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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Private Sector Development - E-Business Energy - Energy and Environment Environmental Economics and Policies |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21817&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Environment - Carbon Policy and Trading Energy - Energy and Environment Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21888&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Transport Economics Policy and Planning Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environmental Economics and Policies Transport |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21811&r=env |
| By: | Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment; World Bank Group; United Nations Development Programme |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environmental Economics Policies Science and Technology Development - Science of Climate Change |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22084&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Environment - Montreal Protocol Transport Economics Policy and Planning Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Transport |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21823&r=env |
| By: | Stergios Tampekis (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Fani Samara (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Stavros Sakellariou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Athanasios Sfougaris (Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly); Olga Christopoulou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly) |
| Abstract: | The need for the “Sustainable Development” and at the same time the protection and preservation of the available natural assets has become a global concern. Forests constitute vulnerable ecosystems that change at great speed. In most of the occasions the change is downgrading. The right management of natural resources is the unique solution for the achievement of sustainable development. However, sustainable management of forests must be achieved with the respect and protection of nature and landscape. Sustainable management of forest resources can only be achieved through a well-organized road network compatible with the natural environment. This paper describes the forest roads’ Environmental Suitability based on the Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE) Method. With this method we present the spatial variability mapping for the optimal forest road network and the environmental impacts evaluation that are caused to the natural environment. With the use of the MCE method, we can assess the human impact intensity to the forest ecosystem as well as the ecosystem’s absorption from the impacts that are caused from the forest roads’ construction. For the human impact intensity assessment the criteria that were used are: the forest’s protection percentage, the forest road density, the applied skidding means (with either the use of tractors or the cable logging systems in timber skidding), the timber skidding direction, the traffic load and truck type, the distance between forest roads and streams, the distance between forest roads and the forest boundaries and the probability that the forest roads come through unstable soils. In addition, for the ecosystem’s absorption evaluation we used forestry, topographical and social criteria. The MCE method which is described in this study provides a powerful, useful and easy to use implement in order to combine the sustainable exploitation of natural resources and the environmental protection. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Suitability, forest roads’ network, spatial variability, environmental impact, gis |
| JEL: | Q01 Q23 Q56 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604211&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Environment - Biodiversity Water Resources - Wetlands Environment - Wildlife Resources Agriculture - Forestry Management Environmental Economics Policies |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21919&r=env |
| By: | Laurent Meunier (ADEME); Frédéric Gilbert (ADEME); Eric Vidalenc (ADEME) |
| Abstract: | In order to fight against climate change, ambitious targets have been set, such as decreasing carbon emissions by 75% in France compared to 1990. Yet, focusing on territorial impacts leads to overlook import-embedded impacts. As a matter of fact, French territorial greenhouse gases (henceforth GHG) emissions have slightly decreased since 1990, whereas consumption-based emissions have been shown to increase. This is why we focus in this paper on consumption-based emissions rather than territorial emissions. Moreover, other environmental impacts are taken into account: air acidification (ACD), photochemical oxidation(PCO) and non-dangerous industrial wastes (NDIW). The contribution of the research presented in this paper is three-fold: first, the quantification of import-embedded impacts of consumption-based emissions is more accurate than previous studies; secondly, we build a scenario of French households final consumption in 2030 aiming at decreasing its environmental impacts; finally, a deep matrix algebra analysis gives us precious hints on the reliability of the results. |
| Keywords: | input-output analysis, environmental externalities, scenario analysis |
| JEL: | Q40 Q53 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fae:wpaper:2015.12&r=env |
| By: | Fahri Seker (Bozok University); Murat Cetin (Namik Kemal University) |
| Abstract: | This paper deals with the relationship between renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions by incorporating economic growth, population density and trade openness as potential determinants of environmental pollution function in case of Turkey over the period 1960 to 2010. The ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) are used to investigate the long-run and causal relationships between the variables. The empirical results reveal that there exist a long-run equilibrium relationship between renewable energy consumption, economic growth, population density, trade openness and carbon emissions. The empirical results also reveal that renewable energy consumption has a negative long run effect on carbon emissions. There exists an evidence supporting the presence of a positive relationship between carbon emissions and the other variables in the long run. However, there exists no evidence of short run relationship between renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions. The results show bi-directional long run Granger causality between trade openness, population density and carbon emissions and also uni-directional Granger causality running from economic growth and renewable energy consumption to carbon emissions in the long run. Besides, the findings present some policy implications for Turkish economy. |
| Keywords: | Carbon emissions, Renewable energy consumption, ARDL bounds test, VECM Granger causality, Turkey |
| JEL: | Q50 Q20 Q40 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604535&r=env |
| By: | Carlos Arce; Edgar Uribe |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Science and Technology Development - Science of Climate Change Urban Development - Hazard Risk Management Environment - Global Environment Facility Environment - Climate Change Impacts |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21792&r=env |
| By: | Dragan Ilić; Janick Christian Mollet (University of Basel) |
| Abstract: | The rationale of voluntary corporate initiatives is often explained with preparedness for future regulation. We test this hypothesis for the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and the Climate Leaders (CL), two popular voluntary US environmental programs to curb carbon emission that were operating during a decisive regulatory event. In 2009 the Waxman-Markey Bill surprisingly passed the House of Representatives and brought the US economy on the brink of a nationwide CO2 emission trading system. In an event study we assess how the stock market adjusted prices when the likelihood of CO2 regulation suddenly increased. Our results suggest that only membership in the CCX was considered beneficial, an initiative whose design happened to dovetail with the bill. Earlier membership announcement effects paint a complementary picture. But membership alone cannot account for the entire price adjustments. Our results reveal that a substantial part of the market reaction consisted of industry-wide effects. |
| Keywords: | Voluntary markets, permit markets, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, CO2, corporate social responsibility, shareholder wealth |
| JEL: | G38 Q53 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bsl:wpaper:2015/06&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Ecosystems and Natural Habitats Water Resources - Coastal and Marine Resources Environment - Coastal and Marine Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Environmental Economics Policies Agriculture |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21906&r=env |
| By: | Nikos Tsakiris; Panos Hatzipanayotou (Athens University of Economics and Business); Michael S. Michael |
| Abstract: | We construct a general equilibrium model of two regions with cross-border pollution, and with inter-regional (RCM) or international (ICM) capital mobility. Each region uses emission taxes, or intra- regionally, or inter-regionally tradable emission permits to reduce pollution. We show that the non-cooperative settings of all three instruments are always inefficient relative to their cooperative settings. When regions are symmetric, then (i) with RCM the non-cooperative setting of intra-regionally tradable emissions permits is welfare superior to that of the other two instruments, and (ii) with ICM the non-cooperative settings of intra-regionally tradable emission permits and of emission taxes are equivalent and superior to that of inter-regionally tradable emission permits. |
| Keywords: | Cross-border pollution, Tradable emission permits, Capital mobility, Welfare ranking |
| JEL: | F18 F21 H21 |
| Date: | 2015–07–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aue:wpaper:1513&r=env |
| By: | Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment; World Bank Group; United Nations Development Programme |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Science and Technology Development - Science of Climate Change Environment - Adaptation to Climate Change |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22055&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Rural Development - Common Property Resource Development Agriculture - Forestry Management Environmental Economics Policies Water Resources - Wetlands Environment Health, Nutrition and Population - Environment and Health |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21883&r=env |
| By: | Elena Merle-Beral; Katharina Gassner |
| Keywords: | Science and Technology Development - Engineering Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22113&r=env |
| By: | Debabrata Chattopadhyay; Rhonda L. Jordan |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Energy - Energy and Environment Power and Energy Conversion Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21764&r=env |
| By: | Teuta Kacaniku; Karina Izaguirre-Bradley |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment Energy - Power & Energy Conversion |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22115&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Transport Economics Policy Planning Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Transport |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21889&r=env |
| By: | Fraas, Art (Resources for the Future); Egorenkov, Alex (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | Under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to establish standards limiting air toxics emissions from industrial plants. This paper examines the effect of five of the largest cost rules issued by EPA in the initial round of air toxics rulemaking over the 1995 to 2000 period. Our estimates suggest that plants in the printing and publishing and pulp and paper industries realized important reductions in their air toxics emissions in the period between publication of the final rule and the effective date for compliance with the rule—although the reduction in air toxics emissions by pulp and paper mills falls short of EPA’s ex ante projections. However, our estimates suggest that plants in the other three industries—petroleum refining, pharmaceutical, and wood furniture—achieved little or no additional reduction in air toxics emissions over the compliance period in response to EPA’s air toxics rules. Finally, the paper explores steps that EPA should take in setting up future retrospective analyses. |
| Keywords: | air toxics emissions, regulation, emissions reductions |
| Date: | 2015–06–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-23&r=env |
| By: | Muthukumara S. Mani; Limin Wang |
| Keywords: | Health Monitoring and Evaluation Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Health, Nutrition and Population - Population Policies Disease Control and Prevention Science and Technology Development - Science of Climate Change |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21820&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Environmental Economics and Policies Private Sector Development - E-Business Information and Communication Technologies - ICT Policy and Strategies Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environment |
| Date: | 2015–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21776&r=env |
| By: | Samuel Oguah; Debabrata Chattopadhyay; Morgan Bazilian |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment Energy - Power & Energy Conversion |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22112&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Transport Economics Policy Planning Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment Transport |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21887&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Science and Technology Development - Engineering Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22083&r=env |
| By: | Gray, Wayne B.; Shadbegian, Ronald J. |
| Abstract: | In 1998 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated its first integrated, multimedia (air and water) regulation, known as the Cluster Rule (CR), which aimed to reduce toxic releases from pulp and paper mills. By integrating the air and water regulations, EPA tried to reduce the overall regulatory burden on the affected plants. In this paper, we compare EPA’s ex ante expected reductions to an ex post assessment of those reductions. Using data from 1991 to 2009 for approximately 150 pulp and paper mills for both toxic and conventional pollutants, we find significant reductions in chloroform releases, nearly identical to the ex ante prediction of 99 percent reductions. We see some reductions in air toxics, smaller than the ex ante prediction and not always significant. Reductions in VOC emissions are similar in magnitude to the ex ante predictions for OLS models but smaller for fixed-effect models. No significant impact is found on PM10 emissions. We draw conclusions for regulatory impact analyses and retrospective analyses, including the importance of carefully identifying expected compliance methods and the potential sensitivity of these analyses to the definition of the baseline. |
| Keywords: | air quality, air toxics, water quality, regulatory analysis, pulp and paper, Cluster Rule |
| Date: | 2015–06–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-26&r=env |
| By: | FAKHRI, ISSAOUI; HASSEN, TOUMI; WASSIM, TOUILI |
| Abstract: | This paper has investigated the impact of CO2 emissions on per capita growth, energy consumption, life expectancy and urbanization in MENA countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Emirates Arabs, Jordan, Saudi Arabs, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia and Yemen) from 1990 to 2010. The empirical results have covered two time horizons: the short and long term. Indeed, in the short term we noticed for all countries of our sample, that the CO2 emission is explained by energy consumption and economic growth per capita which exert positive and significant effects. However, we noticed that the CO2 emission is always positively influenced by energy consumption and negatively influenced by life expectancy. Also, the effect of income per capita is negative and significant which means that the long-term economic strategy of these countries is based on activities and non-polluting sectors. In other words, growth-generating economic potential are located in non-polluting sectors and not generators of greenhouse gas. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve, CO2, energy consumption, growth |
| JEL: | Q43 Q53 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–07–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:65683&r=env |
| By: | Samuel Oguah; Debabrata Chattopadhyay |
| Keywords: | Environment - Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases Energy - Energy and Environment Power and Energy Conversion Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21763&r=env |
| By: | Burtraw, Dallas (Resources for the Future); Bushnell, James; Munnings, Clayton (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | The Clean Power Plan (CPP) is the centerpiece of the US efforts to reduce carbon emissions, introducing regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants for the first time on a national basis. These regulations may interact with existing initiatives, for example, in California, where the state has a comprehensive economy-wide cap with emissions allowance trading in place. In addition, three Pacific coast states and British Columbia have supported the idea of comprehensive pricing. This paper provides a summary of a workshop that examined the interaction of these policy approaches. A main observation in the workshop was that the forthcoming CPP will likely facilitate and complicate the prospect of comprehensive carbon pricing. Multistate coordination in complying with the CPP could be key to making simultaneous progress on both the national and regional policy efforts and could provide a pathway from regulation to carbon pricing. |
| Keywords: | Clean Air Act, Clean Power Plan, carbon pricing, cap and trade, regulation, emissions rates |
| JEL: | Q28 Q48 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-31&r=env |
| By: | Lade, Gabriel E.; Lin, C.-Y. Cynthia; Smith, Aaron |
| Abstract: | We critically review the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) assessment of the costs and benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) as summarized in its regulatory impact analysis (RIA). We focus particularly on EPA’s methods used to calculate the costs of the policy on the US fuel market. We compare EPA’s ex ante cost and benefit estimates to measures of ex post costs implied by the price of compliance credits under the policy. Overall, we find that the agency’s assessment was inadequate. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the detailed and complex analysis underlying the RIA, EPA overlooked several fundamental factors. We conclude by recommending a simplification of the analysis used in RIAs, as well as the use of “stress tests” in RIAs to ensure that programs like the RFS2 are designed in ways that can manage high compliance cost scenarios. |
| Keywords: | Renewable Fuel Standard, biofuels, compliance credits, renewable identification number, RIN prices, GHG emissions, regulatory impact analysis |
| Date: | 2015–06–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-22&r=env |
| By: | Karine Constant (Aix-Marseille University (Aix-Marseille School of Economics), CNRS & EHESS) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the economic implications of an environmental policy when we take into account the life expectancy of heterogeneous agents. In a framework where everyone suffers from pollution, but health status depends also on individual human capital, we find that the economy may be stuck in a trap where inequalities persistently grow, when the initial level of pollution is too high. Therefore, we study whether a tax on pollution associated with an investment in pollution abatement can be used to reduce inequalities and to improve endogenous growth. We obtain that a tighter environmental policy may allow the economy to escape the inequality trap and hence to converge to a long-term equilibrium without inequality, while it enhances the long-term growth rate. However, if inequalities or pollution are initially too high, such a result does not hold for reasonable tax rates. |
| Keywords: | environmental policy, endogenous growth, human capital, Inequality, longevity |
| JEL: | I15 O44 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–07–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aim:wpaimx:1527&r=env |
| By: | Stephenson, Kurt; Shabman, Leonard (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | Water quality trading programs envision regulated point sources meeting discharge control requirements and then being allowed to increase their nutrient discharge if they secure nutrient reduction credits from other pollutant sources in the watershed. Reduction credits can be created when agricultural land managers implement best management practices and regulators predict that those practices will result in water quality conditions equivalent to controlling discharges at the regulated source. However, natural variability in runoff combines with model and data limitations to make predictions of water quality equivalence uncertain. Nutrient assimilation credits can be created by increasing the capacity of the ecosystem to assimilate nutrients through investments in aquatic plant biomass creation and harvest, shellfish aquaculture, stream restoration, and wetlands restoration and creation. Nutrient assimilation credits can provide greater certainty than agricultural best management practices that trading will result in equivalent water quality. Such credits should be an option in trading programs. |
| Keywords: | water quality, trading, nutrient pollution, Clean Water Act, assimilation |
| JEL: | Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–07–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-33&r=env |
| By: | Micha Soliwoda (Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics – National Research Institute); Joanna Paw (Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics – National Research Institute) |
| Abstract: | A transition from conventional to sustainable model of agriculture depends on various factors. Sustainable development of farms may be described in terms of three dimensions, ("economic, environmental and social"). The Green Growth paradigm indicates the significance of economic policy interventions, including subsidies and tax incentives. A gap in the literature on agricultural economics and finance explains the need for studies on a fiscal dimension of sustainability of farms.The main aim of the paper was to highlight the role of selected tax policy tools from the perspective of sustainable development of agriculture. The research goals were as follows (1) to present a review of selected tax policy instruments in an international context, (2) to analyse the impact of selected tools on making pro-environmental actions (based on experts' opinions). Our paper concluded with proposals and recommendations on the aforesaid process for policymakers. Fiscal instruments that may affect sustainability in agriculture exist in the majority of Old Member States of European Union (e.g. the Netherlands, Germany, Austria). The ongoing “Agricultural tax” (‘podatek rolny’) that affect a majority of Polish farms and their organization of production favours leads to maintaining sustainability of agriculture (given an environmental dimension of sustainability). The existing tax instruments have a neutral or positive impact on environmental sustainability. The highest medium positive impact on the medium are characterized by capital allowances and deductions for the purchase of new environmental technologies.Polish policymakers should reasonably developed a more detailed fiscal policy instruments, e.g. investment reliefs (similarly, as in the Netherlands), subjective exemptions in respect of agro-environmental practices. In the near future a key role in environmental protection will be played by a group of small farm households. These entities will be responsible for provision of public goods for Polish agricultural sector. |
| Keywords: | agricultural taxation, sustainable development, agricultural finance, fiscal instruments, family farms |
| JEL: | Q14 H25 Q01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604481&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Health Monitoring Evaluation Rural Development - Common Property Resource Development Public Sector Development Environmental Economics Policies Water Resources - Wetlands |
| Date: | 2015–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21885&r=env |
| By: | Valeria Costantini (Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, Rome (Italy)); Giorgia Sforna (Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, Rome (Italy)); Mariangela Zoli (Department of Economics and Finance, University of Tor Vergata (Italy)) |
| Abstract: | Despite the efforts made during the last climate conferences (COPs), countries participating in the negotiation process are still far from reaching an agreement on the implementation of a new Post-Kyoto climate regime. The growing role played by developing countries in negotiations is one of the main causes behind the deadlock. Further attention should therefore be paid to the composition of the coalitions formed by developing countries in order to better understand the key structural features driving their bargaining positions. By applying a cluster analysis, this paper aims to investigate the role played by heterogeneity in specific characteristics of developing countries in forming bargaining coalitions in climate negotiation. By clustering developing countries according to their economic, geographic, environmental, energy and social characteristics, the paper presents some considerations on climate political economy strategies in these countries. |
| Keywords: | Climate negotiations, Developing countries, Vulnerability, Cluster analysis, Climate models |
| JEL: | O19 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:srt:wpaper:1215&r=env |
| By: | Teixeira, Aurora A. C.; Castro e Silva, Manuela |
| Abstract: | The way the fields are delineated has been the Achilles' heel of studies analyzing the status and evolution of given scientific areas. Based on van den Besselaar and Leydesdorff's (Mapping change in scientific specialities; a scientometric reconstruction of the development of artificial intelligence, 1996) contribution, the authors propose a systematic and objective method for delineating the field of ecological economics assuming that aggregated journal-journal citation relations is an appropriate indicator for the disciplinary organization of the sciences. They found that the relational scientific backbone of ecological economics comprises 7 main journals: American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Ecological Economics, Environment and Development Economics, Environmental and Resources Economics, Land Economics, Land Use Policy, and Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. From the 3727 articles published between 2005 and 2010 in the ecological economics field, and the corresponding 142 thousand citations two main outcomes emerged: 1) the intellectual frame of reference is overwhelmed by economists and environmental and resources economists with (renowned) ecological economists relatively underrepresented; 2) the building of an integrative knowledge domain is not apparent: on the one hand, ecological economics is seen to be an 'unbound' heterodox and multidisciplinary field, but on the other hand, and somewhat awkwardly, it is (still) heavily 'bound' by quantitative mainstream/ orthodox methodologies. |
| Keywords: | ecological economics,philosophy of science,bibliometrics |
| JEL: | C18 C8 Y10 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwedp:201552&r=env |
| By: | Joana Castro Pereira (Lusíada University) |
| Abstract: | South America is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, whose impacts can undermine the continent’s development. Nevertheless, a) it is very rich on natural resources; b) hydroelectricity plays an important role in its electric energy matrix; and c) the regional carbon emissions profile focuses on deforestation, agriculture and cattle raising. Therefore, the continent has an intrinsic potential to move towards a low carbon economy. Since there is a strong possibility of productive complementarity between countries, green energy integration in the region may be the best path to meet some of the challenges that lie ahead. Brazil is the continent’s largest economy, largest market and the holder of the largest generating facilities, and has emerged as the dominant figure in the energy integration project. Furthermore, the country is the ‘green pole’ of the region and has used South America energy integration processes as key-elements for consolidating its regional leadership. Thus, it seemed fair to assert that Brazil had the potential to lead the continent to a low carbon economy. However, and even though there have always been obstacles to the achievement of such an ambitious goal, some significant challenges have recently arisen: the Pacific Alliance, which has been increasing Mexico’s influence over South America; and the Brazilian political, economic and social situations’ deterioration from 2013 until today. So, this paper aims to analyze these two challenges and understand how they jeopardize a regional green energy integration process in South America. |
| Keywords: | South-America, Energy Integration, Brazil, Pacific Alliance |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604455&r=env |
| By: | Christine Shiel (Bournemouth University); Debbie Cotton (Plymouth University); Arminda do Paco (University of Beira Interior) |
| Abstract: | The role of Higher Education (HE) in contributing to a sustainable future has been consistently highlighted in global policy documents. HE has a key role to play in: educating graduates who will live and manage more sustainably in the future; contributing to sustainable development through research; and reducing the environmental impact of estates and thus contributing to lower carbon emissions. In regard to the latter, initiatives led by the Estates function within institutions as part of campus greening, serve to reinforce for students that HE is responsive to environmental concerns and that behaviour change is important. Further, combined with integrating education for sustainability within the curriculum, energy conservation projects should ultimately contribute to behaviour change. However, very little research to date has evaluated whether Education for Sustainability (EfS) and energy conservation projects impact in this way on student behaviour. A supposition might be that the more effectively and comprehensively an institution addresses energy conservation in both the educational and extra-curricular spheres, the more likely it is that there will be a positive impact on behaviours. This study explores that proposition by comparing students’ energy-related attitudes and behaviours across three distinctly different institutions, two in the UK and one in Portugal. The two UK institutions have both championed EfS but with different approaches: one has acknowledged the need to integrate EfS with extra-curricular and co-curricular initiatives; the other has had less success with EfS and less integration between campus and curriculum. The Portuguese university has not developed a strategic approach in relation to sustainable development and has very little in the way of formal policies. Survey data from students at the three institutions is used to explore the similarities and differences between the student populations in terms of their energy-related attitudes, behaviours and particularly their perspectives on their institution’s energy saving activities. The results demonstrate that there are significant differences between the students’ responses and that these are likely to relate, in part, to the efforts, or lack of efforts made by each institution in particular areas. The conclusion suggests that there is value in combining EfS with extra-curricular initiatives but that this will require closer working relationships between academics and professional services staff within institutions. Future research might explore those factors that facilitate or inhibit such integrated ways of working. Robust measures for evaluating the extent to which particular sustainability initiatives and approaches influence behaviour change, need to be developed. |
| Keywords: | Education for Sustainability; Energy saving; Behaviours |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604372&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Health Monitoring and Evaluation Environment - Brown Issues and Health Health, Nutrition and Population - Population Policies Water Resources - Water and Industry Environmental Economics and Policies |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21822&r=env |
| By: | Ralf Martin; Mirabelle Muuls; Laure B. de Preux; Ulrich J. Wagner |
| Abstract: | The EU Emissions Trading Scheme continues to exempt industries deemed at risk of carbon leakage from permit auctions. Carbon leakage risk is established based on the carbon intensity and trade exposure of each 4-digit industry. Using a novel measure of carbon leakage risk obtained in interviews with almost 400 managers at regulated firms in six countries, we show that carbon intensity is strongly correlated with leakage risk whereas overall trade exposure is not. In spite of this, most exemptions from auctioning are granted to industries with high trade exposure to developed and less developed countries. Our analysis suggests two ways of tightening the exemption criteria without increasing relocation risk among non-exempt industries. The first one is to exempt trade exposed industries only if they are also carbon intensive. The second one is to consider exposure to trade only with less developed countries. By modifying the carbon leakage criteria along these lines, European governments could raise additional revenue from permit auctions of up to €3. billion per year, based on a permit price of €30. |
| Keywords: | carbon leakage; industrial relocation; emissions trading; EU ETS; permit allocation; firm data |
| JEL: | F18 H23 H25 Q52 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:57538&r=env |
| By: | Chuleewan Praneetham (Suratthani Rajabhat University) |
| Abstract: | Education can increase people’s knowledge, raise awareness and attitude on environmental problem and environmental conservation by using appropriate technological education, tools and instruction. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the current state and needs in using digital instruction for environmental subject of primary schools in Surat Thani province, Thailand. The population was 492 primary schools in Surat Thani province. A total of 221 scientist teachers from 221 primary schools were collected by simple random sampling technique for survey research in 2015. The data collection tool was the closed-ended questionnaires. The frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the state in using digital instruction for environmental subject of primary schools in Surat Thani province was at good level. Most of teacher used internet, video compact disk (vcd) and digital video disk (dvd) regarding environmental issues as tool and instruction in classroom. Their opinion on the state of digital instruction effectiveness in terms of content, structure, context, and learning achievement was at good level, and presentation format at moderate level. It found that teachers preferred multimedia instruction with cartoon animation, which has potential to improve students’ understanding and knowledge about environment and energy conservation. Each story should take 10 – 11 minutes long, consist of pre- and post - test, and learning process should not be longer than 50 minutes in total. According to the findings, it is recommended that appropriate and effective digital instruction related to environment and energy saving should be developed. It can be an effective tool for raising awareness of students regarding environmental issues. |
| Keywords: | digital instruction, environmental subject, state, needs |
| JEL: | Q56 I29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604431&r=env |
| By: | ALI WILLIAMS BUTU (DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY, KADUNA) |
| Abstract: | The development of electrical and electronic industry has led to increase not only in the production of new goods, but also in scraps generation. The rapid movements in electronic industry, e-waste including obsolete and substandard electronic products have become the fastest growing components in the solid waste stream in most Nigerian cities and this waste contained hazardous chemical elements that pose serious environmental threats. The aim of this paper is to assess electronic waste management system and the environmental impacts on Kaduna metropolis. Materials for this study were obtained from structured oral interviews and field observations. Secondary sources of materials were obtained from desk review method. The results of the study showed that e-waste products were generated from the use of electrical equipment such as battery, electrical cables, televisions, cell phones, computer parts and accessories among others. The rate of generation has been exacerbated by increases in population and technological upgrading due to increase in economical well being of Nigerians. The results also showed that the e-wastes are indiscriminately dumped on open spaces in the metropolis. There is also neither characterization of this e-waste non organized recycling, except by local scavengers (yan bolas) that operate backyard recycling by disassembling or open burning of the e-waste to extract materials of immediate values such as cable, plastic, ICs, transistors and metals leaving behind the toxic metals which are potent pollutants. E-wastes are known to contain toxic heavy metals that are linked to major ailments peculiar to humans. The paper therefore recommends strong legislation enforcement on importation of obsolete and substandard electrical and electronic products and a good e-waste handling and recycling strategies that are economical and environmental friendly. |
| Keywords: | Obsolete, toxic, heavy metals, pollution, management, e-waste, recycling |
| JEL: | A10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604734&r=env |
| By: | Dorel N Manitiu (Alma-Laurea Inter-University consortium; SDIC-School of Development Innovation and Change, Bologna (Italy)); Giulio Pedrini (Alma-Laurea Inter-University consortium; SDIC-School of Development Innovation and Change, Bologna (Italy)) |
| Abstract: | The aim of the paper is to define a set of smartness and sustainability indicators applicable to European cities and to assess their outcome in an ex-ante perspective with regard to the implementation of Europe 2020 strategy. Following the DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Response) model we select a bundle of indicators for three relevant sustainability domains (environmental, social, cultural), which are proper of the smart city definition. Then we define groups of homogeneous cities for each domain by using a two-step cluster analysis. Results show the existence of heterogeneous groups of cities that are likely to become smart in the cultural domain, side by side to groups of more developed urban areas that have acquired a substantial advantage in the environmental and social dimensions. |
| Keywords: | smartness, sustainability, urban areas, Europe 2020, DPSIR model |
| JEL: | Q01 R29 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:srt:wpaper:1315&r=env |
| By: | Carlo Carraro; Charles Kolstad; Robert Stavins |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:279301&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | International Economics and Trade - Free Trade International Economics and Trade - Trade Policy Private Sector Development - Emerging Markets Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22091&r=env |
| By: | Chan, H. Ron; Chupp, B. Andrew; Cropper, Maureen (Resources for the Future); Muller, Nicholas Z. |
| Abstract: | This study quantifies the cost savings from the Acid Rain Program (ARP) compared with a command-and-control alternative and also examines the impact of trading under the ARP on health damages. To quantify cost savings, we compare compliance costs for non-NSPS (New Source Performance Standards) coal-fired Electricity Generating Units (EGUs) under the ARP with compliance costs under a uniform performance standard that achieves the same aggregate emissions. We do this for the year 2002, the third year of Phase II of the program. We find annual cost savings of approximately $250 million (1995$). To examine the health effects of trading, we compute the health damages associated with observed sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from all units regulated under the ARP in 2002—approximately 10.2 million tons—and compare them with damages from a No-Trade counterfactual in which each unit emits SO2 at a rate equal to its allocation of permits for the year 2002, plus any drawdown of its allowance bank. Damages under the No-Trade scenario are $2.4 billion (2000$) higher than under the ARP. This reflects the transfer of allowances from EGUs west of the Mississippi River to units in the eastern US with higher exposed populations. |
| Keywords: | sulfur dioxide, acid rain, performance standards, health effects, pollution permits, cap and trade |
| Date: | 2015–06–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-25&r=env |
| By: | Carole Dalin; Huanguang Qiu; Naota Hanasaki; Denise L. Mauzerall; Ignacio Rodriguez-Iturbe |
| Abstract: | China’s economic growth is expected to continue into the next decades, accompanied by sustained urbanization and industrialization. The associated increase in demand for land, water resources, and rich foods will deepen the challenge of sustainably feeding the population and balancing agricultural and environmental policies. We combine a hydrologic model with an economic model to project China’s future food trade patterns and embedded water resources by 2030 and to analyze the effects of targeted irrigation reductions on this system, notably on national agricultural water consumption and food self-sufficiency. We simulate interprovincial and international food trade with a general equilibrium welfare model and a linear programming optimization, and we obtain province-level estimates of commodities’ virtual water content with a hydrologic model. We find that reducing irrigated land in regions highly dependent on scarce river flow and nonrenewable groundwater resources, such as Inner Mongolia and the greater Beijing area, can improve the efficiency of agriculture and trade regarding water resources. It can also avoid significant consumption of irrigation water across China (up to 14.8 km3/y, reduction by 14%), while incurring relatively small decreases in national food self-sufficiency (e.g., by 3% for wheat). Other researchers found that a national, rather than local, water policy would have similar effects on food production but would only reduce irrigation water consumption by 5%. |
| Keywords: | virtual water; food trade; trade policy; sustainable agriculture; water saving |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:62725&r=env |
| By: | Fani Samara (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Stergios Tampekis (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Stavros Sakellariou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Olga Christopoulou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Athanasios Sfougaris (University of Thessaly) |
| Abstract: | It is known that island forests constitute rare and, at the same time, vulnerable ecosystems that express the complexity and the ecologic interactions of our planet. Ecosystems of island regions change at great speed and, in most cases, they are environmentally degraded. The right management of the natural assets of island forest regions and, at the same time, the socio-economic growth of human resources constitutes the only solution for the achievement of sustainable development. Sustainable management of forest resources can only be achieved through a well-organized road network based on spatial planning. The aim of this paper is to present the progress of the existing forest road network at the Island of Skiathos for the last decades. With the contribution of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and orthophotomaps, spatial planning of the forest road network can be evaluated for all these years and Road Density can also be calculated. Thematic maps of the forest roads, for each year separately, will also be presented. The current study explores the application of spatial planning in forest roads in order to achieve sustainable development with respect to nature assets and the landscape, in combination with viable forest exploitation. |
| Keywords: | Island, Forest Roads, GIS, Road Density |
| JEL: | Q01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604418&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Health, Nutrition and Population - Population Policies Cultural Heritage Preservation Environmental Economics Policies Culture and Development - Cultural Policy Environment Health, Nutrition and Population - Health Monitoring & Evaluation Conflict and Development - Disaster Management Environment - Natural Disasters |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22096&r=env |
| By: | BRITO, JOÃO ANTONIO |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to analyze empirically if the effect of environmental vulnerability on economic growth is conditioned by country size. Two groups of countries, large and small, were set up, and by using the System-GMM estimator and panel data in a 5-year rolling window, from 1970 to 2010, the impact of number of people killed or affected and cost of the disaster on growth rate of GDP per capita of the two groups of states was estimated. Also, the difference between small and large states in terms of the channels of transmission of the variables of interest was analyzed. Many studies consider small countries more vulnerable to natural disasters than large countries but this study indicates that, on average, large countries suffer more natural disasters than small countries and in terms of the effect of environmental vulnerability on growth rate of GDP per capita, there is no difference between small countries and large countries. Productivity is the main channel of transmission for both groups of countries. |
| Keywords: | Country Size, Small States, Environmental Vulnerability and Economic Growth. |
| JEL: | O44 O47 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:65694&r=env |
| By: | H. Ron Chan; B. Andrew Chupp; Maureen L. Cropper; Nicholas Z. Muller |
| Abstract: | We quantify the cost savings from the Acid Rain Program (ARP) by comparing compliance costs for non-NSPS coal-fired generating units under the ARP with compliance costs under a uniform performance standard that achieves the same aggregate emissions. In 2002 we find cost savings of approximately $250 million (1995$). We also compare health damages associated with observed SO2 emissions from all ARP units with damages from a no-trade counterfactual. Damages under the no-trade scenario are $2.4 billion (2000$) lower than under the ARP, reflecting allowance transfers from units in the western to units in the eastern US with higher exposed populations. |
| JEL: | Q51 Q52 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21383&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Crops and Crop Management Systems Agriculture - Agricultural Research Rural Development Knowledge and Information Systems Agriculture - Climate Change and Agriculture Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems Rural Development |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21723&r=env |
| By: | Berg,Claudia N.; Deichmann,Uwe; Liu,Yishen; Selod,Harris |
| Abstract: | This survey reviews the current state of the economic literature, assessing the impact of transport policies on growth, inclusion, and sustainability in a developing country context. The findings are summarized and methodologies are critically assessed, especially those dealing with endogeneity issues in empirical studies. The specific implementation challenges of transport policies in developing countries are discussed. |
| Keywords: | Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Rural Roads&Transport,Banks&Banking Reform,Roads and Highways Performance,Environmental Economics&Policies |
| Date: | 2015–07–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7366&r=env |
| By: | Holt, Charles A.; Shobe, William |
| Abstract: | This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiment with financially motivated participants that is used to compare alternative proposals for managing the time path of emissions allowance prices in the face of random firm-specific and market-level structural shocks. In this setting, market performance measures such as social surplus are enhanced by the use of a price collar (auction reserve price and soft price cap). Comparable performance enhancements are not observed with the implementation of a quantity collar that adjusts auction quantities in response to privately held inventories of unused allowances. In fact, in some specifications, the quantity collar performed worse than no stabilization policy at all. The experiment implemented a specific set of structural elements, and extrapolation to other settings should be done with caution. Nevertheless, an examination of the observed behavioral patterns and deviations from optimal behavior suggests that a price collar has an important (although perhaps not exclusive) role to play in constructing an effective market stability reserve policy. |
| Keywords: | EU Emissions Trading System, market stability reserve, price collar, allowance prices, emissions allowances |
| Date: | 2015–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-29&r=env |
| By: | Friederike Koehler-Geib; Kinnon Scott; Ayat Soliman; J. Humberto Lopez |
| Keywords: | Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies Environment - Water Resources Management Governance - National Governance Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Economic Development Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Economic Growth Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Economic Policy, Institutions and Governance Poverty Reduction - Achieving Shared Growth Poverty Reduction - Inequality Poverty Reduction - Social Development & Poverty Public Sector Development Social Development - Social Inclusion & Institutions |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22035&r=env |
| By: | Tobias Erhardt; Rolf Weder (University of Basel) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the unprecedented decimation of sharks. We develop a Ricardian Gordon-Schaefer model with a continuum of heterogeneous species which are subject to combined harvesting and perfect substitutability in consumption. The model implies that slow-growing species, surviving in autarky, will be driven to extinction in an open trade regime. In the empirical analysis, we show that the model is in line with observations of shark biology and the international shark market. In particular, the likelihood of extinction turns out to be significantly greater for shark species which are part of trade in shark fins and exhibit low intrinsic growth. |
| Keywords: | Sharks, Trade and Renewable Resources, Biodiversity |
| JEL: | F14 F18 Q27 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bsl:wpaper:2015/07&r=env |
| By: | Lars Gårn Hansen (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen) |
| Abstract: | Regulating externalities from the use of common resources is often hampered by the regulator’s inability to accurately observe individual firms’ resource use. Allocating resource use through taxes on aggregate use, which often can be observed, has been suggested (Segerson, 1988); however, these taxes are vulnerable to collusion and strategic behavior and they generate inefficient entry-exit incentives. To address these disadvantages, I suggest using a Montero (2008)-type auction mechanism to allocate licenses for unobserved use of common resources and to induce compliance with these licenses through an enforcement tax on the differences between aggregated licenses issued and observed aggregated resource use. |
| Keywords: | incentive mechanisms; unobservable resource use; non-point emissions; truthful revelation |
| JEL: | Q25 D62 D82 L51 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:foi:wpaper:2015_07&r=env |
| By: | Salant, Stephen W. |
| Abstract: | In theory, how a fixed number of storable pollution permits are allocated in a cap-and-trade trade program should not affect intertemporal prices unless participants fail to receive permit endowments before they plan to use them. "Backloading" can create inefficiency; "frontloading" cannot. The European Union's Emissions Trading System, however, is regarded as a counterexample where frontloading itself is creating inefficiency. This view underlies current policy proposals to backload permits or to create a Market Stability Reserve. The goal of these policies is to shrink the current inventory of permits carried by the private sector without tightening the cap. We question the most prominent theory of why frontloading has been excessive by comparing its implications to a theory that attributes recent movements in the spot price of permits to ongoing regulatory risk of a price collapse much like what occurred in the 1970's in anticipation of the devaluation of the Mexican peso or the sale of massive government gold stockpiles. Correct diagnosis should precede treatment advice: if frontloading is excessive, inefficiency can be eliminated by suitable backloading of permits; if regulatory risk is excessive, however, backloading either directly or with a market stability reserve is unlikely to reduce inefficiency. |
| Keywords: | cap and trade, emissions trading, market stability reserve, peso problem, regulatory uncertainty |
| Date: | 2015–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-30&r=env |
| By: | Nelson, Erik J.; Withey, John C.; Pennington, Derric; Lawler, Joshua J. |
| Abstract: | The US Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulates what landowners and land managers can do on lands occupied by listed species. The act does this in part through the designation of habitat areas considered critical to the recovery of listed species. Critics have argued that the designation of critical habitat (CH) has substantial economic impacts on landowners above and beyond the costs associated with listing in general. Here we examine the effects of CH designation on land cover change from 1992 to 2011 in areas subject to ESA regulations. We find that, on average, the rate of change in developed land (urban and residential) and agricultural land is not significantly affected by CH designation. In addition, our estimate of the effects of CH designation is not strongly correlated with the costs of CH as predicted by economic analyses published in the Federal Register. While CH designation, on average, does not affect the overall rates of land cover change, CH designation does appear to modify the impact of land cover change drivers. Generally, land prices had more impact (statistically) on land cover decisions within CH areas than in areas subject to ESA regulations but with no CH designation. Land cover decisions in these latter areas tended to be driven more by clustering and land availability concerns. These trends suggest that CH designation has increased landowner uncertainty and that conversion to developed and agricultural use in CH areas, on average, requires a return premium. Overall, however, this different reaction to land prices in and outside of CH areas has not been strong enough to differentiate the average rates of developed or agricultural land change in CH areas versus areas subject to ESA regulations but with no CH designation. |
| Keywords: | critical habitat, opportunity cost, land cover change, matching analysis |
| JEL: | Q24 Q28 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–06–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-15-27&r=env |
| By: | Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a review of recent literature on consumer energy behaviors and willingness to pay for innovative products in the energy market. Among such products green energy and dynamic electricity tariffs will be considered. Social and psychological factors, that influence the adoption of these products will be discussed. Consumer engagement and acceptance of green energy as well as dynamic electricity tariffs are necessary to make the diffusion of these products possible and effective. In conclusion some research challenges and potential research gaps will be described. |
| Keywords: | Dynamic pricing; Green energy; Social acceptance; Consumer behavior; Willingness to pay; Diffusion of innovation |
| JEL: | C63 O33 Q48 Q55 |
| Date: | 2015–07–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wuu:wpaper:hsc1507&r=env |
| By: | Ozcan Saritas (National Research University Higher School of Economics); Liliana Proskuryakova (National Research University Higher School of Economics); S Sivaev |
| Abstract: | The research presented in this paper focuses on the sustainable use of water resources in Russia based on a Foresight study with a 20-year time horizon. The study uses a scenario-planning method to develop four trajectories: economic depression, economic stagnation, visionary future, and national priority. These four trajectories offer significantly different yet plausible alternative futures. The current paper draws upon the earlier horizon scanning activity, which identified a set of trends, weak signals and wild cards, along with their implications for water resources in Russia. Based on this work, it identifies key factors and indicators, which may characterize future developments in the following domains: (i) the sustainability of water systems; (ii) water use by households and industry; and (iii) new water products and services. The evolution of variables and indicators will then be considered under the scenarios termed ‘Nearly perfect future’ (economic growth), ‘Problem conservation’ (economic stagnation), ‘Losses and accidents’ (economic depression), and ‘National priority’ trajectories. The paper concludes with a brief description of further research directions, including a discussion on the probability of the scenarios being implemented. Russian policy makers and water companies may use the scenarios to adapt (i.e. plan for timely responses), avert certain undesirable future developments, or approximate the visionary future of the sector |
| Keywords: | water resources, sustainable water systems, water use, water goods and services, scenarios, Foresight, Russia. |
| JEL: | H4 H5 H87 I30 M11 R20 R52 Q01 Q02 Q15 Q18 Q22 Q25 Q26 Q27 Q53 Q54 Q55 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:42sti2015&r=env |
| By: | Yabei Zhang; Norma Adams |
| Keywords: | Science and Technology Development - Engineering Environment - Environment and Energy Efficiency Energy - Energy Production and Transportation Energy - Energy and Environment Energy - Energy Conservation & Efficiency |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22114&r=env |
| By: | Mawuli Segnon (Department of Economics, Univeristy of Kiel, Germany); Thomas Lux (Department of Economics, Univeristy of Kiel, Germany and Bank of Spain Chair of Computational Economics Department of Economics, Univeristy Jaume I Castellon, Spain); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria) |
| Abstract: | This paper applies Markov-switching multifractal (MSM) processes to model and forecast carbon dioxide (CO2) emission price volatility, and compares their forecasting performance to the standard GARCH, fractionally integrated GARCH (FIGARCH) and the two-state Markov-switching GARCH (MS-GARCH) models via three loss functions (the mean squared error, the mean absolute error and the value-at-risk). We evaluate the performance of these models via the superior predictive ability test. We find that the forecasts based on the MSM model cannot be outperformed by its competitors under the vast majority of criteria and forecast horizons, while MS-GARCH mostly comes out as the least successful model. Applying various VaR backtesting procedures, we do, however, not find significant differences in the performance of the candidate models under this particular criterion. We also find that we cannot reject the null hypothesis of MSM forecasts encompassing those of GARCH-type models. In line with this result, optimally combined forecasts do indeed hardly improve upon the best single models in our sample. |
| Keywords: | Carbon dioxide emission allowance prices, GARCH, Markov-switching GARCH, FIGARCH, Multifractal Processes, SPA test, encompassing test, Backtesting |
| JEL: | Q47 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201550&r=env |
| By: | Stavros Sakellariou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Fani Samara (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Stergios Tampekis (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Olga Christopoulou (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly); Athanasios Sfougaris (School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Envinonment) |
| Abstract: | The comprehensive prevention of forest fires is an issue of vital importance for the protection and sustainable development of forests which constitute irreplaceable natural resource for any society. Nowadays, it is operated an integrated recording, processing and analysis of local characteristics of any given area, supported by the state-of-the-art technological capabilities, so that we may explore the fire risk possibilities across any territory. The aim of the paper is the determination of fire risk in a Greek island, which is called Thasos. Specifically, the paper explores the determination of fire risk levels across the entire study area, based on the local characteristics of the island, namely, the influence of the fuels structure, slope, aspect, as well as the influence of the road and human settlements network. The collective contribution of all these factors to the ignition and propagation of forest fires highlighted specific areas which are characterized highly sensitive. Hence, essential preventative measures must be established, especially across these critical areas. Such measures could include: the optimal (spatial) allocation of watchtowers as well as the spatial optimization of the mobile firefighting vehicles; the forest fuels treatment in the areas where are characterized of extremely high fire risk; the restriction of accessibility in the aforementioned areas when extreme meteorological conditions are predicted to happen and other similar measures that could prevent the forest fires before they take huge dimensions. Therefore, this analytic process could be quite valuable in any given area, so that the fire agency staff to be properly prepared and act immediately, when a fire incident takes place. In addition, it should be emphasized the fact that the fire agency will have the flexibility of allocating its staff at the most sensitive areas and decrease the forces in areas of relatively low fire risk. |
| Keywords: | Forest Fires, Fire Risk, G.I.S., Thasos island |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604332&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Investment and Investment Climate Social Protections and Labor - Labor Policies Agriculture - Agricultural Sector Economics Rural Development - Rural Land Policies for Poverty Reduction Economic management Social dev/gender/inclusion - Gender Rural development Environment and natural resources management - Land administration and management |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22085&r=env |
| By: | Weitzman, Martin L. |
| Abstract: | Abating climate change is an enormous international public goods problem with a classical "free rider" structure. But it is also a global "free driver" problem because geoengineering the stratosphere with reflective particles to block incoming solar radiation is so cheap that it could essentially be undertaken unilaterally by one state perceiving itself to be in peril. This exploratory paper develops the main features of a "free driver" externality in a simple model motivated by the asymmetric consequences of type-I and type-II errors. I propose a social-choice decision architecture embodying the solution concept of a supermajority voting rule and derive its basic properties. |
| Date: | 2015–07–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hrv:faseco:17368469&r=env |
| By: | Byela Tibesigwa and Martine Visser |
| Abstract: | This study examines the role of gender of the head of household on the food security of small-scale subsistence farmers in urban and rural areas of South Africa, using the exogenous switching treatment-effects regression framework. Our results show that agriculture contributes to food security of female-headed more than male-headed households, especially in rural areas. We also observe that male-headed households are more food secure compared to female-headed households, and this is mainly driven by differences in off-farm labour participation. We further observe that the food security gap between male- and female-headed households is wider in rural than in urban areas, where rural male- and female-headed households are more likely to report chronic food insecurity, i.e., are more likely to experience hunger than their urban counterparts. Our results suggest that the current policy interest in promoting rural and urban agriculture is likely to increase food security in both male- and female-headed household, and reduce the gender gap. |
| Keywords: | Food security; male-headed household; female-headed households; urban; rural |
| JEL: | Q18 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rza:wpaper:527&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Economic Forecasting Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Economic Growth Private Sector Development - Emerging Markets Industry - Mining & Extractive Industry (Non-Energy) |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22039&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Roads and Highways Performance Transport Environment - Environmental Economics & Policies Finance and Financial Sector Development - Banks & Banking Reform Transport - Transport Economics Policy & Planning Urban Development - Transport in Urban Areas |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22038&r=env |
| By: | Dr. Christian Lutz (GWS - Institute of Economic Structures Research); Dr. Markus Flaute (GWS - Institute of Economic Structures Research); Dr. Ulrike Lehr (GWS - Institute of Economic Structures Research); Dr. Kirsten Svenja Wiebe (GWS - Institute of Economic Structures Research) |
| Abstract: | This paper brings together the debate on economic impacts of renewable energy (RE) deployment and the discussion on modelling endogenous technological change on the global markets for the different renewable power generation technologies. Economic impacts of RE deployment are still mostly discussed on national level, where different effects have been identified. Recent research for Germany shows positive effects on the macro level and different distributional impacts. High investment in solar photovoltaics (PV) from 2010 to 2012 and induced increases in the RE surcharge are the main drivers. At the same time, cost reductions for wind and solar PV take place on global markets, with global learning curves explaining the cost reductions very well. This calls for better including the international dimension into the modelling. The complex feedback loops between global cost curves and national policies, which react to global learning with some time lags, are not yet integrated into quite complex economic models. These models have to capture different RE technologies, different industries, either delivering the RE technologies or strongly depending on electricity prices, which are influenced by national support policies and macroeco- nomic development. As a first step to better understand the role of international markets, assumptions on RE exports based on global scenarios can be used. Results show the importance of global markets at least for the German RE industries. If the international dimension is taken into account, mainly positive economic impacts of further RE deployment can be observed. |
| Keywords: | renewable energy, global learning curves, policies, economic models |
| JEL: | Q28 Q29 C51 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gws:dpaper:15-9&r=env |
| By: | Marc-Antoine Vachon (ESG-UQAM) |
| Abstract: | Camping is a fun alternative to hotels when deciding where to stay while on vacation. Among its advantages, this rural setting is often thought of as promoting greener habits and as generating less waste. However, not all campers are environmentally responsible. Is consciousness toward the environment a good criteria to segment camping customers? Are there other criteria in which green campers are different than others? Using 718 questionnaires, this study focuses on gender, age, decision-making criteria for choosing a camping ground, motivations for camping, intention of paying for an environmentally responsible service and willingness to make compromises for an eco-friendly label. Of the six hypotheses put forward, some are confirmed, some are partially confirmed and one is rejected using cross-tabulation and ANOVAs. One of the interesting conclusions of this study is to help managers and owners in the lodging sector in the dilemma of choosing between “being green” and “who is willing to pay for green services”. This study contributes to the existing body of research concerning how green habits have to be managed by organizations. Furthermore, owners and managers of camping grounds and of other types of accommodations can find useful insights for market segmentation and to better understand their existing and potential green clientele. |
| Keywords: | Camping, Green, Segmentation |
| JEL: | M31 L83 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:2604491&r=env |
| By: | Jayashree Chowdhury (Department of Economics, Handique Girls’ College); Ratul Mahanta (Department of Economics, Gauhati University); Hiranya K. Nath (Department of Economics and International Business, Sam Houston State University) |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates the health costs of arsenic contamination of drinking water in Assam, India, where 0.72 million people are affected. Applying the Three Stage Least Square (3SLS) procedure to data collected through a primary survey of 355 households in 2013, it estimates three structural equations to determine health costs due to arsenic contamination. The estimates show that the annual health cost of a 1 microgram increase in arsenic concentration is about INR 4 per household. Furthermore, if the level of arsenic concentration is reduced to the safe limit of 50 microgram per liter, the annual welfare gain for a household is estimated to be INR 862 (USD 14). Projecting these figures to the entire arsenic-affected population of Assam, the annual health cost is estimated to be about INR 0.76 million (USD 0.01 million) and the welfare gain from reducing the level of arsenic concentration to the safe limit is estimated to be INR 153 million (USD 2.49 million).The results also indicate that these health costs and welfare gains vary significantly across different levels of arsenic concentration and across districts. Finally, the paper draws policy implications for providing safe drinking water in Assam. |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:shs:wpaper:1503&r=env |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Insurance and Risk Mitigation Macroeconomics and Economic Growth - Climate Change Economics Environment - Natural Disasters Finance and Financial Sector Development - Debt Markets Urban Development - Hazard Risk Management |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:21693&r=env |
| By: | Berry, James; Fischer, Greg; Guiteras, Raymond |
| Abstract: | We demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of using the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) mechanism to elicit precise, individual-level willingness to pay and thereby enhance the information generated by randomized experiments. With a relatively small sample and minor modifications to a standard field experiment design, we can directly estimate demand, study the effect of prices on usage through screening and psychological (sunk-cost) effects, and compute heterogeneous marginal treatment effects. Applying the mechanism to a field experiment studying clean drinking water technology in northern Ghana, we show that even in an environment with low literacy and numeracy, BDM produces sensible results. We find that although willingness to pay for clean water technology is low relative to the cost, demand is surprisingly inelastic at low prices; prices do not generate significant sunk-cost effects; and treatment effects are heterogeneous with respect to valuation and consistent with outcomes being affected by effort expenditure. |
| Keywords: | field experiments; health behavior; heterogeneous treatment effects; price mechanism |
| JEL: | C26 C93 D12 L11 L31 O12 Q51 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10703&r=env |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Private Sector Development - E-Business International Economics and Trade - Trade Policy Environmental Economics Policies Transport Economics Policy Planning Economic Theory Research Macroeconomics and Economic Growth Transport Environment |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:22103&r=env |
| By: | Michel GARENNE (Institut Pasteur) |
| Abstract: | The study aims at providing arguments for assessing the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). It first presents a critical analysis of data and methods for evaluating achievements in Millennium Development Goals (MDG). It focuses on two mortality targets: (4a) under-five mortality and (5a) maternal mortality. The study is restricted to sub-Saharan African countries and deals with the 1985-2010 period. With respect to under-five mortality, the study shows the difficulties in interpreting heterogeneous data and methods, which can lead to different conclusions with respect to the slope of mortality trends. The study recommends focusing on homogeneous sources, and using all available annual data for evaluating mortality trends and achievements in MDG-4a. With respect to maternal mortality, the study focuses on two countries: Morocco and South Africa. It shows the difficulties of the evaluation due to a lack of rigorous and specific case definition, as well as to erratic data and calculations, which induce serious discrepancies in levels and trends, and therefore in the evaluation of MDG-5a. The statistical follow-up of SDG’s will therefore require more rigorous concepts and evaluation methods, as well as the routine collection of appropriate data. |
| JEL: | O15 J11 O19 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2229&r=env |
| By: | Pamela Wicker; John C. Whitehead; Daniel S. Mason; Bruce K. Johnson |
| Abstract: | Cities throughout the world continue to weigh the merits of hosting major sport events, including the Olympic Games. These events are considered desirable due to a range of benefits, including economic and/or tourism development. In addition, previous research has shown that hosting the Olympics may confer intangible benefits for cities and their residents. This paper presents the results of a contingent valuation method estimate of the monetary value of intangible benefits to Germans of hosting the Olympic Summer Games. In a nationwide online survey 6,977 respondents were asked if they would support a referendum to host the Games. The survey employed a payment card format containing monthly tax amounts to elicit willingness-to-pay to finance the Games over a five-year-period. In the weighted sample, 72 percent expressed a positive willingness-to-pay. Among those with a positive willingness-to-pay, average willingness-to-pay was €47. The results from grouped data hurdle models showed that various intangible benefits (e.g. pride and happiness in sporting success; increased German prestige) and policy consequentiality had a significant positive effect on willingness-to-pay. The findings have implications for policy makers since they show what population groups are more supportive of hosting the Games. Key Words: Contingent Valuation Method; Willingness-to-pay; Olympic Games; Public goods; Sport event |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:apl:wpaper:15-06&r=env |