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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Chen, Y.-H. Henry; Timilsina, Govinda R. |
| Abstract: | The overall impacts on the Brazilian economy of reducing CO2 emissions from energy use and industrial processes can be assessed using a recursive dynamic general equilibrium model and a hypothetical carbon tax. The study projects that in 2040 under a business-as-usual scenario, CO2 emissions from energy use and industrial processes would be almost three times as high as in 2010 and would account for more than half of total national CO2 emissions. Current policy aims to reduce deforestation by 70 percent by 2017 and emissions intensity of the overall economy by 36-39 percent by 2020. If policy is implemented as planned and continued to 2040, CO2 emissions from energy use and industrial processes would not have to be cut until 2035 as reductions of emissions through controlling deforestation would be enough to meet emission targets. The study also finds evidence that supports the double dividend hypothesis: using revenue from a hypothetical carbon tax to finance a cut in labor income tax significantly lowers the gross domestic product impacts of the carbon tax. Using carbon tax revenue to subsidize wind power can effectively increase the output of wind power in the country, although the impact of the tax on gross domestic product would be somewhat increased. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Climate Change Economics,Energy Production and Transportation,Energy and Environment,Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2012–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6135&r=env |
| By: | Hong Li |
| Abstract: | Pollutants emitted by pollution generation sources do not only deteriorate the water quality, but the emissions of greenhouse gas also contribute to the green house effect. Material balance of biomass wastes shows there is a trade-off between water pollution and global warming. Therefore, in dealing with the water pollution problems, we also need to adopt methods to decrease greenhouse gas. In this study, we constructed a dynamic linear mathematical model to describe the interrelationships between environmental and socioeconomic indicators and variables. A computer simulation approach was used to make comprehensive environmental policies and to evaluate the most cost effective measures to effectively improve the water quality with the introduction of a biomass recycle plant to control air and water pollutant emissions, as well as generate electric energy. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum policies to protect the water quality, reduce of green house gas emissions and the develop the local economy as a win-win situation. The simulations were run with the computer-based programming software called LINGO. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1633&r=env |
| By: | Gunter Stephan; Georg Müller-Fürstenberger |
| Abstract: | Is it possible to combat global climate change through North-to-South technology transfer even without a global climate treaty? Or do carbon leakage and the rebound effect imply that it is possible to take advantage of technological improvements under the umbrella of a global arrangement only? For answering these questions a world with full international co-operation is compared with a world, where countries act non-cooperatively. More precisely, in case of non-cooperation two cases are discussed. The first one is called Kyoto-plus and the second one labeled Kyoto-reversed. Kyoto-plus means that the North decides: (1) to unilate-rally reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions and (2), to transfer technological know-ledge to the South. If Kyoto-reversed is considered, the North decides on transferring tech-nology while the South commits itself to reduce emissions. Rebound and leakage effects hinder a sustainable and welfare improving solution of the climate problem. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ube:dpvwib:dp1206&r=env |
| By: | Yuzuru Miyata; Shuai Han |
| Abstract: | Reducing CO2 emissions is the most significant target in the global environmental issue. One of strongest measures for CO2 reduction may be introduction of renewable energies including wind and solar powers. Moreover smart grid is attracting attention as a new power supply system for CO2 reduction as well. Integration of renewable energies, smart grid and eco-friendly vehicles could significantly reduce CO2 emissions leading to the Low-Carbon Society. However economic assessment has not been implemented for such an attractive social form without a few exceptional studies. Thus this article aims to examine the economic performance of Low-Carbon Society taking Toyohashi city in Japan as a study region. The methodology applied in this article is a static CGE model. In this model, renewable energies, smart grid and eco-friendly vehicles are incorporated in addition to the standard structure of a CGE model. Toyohashi city will be evaluated from the viewpoint of reductions in CO2 emissions and fossil fuel consumption, and welfare level by employing the equivalent variation. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1639&r=env |
| By: | Burtraw, Dallas (Resources for the Future); Fraas, Art (Resources for the Future); Palmer, Karen (Resources for the Future); Richardson, Nathan (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) performance standards for power plants are an important step forward in regulating GHGs in terms of both their substantive impact and legal precedent. Nevertheless, we have some concerns with the proposal, which we discuss in the following comments submitted to the agency. The majority of our comments are directed to ways that EPA can increase certainty for the industry—reducing costs and, possibly, improving environmental outcomes. We highlight two specific areas of concern. First, the current proposal contributes to the significant uncertainty facing existing sources. Second, EPA’s proposed averaging option for new facilities that will install carbon capture-and-storage (CCS) technology in the future, although intended to create a flexible pathway, unfortunately creates some new regulatory uncertainty. We also comment on EPA’s decision to combine most coal and gas generators into a single source category. We believe this decision is legally valid and practically important, and that EPA should resist pressure to reconsider. |
| Keywords: | greenhouse gas emissions, performance standards, new source review, carbon capture and storage technology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, uncertainty |
| Date: | 2012–07–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-12-31&r=env |
| By: | Tran, Ngoc Bich; Ley, Eduardo |
| Abstract: | "Getting the prices right"is a good starting point but is not sufficient for achieving environmentally efficient outcomes. Other policy interventions are often necessary to complement pricing policies. Moreover, when pricing is not at all feasible, regulatory and command-and-control policies must be used instead. This paper focuses on three interrelated themes at the core of the pricing problem. First, there is the incorporation of non-marketed activities with environmental consequences into aggregate measures of economic performance: the so-called"green-GDP."Second, there is the problem regarding the reliable estimation of the valuation of the shadow prices that properly reflect environmental externalities. Third, there is the issue of full-cost pricing that requires the pricing of environmental externalities for guiding both individual and public decision-making. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Markets and Market Access,Climate Change Economics |
| Date: | 2012–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6131&r=env |
| By: | Ahmed , Syud Amer; Diffenbaugh, Noah S.; Hertel, Thomas W.; Martin, William J. |
| Abstract: | Given global heterogeneity in climate-induced agricultural variability, Tanzania has the potential to substantially increase its maize exports to other countries. If global maize production is lower than usual due to supply shocks in major exporting regions, Tanzania may be able to export more maize at higher prices, even if it also experiences below-trend productivity. Diverse destinations for exports can allow for enhanced trading opportunities when negative supply shocks affect the partners'usual import sources. Future climate predictions suggest that some of Tanzania's trading partners will experience severe dry conditions that may reduce agricultural production in years when Tanzania is only mildly affected. Tanzania could thus export grain to countries as climate change increases the likelihood of severe precipitation deficits in other countries while simultaneously decreasing the likelihood of severe precipitation deficits in Tanzania. Trade restrictions, like export bans, prevent Tanzania from taking advantage of these opportunities, foregoing significant economic benefits. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Economics,Economic Theory&Research,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Science of Climate Change,Trade Policy |
| Date: | 2012–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6132&r=env |
| By: | Kapnang, Herrman Brice |
| Abstract: | This study employs the Johansen cointegration and Granger causality to analyze the relation-ship between air pollution and economic growth in China. It allows to draw lessons and de-rive implications for the causal links between these two variables. The results show that these two variables are cointegrated and that 15% threshold, there is a unidirectional causal rela-tionship between them. On the other hand, there is a positive long-term relationship between economic growth and air pollution. In other words, the idea of an environmental Kuznets curve fails to apply to China. These results suggest recommendations that can help the Chi-nese authorities in environmental management in order to lay the foundations for sustainable growth. |
| Keywords: | pollution, Croissance économique, courbe environnementale de Kuznets, Causalité, cointégration |
| JEL: | Q56 |
| Date: | 2012–03–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39965&r=env |
| By: | Ferreira, Susana (University of Georgia); Akay, Alpaslan (IZA); Brereton, Finbarr (University College Dublin); Cuñado, Juncal (University of Navarra); Martinsson, Peter (University of Gothenburg); Moro, Mirko (University of Stirling) |
| Abstract: | Concerns for environmental quality and its impact on people's welfare are fundamental arguments for the adoption of environmental legislation in most countries. In this paper, we analyse the relationship between air quality and subjective well-being in Europe. We use a unique dataset that merges three waves of the European Social Survey with a new dataset on environmental quality including SO2 concentrations and climate in Europe at the regional level. We find a robust negative impact of SO2 concentrations on self-reported life satisfaction. |
| Keywords: | air quality, SO2 concentrations, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, Europe, European Social Survey, GIS |
| JEL: | I31 Q51 Q53 Q54 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6732&r=env |
| By: | Sugino, Makoto; Arimura, Toshi H.; Morgenstern, Richard (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | To address the climate change issue, developed nations have considered introducing carbon pricing mechanisms in the form of a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme (ETS). Despite the small number of programs actually in operation, these mechanisms remain under active discussion in a number of countries, including Japan. Using an input–output model of the Japanese economy, this paper analyzes the effects of carbon pricing on Japan’s industrial sector. We also examine the impact of a rebate program of the type proposed for energy intensive trade exposed (EITE) industries in U.S. legislation, the Waxman–Markey bill (H.R. 2454), and in the European Union’s ETS. We find that a carbon pricing scheme would impose a disproportionate burden on a limited number of sectors—namely, pig iron, crude steel (converters), cement, and other EITE industries. We also find that the determinant of the increase in total cost differs among industries, depending on the relative inputs of directly combusted fossil fuel, electricity, or steam, as well as intermediate goods. Out of 401 industries, 23 would be eligible for rebates if a Waxman–Markey type of program were adopted in Japan. Specifically, the 85 percent rebate provided to eligible industries under H.R. 2454 would significantly reduce the cost of direct and indirect fossil fuel usage. The E.U. criteria identify 120 industries eligible for rebates. However, the E.U. program only covers direct emissions while the U.S. program includes indirect emissions as well. Overall, despite the differences in coverage, we find that the Waxman–Markey and E.U. rebate programs have roughly similar impacts in reducing the average burdens on EITE industries. |
| Keywords: | carbon price, competitiveness, input-output analysis, output-based allocations, carbon leakage |
| JEL: | F14 D21 D57 D58 H23 |
| Date: | 2012–07–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-12-17&r=env |
| By: | Athena Belegri-Roboli; Aggeliki Demertzi; Maria Markaki; Panayotis Michaelides |
| Abstract: | This paper calculates the environmental effects of the Attiki Odos (AOD) motorway investment expenditures in the Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA), Greece. The AOD is incorporated in the Trans-European Networks (TEN) and is a priority project aimed at developing the AMA. Input – output analysis is applied to assess the environmental impacts of the investments expenditures. More precisely, we apply the environmental input-output life cycle assessment (EIOLCA) method to estimate ex-post the environmental burden associated with the investment vector of AOD. In this context, we calculate each type of emission caused by the AOD investments expenditures (direct, indirect and induced), by sector of economic activity during the construction phase (1999-2004). The investment vector is assembled from figures calculated based on corporate data. Next, in order to estimate the impact of technological change on our estimates, we use ceteris paribus the 2005 input – output table, which expresses, in a nutshell, the production technology of 2005. The domestic input-output tables for 2000 and 2005 come from EUROSTAT. In this framework, the main finding of the paper is that technological change between 2000 and 2005, as expressed through each year’s technical coefficients matrix, provided significant results with respect to total output and emissions. Roughly speaking, total output increased approximately by 7% and emissions decreased approximately by 19%. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p481&r=env |
| By: | Stefan Boeters; Johannes Bollen |
| Abstract: | <p>Understanding fossil fuel supply behaviour is crucial for interpreting carbon leakage and assessing the potential effectiveness of border measures in climate policy.</p><p><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;">In most computable general equilibrium models, this fossil fuel supply is derived from a constant elasticity of substitution production function, in which a natural resource is treated as a fixed factor. We show that this leads to endogenously decreasing supply elasticities and sharply increasing marginal leakage rates for large coalitions that have ambitious emissions targets, particularly when fuel exporters participate in the coalition. We propose an alternative production function that has a constant elasticity of fuel supply, which results in more stable leakage rates and a different share of trade-related leakage. The role of this model variation for the assessment of border measures in climate policy turns out to be limited. In those cases where the model versions differ most (i.e. large coalition, ambitious targets), border measures have a small effect anyway.</span></span></span></span></p><p> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: SFRM1095; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span> </ p><p> </p> |
| JEL: | Q42 Q54 D58 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpb:discus:215&r=env |
| By: | Yoshiro Higano; Feng Xu; Jingjing Yan; Takeshi Mizunoya; Huanzheng Du |
| Abstract: | In the study, we proposed the environmental policies to decrease water pollutants that generate from household, non-point and production in Jiaxing city of China. We especially introduced biomass plant technology for pig farming industry in order to improve the water environment. We constructed environmental model and social economic model by computer simulation that evaluated the efficiency of biomass plant technology from both water environmental preservation and social economic development. The research established the significance and feasibility of introducing biomass plant technology that allows simultaneous pursuit of environmental improvement and regional development. The comprehensive evaluation and optimal policies are expected to form the basis of decision-making in Jiaxing city. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1637&r=env |
| By: | Bandyopadhyay, Sushenjit; Skoufias, Emmanuel |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the choice of occupational focus versus diversification between household members in rural Bangladesh as an autonomous and proactive adaptation strategy against ex ante local rainfall variability risks. The analysis combines nationally representative household level survey data with historical climate variability information at the Upazila level. The authors note that flood prone Upazilas may face reduced risks from local rainfall variability as compared with non-flood prone Upazilas. They find that two members of the same household are less likely to be self-employed in agriculture if they live in an area with high local rainfall variability. However, the occupational diversification strategy comes at a cost to households in terms of consumption welfare. The paper considers the effects of three policy actions, providing access to credit, safety net, and market. Access to market appears to be more effective in reducing the likelihood of costly within-household occupational diversification as an ex ante climate risk-reducing strategy as compared with access to credit and safety net. |
| Keywords: | Science of Climate Change,Hazard Risk Management,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Housing&Human Habitats,Water Conservation |
| Date: | 2012–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6134&r=env |
| By: | Céline Ohresser; Élodie Piquette; Nathalie Gartiser; Maurice Wintz |
| Abstract: | Combining local and global policy on a cross bordered territory demands the building of a procedure. This is even more required in the case of environmental issues involving various actors who have to accept a common system of reference which guides the management of common natural ressource respecting ecological-friendly rules of the uses. Considering the environmental ethics as an emerging quality of an anthropo-ecological system, this article aims to interpret the reorganization of what the autors named as ' rhine river system' in the context of an ecological crisis (Liu J., et AL., 2007). It acts thus as a mediation between the riverside States to guide the actions in the sense of water protection,. It also reinforces the cooperation of the different states involved in its management (global level) as well as the riverside regions (local level). The main purpose of this procedure is the acceptance by the actors of a systemic perception of the Rhine. This acceptance is conditioned by the ability of every use to open to that perception. According to us, this procedure can be analysed as the emergence of a common ecological ethics implemented in a cross bordered region. In this way, we suggest three hypothesis : Confronted to a crisis, the environmental ethics appears as an emergent quality of the Rhine river's system. The Rhine anthropo-ecological system is composed of sub-systems; each one communicates and exchanges informations only in the context of risk. Ethics plays a role of metasystem, transcending the self referential systems. Through the meeting of two disciplines (sociology and conception), is suggested in order to explain the organization of communication and information's process between the various and self-referential systems. The main purpose of this communication is to focus on the action of each system in conditioning at last the dessimination and the acceptance of an unique environmental ethics, understood as the recognition of the intrinsic properties of the Rhine river ecosystem, and adapted to the references of each system involved. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1164&r=env |
| By: | Schmidt, Robert C.; Strausz, Roland |
| Abstract: | We study the potential of cooperation in global emission abatements with multiple externalities. Using a two-country model without side-payments, we identify the strategic effects under different timing regimes of cooperation. We obtain a positive complementarity effect of long-term cooperation in abatement on R&D levels that boosts potential bene?t of long-term cooperation and a redistributive effect that destabilizes long-term cooperation when countries are asymmetric. We show that whether and what type of cooperation is sustainable, depends crucially on the kind rather than on the magnitude of asymmetries. |
| Keywords: | climate treaty; timing of cooperation; multiple externalities; long-term commitment |
| JEL: | D62 F53 H23 Q55 |
| Date: | 2011–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:trf:wpaper:366&r=env |
| By: | Xuebo Zhan; Yishiro Higano; Huanzheng Du |
| Abstract: | Wuhan City is located in the central part of China, which is an import foothold of the transportation, manufacturing industry, commerce and education in China. Chinese government appointed Wuhan City as a national pilot reform area of resource-saving and environmentally friendly society at the end of 2007. There is a great deal of fresh water resources in Wuhan City, and Wuhan City is known as 'the city with 100 lakes'. However, about 60% of the lake water resources have became seriously polluted in Wuhan City. The most important reason for water degradation of Wuhan City is the imbalance between rapid economic development and the environment load capacity. In this study, we raised synthetic policies to reduce amount of lake water pollutants and realize the harmonious development between regional economy and water environment. In this paper, we focused on three contamination materials (COD, T-N and T-P) and constructed a model from environmental load, socio-economy and water quality improvement policies. We performed optimization simulation based on linear programming to maximize gross regional production (GRP) and reduce environmental load, and finally we suggested proper policies to improve water quality in this area. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1636&r=env |
| By: | Berliant, Marcus; Peng, Shin-Kun; Wang, Ping |
| Abstract: | This paper demonstrates that a pollution tax with a fixed cost component may lead, by itself, to stratification between clean and dirty firms without heterogeneous preferences or increasing returns. We construct a simple model with two locations and two industries (clean and dirty) where pollution is a by-product of dirty good manufacturing. Under proper assumptions, a completely stratified configuration with all dirty firms clustering in one city emerges as the only equilibrium outcome when there is a fixed cost component of the pollution tax. Moreover, a stratified Pareto optimum can never be supported by a competitive spatial equilibrium with a linear pollution tax that encompasses Pigouvian taxation as a special case. To support such a stratified Pareto optimum, however, an effective but unconventional policy prescription is to redistribute the pollution tax revenue from the dirty to the clean city residents. |
| Keywords: | pollution tax; agglomeration of polluting producers; endogenous stratification |
| JEL: | D62 R13 H23 |
| Date: | 2012–07–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40250&r=env |
| By: | Melanie Decamps; Philippe Dulbecco; Dominique Vollet |
| Abstract: | Translating the European agro-environmental policy at a local scale implies costs of implementation, especially when a local cohesion is required. In the case of agro-environmental schemes (AES), farmers are supposed to contract individually and voluntarily but a territorial effect is expected. Then, the effectiveness of the policy depends on the coordination of the individuals' plans. In this paper, we assume that local institutions such as french 'Parcs Naturels Régionaux' can have a key role in this coordination. We suppose that their knowledge of the territory and their proximity with the local population allow them to adapt pertinently the policy. To address this issue empirically, we questioned 120 farmers about (i) the cost due to the contract and (ii) their perception of AES, both within and outside of three French 'Parcs Naturels Régionaux' (Morvan, Livradois-Forez et Volcans d'Auvergne). Then, using concepts from new institutional economics, we model the farmers' transaction costs and analyze how parks influence them, considering control variables. We also discuss how parks can restore farmers' confidence in the European policy. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1077&r=env |
| By: | Katsuhisa Ito |
| Abstract: | In this paper, I discussed on the change of environment conservation, resource management, area promotion and their policies, and significance and problems in the case of Shimanto-river basin in Shikoku district. Shimanto-river became famous as 'the last clear river in Japan' by television program, which have resulted the increase of tourists, and tourism of river leisure activity and rural experience activity became popular. The movement in Shimanto-river basin had begun from environment conservation, and gradually had added new movement like tourism and area promotion. Also, many players like local government, local enterprise, NPO, inhabitants, volunteers, tourists, and city residents, have participated in the movement. On the consensus among stakeholders of the movement was easy on environment conservation and tourism due to ethic and pragmatic reasons, but on collaboration management of land resource like paddy field and forest were difficult to make consensus, due to land ownership. There are much of abandoned paddy field and forest land recently. It must be permitted by landowner naturally to maintain the lands by volunteers or city residents of well-meaning, even if abandoned lands. Therefore new policy which separates ownership and management system will be needed. Keywords: Collaboration of rural and urban people, Resource management, Area promotion, Consensus, Legitimacy |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1656&r=env |
| By: | Frank Bruinsma; Piet Rietveld; Erik Verhoef |
| Abstract: | In this paper the growing importance of water management, and thus the role of district water boards, in spatial planning is emphasized. First of all, due to the climate change rainfall will be more severe in relative short periods of time. Thus on the one hand the risk of flooding will increase, whereas on the other hand the periods of drought increase as well. This implies for the former situation that the water capacity of rivers must be increased and retention areas must be created. For periods of drought, large water reserves should be created. The rise of the sea level, due to the climate change, the descending of the northwestern part of the Netherlands in combination with long periods of draught causes a further inland penetration of salt seawater via the river deltas. A second cause of the increased importance of water management is that the polders in the western part of the country become too brackish by the endless pumping of fresh water out of the polder. Due to this constant pumping activity the salt seawater from deep in the underground rises up to the surface and causes problems for agricultural use of the polders. A final cause of the increased importance of water management is the transformation of the countryside from a single use agricultural production area into a multiple use consumption area where the public wants to recreate and enjoy nature. This implies that the level of the groundwater should vary according to the land use: from about 1 meter below surface in case of agricultural use to surface level in case of nature conservation in moorlands. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p184&r=env |
| By: | Eric de Noronha Vaz; Antonio Brito; Peter Nijkamp; Marco Painho |
| Abstract: | Land-use change has been an increasing concern in most of Europe. While stakeholder’s strategies of coping with land-use change have been constrained mainly due to socio-economic pressures, the natural landscape and fragile ecosystems are neglected by heavy construction and urbanization. However, over the last thirty years regulations have become more explicit regarding environmental impacts at regional level. Spatial assessment of ongoing policies of rural and urban have led in the case of Portugal to some reservations on the consequences of sustainable development and juridical commitment. A good example of this is the agricultural land loss that Portugal has witnessed over the last thirty years, in large part resulting from socio-economic pressures with which policymakers have not been able to cope. The Reserva Agrícola Nacional (RAN transl. National Agricultural Reserve) may be identified as an instrument of planning purposes that identifies and protects the areas prone to agricultural activities due to their morphological, climatic and social context. The RAN has changed its legal status over four times in the last twenty years. These changes have in large been influenced by the policies of sustainable development for the region. However, the ability to defend the interests of agricultural and rural commitments in fragile ecosystems has been largely compromised due to socio-economic interactions brought by pressures of economic growth. Dynamic and statistical modeling approaches may allow a sharper understanding of the consequences of preemption of agricultural land in the Algarve. The spatial properties of data inventories from the RAN and land-covers, allow to assess the changes within the policy context of the Algarve. By approaching a spatial analysis of preemption of agricultural land with overlay of population and urban data, a focus o the consequences of the certain regulations with the dynamics of land-use change become possible. While this paper expands further on the actual existing decrees which offer support to sustainable development in the region, a qualitative assessment of future roles of ethical values and economic efficiency, while offering a constructive position for policy makers regarding the trends of urban / agricultural dichotomy are analyzed. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p896&r=env |
| By: | Karst Geurs; Henk Meurs |
| Abstract: | The Dutch government has decided to gradually introduce a complex national road pricing system in the years 2012 to 2018. Existing car purchase taxes and the annual road taxes are to be replaced by a kilometre-based charging system. Several appraisal studies have been conducted to examine the impacts of different pricing variants, using the well-known Dutch national model system (NMS) and the national car market model DYNAMO. The car market model has recently been developed and simulates yearly car ownership and car purchase behaviour of households at a detailed level (120 car types * 70 household types), and endogenously models second hand car prices as a pricing mechanism to create an equilibrium in supply and demand. The Dutch road pricing scheme is expected to have major impacts: car ownership is projected to increase by 5-6% in the long run, car use is to reduced by by 10-15% and congestion on the main motorway network in 2020 by about 50%, compared to a reference scenario. Cost-benefit analysis studies, using output from the transport models, show significant positive welfare effects. This paper will review existing appraisal studies on the impacts of the kilometre charge, and describe the Dutch car market model DYNAMO and projections of the impacts of different CO2 pricing schemes. Results from DYNAMO estimations show that abolishing existing car purchase and road taxes by a CO2 differentiated kilometre charge has unintended consequences in the form of rising car ownership and increasing shares of diesel cars and relatively large and heavy vehicle types. Explanations for these unintended effects are that households react more to present one-off fixed costs than to recurrent variable costs, and total car costs are reduced for households with relatively low car mileages. For households with low car usage, the reduction of fixed car taxes is not fully compensated by increases in variable costs, and savings can be used to buy a more expensive and larger car. However, overall environmental impacts of CO2 differentiated kilometre charges are quite positive resulting from the reduction in car travel. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1438&r=env |
| By: | Carl Gaigne; Julie LeGallo; Bertrand Schmitt |
| Abstract: | The well-known rise in the geographical concentration of hog production suggests the presence of agglomeration economies related to spatial spillovers and inter-dependencies among industries. In this paper, we examine whether manure management regulation restricting manure application per acre may weaken productivity gains arising from the agglomeration process. We develop a spatial model of production showing that, on the one hand, dispersion is favored when manure is applied to land as a crop nutrient and, on the other hand, agglomeration is strengthened when farmers adopt manure treatment. Estimations of a reduced form of the spatial model with a SHAC procedure applied on 1988 and 2000 French hog production data confirm the role played by the spatial spillovers and the backward and forwards relationships. Results also suggest that manure management regulation does not work against the spatial concentration of hog production, but boosts the role played by spatial spillovers in agglomeration process |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p1326&r=env |
| By: | Thais Carvalho; Carlos Bacha |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to analyze the regional impacts of the steel and environmental policies on the structure and location of charcoal production in Brazil during the time period from 1980 to 2007. Both statistic and interpretative analysis of secondary data, organized in tables or graphs, are used, paying a special attention to the similarities and differences among the database. The main findings of the paper are: (1st) even though charcoal is an archaic energy source, it still represents 3% of the Brazilian energetic matrix and is rather used in the industrial sector, especially in the steel industry, in which there are steelmakers that use coal (to produce flat steel) or charcoal (if they produce long steel); (2nd) charcoal production trend is directly associated to its industrial use (the correlation coefficient between these two variables is 0.986 in time period from 1980 to 2007); (3rd) due to the impacts of industrial and environmental government policies, charcoal production in the Northern and Northeastern Brazil are mainly conducted by small producers making use of native forests; (4th) also in Northern and Northeastern Brazil, independent producers of pig iron are predominating (exporting most of their production) as well as the environmental legislation enforcement is weaker in relation to other Brazilian regions; (5th) otherwise, largest producers, using mostly planted forests, are predominating in Southeastern Brazil, where environmental law enforcement is stronger and where both integrated steelmakers based on charcoal or on coal are present; (6th) the concentration of charcoal production has increased in Brazil, however the inequality among the producers has decreased. The largest producers (with 10,000 or more hectares) accounted for 8.4% of Brazilian charcoal production in 1980 and for 15.6% in 1996, despite the Gini coefficient among charcoal producers has reduced from 0.793 to 0.757 in the same years, respectively. (7th) Regional differences in relation to inequality and concentration of charcoal production among Brazilian regions have taken place and they are specified and analyzed in the paper. By the end, the papers suggest some policies to improve charcoal production in Brazil with more balance in relation to regional distribution. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p513&r=env |
| By: | ISHIKAWA Yoshifumi; NAKAMURA Ryohei; MATSUMOTO Akira |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the regional economic recovery effects as well as the mitigation effect of CO₂ in monetary terms from installing mega solar and wind power generation systems in the Tohoku region, in particular, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures which were substantially damaged by the March 11, 2011 earthquake.By considering the possible amount of renewable energy in the three areas of the Tohoku region, we calculate the regional economic effects in terms of income and product value as well as the mitigation of CO₂ based on scenarios for installing renewable energy policy.The simulation analyses are conducted using the interregional IO table from 2005.We found that a tradeoff between the maximization of aggregate economic effects across regions and the maximization of the Tohoku region's economic effects, which leads to a correction of interregional economic disparities caused by the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. Installing proper renewable energy size in the region, will depend upon policy judgment.From simulation results, in order to correct the interregional economic disparities, renewable energy generation in the Tohoku region should be exported to the Kanto region rather than used for domestic consumption. On the other hand, the credit created from CO₂ mitigation helps correct the interregional economic disparities, in particular, the Tohoku region, even if domestic consumption of renewable energy occurs. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rpdpjp:12014&r=env |
| By: | Roger Bivand |
| Abstract: | Ecologists are often interested in studying the relationship between species and the environment, and between changes in the environment and changes in species occurrence. They consider that the spatial scales of the data generating processes for both the environmental and species variables matter, and that observed spatial dependence may be a 'red herring', because the process scales of variables have not been captured appropriately. In studying regional growth, one is often obliged to use administrative entities that may not correspond to the scales of data generating processes. The paper will review the red herring controversy in macroecology, and relate it to the discovery of spatial regimes in connection with the club-convergence hypothesis. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p482&r=env |
| By: | M. Scott Taylor (University of Calgary); Juan Moreno-Cruz |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of power density [Watts/m²] into economics. By introducing an explicit spatial structure into a simple general equilibrium model we are able to show how the power density of available energy resources determines the extent of energy exploitation, the density of urban agglomerations, and the peak level of income per capita. Using a simple Malthusian model to sort population across geographic space we demonstrate how the density of available energy supplies creates density in energy demands by agglomerating economic activity. We label this result the density-creates-density hypothesis and evaluate it using data from pre and post fossil-fuel England from 1086 to 1801. |
| Date: | 2012–07–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:clg:wpaper:2012-08&r=env |
| By: | R.A. Somerville (Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin) |
| Abstract: | What if consumers' actions reveal concern for contributing to an externality, even without a pecuniary incentive? Within a two-level model, a policymaker prices disposal of waste, and a representative consumer chooses a consumption level for a dirty good and a division of the consequent waste between recycling and disposal; only disposal creates an externality. In the special case of rational expectations, each consumer accepts full responsibility for his contribution to the externality. A first-best optimum is then achieved by a form of Pigouvian pricing, assuming unconstrained income taxes/transfers. Otherwise, Pigouvian pricing is second-best, unless individuals disclaim all responsibility for the externality and utility has a separable form. The model explains why recycling may occur even with free waste-disposal. |
| Keywords: | externality, Pigouvian tax, separable utility, rational expectation, recycling |
| JEL: | D11 D21 H23 Q5 |
| Date: | 2012–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tcd:tcduee:tep0112&r=env |
| By: | Juan Moreno Cruz; M. Scott Taylor |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of power density [Watts/m²] into economics. By introducing an explicit spatial structure into a simple general equilibrium model we are able to show how the power density of available energy resources determines the extent of energy exploitation, the density of urban agglomerations, and the peak level of income per capita. Using a simple Malthusian model to sort population across geographic space we demonstrate how the density of available energy supplies creates density in energy demands by agglomerating economic activity. We label this result the density-creates-density hypothesis and evaluate it using data from pre and post fossil-fuel England from 1086 to 1801. |
| JEL: | N0 Q4 Q5 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18236&r=env |
| By: | Gabriela Stanciulescu; Emilia Titan; Daniela Todose; Mihaela Covrig |
| Abstract: | The protected natural areas, by their aesthetic, recreational, educational and scientific valences, represent extremely attractive tourist destinations, some of them unique at international level. Their touristic exploitation has different forms from a country to another, from a type of protected area to another. In this paper, the analysis performed point out that the exploitation of natural areas by tourism has different forms, according to their extension, their landscape complexity, their structure and dynamics of the environment components. The touristic theory identifies a series of tourist forms associated to the environment preservation, such as: tourism in natural areas, ecotourism, adventure tourism, tourism in wilderness, camping. As a conclusion, we can say that the protected areas have become more and more a part of tourism, being appreciated as they represent an environment less affected by the human pressure. Presently, they generate a new form of tourism called tourism in protected areas, requiring special care on behalf of the governments in order not to aggravate the impact of tourism on the local environment and cultures. |
| Date: | 2011–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa10p365&r=env |