|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2015‒09‒05
forty-four papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Aldy, Joseph E. (Harvard University and Resources for the Future); Pizer, William A. (Duke University and Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | We develop a precise definition of the competitiveness impacts of environmental regulation that can be estimated with available domestic production, trade, and energy price data. We use this definition and a 9-year panel of nearly 450 U.S. manufacturing industries to estimate and predict the effects of a U.S.-only $15 per ton CO2 price. We find competitiveness effects on the order of a 0.5 to 0.8 percent decline in production among energy-intensive manufacturing industries, representing about one-sixth of the policy's impacts on these firms' output. |
| JEL: | F18 Q52 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp14-025&r=all |
| By: | S. KUMAR (Asian Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the status, opportunities, and modalities for engendering liveable low-carbon smart cities in ASEAN as an inclusive green growth model and the opportunities for regional cooperation. Rapid economic growth and increases in urban population in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cities will require the consumption of a huge amount of resources which will damage the local and global environment and produce an enormous amount of waste if not handled appropriately. Such environmentally unsustainable growth undermines public health and safety, comfort and liveability, and more importantly is a barrier to achieving global targets for emission reduction. Transforming cities to make them liveable through low-carbon green growth will not only increase the comfort for the city dwellers by improving liveability, but also minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Already, initiatives have been taking place in ASEAN to encourage cities to promote green growth through practicing environmental sustainability. Such initiatives are often implemented on a project basis, which are short term and lack a sustaining impact in the region. A well-constructed, city-level, and market-driven framework that allows for participation of all stakeholders and that has a built-in monitoring and evaluation system with well-thought-out measurable indicators to track performance would be useful to systematically transform ASEAN cities. Regional cooperation, such as through facilitating knowledge sharing, has a role to play in strengthening low-carbon green growth development in the region. Therefore, during 2015–2025, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) will provide an excellent opportunity to spearhead such activities in a systematic and consistent manner, be a model, and show the world the benefits of low-carbon city development. |
| Keywords: | : Smart cities, climate change, green growth, ASEAN |
| JEL: | Q4 Q3 Q28 Q5 |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2015-57&r=all |
| By: | Richard Audoly (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - CNRS); Adrien Vogt-Schilb (The World Bank - The World Bank, CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - CNRS); Céline Guivarch (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - CNRS) |
| Abstract: | This paper covers three policy-relevant aspects of the carbon content of elec-tricity that are well established among integrated assessment models but under-discussed in the policy debate. First, climate stabilization at any level from 2 • C to 3 • C requires electricity to be almost carbon-free by the end of the century. As such, the question for policy makers is not whether to decarbonize electricity but when to do it. Second, decarbonization of electricity is still possible and required if some of the key zero-carbon technologies — such as nuclear power or carbon capture and storage — turn out to be unavailable. Third, progres-sive decarbonization of electricity is part of every country's cost-effective means of contributing to climate stabilization. In addition, this paper provides cost-effective pathways of the carbon content of electricity — computed from the results of AMPERE, a recent integrated assessment model comparison study. These pathways may be used to benchmark existing decarbonization targets, such as those set by the European Energy Roadmap or the Clean Power Plan in the United States, or inform new policies in other countries. These pathways can also be used to assess the desirable uptake rates of electrification technolo-gies, such as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric stoves and heat pumps, or industrial electric furnaces. |
| Date: | 2014–11–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:hal-01079837&r=all |
| By: | Peterson, Sonja |
| Abstract: | This policy brief explores the potential scope and optimal design of national climate policies in the European climate policy context. It argues that the recent German proposal of a climate levy for electricity generators (BMWi 2015) has the potential to reconcile EU and national policies. Section 2 starts with a brief introduction into the present EU climate policy regime and the rationale of national climate policies in this framework. The bottom line is that the current setting basically justifies national targets and policies only for the sectors that are not already covered by the European emissions trading scheme (EU ETS). Section 3 discusses the deficiencies of the EU ETS which is the major reason why additional national polices for the EU ETS sectors can still be justified. Section 4 focusses on how such national policies should be designed. Section 5 takes the proposed German climate level as an interesting example of a new type of national policy and discusses how it could be optimized. Section 6 summarizes and concludes. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkpb:92&r=all |
| By: | Freeman, Mark C. (Loughborough University); Wagner, Gernot (Environmental Defense Fund); Zeckhauser, Richard J. (Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | Climate change is real and dangerous. Exactly how bad it will get, however, is uncertain. Uncertainty is particularly relevant for estimates of one of the key parameters: equilibrium climate sensitivity--how eventual temperatures will react as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations double. Despite significant advances in climate science and increased confidence in the accuracy of the range itself, the "likely" range has been 1.5-4.5 degrees Celsius for over three decades. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) narrowed it to 2-4.5 degrees Celsius, only to reverse its decision in 2013, reinstating the prior range. In addition, the 2013 IPCC report removed prior mention of 3 degrees Celsius as the "best estimate." We interpret the implications of the 2013 IPCC decision to lower the bottom of the range and excise a best estimate. Intuitively, it might seem that a lower bottom would be good news. Here we ask: When might apparently good news about climate sensitivity in fact be bad news? The lowered bottom value also implies higher uncertainty about the temperature increase, a definite bad. Under reasonable assumptions, both the lowering of the lower bound and the removal of the "best estimate" may well be bad news. |
| JEL: | D81 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-002&r=all |
| By: | Aldy, Joseph E. (Harvard University and Resources for the Future); Pizer, William A. (Duke University and Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | The pollution haven hypothesis suggests that unilateral domestic climate change mitigation policy would impose significant economic costs on carbon-intensive industries, resulting in declining output and increasing net imports. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we undertake a two-step empirical analysis. First, we use historic energy prices as a proxy for climate change mitigation policy. We estimate how production and net imports change in response to energy prices using a 35-year panel of approximately 450 U.S. manufacturing industries. Second, we take these estimated relationships and use them to simulate the impacts of changes in energy prices resulting from a domestic climate change mitigation policy that effectively imposes a $15 per ton carbon price. We find that energy-intensive manufacturing industries are more likely to experience decreases in production and increases in net imports than less-intensive industries. Our best estimate is that competitiveness effects--measured by the increase in net imports--are as large as 0.8 percent for the most energy-intensive industries and represent no more than about one-sixth of the estimated decrease in production under a $15 per ton carbon price. |
| JEL: | F18 Q52 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-046&r=all |
| By: | Zach Dorner (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Suzi Kerr (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research) |
| Abstract: | Stroombergen and Reisinger’s (2012) modelling suggests global pricing of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including agricultural emissions, would be beneficial for the New Zealand economy, with higher GHG prices leading to greater economic benefit. Though this inference may seem counter-intuitive for a country in which agriculture is economically important, when the effects of GHG charges flow on to global commodity prices, the rise in global prices more than compensates NZ for the costs of our GHG emissions. These conclusions rest on a single set of models and several assumptions; however, the broad direction of the conclusions makes sense given the relatively low GHG emissions intensity of agriculture in NZ and the high importance of global commodity prices for NZ’s economic fortunes. In this paper we investigate the implications of Stroombergen and Reisinger’s (2012) results for a model NZ dairy and model NZ sheep and beef farm. We consider three climate policy scenarios that differ by whether agricultural emissions are included and priced globally, and in NZ. We find that NZ farmer interests generally align with NZ’s economic interests, though farmers are more greatly affected by differing international policy scenarios compared with the NZ economy as a whole. We find that the impact of the choice of metric (that is, how agricultural emissions are traded off against carbon dioxide emissions) is minor, especially when compared with the differences between international and domestic policy scenarios. On balance, our results suggest that long term, the best scenario for NZ and our farmers is to fully price global agricultural emissions within an international climate change agreement that allows NZ farmers to exploit their competitive advantage. |
| Keywords: | Climate change policy, methane, metrics, New Zealand, agriculture, greenhouse gas, economic impact, dairy farm, sheep and beef farm |
| JEL: | Q12 Q18 Q54 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mtu:wpaper:15_11&r=all |
| By: | Michael MacLeod; Vera Eory; Guillaume Gruère; Jussi Lankoski |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews the international literature on the cost-effectiveness of supply-side mitigation measures that can reduce the emissions intensity of agriculture while maintaining or increasing production. Sixty-five recent international studies of cost-effectiveness covering 181 individual activities are reviewed. Nine case studies of well covered mitigation measures, generally using a cost-engineering approach, illustrate significant differences in the cost-effectiveness of measures across countries and studies, in part due to contextual differences. Although caution needs to be exercised in comparing heterogeneous studies, the results suggest that measures based on fertiliser use efficiency, cattle breeding, and potentially improving energy efficiency in mobile machinery, are often considered highly cost-effective mitigation measures across countries. A preliminary overview of policy highlights the existence of a range of options to encourage the adoption of cost-effective measures, from information to incentive-based policies. Further analysis is needed to address remaining estimation challenges and to help determine how mitigation measures may be embedded into broader climate, agricultural and environmental policy frameworks. |
| Keywords: | climate change, greenhouse gas mitigation, agricultural, cost-effectiveness, agriculture |
| JEL: | Q16 Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:89-en&r=all |
| By: | Rensfeldt, Arvid; Pariyawong, Vorapat; Fujii, Hidemichi |
| Abstract: | This study investigates and compares the financial and environmental performance development of two major car manufacturing companies, Volvo Car Corporation and Hondo Motor Corporation, over the last decade. These two companies consist of one with close historical ties and most of its business in Asia and one mainly located in Europe but that is in the process of expanding production in the Asian region. Using data mainly from corporate reports to perform a decomposition analysis, it is shown that these companies have both undertaken measures to decrease their environmental impacts but in different manners and that Volvo Car Corporation has been more successful in lowering its emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) over the studied period. The difference in the strategies chosen to reduce environmental impact and the results from the measures taken are believed to have been caused mainly by the innate differences between the European and Asian energy markets, as well as the more stringent demands of stakeholders and legislation in Europe. |
| Keywords: | greenhouse gas emission decomposition analysis automotive corporation corporate environmental management carbon leakage |
| JEL: | M14 Q54 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–08–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66264&r=all |
| By: | James Alm (Department of Economics, Tulane University); Jay Shimshack (Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia) |
| Abstract: | Environmental monitoring and enforcement are controversial and incompletely understood. This survey reviews what we do and do not know about the overall effectiveness, as well as the cost effectiveness, of pollution monitoring and enforcement. We ask five key questions: What do environmental monitoring and enforcement actions look like in the real world? How do we assess environmental compliance and deterrence? Do environmental monitoring and enforcement actions get results? How, why, and when do inspections and sanctions achieve compliance and reduce pollution? And, what do the answers to the preceding questions tell us about designing and implementing more effective and more cost effective public policies for the environment? A key contribution is drawing lessons from diverse sources, including insights from theoretical, empirical, and experimental contributions in environmental, tax, and safety settings. We conclude that traditional environmental monitoring and enforcement actions generate important deterrence effects. However, there are limits to such deterrence, and deterrence itself cannot fully explain all patterns of environmental behavior. Encouraging compliance requires both traditional tools and additional tools. |
| Keywords: | environmental economics, enforcement and compliance |
| JEL: | Q50 Q58 K32 H26 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tul:wpaper:1409&r=all |
| By: | Philipp M. Richter (German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)); Roman Mendelevitch (German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)); Frank Jotzo (Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we investigate the introduction of an export tax on steam coal levied by an individual country (Australia), or a group of major exporting countries. The policy motivation would be twofold: generating tax revenues against the background of improved terms-of-trade, while CO2 emissions are reduced. We construct and numerically apply a two-level game consisting of an optimal policy problem at the upper level, and an equilibrium model of the international steam coal market (based on COALMOD-World) at the lower level. We find that a unilaterally introduced Australian export tax on steam coal has little impact on global emissions and may be welfare reducing. On the contrary, a tax jointly levied by a Òclimate coalitionÓ of major coal exporters may well leave these better off while significantly reducing global CO2 emissions from steam coal by up to 200 Mt CO2 per year. Comparable production-based tax scenarios consistently yield higher tax revenues but may be hard to implement against the opposition of disproportionally affected local stakeholders depending on low domestic coal prices. |
| Keywords: | Export tax; steam coal; supply-side climate policy; carbon leakage; Australia; Mathematical Program with Equilibrium Constraints (MPEC) |
| JEL: | Q48 F13 Q58 Q41 C61 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:ccepwp:1507&r=all |
| By: | Thomas STOCKER (FERDI) |
| Abstract: | The scientific assessments carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have delivered robust and rigorous scientific information for the complex negotiations that should produce a binding agreement to limit climate change and its impacts and risks. Understanding climate change as a threat to key resources for the livelihood of humans and the functioning of ecosystems provides a more appropriate perspective on the scale of the problem. Model simulations suggest that today many options exist to limit climate change. However, these options are rapidly vanishing under continued carbon emissions: Temperature targets must be revised upwards by about 0.4°C every decade for constant mitigation ambitions. Mitigating climate change has the important benefit of creating favorable conditions to reach many of the Sustainable Development Goals; business-as-usual and consequent unchecked climate change will make these important universal goals unreachable. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2268&r=all |
| By: | Bodansky, Daniel M. (AZ State University); Hoedl, Seth (Harvard University); Metcalf, Gilbert (Tufts University); Stavins, Robert (Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | Negotiations pursuant to the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action appear likely to lead to a 2015 Paris agreement that embodies a hybrid climate policy architecture, combining top-down elements, such as for monitoring, reporting, and verification, with bottom-up elements, including "nationally determined contributions" from each participating country, detailing what it intends to do to reduce emissions, based on its national circumstances. For such a system to be cost-effective--and thus more likely to achieve significant global emissions reductions--a key feature will be linkages among regional, national, and sub-national climate policies. By linkage, we mean a formal recognition by a greenhouse gas mitigation program in one jurisdiction (a regional, national, or sub-national government) of emission reductions undertaken in another jurisdiction for purposes of complying with the first jurisdiction's mitigation program. We examine how a future international policy architecture could help facilitate the growth and operation of a robust system of international linkages of regional, national, and sub-national policies. Several design elements merit serious consideration for inclusion in the Paris agreement, either directly or by establishing a process for subsequent international elaboration. At the same time, including detailed linkage rules in the core agreement is not desirable because this could make it difficult for rules to evolve in light of experience. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-003&r=all |
| By: | Banasiak, Adam (Harvard University); Bilmes, Linda J. (Harvard University); Loomis, John (CO State University) |
| Abstract: | Carbon sequestration--the process of moderating global climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in long-term mineral, organic, and oceanic reservoirs--is an important ecosystem service provided by protected natural areas. One type of carbon sequestration that has received attention in recent years is vegetative carbon sequestration, which is the sequestration provided through plant growth. While a number of countries have developed estimates of their national vegetative carbon sequestration capacity, no estimate exists for the National Park Service (NPS) administered areas, 85% of which are vegetated. This paper addresses that knowledge gap. Using federally created, peer-reviewed work on carbon sequestration rates based on a 5-year baseline period (2001-2005) of observed data, NPS boundary data, and landcover types, the study calculates the current tonnage and economic value of vegetative carbon sequestration services on all NPS units located in the continental U.S. Average projected sequestration amounts for the period 2006-2050 are also provided based on modeled data. Using conservative assumptions, we find that at present average annual carbon sequestration on NPS lands amounts to 17.5 million metric tons of CO2, valued at $707 million dollars using the current federal interagency working group social cost of carbon damage price of $40.45/metric ton. In the future years through 2050, absent any changes in land management (such as invasive species removal or fire management) carbon sequestration is predicted to fall by 31% to an average of 12.0 million metric tons of CO2 sequestered annually, due to factors such as a warming climate, invasive species, and increased fire hazards. Given the benefits to society of avoiding this future loss in carbon sequestration, funding for management actions for the National Park Service may be economically justifiable in order to mitigate this decline, although further research is needed to better understand how specific NPS practices can maintain current carbon sequestration levels. |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-007&r=all |
| By: | Gerarden, Todd G. (Harvard University); Newell, Richard G. (Duke University); Stavins, Robert (Harvard University); Stowe, Robert C. (Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | Improving end-use energy efficiency--that is, the energy-efficiency of individuals, households, and firms as they consume energy--is often cited as an important element in efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Arguments for improving energy efficiency usually rely on the idea that energy-efficient technologies will save end users money over time and thereby provide low-cost or no-cost options for reducing GHG emissions. However, some research suggests that energy-efficient technologies appear not to be adopted by consumers and businesses to the degree that would seem justified, even on a purely financial basis. We review in this paper the evidence for a range of explanations for this apparent "energy-efficiency gap." We find most explanations are grounded in sound economic theory, but the strength of empirical support for these explanations varies widely. Retrospective program evaluations suggest the cost of GHG abatement varies considerably across different energy-efficiency investments and can diverge substantially from the predictions of prospective models. Findings from research on the energy-efficiency gap could help policy makers generate social and private benefits from accelerating the diffusion of energy-efficient technologies--including reduction of GHG emissions. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-005&r=all |
| By: | Thomas STOCKER (FERDI) |
| Abstract: | The scientific assessments carried out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have delivered robust and rigorous scientific information for the complex negotiations that should produce a binding agreement to limit climate change and its impacts and risks. Understanding climate change as a threat to key resources for the livelihood of humans and the functioning of ecosystems provides a more appropriate perspective on the scale of the problem. Model simulations suggest that today many options exist to limit climate change. However, these options are rapidly vanishing under continued carbon emissions: Temperature targets must be revised upwards by about 0.4°C every decade for constant mitigation ambitions. Mitigating climate change has the important benefit of creating favorable conditions to reach many of the Sustainable Development Goals; business-as-usual and consequent unchecked climate change will make these important universal goals unreachable. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2270&r=all |
| By: | J. Scott Holladay (Department of Economics, University of Tennessee); Jacob LaRiviere (Department of Economics, University of Tennessee) |
| Abstract: | We use quasi-experimental variation due to the introduction of fracking to estimate the impact of a decrease in natural gas prices on marginal air pollution emissions from electricity producers. We find natural gas generation has displaced coal fired generation as the marginal fuel source signicantly changing the marginal emissions prole. The impact of cheap natural gas varies across U.S. regions as a function of the existing stock of electricity generation. We demonstrate the impact of these changes on the environmental benets of energy policy by simulating the installation wind and solar generating capacity in dierent regions around the U.S. We construct an hourly data set of potential renewable generation for both wind and solar power and combine that with our estimated marginal emissions. CO2 emissions offset by wind and solar power have fallen over most, but not all of the country due to cheap natural gas. |
| Keywords: | energy, air pollution, natural gas, renewable energy |
| JEL: | E32 R10 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ten:wpaper:2015-07&r=all |
| By: | Aldy, Joseph Edgar |
| Abstract: | Adaptation and geoengineering responses to climate change should be taken in account when estimating the social cost of carbon. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hrv:hksfac:21150339&r=all |
| By: | Mark C. Freeman; Ben Groom; Richard Zeckhauser |
| Abstract: | The initial hope for climate science was that an improved understanding of what the future might bring would lead to appropriate public policies and effective international climate agreements. Even if that hope is not realized, as now seems likely, scientific advances leading to a more refined assessment of the uncertainties surrounding the future impacts of climate change would facilitate more appropriate adaptation measures. Such measures might involve shifting modes or locales of production, for example. This article focuses on two broader tools: consumption smoothing in anticipation of future losses, and physical adaptation measures to reduce damages. It shows that informative signals on climate-change effects lead to better decisions in the use of each tool. |
| JEL: | D8 D83 E21 H41 H43 Q5 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21463&r=all |
| By: | Aldy, Joseph E. (Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | Inadequate policy surveillance has undermined the effectiveness of multilateral climate agreements. To illustrate an alternative approach to transparency, I evaluate policy surveillance under the 2009 G-20 fossil fuel subsidies agreement. The Leaders of the Group of 20 nations tasked their energy and finance ministers to identify and phase-out fossil fuel subsidies. The G-20 leaders agreed to submit their subsidy reform strategies to peer review and to independent expert review conducted by international organizations. This process of developed and developing countries pledging to pursue the same policy objective, designing and publicizing implementation plans, and subjecting plans and performance to review by international organizations differs considerably from the historic approach under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This paper draws lessons from the fossil fuel subsidies agreement for climate policy surveillance. |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-029&r=all |
| By: | P. GIVORD (Insee); C. GRISLAIN-LETRÉMY (Insee); H. NAEGELE (DIW) |
| Abstract: | This paper sets out to identify the impact of fuel prices on new car purchases, using exhaustive individual-level data of monthly registration of new private cars in France from 2003 to 2007. Detailed information on the car holder enables us to account for heterogeneous preferences across purchasers. We identify demand parameters through the large oil price fluctuations of this period. We find that the sensitivity of short-term demand with respect to fuel prices is generally low. Using these estimates, we assess the impact of a policy equalizing diesel and gasoline taxes, assuming that consumers react similarly to fuel price changes from tax and from oil price variations. Such a policy would slightly reduce the share of diesel in new cars purchases in the short-run (i.e. before supply side adjustments take place), without substantially changing the average fuel consumption or CO2 emission levels of new cars. Alternatively, a carbon tax (at 15 ¬/ton of CO2) could slightly decrease these emissions in the short-run. |
| Keywords: | fuel prices, automobiles, carbon dioxide emissions, environmental tax |
| JEL: | C25 D12 H23 L62 Q53 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crs:wpdeee:g2014-14&r=all |
| By: | Bhargava, Anil K.; Lybbert, Travis J.; Spielman, David J. |
| Abstract: | With growing pressure on groundwater resources, water-conserving technologies (WCTs) look especially promising as a method of agricultural adaptation and poverty alleviation. While private benefits of WCTs are increasingly understood, public benefits are not as clear as they may seem. Some research has highlighted behavioral responses and diffusion as social consequences of private adoption. This paper focuses on the geophysical complications that shape public benefits across landscapes, raising spatial considerations of the WCT adoption decision and optimal diffusion patterns that can inform policymakers with the dual objectives of cost-efficient natural resource conservation and poverty alleviation, particularly in light of increasingly erratic weather patterns attributed to climate change. We focus on India—the world’s largest user of groundwater—and build a spatially sensitive hydroeconomic model to capture the dynamics of public water availability due to WCT adoption. We consider the spatial aspects of hydrological water flows, WCT adoption patterns, and public benefits of increased water access. We calibrate our model using a 2011 household-plot survey and estimates from a randomized control trial of a specific WCT in the country’s Gangetic Plains. Results show that early public benefits from WCTs occur primarily via reduced well interference when underground aquifers are large. Clustering of WCTs in this case can generate even higher benefits, suggesting localized spatial externalities of adoption. Policymakers interested in subsidizing or encouraging diffusion of key WCTs as a way to address both poverty alleviation and water conservation may thus consider both the private returns and public benefits presented here. |
| Keywords: | water, poverty, climate change, technology adoption, water use, economic development, natural resources, water conservation, groundwater, poverty alleviation, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1455&r=all |
| By: | Eduard Nezinsky (University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of National Economy, Department of Economic Policy) |
| Abstract: | There has been a lively discussion about measures of social welfare beyond GDP induced by Stiglitz Report (Stiglitz et al, 2009) which can be viewed as a summation of the earlier efforts to deal with those challenges. Environmental indicators constitute one important dimension to be taken into account in assessing the welfare along with the economic and social indicators. Employing non-parametrical approach, the Data Envelopment Analysis SBM model is extended for environment to measure the so called eco-efficiency. Resulting scores and benchmarks are used to decompose eco-productivity into factors attributable to changes in efficiency, technology, extensive factors of production, and emissions. Results suggest that in European countries in the span 2000 – 2010, an environment-saving rather than input-saving technology change has been taking place. |
| Keywords: | eco-efficiency, data envelopment analysis, beyond GDP, decomposition |
| JEL: | C43 C61 O47 |
| Date: | 2014–12–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:brt:depwps:007&r=all |
| By: | Oskar Lecuyer (Department of Economics and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research - University of Bern); Adrien Vogt-Schilb (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - CNRS, Climate Change Group - The World Bank) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the optimal transition from existing coal power plants to gas and renewable power under a carbon budget. It solves a model of polluting, exhaustible resources with capacity constraints and adjustment costs (to build coal, gas, and renewable power plants). It finds that optimal investment in renewable energy may start before coal power has been phased out and even before investment in gas has started, because doing so allows for smoothing investment over time and reduces adjustment costs. Gas plants may be used to reduce short-term investment in renewable power and associated costs, but must eventually be phased out to allow room for carbon-free power. One risk for myopic agents comparing gas and renewable investment is thus to overestimate the lifetime of gas plants - e.g., when computing the levelized cost of electricity - and be biased against renewable power. These analytical results are quantified with numerical simulations of the European Commission's 2050 energy roadmap. |
| Date: | 2014–08–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:hal-01057241&r=all |
| By: | Brian P. FLANNERY (FERDI) |
| Abstract: | Today, with little time remaining, negotiators confront a disorganized text that is far too long and replete with conflicting proposals that cross red lines for major players. Nonetheless, political leaders express confidence that a deal is achievable.Unlike the task of Kyoto—producing politically feasible mitigation targets for developed nations—the post 2020 agreement covers (at least) six themes: mitigation for all nations, adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and transparency. Residual acrimony and distrust from Copenhagen hamper the process which must resolve many complex, contentious issues, e.g. legal form and compliance, the role (or not) for markets and offset projects, intellectual property rights, compensation for loss and damage, transparency and associated measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and review procedures. Overshadowing all remains the question of how the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) will manifest throughout the agreement, e.g. from mitigation to reporting and review to finance.Some aspects are solidifying. Mitigation efforts will not be negotiated; rather, they are being submitted (as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions: INDCs), and, ultimately, recorded, perhaps (dropping the I) becoming NDCs. Total financial aid appears set by the Copenhagen pledge of developed nations to mobilize 100 billion US$ per year by 2020. Also, negotiators appear resolved to create a durable framework based on cycles of review and renewal over intervals of, perhaps, 5 or 10 years.However, the Paris Agreement appears unlikely to fulfill the long-established narrative to be “on track” to limit warming to less than 2 (or 1.5) C. Only recently have political leaders begun to temper expectations. They will need to manage expectations thoughtfully to avoid a backlash from a range of nations, stakeholders and media, and to restore the credibility of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as an effective process. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2265&r=all |
| By: | Brian P. FLANNERY (FERDI) |
| Abstract: | Today, with little time remaining, negotiators confront a disorganized text that is far too long and replete with conflicting proposals that cross red lines for major players. Nonetheless, political leaders express confidence that a deal is achievable.Unlike the task of Kyoto—producing politically feasible mitigation targets for developed nations—the post 2020 agreement covers (at least) six themes: mitigation for all nations, adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and transparency. Residual acrimony and distrust from Copenhagen hamper the process which must resolve many complex, contentious issues, e.g. legal form and compliance, the role (or not) for markets and offset projects, intellectual property rights, compensation for loss and damage, transparency and associated measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and review procedures. Overshadowing all remains the question of how the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) will manifest throughout the agreement, e.g. from mitigation to reporting and review to finance.Some aspects are solidifying. Mitigation efforts will not be negotiated; rather, they are being submitted (as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions: INDCs), and, ultimately, recorded, perhaps (dropping the I) becoming NDCs. Total financial aid appears set by the Copenhagen pledge of developed nations to mobilize 100 billion US$ per year by 2020. Also, negotiators appear resolved to create a durable framework based on cycles of review and renewal over intervals of, perhaps, 5 or 10 years.However, the Paris Agreement appears unlikely to fulfill the long-established narrative to be “on track” to limit warming to less than 2 (or 1.5) C. Only recently have political leaders begun to temper expectations. They will need to manage expectations thoughtfully to avoid a backlash from a range of nations, stakeholders and media, and to restore the credibility of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as an effective process. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2266&r=all |
| By: | Fujii, Hidemichi; Assaf, A. George; Managi, Shunsuke; Matousek, Roman |
| Abstract: | This study examined the impact of the financial crisis on the environmental and technical efficiencies of the Japanese manufacturing industry. Overall, we found that while the crisis had a negative impact on technical efficiency it did not affect environmental efficiency- the only exception was the transportation equipment sector which improved its environmental efficiency following the crisis. Additionally, we found that capital intensity does not necessarily affect environmental efficiency. We discuss the implications of these findings and provide directions for future research. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Efficiency; Technical Efficiency, Financial Crisis; Bayesian Stochastic Frontier |
| JEL: | G01 O47 Q54 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–08–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66363&r=all |
| By: | Julien Wolfersberger (Laboratoire d'Economie Forestière, INRA - AgroParisTech); Philippe Delacote (Laboratoire d'Economie Forestière, INRA - AgroParisTech); Serge Garcia (Laboratoire d'Economie Forestière, INRA - AgroParisTech) |
| Abstract: | Deforestation is a major environmental issue in developing countries, and agricultural land expansion is one of its main causes. The objective of this paper is twofold:(1) to identify the macroeconomic determinants of ending deforestation; and (2) to explain cumulative deforestation and other land uses. To do this, we first study the probability of a turning point for deforestation (i.e., the switch from decreasing to expanding forest areas), based on the Forest Transition (FT) theory. Second, we adapt a land-use model to explain the trade-off between forest and agriculture during development. To take the link between both phenomena into account, we estimate a dynamic panel seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model along with a switching regression model, applied to a dataset of 57 developing countries observed over four time periods. The estimation results reveal that economic development and institutions play a significant role in long-term deforestation. Our results also suggest that after the first development stage, agriculture and forest are not always competing land uses. Thus, these results give us new insights into public policies such as REDD+. |
| Keywords: | Forest Transition; Switching regression model; Dynamic panel SUR |
| JEL: | C34 O13 Q23 |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lef:wpaper:2015-05&r=all |
| By: | K. G. H. Baldwin (The Energy Change Institute, The Australian National University); Bruce Chapman (Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University); Umbu Raya (Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University) |
| Abstract: | Rooftop solar systems have two major benefits: a reduction of carbon emissions (a public good) and future energy bill savings for consumers. However, the availability of solar energy systems to low-income households is constrained by access to finance for the initial investment cost, an issue which could potentially be addressed with the use of income contingent loans (ICLs). By applying unconditional quantile econometric methods to HILDA income data we illustrate that for a $10,000 loan for home owners ICLs can be used with little or no cost to government to help finance the next one million solar energy devices. |
| Keywords: | income contingent loans; solar energy |
| JEL: | Q28 Q27 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:ccepwp:1508&r=all |
| By: | Christian Vonbun |
| Abstract: | Este Texto para Discussão (TD) apresenta uma breve revisão da literatura acerca dos custos e benefícios de veículos elétricos e veículos híbridos do tipo plug-in (PHEV), com ênfase em seus benefícios em termos de redução da emissão de gases de efeito estufa e gases nocivos à saúde humana. Conclui-se que os veículos híbridos, ainda que tenham de superar barreiras tecnológicas e culturais, apresentam um grande potencial de elevar não apenas a eficiência energética do setor de transporte, mas também contribuir para aumentar a eficiência e reduzir os custos relacionados à produção de energia elétrica. Esses veículos podem servir de ponte entre os veículos convencionais e os elétricos, quando os desenvolvimentos tecnológicos, notadamente relativos ao custo e à eficiência das baterias permitirem a adoção generalizada de veículos elétricos. Todavia, é importante notar que o aproveitamento pleno do potencial de economia e de redução de emissão de poluentes está condicionado à implantação das chamadas smart grids e, mais importante, de como se configura a produção marginal de energia elétrica na região e no período considerados. This paper presents a brief literature review concerning the costs and benefits of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, highlighting their advantages in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Even though electric and electro-hybrid vehicles must still overcome many cultural and technological barriers, they present a great potential in improving the energy efficiency of the transportation system, as well as reducing the costs of electric energy production and transmission. The hybrid vehicles may close the technological and operational gap between the old internal combustion powered vehicles and the new electric cars, until new improvements on batteries allow the widespread introduction of electric cars as the standard individual transportation vehicles. Nevertheless, it is imperative to stress that the full potential benefits of these vehicles is conditioned to the implementation of Smart Grids that enable the electric system to use them as a reservoire of energy that provides back up power to the system, to be employed in peak consumption hours. It is also vital to ensure that the required incremental energy production is proportionately cleaner than the internal combustion vehicles they replace. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:2123&r=all |
| By: | Gerarden, Todd G. (Harvard University); Newell, Richard G. (Duke University); Stavins, Robert (Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | Energy-efficient technologies offer considerable promise for reducing the financial costs and environmental damages associated with energy use, but these technologies appear not to be adopted by consumers and businesses to the degree that would apparently be justified, even on a purely financial basis. We present two complementary frameworks for understanding this so-called "energy paradox" or "energy-efficiency gap." First, we build on the previous literature by dividing potential explanations for the energy-efficiency gap into three categories: market failures, behavioral anomalies, and model and measurement errors. Second, we posit that it is useful to think in terms of the fundamental elements of cost-minimizing energy-efficiency decisions. This provides a decomposition that organizes thinking around four questions. First, are product offerings and pricing economically efficient? Second, are energy operating costs inefficiently priced and/or understood? Third, are product choices cost-minimizing in present value terms? Fourth, do other costs inhibit more energy-efficient decisions? We review empirical evidence on these questions, with an emphasis on recent advances, and offer suggestions for future research. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecl:harjfk:rwp15-004&r=all |
| By: | PONSSARD Jean-Pierre; SINCLAIR DESGAGNÉ Bernard; SOLER Louis-Georges; GIRAUD HERAUD Eric |
| Abstract: | Sustainable food concerns have pushed public authorities to act by means of regulations,\r\nstandards and other devices, and businesses to innovate in their products and production processes.\r\nWe argue that the Porter Hypothesis – which asserts that properly designed and implemented\r\nenvironmental regulation might be good for society as well as the targeted firms – might well be verified in this context. After reviewing and illustrating the working principles and main criticisms of this hypothesis, we provide a more in-depth discussion of nutritional issues. While the literature generally points to organizational imperfections and market failures to validate the Porter Hypothesis,we submit and model another rationale for the agro-food industry, a rationale that is based on consumer behavior. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable food; Regulation; Innovation; Consumer behavior; Porter Hypothesis. |
| JEL: | L13 L51 Q55 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grt:wpegrt:2015-22&r=all |
| By: | Pukkanut Peuaksakon; Penporn Janekarnkij Author-Email : penporn.j@ku.ac.th (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics,Faculty of Economics,Kasetsart University,Thailand) |
| Abstract: | Over the past 20 years, flood and drought in Thailand have impacted up to 2.58 million farming households and caused damages about 6,000 million Baht each year. Various studies have examined natural hazard impacts on the Thai economy and particularly on agricultural sector. Moving towards sustainable development, economic vulnerability to natural hazards should be improved which could be linked to disaster mitigation policies and development. This study aims to explore the Kuznets relationship between economic growth and damages from flood and drought in the Thai agricultural sector using annual data at the provincial levels during 1989-2012. It is hypothesized that as the country becomes wealthier, appropriate development and investment in disaster mitigation could lead to disaster reduction in agricultural sector. Results from the random effect regression support the Kuznets hypothesis in the models for both flood and drought. Precipitation variation increases agricultural damages due to flood and drought significantly. Agricultural damages reduce with rising provincial incomes, increased flood retention area and increased areas for perennial crops. |
| Keywords: | Flood, Drought, Thai agricultural sector, Environmental Kuznets curve |
| JEL: | Q54 O44 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kau:wpaper:201505&r=all |
| By: | Oribuyaku, Damilola |
| Abstract: | The report has outlined the details of Nigeria’s current and future policy framework. Building on that, the report then critically reviewed the framework in relation to the approach taken in other regions, particularly the UK. Finally, the report attempted to produce a high level vision of a sustainable built environment policy framework for Nigeria. If it is agreed that most policies are not focused on the built environment even when emissions from the built environment, as evidenced by cement production, is experiencing a sharp increase, the Nigerian government should make efforts at designing a specialized policy framework for the built environment |
| Keywords: | Keywords: Policy Framework, Mitigation, Adaptation, Climate Change |
| JEL: | I3 I38 Q2 Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2015–01–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66197&r=all |
| By: | Eduard Nezinsky (University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of National Economy, Department of Economic Policy) |
| Abstract: | In pursuit of welfare, environmental issues constitute one important dimension to be taken into account in assessing the welfare along with the economic and social indicators. There has been a lively discussion about measures of social welfare beyond GDP articulated by Stiglitz Report (Stiglitz et al, 2009) which can be viewed as a summation of the earlier efforts to deal with those challenges. This study concentrates on environmental aspects of economic growth in European countries and the changes undergone in the period of 2000 – 2010. Time series of obtained eco-efficiency scores from SBM models were used to infer on the ?- and ß-convergence analysed in line with the classical econometric approach. Results suggest that except of the post crisis disruption a process of convergence with respect to eco-efficiency has been taking place in European countries. |
| Keywords: | eco-efficiency, data envelopment analysis, convergence |
| JEL: | C43 C61 O47 |
| Date: | 2014–12–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:brt:depwps:008&r=all |
| By: | Villoria, Nelson; Jing Liu |
| Abstract: | Global economic models with explicit treatment of global land markets are crucial to understanding the consequences of different policy choices on global food and environmental security. However, these models rely on parameters for which there is little econometric evidence. A fundamental parameter in these models is the land supply elasticity. We provide a novel set of land supply elasticities estimated using gridded data for the American continent, and we use them in exploring previous work on the indirect land-use effects of US ethanol policy. Our estimates provide a basis for better-informed simulations of global land-use transitions under different economic and policy scenarios. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gta:workpp:4843&r=all |
| By: | Jean-Daniel Rinaudo (BRGM - Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières); Marielle Montginoul (UMR G-EAU - Gestion de l'Eau, Acteurs et Usages - Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] - CIRAD - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement - AgroParisTech - Irstea - Centre International des Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes-Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier [CIHEAM-IAMM]); Jean-François Desprats (BRGM - Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) |
| Abstract: | In developed countries, a number of factors are leading a growing number of households to drill private boreholes as independent water supplies. This chapter describes this phenomenon based on two case studies conducted in Southern France and Western Australia. It shows that, while the development of private wells was encouraged by the authorities in Perth, it is a major source of environmental, public health, economic and social concern for French water utilities. Household's motivations to develop independent supply are then investigated. We finaly discuss how water utilities need to adapt their management practices (setting tariffs, demand forecasting and resource protection) to take into account this phenomenon. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01183835&r=all |
| By: | Christel Dumas (ICHEC); Céline Louche (Audencia) |
| Abstract: | The financial community does not seem to have shifted yet to greater sustainability, despite increasing awareness and concerns around social and environmental issues. In this paper, we provide insights to help understand why. Building on responsible investment (RI) data from the UK financial press between 1982 and 2010, we examine the collective beliefs which financial actors rely on to take decisions under uncertainty, as a way of understanding the status of and implications for RI mainstreaming. Our results identify five periods that characterize RI over time. The “civil rights” years (1982-1991), the “green niche” years (1992-1997), the “professionalization” years (1998-2000), the “SRI” years (2001-2004) and the “ESG” years (2005-ongoing) follow each other with specific representations and practices for RI. The analysis of the collective beliefs leads us to define two theoretical dimensions – justifying RI and practicing RI—that allow us to characterize how mainstream actors collectively make sense of RI. Our data confirm the existence of collective beliefs around RI and highlights changes in the content of the collective beliefs throughout the five periods, demonstrating a dynamic in the RI field. Our analysis reveals that the RI collective beliefs currently (1) do not provide a favorable environment for RI mainstreaming and (2) need to be taken into account when discussing the value of sustainability. |
| Date: | 2015–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01183744&r=all |
| By: | Liliana N. Proskuryakova (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | The Foresight study presented in this paper is devoted to the sustainable use of water resources in Russia. The authors analyse possible trajectories of development in the three thematic areas (i) sustainability of water systems; (ii) water use by households and in industry; and (iii) new water products and services. The Foresight methods cover expert interviews and seminars, desk research, and policy analysis. The state and corporate policy recommendations for the water sector offered in this study correspond with the water scenarios earlier identified by Saritas et al.: “Nearly ideal future”, “Losses and accidents”, “Problem conservation”, and “National Priority” [Saritas et al., 2015]. For each of these four scenarios, policy recommendations for water companies were identified covering new solutions (including technological innovations), new values and competencies, organisational changes, modernisation of the infrastructure, financial issues, and legal and regulatory changes. Moreover, we recommend certain policy measures and approaches to state policy in the water sector. The paper concludes with the main directions and instruments for the sector’s development, which should be planned and implemented jointly by the government and businesses, as well as other stakeholders (organisations and people). |
| Keywords: | water resources, sustainable water systems, water use, water goods, water services, scenarios, water policy, water governance, water management, 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:44sti2015&r=all |
| By: | Inbasekar, Kalimuthu; Roy, Devesh; Joshi, Pramod Kumar |
| Abstract: | This study was undertaken to analyze the dynamics of production for pulses in India, one of the most important crops in India from the perspective of nutrition as well as environmental sustainability. India has been persistently deficient in pulses in spite of significant investment by the government over time. Using secondary data for a long period of time, from 1950 to 2011, we study how production of pulses has changed across regions and over time in India. Realizing the role of pulses in the cereals complex, the study shows the changing scenario in pulses production as it was crowded out by cereals with the advent of Green Revolution technologies. We create typologies of different phases in the evolution of production in India. Results show that there have been pronounced movements in pulses, with production centers shifting regionally from north to south and east to west and some concentration in central India. Notwithstanding the turnaround in pulses in the past three to four years, pulses have been moving increasingly to marginal unirrigated areas. The econometric results based on fixed-effects estimation establish that as irrigation becomes available there is a switch away from pulses toward competing crops. Recent advances in technology with short- to extra-short-duration varieties that fit into cereal-based systems have opened up new avenues for pulses reflected in increasing production. Also, we find no evidence of crowding out of domestic production because of liberalized trade, which has been the case in pulses for a long period of time. |
| Keywords: | grain legumes, pigeon peas, chickpeas, green revolution, pulses, competing crops, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1454&r=all |
| By: | Zeng, Xiangyu; Zeng, Zhezhao |
| Abstract: | We develop an algebraic polynomial model to measure and compare the sustainability in 4 countries after studying existing sustainable development index systems. The model consists of three facets of indicators: natural resources reserve, environment carrying capacity and social welfare level. We use recursive least-squares method (RLS) to determine the parameters of the fitted model and apply this model to design a sustainable development plan for Tanzania. Considering the country profile and model testing results, the plan comprises of five programs: producing clean water, generating electricity, improving transport conditions, developing tourism industry and advancing medical and health services. Finally we predict the change of each indicator in the next two decades and compare the results under natural state, finding that the sustainability of Tanzania will increase. |
| Keywords: | recursive least-squares method (RLS),sustainability hierarchy, development project of Tanzania |
| JEL: | C53 O22 |
| Date: | 2015–07–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:65895&r=all |
| By: | Guta, Dawit; Jara, Jose; Adhikari, Narayan; Qiu, Chen; Gaur, Varun; Mirzabaev, Alisher |
| Abstract: | Access to modern energy is vital for sustainable development. In rural areas, decentralized energy solutions may play a significant role in reducing poverty, supporting community institutions and facilitating the generation of basic services such as communication, water access, education and health services. However, the majority of dwellers in off-grid communities in developing countries have little or no access to modern energy technologies, although they are endowed with a vast potential of renewable energy resources. Decentralized energy solutions could serve as an option to solve this energy access problem. However, the previous literature indicates that there are financial, technical, infrastructural, and institutional constraints to scale up decentralized energy options. This paper seeks to study the underlying factors behind the successes and failures of household- and community-based decentralized energy technologies through local case studies from different parts of the world, analyzed through the lenses of the Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) nexus. First, the paper reviews the literature on the main benchmarks used to evaluate the success and failure of community-based energy. Second, the conceptual framework relating decentralized energy to the WEF nexus elements is briefly described. Thirdly, the methods and data used in the paper are described, followed by the presentation of the case studies. Lastly, the paper is concluded by drawing policy lessons and recommendations. Further empirical studies are recommended to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of decentralized energy solutions on the welfare of households and communities within the framework of the Water-Energy-Food nexus. |
| Keywords: | decentralized energy, Water-Energy-Food Security nexus, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, O13, Q40, |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ubzefd:207713&r=all |
| By: | Olmstead, Sheila M. (Resources for the Future); Sigman, Hilary (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines whether countries consider the welfare of other nations when they make water development decisions. We estimate econometric models of the location of major dams around the world as a function of the degree of international sharing of rivers. We find that dams are more prevalent in areas of river basins some distance upstream of foreign countries, supporting the view that countries free ride in exploiting water resources. We find some evidence that international institutions, in particular multinational financing and international water management treaties, may mitigate this free riding. |
| Keywords: | common pool, free-riding, dams, water impoundment, international rivers, treaties |
| JEL: | Q25 Q28 Q20 |
| Date: | 2014–08–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-14-23-rev&r=all |
| By: | Dranco, Daniel; Luiselli, Luca |
| Abstract: | A Contingent Valuation (CV) was used to estimate the common goods’ overall value of three landscapes (woodlands, wetlands, rural landscape) of the Province of Rome, to use them for policy and administration purpose. Both single and multi-bounded discrete choice models was used. The results are similar between models with a repeated maximum likelihood trend of decreasing mean values from rural landscape to wetlands. The statistical robustness of this trend can be explained by the different organization of multiple consequential and deontological motives that build up preferences. The value assigned by tax payers to common goods analysed sums to a large extent up to the province budget and mean direct use values per hectare are comparable (cropland) or much smaller (woodlands) than indirect and non use values. The indications obtained could be considered robust enough to address decisions and policies (like that of rural development) about how much to pay for common goods management services. |
| Keywords: | willingness to pay, Contingent Valuation, ecosystem services, public goods, Total Economic Value, multiple motivations distribution, pay for ecosystem services. |
| JEL: | Q57 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66309&r=all |