of climate change on this trend. Storm losses for the period 1950-2005 have been adjusted to 2005 socio-economic values so that any remaining trend cannot be ascribed to socio-economic developments. In the period 1971-2005, losses excluding socio-economic effects show an annual increase of 4% per annum. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, tropical cyclones, loss trends |
| JEL: | Q54 Q50 Q51 |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp802&r=env |
| By: | David Hoyos Ramos (Unidad de Economía Ambiental, Instituto de Economía Pública); Petr Mariel Chladkova (Departamento de Economía Aplicada III); Javier Fernández Macho (Departamento de Economía Aplicada III) |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that cultural identity may have considerable influence on the WTP to protect natural resources. The Basque Country, the region with the highest ethnic homogeneity in Europe, serves as an example to illustrate how important this issue can be in the environmental valuation of natural resources. The rationale for this influence may be found in the deep roots of the Basque culture, a culture where amalurra (mother Earth), i.e. the natural environment, has a central role, as studies from diverse disciplines such as anthropology, psychology and political science have shown. Simulated full distribution of the WTP to protect a Basque natural area using a random parameter logit model reveals that mean marginal WTP to protect its environmental attributes is approximately 60% higher if the cultural identity of the respondent is Basque. To our knowledge, this is the first application to show the influence of cultural identity on the WTP to protect natural resources. Our findings have some methodological and policy implications. On the one hand, failure to take into account cultural identitary issues could result in significantly biased results in benefit transfer applications. On the other hand, policies aimed at conservation natural resources should consider the cultural context in which they will be implemented. |
| Keywords: | choice modelling; willigness to pay; valuation; identity |
| JEL: | Q51 |
| Date: | 2008–07–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehu:biltok:200803&r=env |
| By: | Peter A. Groothuis |
| Abstract: | Migration causes changes to land use patterns in rural areas with environmental amenities. Newcomers’ preferences differ from long term residents. Conflicts sometimes arise. To explore land use issues among various groups, a survey of opinions on mountain views was developed and administered to Watauga County residents in the western North Carolina. It is found that individuals who retire to the mountain are most interested in mountain-view amenities, while individuals who have ancestors from the county are most concerned with maintaining the status quo in regards to mountain views. These preferences lead to agreement on some land use issues and disagreements on others. Key Words: stable coalitions, self-enforcing agreements, compliance, enforcement, public goods |
| Keywords: | Scenic Amenities, Contingent Valuation, Land Use, Wind Energy, Billboards |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:apl:wpaper:08-12&r=env |
| By: | Odile Blanchard (LEPII - Laboratoire d'Économie de la Production et de l'Intégration Internationale - CNRS : UMR5252 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II) |
| Abstract: | Le papier vise à montrer l’intérêt multiple que peut tirer une université de la construction d’un inventaire de ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre. L’argumentation s’appuie à la fois sur l’expérience de l’Université Pierre Mendès-France (Grenoble) et d’autres établissements. La première partie présente les étapes nécessaires pour la mise en place de l’inventaire. La deuxième partie montre l’intérêt du diagnostic apporté par l’outil. |
| Keywords: | changement climatique ; inventaire émissions gaz à effet de serre ; méthodologie ; actions |
| Date: | 2008–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00293347_v1&r=env |
| By: | Katrina Mullan (University of Cambridge, Department of Land Economy); Andreas Kontoleon (University of Cambridge, Department of Land Economy); Tim Swanson (University College London, Department Economics and School of Laws); Shiqiu Zhang (Peking University, College of Environmental Sciences) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we estimate the impact on local household livelihoods of the Natural Forest Protection Programme (NFPP), the largest logging ban programme in the world that aims to protect watershed and conserve natural forests. In doing so we use a series of policy evaluation micro-econometric techniques to assess the impacts of the NFPP on two interrelated facets of household livelihoods, namely income and off farm labour supply. We find that the NFPP has had a negative impact on incomes from timber harvesting but has actually had a positive impact on total household incomes from all sources. Further, we find that off farm labour supply has increased more rapidly in NFPP areas than non-NFPP areas. This result is strongest for employment outside the village. On the basis of these results policy implications for household livelihoods are drawn. |
| Keywords: | Natural Forest Protection Programme, policy evaluation, difference in differences, propensity score matching, China, income impacts, off farm labour |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lnd:wpaper:200834&r=env |
| By: | Mehdi Abbas (LEPII - Laboratoire d'Économie de la Production et de l'Intégration Internationale - CNRS : UMR5252 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II) |
| Abstract: | Alors que le Grenelle de l’environnement a proposé de réorganiser la fiscalité environnementale et énergétique en adoptant une « contribution climat énergie », la Commission européenne présentait le 23 janvier dernier un dispositif efficace de péréquation des émissions de carbone, visant à neutraliser tout effet de distorsion imputable aux importations. Il s’agirait de compenser par ce biais le coût du système d’échange de quotas supporté par les entreprises européennes. A peine ébauchée, cette mesure suscite déjà les plus vives controverses européennes et internationales. S’agit-il d’une nouvelle forme de protection aux frontières, ou bien d’une incitation à une application étendue du protocole de Kyoto ? Et surtout, une telle mesure serait-elle compatible avec les règles du commerce international ? Dans ce contexte, Mehdi Abbas propose une clarification du débat en procédant à une analyse rigoureuse des conditions aux termes desquelles une mesure d’ajustement aux frontières de l’Union seraient conformes avec les règles de l’OMC. Il conclut à la compatibilité d’un dispositif taxant de façon non discriminatoire les produits importés dans l’Union avec les principes du libre-échange. Cependant, ainsi que l’auteur l’indique, une telle mesure d’ajustement aux frontières est une des alternatives au service d’une stratégie européenne de lutte contre le changement climatique. L’Union pourrait, par exemple, accorder des accès préférentiels au marché européen pour les produits respectueux des engagements européens en termes d’émissions de CO2. |
| Keywords: | PROTOCOLE DE KYOTO ; TAXE ; CARBONE ; IMPORTATION |
| Date: | 2008–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00294617_v1&r=env |
| By: | Yves Crozet (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - Université Lumière - Lyon II - Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat); Hector G. Lopez-Ruiz (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - Université Lumière - Lyon II - Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat); Bertrand Chateau (Enerdata - Enerdata s.a.s); Vincent Bagard (Enerdata - Enerdata s.a.s) |
| Abstract: | Cette recherche vise à construire des scénarios sur les trafics et les émissions de C02 qui, à la fois, respectent l’objectif du facteur 4, et souscrivent à des conditions générales de soutenabilité sous l’angle économique, social et environnemental en précisant de quelle façon on obtient les différents résultats (contexte macroéconomique, organisation de la production et de la distribution, état des technologies, évolution des modes de vie, contenu des politiques publiques). Ces scénarios concernent les transports en France métropolitaine, mais en les inscrivant dans les flux internationaux de voyageurs et de marchandises. |
| Keywords: | France ; diminution des émissions de gaz à effet de serre ; politiques publiques ; facteur 4 ; scénarios de mobilité durable |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00293725_v1&r=env |
| By: | Islam, Nurul ed. |
| Abstract: | Investment Priorities for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Asia Shenggen Fan, Joanna Brzeska, and Ghada Shields |
| Keywords: | Agricultural development, Rural development, Hunger, Poverty reduction, economic growth, Agricultural policy, Technology transfer, infrastructure, Decentralization, rural areas, Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable development, Climate change, |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:2020fo:15&r=env |
| By: | Rosa M. González-Marrero; Rosa M. Lorenzo-Alegría; Gustavo A. Marrero |
| Abstract: | Road transport is one of the most polluting sectors in Spain, generating almost one fourth of total CO2 emissions. Moreover, the consumption of fuel is the main source of these emissions. In this paper we estimate several fixed-effect models to study the economic factors that explain the short-term variations in fuel usage per vehicle, distinguishing between gasoline and diesel, using data from the 17 regions in Spain between 2000 and 2006. Price variations in fuel, modernization of vehicles, improved infrastructures and the dieselization process have proved ineffective in reducing energy usage per-vehicle in Spain, which would indicate the need to implement several measures simultaneously to control the increasing use of road transport. |
| Date: | 2008–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fda:fdaddt:2008-23&r=env |
| By: | Babcock, Bruce A. |
| Abstract: | Production of biofuels from feedstocks that are diverted from food production or that are grown on land that could grow crops has two important drawbacks: higher food prices and decreased reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. If U.S. policy were to change and place greater emphasis on food prices and greenhouse gas reductions, then we would transition away from current feedstocks toward those that do not reduce our ability to produce food. Examples of such feedstocks include crop residues, algae, municipal waste, jatropha grown on degraded land, and by-products of edible oil production. Policy options that would encourage use of these alternative feedstocks include placing a hard cap on ethanol and biodiesel production that comes from corn and refined vegetable oil, thereby forcing growth in biofuel production to come from alternative feedstocks; differentiation of tax credits and subsidies so that the alternative feedstocks receive a higher incentive than do corn and refined vegetable oil; and greatly increased funding for research to hasten the feasibility of producing and refining alternative feedstocks. |
| Keywords: | biofuels, feedstocks, food prices, policy. |
| Date: | 2008–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:12961&r=env |
| By: | Odile Blanchard (LEPII - Laboratoire d'Économie de la Production et de l'Intégration Internationale - CNRS : UMR5252 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II) |
| Abstract: | Les initiatives de maîtrise de l’énergie et de lutte contre le changement climatique se multiplient dans les universités. L’implication de chacun à limiter son « empreinte carbone » constitue la clef du succès de ces initiatives. Mais de nombreuses barrières empêchent chaque individu de s’engager dans des actions de réduction de leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre. La communication vise à explorer comment transformer l’invitation / incitation à agir en action, et comment transformer les attitudes positives en comportements peu émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre. S’appuyant sur l’initiative développée à l’Université Pierre Mendès-France, elle met tout d’abord à jour les motivations et les freins à s’engager dans des actions. Elle expose ensuite des éléments de réponse apportés par diverses disciplines des sciences sociales pour atténuer les freins constatés. La conclusion souligne l’intérêt de construire un programme interdisciplinaire de recherche en sciences sociales pour répondre à la problématique. |
| Keywords: | attitude ; comportement pro-social ; changement climatique ; sciences sociales |
| Date: | 2008–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00293277_v1&r=env |
| By: | Andersson, Henrik (VTI); Ögren, Mikael (VTI) |
| Abstract: | In order to mitigate negative effects from traffic it has been decided that infrastructure charges in the European Union (EU) should be based on short run marginal costs. The Swedish Parliament has legislated that operators in the Swedish railway infrastructure must pay charges based on short run marginal social costs in order to mitigate externalities in railway infrastructure. Internalization of the social cost of noise is of particular interest, since it is the only environmental problem perceived as more troublesome today than in the early 1990s. <p> <p> Inclusion of a noise component in rail infrastructure charges raises two issues: (i) the monetary evaluation of noise abatement, since noise is a non-market good, and (ii) the estimation of the effect on the noise level that one extra train will create. Regarding the latter, we are interested in the marginal noise, since infrastructure charges based on the short-run marginal cost principle should be based on the effect from the marginal train, not the noise level itself. <p> <p> Using already existing knowledge, this study shows that it is possible to implement a noise component in the rail infrastructure charges. The values that are used today to estimate the social cost of noise exposure in cost benefit analysis can also be used to calculate the marginal cost. We recommend, however, that further research be carried out in order to get more robust estimates based on railway traffic. We also show that the existing noise estimation models can easily be modified to estimate the marginal noise. Noise infrastructure charges give the operators incentives to reduce their noise emissions. We believe that this kind of charge can be used to reduce overall emission levels to an optimal social level, but that it is important for the charge to be based on monetary estimates for rail-traffic and not road-traffic. |
| Keywords: | Externalities; Marginal Cost; Noise; Railway |
| JEL: | D62 Q51 R41 |
| Date: | 2008–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:vtiwps:2008_006&r=env |
| By: | Andersson, Henrik (VTI); Hammitt, James (Harvard University, Center for Risk Analysis); Lindberg, Gunnar (VTI); Sundström, Kristian (Sw Inst for Food and Agric Economics) |
| Abstract: | Stated preference (SP) surveys attempt to obtain monetary values for non-market goods that reflect individuals' “true”' preferences. Numerous empirical studies suggest that monetary values from SP studies are sensitive to survey design and so may not reflect respondents' true preferences. This study examines the effect of time framing on respondents' willingness to pay (WTP) for car safety. We explore how WTP per unit risk reduction depends on the time period over which respondents pay and face reduced risk. Using data from a Swedish contingent valuation survey, we find that WTP is sensitive to time framing; estimates based on an annual scenario are about 30 to 70 percent higher than estimates from a monthly scenario. |
| Keywords: | Car safety; Contingent valuation; Double bound; Willingness to pay |
| JEL: | C52 D60 I10 Q51 |
| Date: | 2008–07–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:vtiwps:2008_008&r=env |
| By: | Price V. Fishback; Rebecca Holmes; Samuel Allen |
| Abstract: | One of the most difficult problems in the social sciences is measuring the policy climate in societies. Prior to the 1930s the vast majority of labor regulations in the U.S. were enacted at the state level. In this paper we develop several summary measures of labor regulation that document the changes in labor regulation across states and over time during the Progressive Era. The measures include an Employer-Share-Weighted Index (ESWI) that weights regulations by the share of workers affected and builds up the overall index from 17 categories of regulation; the number of pages of laws; appropriations for spending on labor issues per worker; and two nonparametric COORDINATES that summarize locations in a policy space. We describe the pluses and minuses of the measures, how strongly they are correlated, and show the stories that they tell about the changes in labor regulation during the progressive era. We then provide preliminary evidence on the extent to which the labor regulation measures are associated with political and economic correlates identified as important in histories of industrial relations and labor markets. |
| JEL: | J18 K31 N31 N32 N41 N42 |
| Date: | 2008–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:14167&r=env |
| By: | Alexandros Dimitropoulos (Institute of Energy for South-East Europe, Athens, Greece); Andreas Kontoleon (University of Cambridge, Department of Land Economy) |
| Abstract: | This paper aims at analysing the factors which motivate communities to resist the installation of wind farms in their vicinity. To this end, the choice experiment methodology was employed in communities in two Greek Aegean Islands to assess the determinants of preferences towards different wind farm projects. Unlike other studies the willingness to accept welfare measure was adopted. The results of our analysis show that the conservation status of the area where the wind farms are to be installed, along with the governance characteristics of the planning procedure are the most important determinants of local community welfare in relation to wind farms. In contrast to other studies, we find that the physical attributes of wind farms appear to be of less relative importance from a local community welfare point of view. Implications for the EU’s future energy policy are drawn |
| Keywords: | wind farms; local acceptability; willingness to accept |
| Date: | 2008 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lnd:wpaper:200835&r=env |
| By: | Jasper Dekkers (VU University Amsterdam); Willemijn van der Straaten (VU University Amsterdam) |
| Abstract: | In densely-populated countries and in particular in large metropolitan areas, the presence of so much human activity causes all sorts of negative externalities, for example traffic noise disturbance. These externalities call for corrective measures by the government. Economists have developed a number of procedures that provide reasonable estimates on the monetary value of some amenities and externalities. In this paper we develop a spatially-explicit hedonic pricing model for house prices in order to quantify the social cost of aircraft noise disturbance in monetary terms. While focusing on aircraft noise around Amsterdam airport in the urban fringe of the Amsterdam region, a key point in our analysis is that we account for background noise. We do this by taking multiple sources of traffic noise (i.e. road, railway and aircraft noise) into account simultaneously and by setting threshold values for all three sources of noise above which sound is generally experienced as nuisance. Based on our regression results we conclude that a higher noise level means ceteris paribus a lower house price. Air traffic has the largest price impact, followed by railway traffic and road traffic. These model outcomes can subsequently be used to estimate the marginal and total benefits of aircraft noise reduction in the studied area around Amsterdam airport. We find a marginal benefit of 1 dB noise reduction of 1,459 Euro per house, leading to a total benefit of 1 dB noise reduction of 574 million Euros. |
| Keywords: | aircraft noise; GIS; hedonic price theory; noise reduction; valuation |
| JEL: | D62 Q53 R41 R48 |
| Date: | 2008–06–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:uvatin:20080064&r=env |
| By: | Purnamita Dasgupta (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Rela); Shikha Gupta (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Rela) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates certain macro data on the Indian economy to draw inferenceson the sustainability of the economic growth experienced over the last couple ofdecades. Interpreting sustainability in terms of the maintenance of different forms ofcapital to ensure that future consumption levels are at least as high as current levels,estimates of investment have been made using theoretically consistent models anddata relevant to the Indian context. Subsequently, the paper investigates the extent towhich the investment that has taken place over a thirty year period (from 1976-77 to2004-05) has been aligned with the consumption path. Investment estimates are foundto be a reliable indicator of sustainability of the future consumption path and averagefuture consumption is likely to be higher than current consumption. The findingsreveal that while capital formation in manufactured assets has been fuelling wealthaccumulation in the economy, there has been a rise in the degradation of natural capital stocks. However, considering the aggregate picture, taking note of investmentin human capital, produced capital and the depreciation of natural capital, there hasbeen net wealth accumulation in the economy. Per capita wealth has been rising overthe period, with a sharp rise observed from the mid 1990s onwards. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable Development, Investment, Future Consumption, Per Capita Wealth, Human and Natural capital |
| JEL: | Q56 O11 |
| Date: | 2008–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:icrier:214&r=env |