|
on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Allan, Corey; Kerr, Suzi |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202515&r=env |
| By: | Kerr, Suzi |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202527&r=env |
| By: | Simon Dietz; Nicholas Stern |
| Abstract: | ‘To slow or not to slow’ (Nordhaus, 1991) was the first economic appraisal of greenhouse gas emissions abatement and founded a large literature on a topic of worldwide importance. We offer our assessment of the original article and trace its legacy, in particular Nordhaus's later series of ‘DICE’ models. From this work, many have drawn the conclusion that an efficient global emissions abatement policy comprises modest and modestly increasing controls. We use DICE itself to provide an initial illustration that, if the analysis is extended to take more strongly into account three essential elements of the climate problem – the endogeneity of growth, the convexity of damage and climate risk – optimal policy comprises strong controls. |
| Keywords: | climate change; climate sensitivity;damage fuction; endogenous growth; integrated assesment |
| JEL: | Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:58406&r=env |
| By: | Gowen, Rebecca |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202565&r=env |
| By: | Wenbo Wang (Department of Marketing, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Institute for Emerging Market Studies, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) |
| Abstract: | IEMS Faculty Associate Prof. Wenbo Wang examines how people become green by studying a policy change in China which obligated consumers to purchase plastic bags rather than receive them for free. |
| Keywords: | plastic bags, environmentalism, green lifestyle, China, environmental taxes, policy, environmental policy |
| JEL: | Q56 H23 |
| Date: | 2014–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hku:briefs:201502&r=env |
| By: | Wang, Zanxin |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202586&r=env |
| By: | Kerr, Suzi; Leining, Catherine; Ormsby, Judd |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202569&r=env |
| By: | Ma, Chunbo; Rogers, Abbie A.; Kragt, Marit E.; Zhang, Fan; Polyakov, Maksym; Gibson, Fiona; Chalak, Morteza; Pandit, Ram; Tapsuwan, Sorada |
| Abstract: | Using renewable energy for domestic consumption has been identified as a key strategy by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Critical to the success of this strategy is to know whether consumers are willing to pay to increase the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy in their electricity portfolio. There are a number of studies in the literature that report a wide range of willingness to pay estimates. In this study, we used a meta-regression analysis to determine how much of the variation in willingness to pay reflects true differences across the population and how much is due to study design, such as survey design and administration, and model specification. The results showed that factors that influence willingness to pay in individual studies, such as renewable energy type, consumers’ socio-economic profile and consumers’ energy consumption patterns, explain less variation in willingness to pay estimates than the characteristics of the study design. We also found that consumers have significantly higher willingness to pay for electricity generated from solar or generic renewable energy source (i.e. not a specific source) than wind, hydro or biomass. Due to the effect of study design on willingness to pay, we recommend that policy makers exercise caution when interpreting and using willingness to pay results from primary studies. |
| Keywords: | meta-regression, renewable energy, green electricity, valuation, willingness to pay, Environmental Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, C53, D62, Q40, Q48, Q51, |
| Date: | 2015–06–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:204197&r=env |
| By: | Koppl-Turynaz, Monika |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202577&r=env |
| By: | International Water Management Institute (IWMI). |
| Keywords: | Climate change/Farmers/Gender/Women/Households/Land ownership |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:polbrs:h046579&r=env |
| By: | International Water Management Institute (IWMI). |
| Keywords: | Climate change/Farmers/Gender/Women/Households/Land ownership |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:polbrs:h046580&r=env |
| By: | Shahbaz, muhammad; Solarin, Sakiru Adebola; Sbia, Rashid; Bibi, Sadia |
| Abstract: | The present study investigates the dynamic relationship between energy intensity and CO2 emissions by incorporating economic growth in environment function using data of Sub Saharan African countries. For this purpose, we applied panel cointegration to examine the long run relationship between the series. We employ the VECM Granger causality to test the direction of causality between the variables. At panel level, our result validates the existence of cointegration among the series. The long run panel results show that energy intensity has positive and statistically significant impact on CO2 emissions. There is also positive and negative link of non-linear and linear terms of real GDP per capita with CO2 emissions supporting the presence of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). The causality analysis reveals the bidirectional causality between economic growth and CO2 emissions while energy intensity Granger causes economic growth and hence CO2 emissions, while across the individual countries, the results differ. This paper opens up new insights for policy makers to design comprehensive economic, energy and environmental policy for sustainable long run economic growth. |
| Keywords: | Economic Growth, Energy Intensity, CO2 Emissions, Africa |
| JEL: | A1 A10 |
| Date: | 2015–01–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64335&r=env |
| By: | Petersen, Ute; Weigel, Hans-Joachim |
| Abstract: | Im globalen und regionalen Kontext wird wiederholt auf eine Diversifizierung der Agrarproduktion von der genetischen über die Betriebs- bis hin zur Landschaftsebene als eine entscheidende Maßnahme zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel hingewiesen. Allgemein bekannt ist, dass für die züchterische Anpassung von Nutzpflanzen auf künftige Klimaverhältnisse (insbesondere die graduelle Änderung des Klimas) ausreichende genetische Ressourcen in Form von Varietäten und Wildformen der Kulturpflanzen unerlässlich sind. Kaum untersucht sind dagegen mögliche Anpassungsstrategien an die zukünftig häufiger auftretenden Extrem-Wetterereignisse (u.a. Hitze- und Trockenheitswellen, Starkregen, Sturm). Ob Elemente der Agrobiodiversität (u.a. Sorten-, Arten-, Fruchtfolgenwahl, Landschaftsgliederung, angebaute und assoziierte Biodiversität) als eine Art Versicherung gegen Verluste durch diese Klimaextreme dienen können, ist umstritten. Es wurde eine Auswertung aller relevanten Literatur zu diesem Thema im Hinblick auf alle relevanten Ebenen der Agrobiodiversität vorgenommen. Nur ein geringer Teil (< 15%) der über 1000 ermittelten Quellen waren Studien mit Primärdaten, die sich mit dem Einfluss der Agrobiodiversität auf die Ertragsstabilität unter extremen oder variablen Wettereinflüssen befassten. Die verwertbaren Quellen bezogen sich zu ca. 45% auf kleinbäuerliche Systeme vorwiegend in den Tropen oder Subtropen, die sich in ihrer Struktur und in der Bedeutung der Agrobiodiversität für das gesamte System deutlich von der industrialisierten Landwirtschaft in Mitteleuropa unterscheiden. Die am häufigsten untersuchten Extremereignisse waren Trockenheit bzw. Dürre und damit im Zusammenhang stehend die Niederschlagsvariabilität. Starkregen, Überschwemmung und Hitze bzw. hohe Temperaturen standen kaum im Fokus. Vor allem in low-input Systemen der Entwicklungsländer der Tropen und Subtropen hilft eine Diversifizierung von Sorten einer Kulturart und von verschiedenen Kulturarten klimatische Risiken und insbesondere extreme klimatische Ereignisse abzumildern. Auf der Betriebsebene sorgen hier z.B. vielfältige Gehölz-Strukturen meist in Kombination mit ökologischer oder konservierender Bewirtschaftung für eine höhere Resilienz gegenüber Starkregen und Überschwemmung. Aus der vergleichsweise sehr geringen Zahl der Studien, die sich in der industrialisierten Landwirtschaft der gemäßigten Zone mit dem Zusammenhang zwischen Sorten- und Artenvielfalt und Klimaveränderungen bzw. klimatischen Extremereignissen befassen, sind keine konsistenten Ergebnisse ableitbar. Für die deutsche Landwirtschaft können fundierte Aussagen über eine mögliche Versicherungsfunktion von Elementen der Agrobiodiversität gegenüber dem Klimawandel aufgrund fehlender Studien zurzeit nicht getroffen werden. |
| Abstract: | In the context of climate change impacts on agricultural production it has repeatedly been discussed to what extent an enhancement of agricultural biodiversity (agrobiodiversity) at the genetic, species and farm level could contribute to an adaptation towards climate change. It is generally accepted that in order to adapt crops to climate change by plant breeding there is a need for sufficient and suitable plant genetic resources (cultivars; crop wild relatives). However, there is little information on how other elements of agrobiodiversity (e.g. selection of crop cultivars, species and rotations, landscape structure, planned and associated biodiversity) might contribute as an "insurance" against production from climate change and particularly from increasing frequencies of events of climate extremes like heat and drought spells, floods, storms, hail etc. A literature survey was conducted which addressed these questions at all relevant levels of agrobiodiversity. Less than ca. 15% of the ca. 1000 studies found provided relevant data that directly linked aspects of agrobiodiversity to crop yields under conditions of weather extremes or highly variable weather conditions. Roughly 45% of the relevant studies addressed small-holder agricultural systems in the tropics or subtropics. These systems differ markedly from the more industrialized agricultural systems in central Europe with respect to farm structures and the importance of elements of agrobiodiversity for the farm system in total. Drought stress events and related to this variability in precipitation were clearly dominating the studies, while heat stress, intense rain and flooding were hardly addressed. The data provide evidence that mostly in the low-input agricultural systems of the tropics and subtropics a high diversity of cultivars of a crop species and a high species diversity, respectively, may help to mitigate risks from climate change and particularly from extreme weather events. At the farm level, for example, agroforestry systems mostly combined to ecological or conservation agriculture practices contribute to a comparatively high resilience towards intense rain events and flooding. In the temperate zone with its highly industrialized agricultural systems very few studies have addressed the relationship between agrobiodiversity, climate change and extreme events. No consistent information could be drawn from these studies. Particularly for Germany, a possible role of agrobiodiversity as a means to mitigate climate change impacts can presently not be observed due to a lack of relevant studies. |
| Keywords: | Klimawandel,Extremereignisse,Agrobiodiversität,Pflanzengentische Ressourcen,Kulturartendiversität,Ertragsstabilität,Resilienz,Risiko,climate change,extreme events,agrobiodiversity,plant genetic resources,crop species diversity,resilience,risk,crop yield stability |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtire:25&r=env |
| By: | Giovanis, Eleftherios |
| Abstract: | Recycling can be an effective tool for reducing waste generation, eliminating waste disposal sent in landfills and incinerators and reducing environmental pollution. Moreover, recycling is one way to achieve sustainable use of natural resources and to protect the environment and human health. However, the relationship between air pollution and recycling has been neglected in the previous economic studies. This study examines this relationship using panel data from a waste municipality survey in the state of Massachusetts during the period 2009- 2012. In addition, the analysis considers economic factors, as unemployment rate and income per capita, meteorological variables, as well as, it accounts for additional municipality characteristics, such as population density and trash collection services. The approach followed is a fixed effects model which controls for stable time invariant characteristics of the municipalities, thereby eliminating potentially large sources of bias. The findings support that a negative relationship between recycling rate and particulate particles in the air of 2.5 micrometres or less in size (PM2.5) is present. |
| Keywords: | Air Pollution, Data, Municipality Survey, Recycling, Solid waste services,Stochastic Frontier Analysis |
| JEL: | Q50 Q53 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64403&r=env |
| By: | Shahbaz, Muhammad; Khan, Saleheen; Ali, Amjad; Bhattacharya, Mita |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis for China in the presence of globalization. We have applied Bayer and Hanck combined cointegration test as well as the ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration by accommodating structural breaks in the series. The causal relationship among the variables is investigated by applying the VECM causality framework. The study covers the period of 1970-2012. The results confirm the presence of cointegration among the variables. Furthermore, the EKC hypothesis is valid in China both in short-and-long runs. Coal consumption increases CO2 emissions significantly. The overall index and sub-indices of globalization indicate that globalization in China is decreasing CO2 emissions. The causality results reveal that economic growth causes CO2 emissions confirming the existence of the EKC hypothesis. The feedback effect exists between coal consumption and CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions Granger causes globalization (social, economic and political). |
| Keywords: | China, Coal Consumption, Globalization, CO2 emissions |
| JEL: | A1 A10 |
| Date: | 2015–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64450&r=env |
| By: | Christina Hood; Gregory Briner; Marcelo Rocha |
| Abstract: | It is likely that a diverse range of nationally-determined mitigation contributions will be communicated by Parties under the 2015 climate change agreement. An effective post-2020 accounting framework to understand and track implementation of these mitigation contributions will therefore need to accommodate a range of contribution types and varying national capacities. With Parties now undertaking domestic preparations for developing intended mitigation contributions for the 2015 agreement, three key issues are: (i) what up-front information should be provided alongside intended mitigation contributions to facilitate understanding of the intended contributions and their expected impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions levels; (ii) what accounting rules or guidance for post-2020 mitigation contributions (if any) would it be helpful to agree or develop before 2020, to facilitate understanding of intended contributions and their expected impacts on GHG emissions levels; and (iii) the timing of key decisions on accounting issues, taking into account the agreed timetable for communication of intended mitigation contributions. This paper explores these questions in greater detail and highlights issues that Parties may wish to consider when preparing and communicating their mitigation contributions. Providing Parties with some structure for the framing of intended mitigation contributions could help simplify domestic preparations for these intended contributions, in particular for those Parties with lower institutional capacity.<P>GES ou non : comptabiliser les diverses contributions à l'atténuation dans le cadre d'action climatique de l'après 2020<BR>De très diverses contributions en matière d’atténuation, déterminées au niveau national, seront sans doute communiquées par les Parties dans le cadre de l’accord de 2015 sur le changement climatique. Pour bien comprendre et suivre la mise en oeuvre de ces contributions en matière d’atténuation, le cadre comptable en vigueur après 2020 devra prendre en compte tout un éventail de types de contributions et de capacités nationales. Alors que les Parties se préparent au niveau national pour établir les contributions qu’ils prévoient en matière d’atténuation en vue de l’accord de 2015, trois questions essentielles se posent : (i) quelles sont les informations préalables qui devraient accompagner les contributions prévues en matière d’atténuation pour faciliter l’interprétation de ces contributions et la compréhension de leurs effets attendus sur les niveaux d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) ; (ii) quelles règles comptables ou orientations à cet égard y aurait-il (éventuellement) intérêt à approuver ou concevoir avant 2020 pour les contributions en matière d’atténuation postérieures à 2020 afin de faciliter l’interprétation de ces contributions et la compréhension de leurs effets attendus sur les niveaux d’émissions de GES ; et (iii) à quel moment faudra-t-il prendre les décisions clés sur les aspects comptables, en tenant compte du calendrier convenu pour la communication des contributions prévues en matière d’atténuation ? Ce rapport étudie ces questions en détail et fait ressortir les aspects que les Parties souhaitent peut-être prendre en considération dans la préparation et la communication de leurs contributions en matière d’atténuation. Il serait utile de fournir aux Parties, sous une forme ou une autre, un cadre dans lequel définir les contributions prévues en matière d’atténuation afin de simplifier leurs préparatifs à l’échelon national concernant ces contributions, en particulier pour les Parties disposant de moyens institutionnels moins importants. |
| Keywords: | mitigation, market mechanisms, emissions accounting, UNFCCC, land-use change, climate change, forestry, greenhouse gas, 2015 agreement, double counting, changement d'affectation des terres, comptabilité des émissions, gaz à effet de serre, atténuation, mécanismes de marché, CCNUCC, changement climatique, foresterie, double comptage, accord de 2015 |
| JEL: | F53 Q23 Q54 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaab:2014/2-en&r=env |
| By: | Armon Rezai; Frederick van der Ploeg |
| Abstract: | We use the Euler equation to put forward a back-on-the-envelope rule for the global carbon tax based on a two-box carbon cycle with temperature lag, and a constant elasticity of marginal damages with respect to GDP. This tax falls with time impatience and intergenerational inequality aversion and rises with population growth and prudence. It also falls with growth in living standards if inequality aversion is large enough or marginal damages do not react much too GDP. It rises in proportion with GDP if marginal climate damages are proportional to output and has a flat time profile if they are additive. The rule also allows for mean reversion in climate damages. The rule closely approximates the true optimum for our IAM of Ramsey growth, scarce fossil fuel, energy transitions and stranded assets despite it using the more complicated DICE carbon cycle and temperature modules. The simple rule gets close to the social optimum even if damages are much more convex than in DICE. |
| Keywords: | simple rule, SCC, Ramsey growth, optimal energy transitions, stranded assets, intergenerational inequality aversion, climate damage specification |
| JEL: | H21 Q51 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:150&r=env |
| By: | Kuhfuss, L.; Preget, R.; Thoyer, S.; Hanley, N.; Le Coent, P.; Desole, M. |
| Abstract: | Agri-environmental schemes (AES), implemented to address a wide range of environmental issues, suffer from what has been referred to as the “end of the contract problem”, in the sense that many of the land management practices adopted under the scheme cannot be expected to persist in the absence of payments. A first objective of this paper is therefore to investigate farmers’ actual land management intentions at the end of AES contracts. The second objective is to investigate the effect of social norms, and framing of these norms, on the likely permanence of land management practices adopted under AES. That is, we are interested in whether a “nudge” in the form of a social norm can help solve the end of contract problem. Our results are based on the stated intentions of 395 farmers participating in the French AES scheme MAEt. They show that almost half of the farmers of our sample are willing to maintain the practices adopted during the AES even in the absence of payments after the contract ends, and that information about what other farmers intend to do – the social norm - can greatly influence farmers’ decisions. However, the framing of this information has no significant effect on stated intentions. |
| Keywords: | Agri-environmental schemes, Permanence, Framing, Social norm, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q18, Q28, D03, |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc15:204233&r=env |
| By: | Sugden, Fraser |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:worppr:h046843&r=env |
| By: | Frederick van der Ploeg; Aart de Zeeuw |
| Abstract: | The global response to a catastrophic shock to productivity which becomes more imminent with global warming is to have carbon taxes to curb the risk of a calamity and to accumulate precautionary capital to facilitate smoothing of consumption. Our multi-region model of growth and climate change indicates that without international lump-sum transfers the cooperative global response to such stochastic tipping points requires converging carbon taxes for developing and developed regions. Non-cooperative responses lead to a bit more precautionary saving and lower diverging carbon taxes. Precautionary capital suffers less from international free-rider problems than the carbon taxes. We illustrate the various outcomes with a calibrated North-South model of the global economy. |
| Keywords: | global warming, tipping point, precautionary capital, growth, risk avoidance, carbon tax, free riding, international cooperation, asymmetries |
| JEL: | D81 H20 O40 Q31 Q38 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:149&r=env |
| By: | Jayjit Roy |
| Abstract: | In the trade and environment debate, the relevance of intra-industry trade (IIT) cannot be overemphasized. However, an empirical analysis of the environmental implications of such trade is long overdue. Although a number of studies have largely found overall trade to be pro-environment, the consequences of IIT may di¤er due to lower adjustment costs, easier technology absorption, and a distinct composition e¤ect. In this light, we provide the ?rst empirical investigation of IIT?s impact on the environment. Apart from utilizing data on eight environmental indicators from roughly 200 countries over 2000-2005, we also attend to concerns over endogeneity by instrumenting for our trade and income variables. Across several sets of instruments, we consistently ?nd (i) IIT to typically bene?t the environment, Key Words: Intra-Industry Trade, Environmental Quality, Instrumental Variables |
| JEL: | C31 F18 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:apl:wpaper:15-01&r=env |
| By: | Ryan, Mary; O'Donoghue, Cathal; Upton, Vincent; Handgraaf, Michael |
| Abstract: | In the context of incentivising farm afforestation to provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration to mitigate greenhouse gas production, this paper sheds new light on the complexity of the farm afforestation decision and the characteristics of the farms and the farmers who are likely or unlikely to afforest land. Using a panel dataset of farm level micro-data, we observe whether farming intensity changes as a result of planting. We generate forest and agriculture income streams and employ a life-cycle theoretical framework to analyse the relative importance of agricultural and forest financial drivers in the decision-making process at farm level. We find that for many farmers the afforestation decision involves a wider complex of contemporaneous farm decisions. We find that there is a relationship between financial drivers and the likelihood of planting but we also find that there is a cohort of older smaller farmers that will never plant, and for whom negative cultural attitudes are stronger than financial drivers. We also identify a cohort of large, younger farmers who might plant if the forest income is greater than the agricultural income. This paper describes the farm and farmer characteristics of these cohorts and concludes that a “one size fits all” programme based solely on financial incentives may not be the most appropriate means to encourage further farm afforestation. |
| Keywords: | Afforestation decision, life-cycle analysis, afforestation policy incentives, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc15:204237&r=env |
| By: | Joshua S. Graff Zivin; Solomon M. Hsiang; Matthew J. Neidell |
| Abstract: | We provide the first estimates of the potential impact of climate change on human capital, focusing on the impacts from both short-run weather and long-run climate. Exploiting the longitudinal structure of the NLSY79 and random fluctuations in weather across interviews, we identify the effect of temperature in models with child-specific fixed effects. We find that short-run changes in temperature lead to statistically significant decreases in cognitive performance on math (but not reading) beyond 26C (78.8F). In contrast, our long-run analysis, which relies upon long-difference and rich cross-sectional models, reveals no statistically significant relationship between climate and human capital. This finding is consistent with the notion that adaptation, particularly compensatory behavior, plays a significant role in limiting the long run impacts from short run weather shocks. |
| JEL: | H41 I0 Q5 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21157&r=env |
| By: | Frederick van der Ploeg |
| Abstract: | Unilateral, second-best carbon taxes are analysed in a two-period, two-country model with international trade in final goods, oil and bonds. The increase in oil demand and acceleration of global warming resulting from a future carbon tax are large if the price elasticities of oil demand are large and that of oil supply is small, but are attenuated by the fall in the world interest rate especially if intertemporal substitution is weak. Despite this Green Paradox effect, green welfare rises if the fall in oil exploration is strong enough. If the current carbon tax is too low, the second-best future carbon tax is set below the first best to mitigate adverse Green Paradox effects. Unilateral exceed first-best carbon taxes due to an import tariff component. The intertemporal terms of trade effects of the future carbon tax increase current and future tariffs and those of the current tax lower the current tariff. Unilateral taxes are time inconsistent. Finally, carbon leakage and globally altruistic and unilateral optimal carbon taxes if other oil importers do not price carbon are analysed in a three-country model of the global economy. |
| Keywords: | unilateral carbon taxes, intertemporal terms of trade, tax incidence, Green Paradox, carbon leakage, second best, global altruism, unburnt fossil fuel |
| JEL: | D62 D90 H22 H23 Q31 Q38 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:157&r=env |
| By: | International Water Management Institute (IWMI). |
| Keywords: | Gender/Women/Climate change/Adaptation/Rural areas/Communities/Productivity/Households/Food security/Vegetables/Chars/Small scale farming/Living standards/Poverty/Case studies |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:polbrs:h046753&r=env |
| By: | Mark Kagan; Frederick van der Ploeg; Cees Withagen |
| Abstract: | Industria imports oil, produces final goods and wishes to mitigate global warming. Oilrabia exports oil and buys final goods from the other country. Industria uses the carbon tax to impose an import tariff on oil and steal some of Oilrabia’s scarcity rent. Conversely, Oilrabia has monopoly power and sets the oil price to steal some of Industria’s climate rent. We analyze the relative speeds of oil extraction and carbon accumulation under these strategic interactions for various production function specifications and compare these with the efficient and competitive outcomes. We prove that for the class of HARA production functions the oil price is initially higher and subsequently lower in the open-loop Nash equilibrium than in the efficient outcome. The oil extraction rate is thus initially too low and in later stages too high. The HARA class includes linear, loglinear and semi-loglinear demand functions as special cases. For non-HARA production functions Oilrabia may in the open-loop Nash equilibrium initially price oil lower than the efficient level, thus resulting in more oil extraction and climate damages. We also contrast the open-loop Nash and efficient outcomes numerically with the feedback Nash outcomes. We find that the optimal carbon tax path in the feedback Nash equilibrium is flatter than in the open-loop Nash equilibrium. It turns out that for certain demand functions using the carbon tax as an import tariff may hurt consumers’ welfare as the resulting user cost of oil is so high that the fall in welfare wipes out the gain from higher tariff revenues. |
| Keywords: | exhaustible resources, Hotelling rule, efficiency, carbon tax, climate rent, differential game, open-loop Nash equilibrium, subgame-perfect nash equilibrium, HARA production functions |
| JEL: | C73 H30 Q32 Q37 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:155&r=env |
| By: | Venkatachalam ANBUMOZHI (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a framework to assess the scope of collaboration among countries that are pursuing low-carbon green growth. Much of the policy studies in the area of low-carbon green growth have focused on individual countries or a group of countries. Little attention is given to how countries can work together to pursue the lowcarbon green growth agenda. Developing Asia has been witnessing rapid growth in economic activities, both at the sub-regional level and Asia-Pacific wide. There is therefore much scope for market-based and other forms of regional cooperation to augment domestic actions. For example, there are other pressing development needs and resource constraints at the national level that limit the scale or ambition of policies. Regional cooperation can help to overcome those constraints by providing additional resources for incremental costs, technical assistance, and policy support. This paper examines several critical areas such as technology, finance, and capacity building, where regional cooperation will have a significantly greater payoff than will actions by any country alone. The paper concludes with concrete policy actions to realise the regional cooperation potential in developing Asia. |
| Keywords: | climate change, green growth, sustainability analysis, regional cooperation |
| JEL: | Q54 Q58 F15 F18 |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-29&r=env |
| By: | Gawith, D.; Brown, P.; Daigneault, A. |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202519&r=env |
| By: | Christian A. L. Hilber; Charles Palmer |
| Abstract: | We exploit a unique panel of 75 metro areas (‘cities’) across the globe and employ a cityfixed effects model to identify the determinants of within-city changes in air pollution concentration between 2005 and 2011. Increasing car and population densities significantly reduce air pollution concentration in city centers where air pollution induced health risks are greatest. These effects are largely confined to cities in non-OECD countries. Two possible mechanisms for the negative effect of car density are explored: (i) increasing car density permits a decentralization of residential and economic activity; and (ii) car usage substitutes for motorbike usage. We find limited evidence in favour of (i) and no evidence in favour of (ii). We also observe a complex relationship between income and pollution concentration as well as a general downward-trend in pollution concentration over time. Overall, our findings are indicative that densely populated polycentric cities may be ‘greener’ and ‘healthier’ than comparable monocentric ones. |
| Keywords: | Urbanization; urban form; decentralization; air pollution; transport; built environment |
| JEL: | Q01 Q53 R11 R41 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:61791&r=env |
| By: | Montag, Josef |
| Abstract: | The volume of pollution produced by an automobile is determined by driver's behavior along three margins: (i) vehicle selection, (ii) kilometers driven, and (iii) on-road fuel economy. The first two margins have been studied extensively, however the third has received scant attention. How significant is this 'intensive margin'? What would be the optimal policies when it is taken into account? The paper develops and analyzes a simple model of the technical and behavioral mechanisms that determine the volume emissions produced by a car. The results show that an optimal fuel tax would provide drivers with appropriate incentives along all three margins and that only public information is needed for a fuel tax to be set optimally. In contrast, an optimal distance tax would require private information. Lastly, relative to the optimal fuel tax, a simple uniform fuel tax is shown to be progressive. Thus, being already deployed worldwide, a uniform fuel tax is an attractive second-best policy. These findings should be accounted for when designing new mechanisms to alleviate motor vehicle pollution. |
| Keywords: | automobile externalities, car pollution, CO2 emissions, fuel economy, driving behavior, distance tax, fuel tax. |
| JEL: | H23 Q58 R41 R48 |
| Date: | 2015–05–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64398&r=env |
| By: | J.D. Daron; David A. Stainforth |
| Abstract: | The Lorenz-63 model has been frequently used to inform our understanding of the Earth's climate and provide insight for numerical weather and climate prediction. Most studies have focused on the autonomous (time invariant) model behaviour in which the model's parameters are constants. Here we investigate the properties of the model under time-varying parameters, providing a closer parallel to the challenges of climate prediction, in which climate forcing varies with time. Initial condition (IC) ensembles are used to construct frequency distributions of model variables and we interpret these distributions as the time-dependent climate of the model. Results are presented that demonstrate the impact of ICs on the transient behaviour of the model climate. The location in state space from which an IC ensemble is initiated is shown to significantly impact the time it takes for ensembles to converge. The implication for climate prediction is that the climate may, in parallel with weather forecasting, have states from which its future behaviour is more, or less, predictable in distribution. Evidence of resonant behaviour and path dependence is found in model distributions under time varying parameters, demonstrating that prediction in nonautonomous nonlinear systems can be sensitive to the details of time-dependent forcing/parameter variations. Single model realisations are shown to be unable to reliably represent the model's climate; a result which has implications for how real-world climatic timeseries from observation are interpreted. The results have significant implications for the design and interpretation of Global Climate Model experiments. Over the past 50 years, insight from research exploring the behaviour of simple nonlinear systems has been fundamental in developing approaches to weather and climate prediction. The analysis herein utilises the much studied Lorenz-63 model to understand the potential behaviour of nonlinear systems, such as the 5 climate, when subject to time-varying external forcing, such as variations in atmospheric greenhouse gases or solar output. Our primary aim is to provide insight which can guide new approaches to climate model experimental design and thereby better address the uncertainties associated with climate change prediction. We use ensembles of simulations to generate distributions which 10 we refer to as the \climate" of the time-variant Lorenz-63 model. In these ensemble experiments a model parameter is varied in a number of ways which can be seen as paralleling both idealised and realistic variations in external forcing of the real climate system. Our results demonstrate that predictability of climate distributions under time varying forcing can be highly sensitive to 15 the specification of initial states in ensemble simulations. This is a result which at a superficial level is similar to the well-known initial condition sensitivity in weather forecasting, but with different origins and different implications for ensemble design. We also demonstrate the existence of resonant behaviour and a dependence on the details of the \forcing" trajectory, thereby highlighting 20 further aspects of nonlinear system behaviour with important implications for climate prediction. Taken together, our results imply that current approaches to climate modeling may be at risk of under-sampling key uncertainties likely to be significant in predicting future climate. |
| JEL: | J1 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:61890&r=env |
| By: | Saksham Samarth (Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, India); Prashasti Janghel (Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, India) |
| Abstract: | “Meeting environmental objectives are part of a dynamic and integrated process in which economic, social and environmental objectives are closely intertwined”. This declaration made at the Rio+20 Declaration on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability encapsulates the basis of legal framework governing and regulating Multinational Corporations. Globalisation has benefited MNCs largely and the world has noticed that countries often undervalue their natural resources in order to attract investments from such gigantic corporations. Regulating and controlling MNCs is a complex task since they have become global actors with great economic power and political influence. Therefore, the international community, comprising of global and civil society organizations, expressed concerns about environmental degradation caused by industrial activities and demanded greater awareness with respect to business decisions that might have a prospective impact on the environment. Resultantly, considerable number of international instruments and multilateral agreements providing for environmental protection were adopted. However, what concerns us is the skewed debate on the role such MNCs play in ensuring sustainable development.So, what is the real threat that is posed by MNCs? The authors, through this paper, have highlighted the major affects of operations of MNCs on environment and the role played by governments at national level, in trying to reduce the negative impacts. International law does not provide easy solutions to the social and environmental issues posed by the activities of MNCs, since it is addressed to state parties and therefore, does not impose obligations directly upon such corporations. This trend led to the proliferation of international as well as domestic codes of conduct for MNCs. The authors seek to establish the nexus between MNCs and the environmental issues, highlighting the incidents of Ecuador, India, Bougainville, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea. The sanctity of these codes of conduct for MNCs, in promoting standards of ethical business practices, is marked well through case analysis and changing legal systems of different nations.This paper dwells upon the aspects of state sovereignty, sustainable development; polluter pays principle, precautionary principle, and principle of preventive action, co-operation, and principle of common but differential responsibility. In review of some of the most significant codes of conduct at international level, we have tried to propose a socially desirable standard which the MNCs could unhesitatingly self-apply in their business plans. Lastly, the paper summarizes the role of MNCs in imparting environment friendly technology and ideas in developing states through foreign investment. |
| Keywords: | Multinational Corporations, Environment, Investment law, Codes of Conduct, Globalization |
| JEL: | A31 A30 A39 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:1003334&r=env |
| By: | Ortiz, R. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:worppr:h046809&r=env |
| By: | Takayoshi Kato; Jane Ellis; Pieter Pauw; Randy Caruso |
| Abstract: | There is widespread recognition that climate finance needs to be scaled up from its current levels. However, there is no clear view on how developed countries can efficiently and effectively mobilise further climate finance to meet the needs of developing countries. Developed countries have committed to mobilise USD 100 bn per year of climate finance for developing countries by 2020 from a variety of sources. These include both public and private finance, thus the private sector is likely to play a significant role in the mobilisation of climate finance to meet this commitment. This paper explores how scale-up and replication of effective climate finance interventions efficiently mobilise private climate finance. The interventions examined in the paper have already been, or are being, scaled up or replicated. Scaling-up and replication of such climate finance interventions could be an efficient way to increase the private sector’s interest in mobilisation of climate finance, and thus to make progress towards the USD 100 bn per year goal by 2020. The paper draws lessons from selected mitigation and available adaptation case studies at project- and programme-levels as well as from experience with international climate funds. The paper examines three key aspects needed to scale up and replicate climate finance. The first is the institutional structures and decision-making framework of the climate finance source, its aims, the scale at which it operates and how barriers to scaling-up and replication have been addressed. Second, the paper explores how demonstrating effective low-carbon, climate-resilient technologies and systems can facilitate scale-up and replication. Third, the paper discusses the influence of policies to enhance domestic enabling environments for scaling-up and replication.<P>Montée en puissance et réitération des interventions efficaces de financement climat<BR>Il est largement admis qu’une augmentation des financements climatiques est indispensable. Cependant, on ne voit pas bien comment les pays développés peuvent mobiliser, de manière efficace et rentable, davantage de financements de ce type pour répondre aux besoins des pays en développement. Les pays développés se sont engagés à mobiliser 100 milliards USD par an provenant de diverses sources d’ici à 2020 pour financer la lutte contre le changement climatique dans les pays en développement. Comme il s’agit aussi bien de financements publics que privés, le secteur privé jouera probablement un rôle important dans le respect de cet engagement. Ce rapport étudie comment la montée en puissance et la réitération des interventions efficaces en matière de financement climat permettent de lever des fonds privés de façon efficiente pour financer des actions climatiques. Les interventions qui y sont analysées ont d’ores et déjà été appliquées de nouveau ou à plus grande échelle : donner plus d’ampleur à ce type d’opérations ou les réitérer pourrait donc être un moyen efficient d’intéresser davantage le secteur privé et de progresser vers la mobilisation de 100 milliards USD par an visée à l’horizon 2020. Ce rapport dégage les enseignements à tirer de certaines études de cas portant sur l’atténuation et l’adaptation au niveau de projets ou de programmes, ainsi que de l’expérience acquise avec les fonds internationaux pour 3 le climat. Il aborde trois aspects déterminants et nécessaires pour donner plus d’ampleur aux opérations de financement climatique et les multiplier. Le premier concerne l’architecture institutionnelle et le cadre décisionnel de la source de financement climat, ses objectifs, l’échelle à laquelle elle opère et les moyens mis en oeuvre pour surmonter les obstacles qui empêchaient de passer à une échelle supérieure et de reproduire les opérations. Le rapport explique en deuxième lieu comment cela est facilité par la démonstration de technologies et de systèmes bas carbone, résilients au changement climatique et performants, pour ensuite aborder, en troisième lieu, l’influence des politiques qui améliorent les conditions nationales favorables à l’augmentation de ces financements et à la reproduction des opérations. |
| Keywords: | climate finance, mobilise, replication, enabling environments, climate funds, institutional frameworks, scaling up, fonds pour le climat, cadres institutionnels, augmentation, réitération, conditions favorables, mobiliser, financement climatique |
| JEL: | F21 F35 F55 G23 O2 Q54 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaab:2014/1-en&r=env |
| By: | Drechsel, Pay; Heffer, P.; Magen, H.; Mikkelsen, R.; Wichelns, D. |
| Keywords: | Water management; Water productivity; Sustainable agriculture; Irrigation systems; Irrigated farming; Intensification; Nitrogen fertilizers; Nutrients; Soil fertility; Food security; Ecosystem services; Water use efficiency; Water supply; Crop yield; Humid climate zones; Subhumid zones; Rainfed farming; Wastewater treatment; Wastewater irrigation; Biochemical compounds; Evapotranspiration; Arid zones |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046805&r=env |
| By: | Axel Luttenberger (Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka) |
| Abstract: | The purpose –As the environmental law recurrently operates in the areas complicated by high level of scientific uncertainty, the precautionary principle is now emerging as a principle of law establishing whether the development process is sustainable or not. The purpose of this paper is to support the thesis that legal process attached to the application of environmental protection based on precautionary principle requires the responsible public and private power holders to prevent or terminate possible hazardous activity. Design – The special focus is given to reviewing the roots of precautionary principle, the impact of precautionary principle in environmental matters, as well as common procedures for applying and implementing the precautionary principle. The methodology – The methodology of the research includes quality research based on observation, the reports on previous research, examples of good practice and author’s own experience. Approach –The concept of preventive activation of the precautionary principle results in the taking of measures to prevent environmental damage without having to wait until the reality and seriousness of the threats of environmental damage become fully known. Findings –Control of technologies, economic development and regulatory appraisal involve balancing of the cost of being too restrictive in respect of innovation with the hazards and cost of being too permissive, in the situation of scientific uncertainty and ignorance. The precautionary principle requires that the main burden of providing evidence for safety rests on the proponents of a new technology or activity. The originality of this research- The author is urging comprehensive endorsement of precautionary principle in preserving the coastal and marine environment due to the evergrowing significance of protected areas in tourism development. In applying the precautionary principle there must be a proportionality of response or cost effectiveness of margins of error to show that the selected precautionary measure is not unduly costly. |
| Keywords: | precautionary principle, environmental protection, coastal areas, sustainable development |
| JEL: | L83 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tho:iscthi:section1-5&r=env |
| By: | Salvo, A; Geiger, F |
| Abstract: | It has been proposed that lower NOx emission fuels such as ethanol can mitigate air pollution from vehicles burning oil-based hydrocarbons. Yet, existing modeling and laboratory studies, even those seeking to simulate the same environment, vary in their predictions of how gasoline/ethanol blends affect atmospheric pollutant concentrations, including ozone. Importantly, ambient concentrations have not been evaluated during an actual – as opposed to hypothetical – shift in fuel mix in a real-world environment. Here, we report the first such study, for the subtropical megacity of São Paulo, Brazil. We combine detailed street-hour level data on regulated pollutant concentrations, meteorology, and traffic with fuel shares from a consumer demand model to compare concentrations across subsamples that differ only in the fuel mix but are otherwise similar in meteorology, anthropogenic activity, and biogenic emissions. As the gasoline share of the bi-fuel light-duty vehicle fleet rose by 62 percentage points, we estimate a robust and statistically significant reduction of about 20% in ozone concentrations, and less precise increases in NO and CO concentrations. We propose that our “model-free” analysis potentially accounts for the interaction between anthropogenic and biogenic emissions and caution that successful strategies against ozone pollution require knowledge of the local chemistry and analysis beyond the presently monitored pollutants, most notably fine particles. |
| Keywords: | ozone; gasoline; ethanol; consumer demand; urban air; air quality; atmospheric modeling |
| JEL: | D12 Q16 Q42 Q53 R41 |
| Date: | 2014–02–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:57868&r=env |
| By: | International Water Management Institute (IWMI). |
| Keywords: | Wastewater treatment; Water reuse; Wastewater irrigation; Farmers; Water pollution |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046635&r=env |
| By: | Giovanis, Eleftherios |
| Abstract: | Ground-level ozone is an important pollutant regulated under the Clean Air Acts that affects respiratory morbidity, decreases lung function, and negatively affects those with existing respiratory conditions like asthma. This study examines the “Clean Air Works” program on ozone concentration levels, which is operating in Charlotte area of North Carolina State. “Clean Air Works” is a voluntary program which educates people about the negative effects of air pollution on health. Moreover, this program encourages people to reduce air pollution by using voluntarily alternative transportation modes, such as carpooling and public transit, especially when a smog ozone alert is issued. The contribution of this study is that it examines three effects: The effectiveness of the “Clean Air Works” program and whether ozone smog alerts are more effective under this program. Finally, the effects on ozone levels coming from the change in the warning threshold from 80 particles per billion (ppb) to 75 ppb, which took place in 2008, are established. For this purpose a quadruple Differences (DDDD) estimator is applied. In both cases, we find reduction in ground-level ozone levels and improvement of the air quality in the treatment group where the “Clean Air Works” program is implemented. In addition, the air quality is improved when smog alerts are associated with the program. Finally, taken additionally into consideration the change of the threshold at 75 ppb the air quality is improved by 1.5 ppb in the treatment group relatively to the control group. This study suggests that the ozone warning system associated with voluntary programs can help to clean the air and improve the public health. |
| Keywords: | Air Quality, Clean Air Works, Differences-in-Differences, Ozone concentrations, Quadruple DDDD, Regression Discontinuity Design, Smog alerts |
| JEL: | C23 I10 Q50 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64401&r=env |
| By: | Yacoub Bahini (Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne); Cuong Le Van (Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne - Paris School of Economics, IPAG Business School, VCREME) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we use the CMM model (Chakravorty et al., 2006) in discrete time and obtain more results concerning the exhaustion time of Non-Renewable Resource (NRE), the dynamic regimes of energy prices, of the stocks of pollution. We show that NRE is exhausted in finite time and is directly influenced by the initial stock of NRE and the costs of NRE and RE. Higher is the initial stock of NRE, far is the time of exhaustion of NRE. Higher is the cost of NRE (resp. the difference of unit costs between RE and NRE), far is the time of exhaustion of NRE. Furthermore, we show that the abatement intervenes, when necessary, not more than two periods. We also show that, when the unit extraction cost of RE is not very high, the stocks of emissions will never be binding if and only if, the initial stock of NRE is less than a critical value |
| Keywords: | Dynamic optimization; Natural resources; Energetic transition; Environment |
| JEL: | P28 Q01 Q32 Q42 Q48 Q52 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mse:cesdoc:15042&r=env |
| By: | Hasselbach, Johanna Lena; Rungie, Cam; Roosen, Jutta |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:eaa143:202729&r=env |
| By: | Lidija Runko Luttenberger (Komunalac d.o.o., Jurdani, Croatia) |
| Abstract: | Purpose – Bathing areas represent eternal destination for a man led by his/her pristine tendency for direct contact with nature. However, the sustainability of and the access to this delicate part of the already vulnerable coastal system is endangered by human activities such as shore industrialization, residential development, poor wastewater and stormwater management, soil impermeability, road construction and occupation thereof for private interests. In Croatia, the number, size and natural character of beaches is diminished, while seawater and air in coastal areas is increasingly polluted. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that in the case of beaches, the interest of public health, being a pronounced anthropocentric interest, coincides with the interest of maintaining healthy ecosystems and that balance of benefits and damages ensuing from present coastline development may hardly outdo overall rewards provided by healthy beach environment both for the local community and tourists. Design – The paper reviews beneficial effects of sea water, draws attention to the role of the beach, provides historical overview of urban beaches in Rijeka bay, elaborates pollution and land use threats to coasts and focuses on the challenges to environmental values of beaches in the region. Methodology –As the problem must be observed in depth and with holistic focus, the author applied qualitative research based on observations, author’s own experience, and the reports on previous research concerning in particular the urban beaches of Rijeka bay. Approach –Research approach is inductive. Findings – Urban beaches should be expanded both physically and visually to the detriment of non-profitable and polluting time-limited industrial sectors. Also, the construction in coastal hinterland, especially on karst soil, should be the object of particular attention of physical planning activities. Originality – The research is original as it establishes the relationship between overall quality of the environment and bathing area purpose and elaborates the case of globally significant geographical location. |
| Keywords: | beach, bathing area, environmental value, public health, land use threats, tourism |
| JEL: | L83 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tho:iscthi:section2-3&r=env |
| By: | André Pelser (University of the Free State) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the role of a protected area in promoting human well-being by drawing upon a case study from rural South Africa. The paper highlights the benefits of a community outreach biodiversity conservation programme in the eastern Free State of South Africa, and concludes by pointing at some of the programme's challenges and the lessons learned from these and similar integrated conservation and development approaches in South Africa.The official conservation policy of South African National Parks (SANParks) is entrenched in the conviction that biodiversity conservation should be directly linked with the socio-economic needs of neighboring communities. Within this policy framework, the thatch harvesting programme at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) is aimed at transferring social and economic benefits accruing from biodiversity protection to the impoverished surrounding communities by means of commercial access permits and park-assisted entrepreneurial endeavours.Grasslands constitute the second largest ecosystem in South Africa and are collectively protected by three World Heritage Sites as well as several provincial reserves and national parks. Grassland can support vast herds of game and at the same time serve as protection for all-important wetlandsin the park,which in turn are of paramount importance for water catchment and water security in South Africa. This paper reflects on an outcome analysis that was conducted to ascertain the contribution of the thatch harvesting programme at GGHNP to human well-being within the neighbouring communities of the park. Specific questions that are addressed in the paperr include the following: •To what extent has the thatch harvesting programme of the park impacted the park’s conservation mission and its neighbouring communities?•What are the multiplier effects (if any) stemming from the programme?•What evidence is there to indicate that the thatch harvesting programme has improved the community’s experience of well-being?In general, the paper argues that the benefits embedded in the thatch harvesting programme strongly further the improvement of certain constituents of well-being as stated by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Criteria, such as access to basic material for a good life, security in the form of resource access, health, and improved social relations through the act of being able to help others. The paper concludes by pointing at some challenges emanating from the programme - both for conservation and sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | integrated conservation and development, protected areas, human well-being, community outreach programme |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:1003330&r=env |
| By: | Zouabi, Oussama; Kahia, Montassar |
| Abstract: | Unlike previous studies, this paper, by employing a cointegration technique on panel data, economically investigates the direct effect of climate change on the cereal production in the long-term via a new cereal disaggregated databases covering the period 1979-2012 for 24 governorates in Tunisia within a multivariate panel framework. The Pedroni (1999, 2004) panel cointegration test indicates that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between the considered variables with elasticities estimated positive and statistically significant in the long-run. The results generally confirm that in the long term there is a strong positive correlation between the cereal production and the direct effect of precipitation and temperature for the whole panel. At the micro-spatial level, results of the long-run equilibrium relationship show that the cereal production is extremely dependent on rainfall in most governorates of cereals producers, especially the Northwest region of Tunisia. In fact, there are several initiatives and policies that must be undertaken by Government in an attempt to improve the long term production of cereals in the most affected governorates by the phenomenon of climate change such as the development of several important and regionally-based institutions and cooperation, providing subsidies to farmers. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Cereal, Tunisia, Panel cointegration. |
| JEL: | C33 Q13 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64441&r=env |
| By: | Paragahawewa, Upananda H.; Doole, Graeme J.; Bower, Bob |
| Abstract: | High nitrate concentrations have been reported within Canterbury aquifers due to agricultural intensification. Reducing nutrient loadings to groundwater by a reasonable degree is difficult for industry because of the anticipated cost of effective mitigation technologies. A novel alternative is to decrease nitrate concentration through increasing the amount of water present in the aquifer through the use of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in combination with some minor farm-level mitigation practices. However, this poses a difficult economic problem that involves balancing the benefit of lowering nitrate concentrations in groundwater, improving reliability of groundwater availability for future irrigation, the capital cost of MAR infrastructure, and the cost of source surface water to use in the dilution. This study presents a dynamic economic analysis that weights these alternative sources of value. Overall, it is shown that a MAR scheme is of positive value to both the environment and economy, with an average benefit: cost ratio of four, and around $76m of income and 170FTE of employment gain per annum at regional level. |
| Keywords: | Economic analysis, Managed aquifer recharge, Mitigation, Nutrient loading, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare15:202984&r=env |
| By: | Ronaldo Serôa da Motta; Peter Herman May |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0032&r=env |
| By: | Austgulen, Marthe H.; Skuland, Silje; Schjøll, Alexander; Alfnes, Frode |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:eaa143:202757&r=env |
| By: | McFadden, Brandon R.; Lusk, Jayson L. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:eaa143:202696&r=env |
| By: | Sushama Murty (Department of Economics, University of Exeter) |
| Abstract: | Employing the by-production approach to modelling emission-generating technologies proposed in Murty, Russell, Levkoff [2012] and Murty [2015] and adapting the policy reform approach to taxation policy in public economics due to Feldstein [1975] and Guesnerie [1977], we propose a methodology to identify profit-increasing and emission non-increasing input and sequestration reforms and to compute marginal abatement costs (MACs) of countries. The proposed formulae are based purely on data that defines the current status-quo and gain significance when long-run abatement plans based on future projections of the economy are implemented in a piecemeal manner. We show that the so derived MAC of any country is the ratio of its reduction in prot (RIP) and its ability to abate (ATA) at the status-quo. The RIP and the ATA measure, respectively, the decrease in profit and the reduction in emission at the status-quo when the abatement strategy that results in the greatest proportional decrease in emission is adopted. While the RIP depends on factors such as the profitability of various inputs and the costs of sequestration at the status-quo, the ATA depends on factors such as the extents of usage of fossil-fuels and carbon sequestration efforts. The formulae derived are used to compute the RIP, ATA, and the MACs of a sample of 118 countries. A wide international variation is found in the estimates, indicating potentials for gains from international trading in emission given the current state of the world economy and its level of technological development. In particular, countries that have submitted the highest emission-reduction targets under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) scheme to the UNFCCC are also among the countries with the highest MACs in our sample, while countries that have thus far shown caution in submitting their INDCs have low MACs. Carbon sequestration efforts such as afforestation contribute towards lowering MACs in countries that do undertake them. |
| Keywords: | marginal abatement costs, policy reforms, by-production model of emission generating technology, ability to abate, reduction in profit. |
| JEL: | Q5 Q54 Q58 H23 H21 H20 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:exe:wpaper:1508&r=env |
| By: | Lykke E. Andersen |
| Abstract: | This paper compares the Total Economic Value of standing Amazonian rain forest with the Net Present Value of alternative agricultural land uses. It is shown that, at the current level of deforestation, the potential benefits of deforestation are higher than the expected costs. As the level of deforestation increases, however, the global costs of deforestation will rise, and eventually pass the value of agricultural land. At that point, the international community will have to provide incentives to induce Brazil to preserve the remainder of its rain forest. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0065&r=env |
| By: | Luis A. Gil-Alana (University of Navarra ,School of Economics, Edificio Amigos, E-31080 Pamplona, Spain); Juncal Cunado (University of Navarra ,School of Economics, Edificio Amigos, E-31080 Pamplona, Spain); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria) |
| Abstract: | This study examines the time series behaviour of CO2 emissions within a long memory approach with non-linear trends and structural breaksusing long span of data for the US, UK, China and India. The main results show significant differences both in the degree of integration and non-linearities among the analyzed countries, related to their degree of industrialization. Thus, the CO2 emissions series are nonstationary for China and India, while mean reversion is found for the US and the UK economies. Furthermore, non-linearities are observed for the US and the UK, and not for China and India. The significantly different results obtained for emerging and developed economies have important policy implications. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emission, long memory, non-linear trends |
| JEL: | C22 C32 Q28 Q50 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201528&r=env |
| By: | Nemanja Backovi (Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade); Vesna Mili (Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade); Adam Sofronijevi (Library "Svetozar Markovi) |
| Abstract: | In this paper sustainable management of European cities in contemporary business environment is analyzed. Recognition of culture diversity and market responsiveness are of substantial importance for new context of urbanization. Economic cooperation among cities is executed in the framework of integrated strategic planning and upgraded sustainability principles. Global climate change and economic restructuring are becoming a wider concern for future cities development. Heterogeneous urban growth is the main constraint for demographic reforms. The focus is on creating management paradigm based on innovative business models, which describes how the ideas should be pursued in European urban settings. The management approach of flexible adjustments that influences the new strategic path development and modification of ongoing structural issues is observed. In order to fulfill the role of privileged location, sustainable city needs to intensify the flow of capital, goods, know-how and value. The paper emphasizes evolutionary concepts of urban transformation management. High prosperity and poverty reduction are highlighted in terms of social justice, geographical and inter-generational equity. The aim of making a “Fair Share” cities includes efficient waste management, energy supply and resource based decision making. The relationship between urban economic viability and patterns of green land investments is considered. Long-term prospects of European regional integration, along with urge for high edge city maintenance, are shown. Land use, access to services and population density present urban issues that indicate strong European commitment to form urban innovation areas. The paper sums up most significant advantages of European capital cities, that make them leaders in the global market. |
| Keywords: | sustainable cities; European management; urban ecology; economic efficiency; smart growth |
| JEL: | Q56 M21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:1003969&r=env |
| By: | Kenichi Mizobuchi (Department of Economics, Matsuyama University); Kenji Takeuchi (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University) |
| Abstract: | This study examined the influence of additional and replacement purchases of energy-efficient air-conditioners on power savings. We used a questionnaire survey and measured electricity use data from 339 Japanese households, collected from two city areas with different level of government-requested electricity-saving rates, namely, Osaka (10%) and Matsuyama (5%). The main findings of our study are as follows: 1) Households that purchased energy-efficient air-conditioners saved more electricity than those that did not. 2) gAdditional-purchase householdsh showed significant energy savings, whereas greplacement householdsh did not. The rebound effect may negate the energy-saving effects of a new air-conditioner. 3) Altruistic attitude is associated with more active participation in power saving. 4) Households in Osaka saved more electricity than those in Matsuyama, probably because the government call to save electricity was more forceful. |
| Keywords: | electricity demand; energy efficiency; home appliances; electricity conservation directives; carbon dioxide emissions |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:koe:wpaper:1520&r=env |
| By: | Giovanis, Eleftherios; Ozdamar, Oznur |
| Abstract: | This study explores the relationship between self-reported health status and recycling rates in Great Britain. The estimates are based on the data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). The effects of recycling rates on individuals’ health status with a scale from 1- excellent- to 5-very poor- are estimated and their monetary values are calculated. In addition, the non-movers sample is considered in order to reduce endogeneity. Three approaches are followed. The first approach refers to the panel Probit-OLS, while the second approach is the ordered Probit model with random effects. The third approach refers to a dynamic panel regression estimated with the system Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM). The average marginal willingness-to-pay (MWTP) for a one per cent increase in recycling rates ranges between is £470-£800 per year. Moreover, other determinants play significant role on health status such as education, marital status, age, job status, age and weather conditions among others. The originality of this paper is that the relationship between self-reported health status and recycling rates using micro-level panel data is explored. Moreover, the reression analysis controls for various demographic, regional and meteorological factors. Finally, this is the first study presenting three different panel estimates to deal with the potential endogeneity of the pollution measure which is derived from recycling. Using fixed effects the regional time invariant characteristics are controlled, while the dynamic model allows controlling for time varying unobservables. |
| Keywords: | Environmental valuation; Panel data; Recycling; Self-reported health status |
| JEL: | I31 Q51 Q53 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:64405&r=env |
| By: | Y Mehmet Kutluay (Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands); Roy Brouwer (Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands); Richard S. J. Tol (Department of Economics, University of Sussex, UK; Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Spatial Economics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; CESifo, Munich, Germany) |
| Abstract: | The risk of malaria transmission worldwide is expected to increase with climate change. In order to estimate the welfare implications, we analyse the factors that explain willingness to pay to avoid malaria morbidity using a meta-analysis. We compare multiple regression models via a cross-validation exercise to assess best fit, the first in the meta-analysis literature to do so. Weighted random effects gives best fit. Confirming previous studies, we find that revealed preferences are significantly lower than stated preferences; and that there is no significant difference in the willingness to pay for policies that prevent (pre-morbidity) or treat malaria (post-morbidity). We add two new results to the morbidity literature. 1) Age has a non-linear impact on mean willingness to pay and 2) willingness to pay decreases if malaria policies target communities instead of individual households. |
| Keywords: | Malaria, Meta-analysis, Willingness-to-pay, Morbidity, Stated Preferences |
| JEL: | I10 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sus:susewp:7615&r=env |
| By: | CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). |
| Keywords: | Ecosystem services; Agriculture; Landscape; Agroecosystems; Productivity; Rice; Governance; Sustainability; Communities; Rural areas; Living standards; Poverty; Food security; Nutrition; Public health; Income; Investment; Stakeholders; Farmers; Soil conservation; Planning; Impact assessment; Monitoring; Decision making; Case studies |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046683&r=env |
| By: | Ronaldo Serôa da Motta; Guilhermino Oliveira Filho; Francisco Eduardo Mendes; Cynthia Araujo Nascimento |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0039&r=env |
| By: | McCornick, Peter; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Bharati, Luna; Johnston, Robyn; McCartney, Matthew; Sugden, Fraser; Clement, Floriane; McIntyre, Beverly |
| Keywords: | Climate change; Water resources; Water management; Water productivity; Water governance; Water storage; Groundwater recharge; Aquifers; River basins; Irrigation schemes; Agriculture; Rainfed farming; Food security; Health hazards; Malaria; Soil moisture; Gender; Women; Environmental flows |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046664&r=env |
| By: | Ronaldo Seroa da Motta |
| Abstract: | This paper focuses on the role of economic factors inducing deforestation in Brazil and thereby threatening biodiversity, giving particular attention to the exploitation pattern of forest resources in Brazil. Some economic factors cannot be easily reverted since reversion would require long-term structural adjustments to alleviate social inequalities, to accomplish a satisfactory land tenure reform and to solve renumeration issues inhibiting human resource enhancement in governmental agencies. However, there is still room to introduce economic incentives in order to mitigate the current trend towards deforestation and biodiversity losses. A economia da biodiversidade neste texto será analisada como os fatores indutores ao desmatamento no Brasil que ameaçam os recursos da biodiversidade e, portanto, o principal objeto de análise será o padrão de uso dos recursos florestais no país. Alguns destes fatores somente poderão ser removidos caso ajustes estruturais na economia ocorram para corrigir as desigualdades de renda, a concentração fundiária e a fragilidade institucional das agências ambientais. Entretanto, conforme será discutido, o uso de instrumentos econômicos na gestão ambiental poderá mitigar estes fatores indutores e alterar a tendência ao desmatamento e as perdas de biodiversidade. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0063&r=env |
| By: | Pandey, Rita (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Mehra, Meeta Keswani (Jawaharlal Nehru University) |
| Abstract: | Many of the most promising low-carbon technologies currently have higher costs than the fossil-fuel based technologies. It is only through incremental learning from research, development and deployment that these costs can be reduced. Government intervention in the innovation process through fiscal policy instruments can be useful to accelerate this process, and catalyse early adoption. This paper reviews the best practices associated with the choice and design of such instruments and identifies the main lessons learned of their implementation in the case of renewable energy. The paper outlines an analytical framework which identifies the characteristics of drivers and barriers in innovation of RETs; sequencing of various steps involved in promoting innovation; and various policy tools in the context of each barrier that will help accelerate the process and enhance the outcomes. The paper notes that the issue of design and implementation of fiscal policy measures for RE technologies is complex and requires a nuanced, case by case approach, however, some useful broad conclusions can be drawn on the lessons learnt from these programs for future policy design and implementation. |
| Keywords: | Fiscal instruments ; Low-carbon technology continuum ; Renewable energy policy framework ; Price and quantity based instruments ; Market failures and barriers in RE |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:15/147&r=env |
| By: | International Water Management Institute (IWMI) |
| Keywords: | Wetlands; Natural resources management; Ecosystems; River basins; Dams; Deltas; Lakes; Living standards; Poverty; Fish farming; Rice; Social aspects; Economic aspects; Income; Case studies |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046304&r=env |
| By: | van der Bliek, Julie; McCornick, Peter; Clarke, James |
| Keywords: | Water governance; Water quality; Groundwater; Water resources; Water management; Domestic water; Water policy; Water accounting; Wastewater; Food security; Energy; Sustainable development; Ecosystem services; Climate change; Flooding; Drought; Farmers; Economic growth; Social aspects; Women; River basins |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046660&r=env |
| By: | Ange Nsouadi; Jules Sadefo Kamdem; Michel Terraza |
| Abstract: | Depuis l'entrée en vigueur en 2005 du système communautaire d'échange de quotas d’émission Européen (SCEQE), la mise en place d'un prix sur les quotas carbone a permis aux différents industrièls de prendre conscience de l'impact de leurs émissions sur l'environnement et sur la biodiversité. Plusieurs études ont été réalisées sur le fonctionnement de ce marché et sur son interdépendance avec les marchés de l'énergie sans cependant mettre l'accent sur l'analyse de la transmission de la volatilité entre ces marchés selon les différents horizons d'investissement des agents (court, moyen et long terme). Pour étudier ces cas nous faisons appel à l'approche de la cohérence en ondelettes qui permet de mesurer les corrélations dynamiques dans le domaine temps fréquences et évaluer leur co-variation. Les résultats obtenus montrent l'existence d’une corrélation positive et stable au cours du temps sur les [...] |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lam:wpaper:15-08&r=env |
| By: | Amede, T.; Desta, L. T.; Harris, D.; Kizito, F.; Cai, Xueliang |
| Keywords: | River basins; Agricultural production; Natural resources management; Rural development; Population density; Forest management; Dryland management; Climate change; Ecosystem services; Mining; Farming systems; Foreign investment; Socioeconomic environment; Markets; Soil fertility; Watershed management; Living standards; Land tenure; Land use; Research; Institutions; Sustainability; Livestock products; Crops; Farmers; Energy generation |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwt:bosers:h046513&r=env |
| By: | Lena Lavinas; Manoel A. Magina |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0056&r=env |
| By: | Venkatachalam ANBUMOZHI (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia); Alex BOWEN (London School of Economics and Political Sciences, UK); Puthusserikunnel Devasia JOSE (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India) |
| Abstract: | Market-based instruments such as Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) are increasingly favoured as an alternative to command-and-control legislation to increase the uptake of renewable energy. Focusing on the renewable energy industry and policy situation in Asia, this paper analysed the strengths and weaknesses of market-based approaches in the long-term interest of developing Asia. It found that approaches such as REC are disadvantaged by a lack of both market acceptance and a strong institutional and programme support. To identify gaps in the REC system in India, a comparative analysis with the United Kingdom (UK) model was made. This revealed some fundamental issues around market-based approaches in Asia, underscoring the need for a policy design to address the concerns of buyers and sellers in the market. |
| Keywords: | Market-based Mechanisms, Renewable Energy, Renewable Obligation, Regulatory Intervention |
| JEL: | Q41 Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-30&r=env |
| By: | Jeimmy Paola García Jiménez; Yeleny Andrea Padilla Realpe |
| Abstract: | El presente documento muestra el programa "Basura Cero" en la ciudad de Bogotá como una medida de regulación del servicio público domiciliario de aseo, a través de la ejecución del principio de gestión integral de los residuos, que desde hace mucho tiempo viene implementándose tanto en países desarrollados como en países subdesarrollados, en función del bienestar de la población y garantizando la preservación del medio ambiente. En el caso de Bogotá, la actual Administración Distrital pretende minimizar el impacto de los residuos sólidos generados por la ciudad que afectan el medio ambiente y la salud de sus habitantes, a partir de generar cambios sustanciales principalmente en la formación ciudadana, en el planteamiento de políticas públicas sobre el manejo de residuos y las campañas de reciclaje. Se requiere el diagnóstico de las políticas de regulación y un análisis más profundo que permita determinar las oportunidades de éxito o fracaso del programa Basura Cero en la capital, dados los inconvenientes que se pueden presentar en la marcha, como se presenta hoy con el problema del relleno sanitario Doña Juana dada su capacidad de carga limitada, lo que enciende la alerta de una eventual crisis sanitaria y muestra los retos de la Administración Distrital frente la promoción de alternativas cuyo fin sea el de subsanar este problema. |
| JEL: | K12 L89 P36 Q52 Q53 R38 R48 |
| Date: | 2014–03–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000176:012815&r=env |
| By: | Eustáquio J. Reis; Rolando M. Guzmán |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:0034&r=env |