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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Erlend A. T. Hermansen and Sjur Kasa |
| Abstract: | Norway – a small northern country with only 5 million inhabitants – is at present a global leader in REDD+ financing. In this paper, we explain why and how this happened by telling the story about the emergence of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) in 2007 and its institutionalization in the following years. We emphasize how a set of Norwegian climate policy characteristics prepared the ground for NICFI. These characteristics were the relative absence of less expensive potential emission cuts domestically, a tradition of seeking cheaper emission reduction options abroad, and few fiscal constraints due to high petroleum revenues. When the domestic demand for a more proactive climate policy started to increase from 2006 onward, two Norwegian environmental NGOs, The Rainforest Foundation Norway and Friends of the Earth Norway, exploited the window of opportunity that emerged from the tension between high domestic abatement costs and increasing domestic climate policy demands by proposing a large-scale Norwegian rainforest effort. This proposal resonated well with the new emphasis on reduced deforestation as a promising climate policy measure internationally. Towards the end of 2007, these ENGOs managed to convince a broad majority in Parliament that large-scale financing of measures to reduce deforestation globally should become an important part of Norwegian climate policy. Financing NICFI through the growth in the steadily increasing development aid budget dampened opposition from more fiscally conservative actors and facilitated the rapid set-up of a flexible implementing organization directly linked to some of the most proactive politicians. Several agreements with key rainforest countries were rapidly established, and including ENGOs in policy formulation and implementation helped maintaining the momentum and legitimacy for NICFI as a more permanent solution to Norway’s climate policy dilemmas. NICFI’s robustness and high level of legitimacy are illustrated by the fact that the initiative has survived the recent 2013 change of government quite intact. However, we also suggest that the long-time survival of the initiative may be dependent on the future of the UNFCCC process as well as the destiny of the national projects. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Mitigation, Forests, REDD+, Norway. |
| JEL: | Q23 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:389&r=env |
| By: | Sánchez-Fung, José R. |
| Abstract: | The paper estimates the link between aggregate income and carbon dioxide emissions for the Dominican Republic. The econometric analysis finds evidence of an environmental Kuznets curve revealing that the level of annual real per capita income at which carbon dioxide emissions start to stabilise is around US$1,600. The estimations support evidence in the literature revealing that the curve has been flattening and shifting to the left. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; Environmental Kuznets curve; Dominican Republic. |
| JEL: | Q56 |
| Date: | 2016–01–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:68958&r=env |
| By: | Salahodjaev, Raufhon; Yuldashev, Oybek |
| Abstract: | The link between intelligence and air pollution is subject to controversy. Some studies report that intelligence has insignificant effect in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. By using carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for a large set of countries we present further novel empirical evidence on the relation between level of intelligence and air pollution. Our findings suggest that the relation follows a U-shape pattern and resembles environmental Kuznets curve. |
| Keywords: | IQ; intelligence; pollution; Kuznets Curve |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:68997&r=env |
| By: | Wellbrock, Nicole; Grüneberg, Erik; Ziche, Daniel; Eickenscheidt, Nadine; Holzhausen, Marieanna; Höhle, Juliane; Gemballa, Rainer; Andreae, Henning |
| Abstract: | Der Humus- und Nährstoffstatus von Waldböden wird durch Klimawandel, anthropogene Stoffeinträge und Bewirtschaftungsmaßnahmen fortwährend beeinflusst. In Abhängigkeit ihrer bodenphysikalischen und -chemischen Eigenschaften können Waldböden sich verändernde Umweltbedingungen abpuffern oder diese sogar verstärken. Daher müssen die Standortsverhältnisse und deren Entwicklungstendenzen für langfristig angelegte forstliche Entscheidungen berücksichtigt werden. Ziel des Projekts war es, praxistaugliche Indikatoren für waldbaulich/ökologisch relevante Standortszustände zu identifizieren und diese in das Verfahren der Standortserkundung zu integrieren. Hierfür wurden zunächst Humus- und Oberbodendaten aus verschiedenen Erhebungen bezüglich ihrer standörtlichen, räumlichen und zeitlichen Varianz ausgewertet. Nachfolgend sollte ein Methodenvorschlag zur Erfassung der relevanten Standortseigenschaften abgeleitet werden. [...] |
| Abstract: | Climate change and anthropogenic substance load and forest management have a lasting impact on the status of humus and nutrients in forest soils. However, forest soils can buffer or even enhance changes of environmental conditions. Therefore, site conditions and their development have to be considered for long-term forest management decisions. The project aimed at identifying practicable indicators of relevant ecological and silvicultural site conditions that can be integrated into Site Survey of forest soils. A further objective was to develop a methods proposal for the inventory of relevant site conditions. Data of organic layer and topsoil from different inventories was evaluated regarding the site-specific, spatial and temporal variance. [...] |
| Keywords: | Boden,Standortserkundung,Sachsen,Regionalisierung,Wald,Geostatistik,Bodenzustandserkundung,Kalkung,Soils,site survey,Saxony,regionalisation,forest,geo-statistics,national soil inventory,liming |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:jhtire:36&r=env |
| By: | Antonio G.M. La Viña and Alaya de Leon |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an analysis of the international political dynamics around the reduction of tropical deforestation and forest degradation as a climate mitigation strategy, emphasizing the necessity of an enabling environment and sustainable financing to support the scaling up of these efforts globally. After describing the evolution from the 1990s of international cooperation to combat tropical deforestation, the paper focuses principally on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and how it provided an impetus for a renewed effort on this issue. The paper describes the complex process through which the climate and tropical forest agenda got inserted into UNFCCC processes, from its marginal role in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) created by the Kyoto Protocol to the emergence of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the Role of Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks) as the forum where decisions have been made on climate and tropical forests. The paper dissects the issues that have dominated the REDD+ negotiations, identifies and characterizes the actors and constituencies that have been influential in the process, analyzes lessons learned from the successes of this UNFCCC agenda, and suggests recommendations to move the REDD+ and overall tropical forests and climate agenda forward. The paper concludes with an anticipation of what to expect in the future, in the light especially of what could possibly be a new climate change agreement in 2015. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Forests, REDD+. |
| JEL: | Q23 Q54 F53 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:388&r=env |
| By: | Prashant Bharadwaj (University of California-San Diego); Matthew Gibson (Williams College); Joshua Graff Zivin (University of California-San Diego); Christopher Neilson (Princeton University) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of fetal exposure to air pollution on 4th grade test scores in Santiago, Chile. We rely on comparisons across siblings which address concerns about locational sorting and all other time-invariant family characteristics that can lead to endogenous exposure to poor environmental quality. We also exploit data on air quality alerts to help address concerns related to short-run time-varying avoidance behavior, which has been shown to be important in a number of other contexts. We find a strong negative effect from fetal exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) on math and language skills measured in 4th grade. These effects are economically significant and our back of the envelope calculations suggest that the 50% reduction in CO in Santiago between 1990 and 2005 increased lifetime earnings by approximately 100 million USD per birth cohort. |
| Keywords: | human capital, air pollution, avoidance behavior, carbon monoxide |
| JEL: | J24 Q51 Q53 Q56 I12 I18 |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wil:wileco:2016-01&r=env |
| By: | Rosa C. Goodman and Martin Herold |
| Abstract: | Tropical forests have the highest carbon density and cover more land area than forests in any other biome. They also serve a vital role as a natural buffer to climate change ?capturing 2.2–2.7 Gt of carbon per year. Unfortunately, tropical forests, mangroves, and peatlands are also subjected to the highest levels of deforestation and account for nearly all net emissions from Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) (1.1–1.4 Gt C / year). Net emissions from FOLU accounted for only 11% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions or 14% of total carbon emissions in 2010, though these figures are somewhat misleading and do not reflect the full potential of tropical forests to mitigate climate change. First, net FOLU emissions have reduced only slightly while emissions from all other sectors have skyrocketed. Secondly, the FOLU net flux is made up of two larger fluxes —deforestation emissions (2.6–2.8 Gt C / year) minus sequestration from forest regrowth (1.2–1.7 Gt C / year). Additionally, intact tropical forests also appear to be capturing at least 1.0 Gt C/ year. Gross deforestation, therefore, accounts for over a quarter of all carbon emissions, and tropical forests have removed 22–26% of all anthropogenic carbon emissions in the 2000s. If deforestation were halted entirely, forests were allowed to regrow, and mature forests were left undisturbed, tropical forests alone could have captured 25–35% of all other anthropogenic carbon emissions. On the other hand, if climate change continues unabated, forests could turn from net sinks to net sources of carbon. Forestrelated activities are among the most economically feasible and cost-effective mitigation strategies, which are important for both short- and long-term mitigation strategies. Action is needed immediately to utilize these natural mitigation solutions, and we need coordinated and comprehensive forest-related policies for mitigation. An international mechanism such as REDD+ is essential to realize the great natural potential for tropical forests to stabilize the climate. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Mitigation, Forests, REDD+ |
| JEL: | Q23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:385&r=env |
| By: | Imai, Kenichi |
| Abstract: | The Kyoto Mechanisms, namely, the Clean Development Mechanism(CDM), Joint Implementation(JI), and International Emissions Trading(IET), were introduced primarily to help Annex I countries attain emissions reduction targets cost efficiently. In addition, the introduction of the CDM and JI were expected to promote international technology transfer of climate technologies. To what extent do the Kyoto Mechanisms contribute to the international diffusion of climate technologies? What are the main factors that influence the international diffusion of climate technologies under the Kyoto Mechanisms? The purpose of this study is to explore the answers to these two research questions based on a review of a growing number of studies on this topic, particularly on the CDM, as well as an analysis of the data on main technologies, host and investing countries of CDM and JI projects. The study found first that the effects of the CDM and JI on the international transfer of climate technologies are neither strong nor weak, and second that these effects vary by host country, technology type and host country's absorptive capacity of technology. One of main implications of this study is the necessity of empirical studies about credit-incentive son technology innovation. |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agi:wpaper:00000068&r=env |
| By: | Jesse Lueders, Cara Horowitz, Ann Carlson, Sean B. Hecht, and Edward A. Parson |
| Abstract: | For the last several years, California has considered the idea of recognizing, within its greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, offsets generated by foreign states and provinces through reduced tropical forest destruction and degradation and related conservation and sustainability efforts, known as REDD+. During their deliberations on the issue, state policymakers have heard arguments from stakeholders in favor of crediting REDD+ offsets, and those against. After years of planning and cooperative efforts undertaken with states in Brazil, Mexico, and elsewhere, California is still determining whether to embrace REDD+ offsets. The most salient and potentially persuasive arguments in favor stem from the opportunity to influence and reduce international forest-related emissions contributing to climate change, while simultaneously reducing the costs imposed by the state’s climate change law. The state is still grappling, however, with serious questions about the effectiveness of REDD+ in addressing climate change, as well as the impacts of REDD+ on other social and environmental objectives. The suitability of the state’s cap-and-trade program as a tool for reducing emissions outside the state, given the co-benefits that accrue to local communities from in-state reductions, remains another key area of debate. The outcome of this policy discussion will depend on interrelated questions of program design, future offset supply and demand, and the weight given to the importance of prioritizing in-state emissions reductions and co-benefits. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Mitigation, Forests, REDD+, Cap-and-trade |
| JEL: | Q23 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:386&r=env |
| By: | Du, Limin; Hanley, Aoife; Wei, Chu |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) of CO2 emissions in China based on a provincial panel for the period of 2001-2010. The provincial marginal abatement cost (MAC) of CO2 emissions is estimated using a parameterized directional output distance function. Four types of model specifications are applied to fit the MAC-carbon intensity pairs. The optimal specification controlling for various covariates is identified econometrically. A scenario simulation of China's 40-45 percent carbon intensity reduction based on our MACC is illustrated. Our simulation results show that China would incur a 559-623 Yuan/ton (roughly 51-57 percent) increase in marginal abatement cost to achieve a corresponding 40-45 percent reduction in carbon intensity compared to its 2005 level. |
| Keywords: | CO2 Emissions,Marginal Abatement Cost Curve,Model Selection,China |
| JEL: | Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkwp:1985&r=env |
| By: | Marcel Probst (Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Lausanne, Switzerland); Caspar Sauter (Institute of economic research IRENE, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how greenhouse gas (GHG) policy stringency affects anthropogenic CO2 emissions using a new GHG policy stringency indicator and a structural spatial VAR approach. We estimate an average country-specific elasticity of CO2 emissions to GHG policy stringency, and assess the role of channels over which policy stringency affects CO2 emissions. We then ascertain how GHG policy stringency affects sectoral CO2 efficiency and the sectoral composition of economies. Results indicate that a country with no GHG regulations can achieve a 15% reduction of its CO2 emissions by adopting the stringency level of the most regulated country. In addition, increasing GHG policy stringency improves sectoral CO2 efficiency, and decreases production in CO2 intensive sectors thereby altering the sectoral composition. At last, policy induced CO2 reduction costs in terms of GDP are relatively large, but 4 times lower for developing compared to developed countries. |
| Keywords: | CO2, composition effect, environmental policy stringency, greenhouse gas emissions, impluse reponse functions, spatial VAR, technique effect |
| JEL: | O13 Q53 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irn:wpaper:15-03&r=env |
| By: | Hottenrott, Hanna; Rexhäuser, Sascha; Veugelers, Reinhilde |
| Abstract: | This study investigates induced productivity effects of firms introducing new environmental technologies. The literature on within-firm organisational change and productivity suggests that firms can achieve higher productivity gains from adopting new technologies if they adapt their organisational structures. Such complementarity effects may be of particular importance for the adoption of greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement technologies. The adoption of these technologies is often induced by public authorities to limit the social costs of climate change, whereas the private returns are much less obvious. This study finds empirical support for complementarity between green technology adoption (either CO2-reducing or resources and energy efficiency-enhancing technologies) and organisational change. While the sole adoption of green technologies is associated with lower productivity, the simultaneous implementation of green technologies and organisational innovations is not. |
| Keywords: | technical change,environmental innovation,organisational change,productivity |
| JEL: | D23 O33 O32 Q55 L23 D24 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:dicedp:206&r=env |
| By: | Halkos, George; Galani, Georgia |
| Abstract: | The achievement of good environmental status (GES) of marine and coastal ecosystem services is specified in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This paper uses the choice experiment methodology (CE) to estimate the value of non-market benefits of marine and coastal ecosystem. Non-market benefits are rarely considered in marine planning and management. Assessing respondents’ willingness to pay in order to contribute in the development of marine planning and management implies that changes in marine and ecosystem services in Greece should be considered. Using appropriate econometric methods the empirical results show government trust and willingness to pay is directly linked. The results demonstrate also that preferences are heterogeneous with changes in certain marine and coastal attributes. |
| Keywords: | Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Marine and coastal ecosystems; Non-market valuation; Choice experiment. |
| JEL: | C1 C25 Q50 Q51 Q57 |
| Date: | 2016–01–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:68767&r=env |
| By: | Mihai, Florin-Constantin |
| Abstract: | Poor waste management facilities led to uncontrolled waste disposal on improper sites in the proximity of human settlements particularly in rural areas. This bad practice prevailed in all rural regions until 16 July 2009 when these garbage dumps should be closed and rehabilitated according to Government Decision number 345/2005 which comply the Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. The paper aims a spatial analysis of waste indicators concerning the rural dumpsites at administrative territorial units on national, regional and local scale. These data are correlated to geographical conditions reflecting spatial patterns in their distribution across and within Romanian counties. The role of geographical conditions is revealed at local scales in these spatial patterns due to a low coverage rate of rural communities to waste collection services. Such analysis supported by field observations is necessary for a proper understanding of illegal waste disposal issue. Rural regions are still exposed to such bad practices polluting the local environment |
| Keywords: | spatial analysis, waste indicators, rural areas, dumps, waste management, |
| JEL: | I18 K32 Q50 Q53 Q57 Q58 R52 R58 |
| Date: | 2015–12–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69068&r=env |
| By: | Katie Jenkins; Swenja Surminski; Jim Hall; Florence Crick |
| Abstract: | Flooding is the costliest natural disaster worldwide. In the UK flooding is listed as a major risk on the National Risk Register with surface water flooding the most likely cause of damage to properties. Climate change and increasing urbanisation are both projected to result in an increase in surface water flood events and their associated damages in the future. In this paper we present an Agent Based Model (ABM), applied to a London case study of surface water flood risk, designed to assess the interplay between different adaptation options; how risk reduction could be achieved by homeowners and government; and the role of flood insurance and the recently launched flood insurance pool, Flood Re, in the context of climate change. The ABM is novel in its coverage of different combinations of flood risk management options, insurance, and Flood Re, and its ability to model changing behaviour, decision making, surface water flood events, and surface water flood risk in a dynamic manner. The analysis highlights that while combined investment in property-level protection measures and sustainable urban drainage systems reduce surface water flood risk, benefits can be outweighed by continued development in high risk areas and the effects of climate change. Flood Re is beneficial in its function to provide affordable insurance, even under climate change, and is shown to have some positive effects on the housing market in the model. However, in our simulations Flood Re does face increasing pressure due to rising surface water flood risk, which highlights the importance of forward looking flood risk management interventions, that utilize insurance incentives, limit new development, and support resilience measures. Our findings are highly relevant for the ongoing regulatory and political approval process for Flood Re as well as the wider flood risk management discussion in the UK. |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp223&r=env |
| By: | Andersen, Dana C. (University of Alberta, Department of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Access to credit is indispensable to financing firm investment and therefore bears on technology decisions and in turn environmental performance. This paper develops a tractable general equilibrium model to analyze the effect of credit constraints on production-generated pollution emissions. The model demonstrates that reducing credit constraints increases the scale of production (scale effect) and increases the number of firms taking up production (market size effect), while it also reduces emissions per unit of output (technique effect) and increases the share of firms investing in the technology upgrade (composition effect). Because the former and latter effects are plausibly confounding in nature, the net effect of credit constraints on pollution emissions is an empirical question. This paper demonstrates that, using variation in the timing of credit market reforms, reducing credit constraints significantly improves air pollution (sulphur dioxide and lead concentrations) in both developing and developed countries. The results are robust using various approaches, including two-way fixed effects, lagged dependent variables, and difference-in-differences. |
| Keywords: | Credit constraints; choice of technology; air pollution |
| JEL: | D24 D53 Q53 Q55 |
| Date: | 2015–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:albaec:2015_004&r=env |
| By: | Hjort, Ingrid (Dept. of Economics, University of Oslo) |
| Abstract: | This literature overview conducts a systematic study of how the climate related risks from global warming may aff ect fi nancial markets. The climate related risk is divided into three subcategories, the environmental uncertainty, the economic climate risk and the climate policy risk, which all of them may aff ect the markets directly or indirectly. The perspective is broad, including production possibilities, productivity, social disturbance, health, migration and trade. Stock prices are affected by beliefs about future path of expected return. Climate change signifi es possible disruptions in production and consumption possibilities, which may imply reduction in future asset values. Expectations of this will reduce asset values today. There are few studies in the research literature that explicitly attempt to identify mispricing. The survey compares di fferent event studies that may reflect how the financial market react to the climate related risks. The empirical evidence is mixed, and few general conclusions can be drawn. It is unclear whether the market reactions are consistent with rational market valuation of the climate risk. |
| Keywords: | climate change; climate risk; climate policy risk; fi nancial markets; stranded assets; divestment |
| JEL: | G11 G12 G14 G32 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:osloec:2016_001&r=env |
| By: | Xian Zhang; Ke Wang; Yu Hao; Yi-Ming Wei (Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology); Jing-Li Fan |
| Abstract: | To reduce gasoline consumption and emissions, the Chinese government has introduced a series of preferential policies to encourage the purchase of New-Energy Vehicles (NEVs). However, enthusiasm for the private purchase of NEVs appears to be very low. This timely paper addresses the need for an empirical study to explore this phenomenon by identifying purchase motivations of potential NEV consumers and examining the impact of government policies introduced to promote NEVs in China. A questionnaire survey was carried out. The acceptance of NEVs is measured in three different Logistic models: the willingness of consumers to purchase NEVs, the purchasing time and the acceptable price, the establishment of three multivariate logistic regression models. The results showed that financial benefits, performance attributes, environmental awareness and psychological needs are the four most important factors influencing consumers¡¯ acceptance of NEVs. Among these, performance attributes rather than financial benefits is the most important indicator. The moderating effect of government policies to relations between purchasing intention, time and price is not strong as respected while the policy implications are clear that the ¡®public awareness of government policy¡¯ functions as a moderator in the process of acceptance. These findings could give some hints to the government to make better NEV industry policy. |
| Keywords: | New Energy Vehicles, Government Policy, Purchasing Motivations |
| JEL: | Q54 Q40 |
| Date: | 2016–02–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biw:wpaper:88&r=env |
| By: | Kleimeier S.; Viehs P.M. (GSBE) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we investigate the effect of voluntary carbon emissions disclosure on the cost of debt of publicly listed firms. Using a unique and comprehensive database on carbon emissions from CDP formerly The Carbon Disclosure Project, we study whether firms which choose to voluntarily disclose their carbon emissions enjoy more favorable lending conditions in the form of lower spreads on their bank loans than their non-disclosing counterparts. Our empirical results reveal a significant and negative relation between voluntarily disclosing carbon emission levels and the cost of bank loans for informationally opaque borrowers. Furthermore, we find that higher industry- and firm-size-adjusted carbon emissions have a positive and significant effect on loan spreads. These effects are common to all loans and not limited to loans which have been arranged by norms-constrained lenders suggesting that spread premia are driven by environmental risks rather than investor preferences. |
| Keywords: | Relation of Economics to Social Values; Banks; Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages; Valuation of Environmental Effects; |
| JEL: | A13 G21 Q51 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unm:umagsb:2016003&r=env |
| By: | Slave, Camelia; Vizireanu, Ioana |
| Abstract: | Climate change in Romania, will affect all sectors of the economy will lead to changes in vegetation periods and displacement the line between woods and meadows. Extreme weather events (storms, floods, droughts) will occur more frequently, and related risks and damages may become more significant. The areas affected by drought have expanded in the last decades the most exposed being in southeast and most of the country was affected by long lasting dry period. Together with floods, long periods of drought lead to significant economic losses in agriculture, transport, energy, water management, health and activity of households. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, climate, climate change, greenhouse environment. |
| JEL: | Q15 Q25 Q54 R11 |
| Date: | 2015–11–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69385&r=env |
| By: | Nauges, Céline; Wheeler, Sarah |
| Abstract: | Climate change will require commitment by all levels of the community, but there is still uncertainty surrounding the best way to influence individual mitigation behaviour. This study analyses household survey data on water and energy climate change mitigation behaviour from eleven OECD countries in 2011, and provides new evidence of a form of maladaptation, namely a complex rebound relationship between climate change attitudes and mitigation behaviour. First, results confirm other studies that climate change concerns and economic incentives (in terms of electricity and water charges) positively influence mitigation behaviour. Second, we find that the more costly, in terms of time and/or money, are the mitigation actions of a household, the more likely undertaking such actions directly lessens respondents’ climate change concerns. This negative rebound effect is more likely to occur in ‘environmentally-motivated’ households, who are more likely to have stated they believe human actions can help mitigate climate change. Conversely, economic incentives in driving energy and water pro-environmental behaviour work better in non-environmentallymotivated households. This highlights that a portfolio of policies is needed to drive mitigation behaviour. |
| Keywords: | economic incentives; rebound effect; mitigation behaviour; climate change attitudes |
| Date: | 2015–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:29950&r=env |
| By: | Wouter Achten; Koen Dillen; A.a Trabucco; Bruno Verbist; Lode Messemaker; Bart Muys; E Mathijs |
| Abstract: | Due to higher oil prices, abundance of labor and suitable land and its stable political climate, Tanzania attracted many investments in Jatropha. Although several studies on Jatropha's economic potential are available, its true economics are still uncertain. This paper aims to add to the growing body of knowledge on the socio-economic performance of the Jatropha system by (i) studying the economic potential (net present value - NPV) of the current most prevailing Jatropha system for Tanzanian farmers and its regional differences, by (ii) making a greenhouse gas (GHG) balance and its economic value of the Jatropha activities on regional level, and by (iii) calculating break-even thresholds for yield and seed price. Therefore, regional yield modeling, regional life-cycle assessment, and NPV calculations based on Monte Carlo simulations, each with its set of assumptions, are combined. This study shows positive economic potential of Jatropha cultivation in most of the Tanzanian regions. However, the results also show that 13 of 20 Tanzanian regions will not attain a net positive GHG balance within 10 years. This indicates that the environmental impacts might be more restrictive for Jatropha's sustainability potential in Tanzania than the socio-economic potential. These results are based on the combination of three models, which consists of strong interdisciplinary modeling work. However, this modeling also contains simplifications (e.g. no opportunity cost for 'marginal' land) and uncertainties (e.g. using globally modeled potential yield estimations), which have to be considered in the interpretation of the results. |
| Keywords: | Biodiesel; Carbon debt; Cost benefit; Environmental impact; GHG balance; Net present value |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulb:ulbeco:2013/151555&r=env |
| By: | Gisèle MÜLLER (United Nations Environment Programme) |
| Abstract: | As background preparation for the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in December 2015, the FERDI (Fondation pour les Etudes et Recherches sur le Développement International), in collaboration with CERDI (Centre for Studies and Research on International Development) from the University of Auvergne and IDDRI (Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations), held a one-day workshop on the topic of current and future climate change policies with a special focus on challenges faced by developing countries which will be hardest hit by global warming. |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:2021&r=env |
| By: | Molina, Oswaldo; Saldarriaga, Victor |
| Abstract: | The discussion on the effects of climate change on human activity has primarily focused on how increasing temperature levels can impair human health. However, less attention has been paid to the effect of increased climate variability on health. We investigate how in utero exposure to temperature variability, measured as the fluctuations relative to the historical local temperature mean, affects birth outcomes in the Andean region. Our results suggest that exposure to a temperate one standard deviation relative to the municipality’s long-term temperature mean during pregnancy reduces birth weight by 20 grams and increases the probability a child is born with low birth weight by 10 percent. We also explore potential channels driving our results and find some evidence that increased temperature variability can lead to a decrease in health care and increased food insecurity during pregnancy. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Temperature Variability, Birth Weight, Health |
| JEL: | I10 I15 J13 Q54 |
| Date: | 2016–02–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69185&r=env |
| By: | Florin Mihai ("Alexandru Ioan Cuza " University) |
| Abstract: | Low coverage of urban and rural population to waste collection services leads to various environmental threats caused by uncontrolled waste disposal. New EU regulations on waste management issues transposed into national laws have improved this sector, but, the population access to such services is still low compared to others new EU members. A multi-scale approach of this indicator is a necessary tool for a proper analysis of this environmental issue. The maps reveal that Romanian development regions (NUTS 2) have the lowest coverage rates at EU level in 2010. Furthermore, major disparities are reflected between Romanian counties in 2010. Thematic maps outline a comparative analysis at national and regional scale (Romanian counties & cities and communes of North-East Region) between urban vs rural areas in 2010. These geographical approaches are necessary for a better monitoring process of waste management sector. |
| Abstract: | La bassa copertura della popolazione urbana e rurale ai servizi di raccolta dei rifiuti porta a varie minacce ambientali causate da smaltimento incontrollato dei rifiuti. Nuovi regolamenti UE su questioni di gestione dei rifiuti recepite nelle legislazioni nazionali ha migliorato questo settore, ma, l'accesso della popolazione a tali servizi è ancora bassa in confronto ad altri nuovi Stati Membri dell'UE. Un approccio multi-scala di questo indicatore è uno strumento necessario per una corretta analisi della questione ambientale. Le mappe rivelano che sviluppo nelle regioni rumeno (NUTS 2) hanno le tariffe più basse di copertura a livello UE nel 2010. Inoltre, le grandi disparità si riflettono tra contee rumene nel 2010. Mappe tematiche delineano un'analisi comparativa su scala nazionale e regionale (contee rumene & città e comuni della regione di nord-est) tra le regioni rurali vs urbane nel 2010.Questi approcci geografici sono necessari per un migliore processo di monitoraggio della gestione dei rifiuti. |
| Keywords: | multi-scale analysis,waste collection services,disparities,thematic cartography,municipal waste |
| Date: | 2015–12–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01266116&r=env |
| By: | FAKHRI, ISSAOUI; HASSEN, TOUMI; WASSIM, TOUILI; BILEL, AMMOURI |
| Abstract: | In This paper we try to investigate the impact of CO2 emissions on a set of socioeconomic variables (GDP, health expectancy, life expectancy, urbanization, time, and a composite variable showing the effects post the earth summit of johansburg) in eight countries covering all world economic groups (Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, France, Norway, Bresil, USA, China and Australia). The empirical results have showed that the GDP continue to be the principal variable which is inciting to the CO2 emission. Also we have demonstrated that it exists actually a voluntary act at the world scale to substitute pollutant energy sources by other sources more clean and pure. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve, CO2, energy consumption, growth |
| JEL: | I1 I15 I3 I31 |
| Date: | 2016–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69318&r=env |
| By: | Hanna Brauers; Philipp M. Richter |
| Abstract: | “The Paris Agreement is a monumental triumph for people and our planet” (UN News Centre, 2015). Statements, like this one from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, represent the global excitement shortly after the acceptance of the Paris Agreement and describe the outcome of the COP21 in December 2015 primarily as ‘historical’. Twenty years after the UN’s first COP (Conference of the Parties), the international community reached “the first universal agreement in the history of climate negotiations” (French Government, 2015).Euphoria about the diplomatic success gave way to scepticism if the deal will actually have real political power to initiate ambitious climate policy worldwide that can prevent dangerous levels of climate change. It will be the next years and decades that show whether the Paris Agreement can create the so far missing global ambition to limit anthropogenic climate change and its capability to reduce risks and vulnerability to the impacts of an already changed climate.In this DIW Roundup we discuss the most important achievements of the negotiations in Paris, and show necessary steps, so that the convention will lead to the historic actions it is meant to create. Doing so, we complement a previous DIW Roundup (No. 82; Richter and Brauers, 2015), where we evaluated expectations prior to the Paris climate talks in December 2015. |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwrup:91en&r=env |
| By: | Jing-Li Fan; Qiao-Mei Liang; Xiao-Jie Liang; Hirokazu Tatano; Yoshio Kajitani; Yi-Ming Wei (Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | Extreme climatic events are likely to adversely affect many countries throughout the world, but the degrees among countries may be different. China and Japan are the countries with high incidences of extreme weather/disaster, both facing with the urgent task of addressing climate change. This study seeks to quantitatively compare the impacts of extreme climatic events on socio-economic systems (defined as vulnerability) of the two countries by simulating the consequences of hypothetical the same degree of electricity disruption along with extreme events. To do that, two CGE (computable general equilibrium) models are constructed, by using which three stage scenarios are simulated for China and Japan respectively. The results reveal that China and Japan have unequal socio-economic vulnerabilities to extreme events. (1) Negative impact of the same degree of power outages is bigger on China's socio economic system than on that of Japan. And this difference is more obvious in the very short-run scenario. (2) The decline of China¡¯s GDP, total output and employment levels is 2-3 times higher than that of Japan, while the difference of the resident welfare levels is sharper, which of China drops 3 to 5 times of Japan. (3) Structural factors is the main reason of vulnerability differences between China and Japan, including the differences of expenditure structure, factor input structure for production of life requirement sectors, material and energy dependence for production of industrial sectors, and usage structure of services outputs. Based on these findings, some policy implications and recommendations for fairness issues on climate change adaptation are proposed. |
| Keywords: | Vulnerability, Extreme climatic events, Electricity disruption, China and Japan |
| JEL: | Q40 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biw:wpaper:59&r=env |
| By: | Hao Yu; Bao-Jun Tang; Xiao-Chen Yuan; Shouyang Wang; Yi-Ming Wei (Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | China has been the world's largest producer and consumer of air conditioners, and more and more RACs would be owned by China's households along with the rapid economic development. Air Conditioner is also considered as one of the largest potential contributors to energy reduction among home appliances because of the huge energy consumption. Therefore, the national energy efficiency standards were issued to promote the use and production of high-efficient RACs. According to China's energy efficiency standards, this paper investigated the electricity savings and CO2 emission reductions from RACs over the period of 2005-2025. The results indicate that the rural RAC market which develops more slowly than the urban one still has great potential, and government has to revise subsidy policies to make the standards more effective, especially for rural areas. In 2025, the total electricity consumption of RACs is projected to be 598-674TWh, while the amount without energy efficiency standards is 753TWh. From 2005 to 2025, the energy efficiency standards for RACs can save 1430-2540TWh electricity and reduce 908.3-1610.1 Mt CO2 emissions in different scenarios. Finally, we suggest that the standards should be revised every 4 or 5 years with higher revision pace of 8% to 10%. |
| Keywords: | Room air conditioner, Electricity saving, Energy efficiency standard, CO2 emission reduction |
| JEL: | Q48 Q50 |
| Date: | 2014–08–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biw:wpaper:69&r=env |
| By: | Senicovscaia, Irina |
| Abstract: | Statistical parameters, criteria and scales of the soil biota stability to the natural and anthropogenic impact in the Republic of Moldova has been developed. The modifications of the biological properties of soils as a result of their long-term arable use and the impacts of erosion processes have been established. The zones of homeostasis (natural stability) of the biota of different soils have been determined for the first time at the national level. The current status of biota of arable soils is characterized by the significant reduction in comparison with soil’s standards that are in conditions of natural ecosystems and with the level of the 1960s. The scales of soil biological indicators for the evaluation of the degree of chernozemsʼ degradation and its environmental certifications have been developed. The application of no-tillage technology on the soils of the Republic of Moldova has been discussed. |
| Keywords: | Soil biota, degradation, natural stability, recovery, quality standards |
| JEL: | Q15 Q24 Q57 R14 |
| Date: | 2015–11–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69375&r=env |
| By: | Robert E.T. Ward |
| Abstract: | Lomborg (2015) suffers from a fundamental methodological flaw which means that it could not fulfil its aim, stated in the ‘Abstract’, to investigate “the temperature reduction impact of major climate policy proposals implemented by 2030â€. |
| Date: | 2015–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp218&r=env |
| By: | Säll, Sarah (Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at the distributional effect of an environmental tax on meat in Sweden, if such a tax was to be introduced. Welfare effects are measured as Compensation Variation (CV) for multiple price changes where Hicksian cross price elasticities, household expenditures and price changes are used in the calculations. Results show that taxes on meat are neutral over households when expenditures on meat are used as welfare indicators, and regressive if income is used. This can be explained as households use similar shares of total expenditures on meat. The households with the smallest income levels need to be compensated with 950 SEK per person and year to feel that utility is not lowered if taxes on meat are introduced, and the households with the highest income levels need to be compensated with 1176 SEK per person and year. This corresponds to 0.78% and 0.80% of total expenditures for the groups respectively. Compared to income levels this is 1.04% for the households with the smallest income levels and 0.52% for the households with the largest income. |
| Keywords: | Meat taxes; Distributional effects; Compensating Variation; Sweden |
| JEL: | D12 D60 Q18 Q50 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–02–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:slueko:2015_003&r=env |
| By: | Timilsina,Govinda R.; Toman,Michael A.; Karacsonyi,Jorge G.; de Tena Diego,Luca |
| Abstract: | The South Asia region is lagging behind many regions in the world in regional electricity cooperation and trading, despite the huge anticipated benefits. This study uses an electricity planning model that produces optimal expansion of electricity generation capacities and transmission interconnections in the long-term to quantify the benefits of unrestricted cross-border electricity trade in the South Asia during 2015?40. The study finds that the unrestricted electricity trade provision would save US$226 billion (US$9 billion per year) of electricity supply costs over the period. The ratio of the present value of benefits, in the form of reduction of fuel costs, to the present value of increased costs due to generation and interconnection would be 5.3. The provision would reduce regional power sector carbon dioxide emissions by 8 percent, mainly because of substitution of coal-based generation with hydro-based generation, although regional emissions would be well above current levels absent other policy interventions. To achieve these benefits, the region is estimated to add 95,000 megawatts of new cross-border transmission interconnection capacity. |
| Keywords: | Energy Production and Transportation,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Carbon Policy and Trading,Climate Change Economics,Energy and Environment |
| Date: | 2015–06–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7341&r=env |
| By: | Asongu, Simplice; El Montasser, Ghassen; Toumi, Hassen |
| Abstract: | This study complements existing literature by examining the nexus between energy consumption (EC), CO2 emissions (CE) and economic growth (GDP) in 24 African countries using a panel ARDL approach. The following findings are established. First, there is a long run relationship between EC, CE and GDP. Second, a long term effect from CE to GDP and EC is apparent, with reciprocal paths. Third, the error correction mechanisms are consistently stable. However, in cases of disequilibrium only EC can be significantly adjusted to its long run relationship. Fourth, there is a long-run causality running from GDP and CE to EC. Fifth, we find causality running from either CE or both CE and EC to GDP and inverse causal paths are observable. Causality from EC to GDP is not strong, which supports the conservative hypothesis. Sixth, the causal direction from EC to GDP remains unobservable in the short term. By contrast, the opposite path is observable. There are also no short-run causalities from GDP, or EC, or EC and GDP to EC. Policy implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | Energy consumption; CO2 emissions; Economic growth; Africa |
| JEL: | C52 O40 O43 O50 O55 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:69442&r=env |
| By: | Moritz Drupp; Mark Freeman; Ben Groom; Frikk Nesje |
| Abstract: | As the most important driver of long-term project evaluation, from climate change policy to infrastructure investments, the social discount rate (SDR) has been subject to heated debate among economists. To uncover the extent and sources of disagreement, we report the results of a survey of over 200 experts that disentangles the long-term SDR into its component parts: the pure rate of time preference, the wealth effect, and the real risk-free interest rate. The mean recommended SDR is 2.27 percent, with a range from 0 to 10 percent. Despite disagreement on point values, more than three-quarters of experts are comfortable with the median SDR of 2 percent, and over 90 percent find an SDR in the range of 1 to 3 percent acceptable. Our disentangled data reveal that only a minority of responses are consistent with the Ramsey Rule, the theoretical framework dominating discounting policy. Instead, experts recommend that governmental discounting guidance should be updated to deal with uncertainty, relative prices, and alternative ethical approaches. |
| Date: | 2015–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp172&r=env |
| By: | Minh Ha-Duong (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 - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CleanED - Clean Energy and Sustainable Development Lab - USTH - Université des Sciences et des Technologies de Hanoi) |
| Keywords: | climate change |
| Date: | 2015–06–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01250032&r=env |
| By: | Kalashnikova, Svetlana (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration) |
| Abstract: | The article deals with environmental performance as a factor in the competitiveness of companies under market conditions. The trend in the ecologically oriented business increasingly manifested in the consumer market, the production of consumer goods. The incentives are need to be identified for users to make their behavior more environmentally oriented. The following components are important: waste reduction, reuse, recycling. The article highlights the benefits to producers and consumers of organic products. |
| Keywords: | environmental marketing, eco-friendly product, the perception of the goods by the consumer |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rnp:ppaper:karpc2&r=env |
| By: | Amos James Ibrahim-Shwilima (Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University); Hideki Konishi (School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University) |
| Abstract: | Gold mining firms in Tanzania pay royalty and corporate taxes, but also receive many tax concessions. Such tax incentives may cause to reschedule their extraction plans and thereby change the expected life of a gold mine. We model a representative mining firm’s extraction decision using optimal control theory, into which various tax incentives are introduced to determine their theoretical impact. Our results suggest thatin the race to take advantage of tax incentives, a firm may end up making excessive investments, which in turn increases extraction rate. Actual extraction patterns of several gold mining companies in Tanzania are also reviewed. |
| Keywords: | Natural resources, tax incentives, corporate tax policy |
| JEL: | Q38 H25 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wap:wpaper:1403&r=env |
| By: | Hélia Costa |
| Abstract: | Are environmental policies affected by the political cycle? This paper investigates if environmental spending is used as pork barrel with signaling purposes. It develops a two-period model of electoral competition where politicians use current policies to signal their preferences to rational, forward-looking voters. There exists an equilibrium where incumbents use pork barrel spending for signaling in majoritarian systems. Results show that it is directed towards ideologically homogeneous groups, and is mitigated if the incumbent is a “lame duck†or has a high discount rate. The predictions of the model are tested using data on US state level environmental expenditures. The empirical results show support for the signaling motive as a central mechanism in generating pork barrel towards the environment. |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp225&r=env |
| By: | Kevin Ummel |
| Abstract: | This paper describes the creation of a database providing estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints for 6 million US households over the period 2008-2012. The database allows analysis of footprints for 52 types of consumption (e.g. electricity, gasoline, apparel, beef, air travel, etc.) within and across geographic regions as small as individual census tracts. Potential research applications with respect to carbon pricing and tax policy are discussed. Preliminary analysis reveals: The top 10% of US polluters are responsible for 25% of the country’s GHG footprint. The least-polluting 40% of the population accounts for only 20% of the total. The average GHG footprint of individuals in the top 2% of the income distribution is more than four times that of those in the bottom quintile. The highest GHG footprints are found in America’s suburbs, where relatively inefficient housing and transport converge with higher incomes. Rural areas exhibit moderate GHG footprints. High-density urban areas generally exhibit the lowest GHG footprints, but location-specific results are highly dependent on income. Residents of Republican-held congressional districts have slightly higher average GHG footprints than those in Democratic districts – but the difference is small (21.8 tCO2e/person/year in Republican districts; 20.6 in Democratic). There is little relationship between the strength of a district’s party affiliation and average GHG footprint. |
| Keywords: | air pollution, greenhouse gases, climate change, environment |
| JEL: | Q53 Q57 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:381&r=env |
| By: | Oliver Bettis; Simon Dietz; Nick Silver |
| Abstract: | How large a risk is society prepared to run with the climate system? One perspective on this is to compare the risk that the world is running with the climate system, defined in terms of the risk of ‘climate ruin’, with the comparable risk that financial institutions, in particular insurance companies, are prepared or allowed to run with their own financial ruin. We conclude that, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions today and in the future, the world is running a higher risk with the climate system than financial institutions, in particular insurance companies, would usually run with their own solvency. |
| Date: | 2015–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp217&r=env |
| By: | Ke Wang; Yi-Ming Wei (Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology); Xian Zhang |
| Abstract: | Evaluation of the energy and emissions efficiency of Chinese regions has recently attracted increasing interest. A number of previous studies have contributed to the measurement of energy efficiency using various types of data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. However, most of these DEA-based energy efficiency analyses were restricted to the radial expansions of outputs or radial contractions of inputs. In this paper, we utilize the multi-directional efficiency analysis (MEA) approach instead of the traditional radial DEA to investigate Chinese regional energy and emissions efficiency. Since MEA selects benchmarks such that the input contractions or output expansions are proportional to the potential improvement identified by considering the improvement potential in each input or output variable separately, not just the efficiency status but also the efficiency patterns of different Chinese regions and areas can be detected. The empirical study results indicate that, in general, the MEA efficiency of China experienced an increasing process over the study period 1997-2010; the east area overall is more MEA efficient than the central area and the west area of China during the study period; the significant higher MEA efficiency of the east area to the central area and the west area are due to both the higher energy specific efficiency and the higher emissions specific efficiency of the east area compared to the other two areas; the provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, and Hubei etc. have both high energy saving potentials and high emissions reduction potentials, thus they will play the most important roles in China¡¯s effort on energy conservation and CO2 emissions mitigation. |
| Keywords: | Energy efficiency, CO2 emissions, Multi-directional efficiency analysis (MEA), China |
| JEL: | Q40 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biw:wpaper:60&r=env |
| By: | Pannell, David J. |
| Abstract: | Water agencies and utilities wishing to support water-sensitive projects face the challenge of deciding which of the many possible projects they should support with their limited resources. Projects vary greatly in their benefits and costs, so selecting the best projects can make a major difference to the level of benefits that can be generated for a given budget. Key principles for ranking projects are presented and explained. Suitable formulas to use as a metrics for ranking projects are developed and explained. The formulas account for valuation of benefits, the effectiveness of management, time lags, behaviour change, various risks and various costs. The formulas are designed to strike a balance between theoretical rigour and reasonable simplifications. A number of common mistakes to avoid are outlined. Sample templates for project proposals and spreadsheets for ranking projects are provided, to make it easy to put the principles into practice. |
| Keywords: | water-sensitive, green infrastructure, water conservation, environment, investment, economics, project prioritisation, uncertainty, behaviour change, risk, valuation, technical feasibility, Environmental Economics and Policy, D82, Q20, Q28, |
| Date: | 2015–05–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:204263&r=env |
| By: | Cavalcante, Ana Helena A. P. |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the current water crisis in Greater São Paulo. It is based on a diagnosis of the main barriers that impeded government and other stakeholders at different governance scales to take action to guarantee a secure water provision. The objective was to discuss why there was a lack of preparation of this region to the occurring of a prolonged drought and which adaptation measures could have been taken to avoid or diminish its effects on water supply. The analysis is the result of an in-depth explanatory case study and field research, which had as its primary evidence a set of twelve semi-structured interviews made in the studied region in March and April 20151. Further evidence was extracted from newspaper articles, government reports and scientific publications. The key reference of this lecture is the literature on barriers to adaptation to climate change. Ostrom's (2009) Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework provided the analytical framework used to analyze the collected data and to understand the interactions among core subsystems that affect each other and are linked to social, economic, and political settings and related ecosystems. The results comprehend ten barriers that were encountered in the interactions that contributed to the water crisis. We conclude that the misrepresentation of the interests of the population in having a secure water provision and the risky behavior of water managers influenced the crisis. Further we argue that the lack of governance mechanisms and the political power concentration, which characterizes the actual governance system, are central in the explanation of the ongoing crisis. |
| Keywords: | resource access/control,water security,climate adaptation,Brazil,urban development |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cenwps:042015&r=env |
| By: | Berge, Erling (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences) |
| Abstract: | Last summer visitors to the Oslo opera house were met with the following announcement: “Here comes the “Opera Commons” explaining: “Operaallmenningen”, the Opera Commons, “will be a multi-functional meeting place for cultural events, recreational activities and people passing through.” The choice of “allmenning” (commons) to designate a place that is available to citizens of Oslo and their visitors as a “meeting place for cultural events” and “recreational activities” may be part of an international trend idolizing “the commons”. This trend one may observe both in academia and in some political circles. The trend deserves some reflection in its own right. Why is there currently a need for this term? The established theory of the commons does not have much to say about urban reality in its own right. However, the theory is well developed to understand some problems of collective action as these appear in urban development. The link between land tenure and structure of land use decisions is well known. We shall use the theory of the commons to comment on the link between tenure and form of commons that may appear and the problems of governing urban commons in various forms. |
| Keywords: | Urban commons; common pool goods; social dilemmas; Oslo |
| JEL: | H40 R10 Z18 |
| Date: | 2016–02–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nlsclt:2016_004&r=env |
| By: | Bhaskar, K.; Turaga, Rama Mohana |
| Abstract: | Extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been a widely used policy approach, in developed and developing countries alike, to manage the growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste). EPR assigns the responsibility of the end-of-life waste management to the producers of electric and electronic equipment. India has adopted EPR approach in its e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, which have come into effect in May, 2012. According to these rules, the producers have been made responsible for setting up collection centres of e-waste and financing and organizing a system for environmentally sound management of e-waste. In this paper, we use implementation of these rules in the city of Ahmedabad in western India as a case study to conduct a critical analysis of the provisions of India’s new rules. Interviews of main stakeholder groups, including a sample of commercial establishments regulated under the rules, regulatory agencies enforcing the rules, informal actors involved in waste collection and handling, as well as publicly available information on the implementation constitute data for our case study. We draw broader implications of our analysis of implementation in Ahmedabad. In general, there is a need for more transparency from the producers in providing information on the mechanism for collection and recycling; more awareness must be generated on e-waste and the Rules amongst the consumers; and it is important to sort out potential issues around enforcement jurisdiction. |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:13176&r=env |
| By: | Pallares-Barbera, M.; Boada, M.; Sànchez-Mateo, S.; Duch, J.; Barriocanal, C.; Marlès-Magre, J. |
| Abstract: | El objetivo de esta comunicación es estudiar el bienestar de la población urbana, basada en dos pilares fundamentales: la proximidad a los servicios de la población, y la biodiversidad urbana. El valor social de este proyecto consiste en combinar elementos de urbanismo ético que persigue el interés público (localizando servicios a la población), factores de biodiversidad, y Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG). El principal objetivo del proyecto es analizar los niveles de bienestar de la población basada en la biodiversidad y la provisión de servicios con la construcción de una tecnología digital e interactiva basada en un SIG que permita trasladar el conocimiento del bienestar de un territorio urbano, en términos de información de la provisión de servicios y de la biodiversidad urbana, a la población y a los agentes implicados y, a su vez, reforzar el sentimiento de identidad. |
| Date: | 2016–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:363691&r=env |