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on Environmental Economics |
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Issue of 2016‒07‒16
forty-two papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Yannis Dafermos (University of the West of England); Maria Nikolaidi; Giorgos Galanis |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a stock-flow-fund ecological macroeconomic model that combines the stock-flow consistent approach of Godley and Lavoie with the flow-fund model of Georgescu-Roegen. The model has the following key features. First, monetary and physical stocks and flows are explicitly formalised taking into account the accounting principles and the laws of thermodynamics. Second, Georgescu-Roegen’s distinction between stock-flow and fund-service resources is adopted. Third, output is demand-determined but supply constraints might arise either due to environmental damages or due to the exhaustion of natural resources. Fourth, climate change influences directly the components of aggregate demand. Fifth, finance affects macroeconomic activity and the materialisation of investment plans that determine ecological efficiency. The model is calibrated using global data. Simulations are conducted to investigate the trajectories of key environmental, macroeconomic and financial variables under (i) different assumptions about the sensitivity of economic activity to the leverage ratio of firms and (ii) different types of green finance policies. |
| Keywords: | ecological macroeconomics, stock-flow consistent modelling, laws of thermodynamics, climate change, finance |
| JEL: | E12 E44 Q54 Q57 |
| Date: | 2016–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pke:wpaper:pkwp1612&r=env |
| By: | Marc CHESNEY; Pierre LASSERRE; Bruno TROJA |
| Abstract: | Mitigation and adaptation represent two solutions to the issue of global warming. While mitigation aims at reducing CO2 emissions and preventing climate change, adaptation encompasses a broad scope of techniques used to reduce the impacts of climate change once they have occurred. Both have direct costs on a country’s Gross Domestic Product, but costs also arise from temperature increases due to inaction. This paper introduces a tipping point in a real options model and analyzes optimal investment choices in mitigation and their timing. |
| Keywords: | adaptation, mitigation, real options, delay, tipping point, climate change, CO2, gross domestic product |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mtl:montec:08-2016&r=env |
| By: | Steinkraus, Arne |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the effect of carbon leakage on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) using satellite nighttime light data. I show that nighttime lighting is an important variable for estimating carbon dioxide emissions that is superior to other existing indicators and covers all countries in the world. I find evidence of an inverted-U shaped relationship between light and, thus, greenhouse gas emissions and income, with a turning point at approximately US $50,000. However, the relationship is primarily driven by changes in the structure of international trade, implying strong carbon leakage effects. Consequently, environmental regulations that become operative in only one part of the world may fail without global coordination. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve,Carbon Leakage,Nighttime Lighting |
| JEL: | F18 F64 Q50 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tbswps:15&r=env |
| By: | Jürgen Kruse (University of Cologne); Heike Wetzel (University of Kassel) |
| Abstract: | This article empirically analyzes supply-side and demand-side factors expected to affect innovation in clean coal technologies. Patent data from 93 national and international patent offices is used to construct new firm-level panel data on 3,648 clean coal innovators over the time period 1978 to 2009. The results indicate that on the supply-side a firm’s history in clean coal patenting and overall propensity to patent positively affects clean coal innovation. On the demand-side we find strong evidence that environmental regulation of emissions, that is, CO2, NOX and SO2, induces innovation in both efficiency improving combustion and after pollution control technologies. |
| Keywords: | clean coal technologies, innovation, patents, technological change |
| JEL: | C33 O31 Q40 Q55 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:201615&r=env |
| By: | Seema Jayachandran; Joost de Laat; Eric F. Lambin; Charlotte Y. Stanton |
| Abstract: | This paper evaluates a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) program in western Uganda that offered forest-owning households cash payments if they conserved their forest. The program was implemented as a randomized trial in 121 villages, 60 of which received the program for two years. The PES program reduced deforestation and forest degradation: Tree cover, measured using high-resolution satellite imagery, declined by 2% to 5% in treatment villages compared to 7% to 10% in control villages during the study period. We find no evidence of shifting of tree-cutting to nearby land. We then use the estimated effect size and the "social cost of carbon" to value the delayed carbon dioxide emissions, and compare this benefit to the program's cost. |
| JEL: | O10 O13 Q23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22378&r=env |
| By: | Marc Chesney; Pierre Lasserre; Bruno Troja |
| Abstract: | Mitigation and adaptation represent two solutions to the issue of global warming. While mitigation aims at reducing CO2 emissions and preventing climate change, adaptation encompasses a broad scope of techniques used to reduce the impacts of climate change once they have occurred. Both have direct negative impacts on a country’s Gross Domestic Product, but costs also arise from temperature increases due to inaction. This paper analyzes the trade-offs between these costs in a real options model with tipping points and the possibility of major catastrophe. We determine the optimal timing and magnitude of mitigation in that framework. Mitigation et adaptation constituent deux façons de lutter contre le changement climatique. En réduisant les émissions de CO2, la mitigation s’attache à empêcher ou ralentir le changement climatique; l’adaptation consiste à en réduire les conséquences. Ces deux types de mesures ont des coûts en termes de produit national brut. Le changement climatique et l’inaction ou des mesures insuffisantes sont également coûteux. Dans cet article nous étudions les arbitrages entre ces coûts dans le cadre d’un modèle d’options réelles comportant des points de basculement climatiques et la possibilité de catastrophe majeure. Nous analysons dans ce cadre la date d’introduction et l’ampleur optimales des mesures de mitigation à adopter. |
| Keywords: | Adaptation, Mitigation, Real Options, Delay, Tipping Point, Climate Change, CO2, Gross Domestic Product, Adaptation, Mitigation, Options réelles, Délai, Point de basculement, Changement climatique, CO2, Produit national brut |
| Date: | 2016–07–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cir:cirwor:2016s-34&r=env |
| By: | Song, Edward |
| Abstract: | Different from past economic research, I incorporate recent theories by climatologists that burning fossil fuels increases the equilibrium level of carbon dioxide, CO2, in the atmosphere into a macroeconomic growth model. In the model, both production and consumption produces $CO_2$ emissions. I also assume that Anthropogenic Global Warming, AGW, not only damages production, but also capital stock and utility. In addition, a boundary condition similar to the Simpson-Kombayashi-Ingersoll (SKI) Limit holds, that there exists a critical temperature which leads to runaway greenhouse warming. Under these assumptions with no alternative fuel sources, and unlimited fossil fuel supply, the economy eventually flat lines (dies). Abatement only delays the inevitable. Using discount factors of .95 and .99, modest abatement policy can increase world welfare but do not increase life expectancy. When the discount factor is zero, conclusions of which policy is best is sensitive to the time horizon policy makers use. If a 100 year time horizon is used, modest consumption abatement may be the best policy, which may actually decrease life expectancy. However, a theoretical infinite time horizon may imply near zero emissions as the growth of damages is reduced and the probability of survival increases. Unfortunately, because humans have finite lives, this creates an ethical dilemma. In order for society to be better off, the current living must sacrifice by accepting policies that lead them to experience near zero output, consumption and near zero lifetime utility and welfare. |
| Keywords: | Macroeconomics, Economic Growth, Climate Change |
| JEL: | E19 O4 Q54 |
| Date: | 2015–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:72435&r=env |
| By: | Madalina Cristina TOCAN (Faculty of Economics, Ecological University of Bucharest); Oana CHINDRIS-VASIOIU (Faculty of Economics, Ecological University of Bucharest) |
| Abstract: | The economy, in different historical stages and development in any part of the Terra planet, develops and grows between two coordinates, namely: production and consumption. Their relationship is interdependence, reciprocity. This relationship production-consumption which means savings in relation to the environment (initially natural environment) has two aspects: the environment is the economy support and a supplier of raw materials - support is established by the necessary energy production process for finished products and their distribution, waste results; Environmental structure at one time is changed by technological production processes actually determining ecological imbalances. The present paper tries to present the core concepts regarding green economy, the eco- economic decisions, environmental management system and the present situation of the environmental management within the Romanian companies. |
| Keywords: | green economy, eco-economic decisions, Environmental Management System, Sustainable Development |
| JEL: | O44 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eub:wp2015:2015-11&r=env |
| By: | Klepper, Gernot; Dovern, Jonas; Rickels, Wilfried; Barben, Daniel; Goeschl, Timo; Harnisch, Sebastian; Heyen, Daniel; Janich, Nina; Maas, Achim; Matzner, Nils; Scheffran, Jürgen; Uther, Stephanie |
| Abstract: | [Einleitung] Der Begriff Climate Engineering (CE) fasst verschiedene Technologien zusammen, mit denen bewusst in das Klimasystem der Erde eingegriffen wird, um den anthropogenen Klimawandel zu begrenzen. Dabei lassen sich die CE-Technologien von den herkömmlichen Vermeidungs- und Anpassungsmaßnahmen durch die Tatsache abgrenzen, dass sie ansetzen, nachdem Treibhausgase in die Atmosphäre emittiert wurden, aber bevor es zu einer Anpassung an die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels kommt (Keith 2000). Sie können danach in zwei Gruppen eingeteilt werden, je nachdem ob sie eingesetzt werden, um die atmosphärische Treibhausgaskonzentration zu senken - und damit die Ursache des Klimawandels zurückzuführen - oder ob sie eingesetzt werden, um in die Strahlungsbilanz der Erde einzugreifen und damit die Symptome des Klimawandels abzumildern. Die Technologien der ersten Gruppe werden als Carbon Dioxid Removal (CDR)-Technologien und jene der anderen als Radiation Management (RM)-Technologien bezeichnet. Dabei ist Radiation Management der weitere Begriff, da sowohl Technologien zur direkten Beeinflussung der kurzwelligen (SRM) als auch der langwelligen (TRM) Strahlung beinhaltet sind. Entsprechend könnten Technologien zur ursächlichen Rückführung des Klimawandels eigentlich auch als Concentration Management bezeichnet werden, da theoretisch die atmosphärische Konzentration verschiedener Treibhausgase manipuliert werden könnte (Rickels et al. 2011: 41). Da aber derzeit nur die Konzentration von Kohlendioxid (CO2) beeinflusst wird, wird in der vorliegenden Studie der engere Begriff CDR verwendet. [...] |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkbw:8&r=env |
| By: | Mallawaarachchi, Thilak; Nauges, Céline; Quiggin, John; Sanders, Orion |
| Abstract: | The agricultural sector is commonly regarded as one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Current understanding of the impact of climate change on this sector relies on the underlying assumptions about farmers’ possible responses to weather variability, including changes in crop choice, input combinations and land management practices. Many previous analyses rely on the implicit (and restrictive) assumption that farmers operate under a fixed technology set across different states of nature. This assumption, represented through stochastic production or profit functions, is commonly made but seldom tested, and may understate farmers’ responses to climate change if state-contingent production technologies are, in reality, more flexible. The potential for farmers to adapt production technologies in response to unforeseen events is at the core of the state-contingent approach. Advanced in Chambers and Quiggin (2000), the theory contends that producers can manage uncertainty through the allocation of productive inputs to different states of nature. In this article we test the assumption that farmers’ observed behaviour is consistent with the state-contingent production theory using farm-level data from Australia. More precisely, we estimate the milk production technology for a sample of irrigated dairy farms from the southern Murray–Darling Basin over the period from 2006-07 to 2009-10. |
| Keywords: | dairy industry; Murray–Darling basin; state-contingent theory; weather variability |
| Date: | 2016–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:30547&r=env |
| By: | Clive L. Spash; Clemens Gattringer |
| Abstract: | Human induced climate change poses a series of ethical challenges to the current political economy, although it has often be regarded by economists as only an ethical issue for those concerned about future generations. The central debate in economics has then concerned the rate at which future costs and benefits should be discounted. Indeed the full range of ethical aspects of climate change are rarely even discussed. Despite recent high profile and lengthy academic papers on the topic the ethical remains at best superficial within climate change economics. Recognising the necessary role of ethical judgment poses a problem for economists who conduct exercises in cost-benefit analysis and deductive climate modelling under the presumption of an objectivity that excludes values. Priority is frequently given to orthodox economic methodology, but that this entails a consequentialist utilitarian philosophy is forgotten while the terms of the debate and understanding is simultaneously restricted. We set out to raise the relevance of a broader range of ethical issues including: intergenerational ethics as the basis for the discount rate, interregional distribution of harm, equity and justice issues concerning the allocation of carbon budgets, incommensurability in the context of compensation, and the relationship of climate ethics to economic growth. We argue that the pervasiveness of strong uncertainty in climate science, incommensurability of values and non-utilitarian ethics are inherent features of the climate policy debate. That mainstream economics is ill-equipped to address these issues relegates it to the category of misplaced concreteness and its policy prescriptions are then highly misleading misrepresentations of what constitutes ethical action. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; economics; ethics; carbon budgets; discounting; compensation; harm; intergenerational equity; intragenerational distribution; justice; consequentialism; utilitarianism; incommensurability; risk; uncertainty; cost-benefit analysis; growth economy |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwsre:sre-disc-2016_02&r=env |
| By: | Christian Schubert (University of Kassel) |
| Abstract: | Environmental policies are increasingly informed by behavioral economics insights. ‘Green nudges’ in particular have been suggested as a promising new tool to encourage consumers to act in an environmentally responsible way, such as choosing renewable energy sources or saving energy. While there is an emerging literature on the instrumental effectiveness of behavioral policy tools such as these, their ethical assessment has largely been neglected. This paper attempts to fill this gap by, first, providing a structured overview of the most important contributions to the literature on pro-environmental nudges and, second, offering some critical guidelines that may help the practitioner come to an ethically informed assessment of nudges. |
| Keywords: | Nudges, Libertarian Paternalism, Behavioral Economics, Green Defaults, Autonomy |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:201609&r=env |
| By: | Sven Rudolph; Toru Morotomi |
| Abstract: | While the Paris COP21 Agreement blazes the trail for global climate policy, bottom-up market-based initiatives like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Emissions Trading Scheme (TMG ETS) are still valuable supplements. The program has just finished its first compliance period: It’s high time for an interim evaluation. |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kue:epaper:e-16-002&r=env |
| By: | Danny García Callejas |
| Abstract: | This study found that doubling the level of democracy in Latin America reduces CO2 emissions per capita by up to 6%. This relationship is estimated by using a fixed effects panel system of equations for 19 Latin American countries, between 1995 and 2008. Democracy acts as a conduit for increasing demands on environmental quality in Latin America, due to urban population growth and economic prosperity. Nevertheless, this study has, at least, two caveats: first it cannot unveil the long run relationship between democracy and environmental quality in the region; and, secondly, this study assumes that democracy entails positive outcomes for countries adopting this political system. |
| Keywords: | Democracy, Environmental Quality, CO2 Emissions per Capita, Latin America, Panel System of Equations. |
| JEL: | C33 N46 Q53 Q56 |
| Date: | 2015–12–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000382:014782&r=env |
| By: | Nilo Luiz Saccaro Junior |
| Abstract: | Além de apresentar vantagens para empregadores e trabalhadores, o teletrabalho pode mostrar-se um fator de redução do número de viagens, o que contribuiria para a melhoria de muitas variáveis do tráfego urbano. Sob essa ótica, este estudo discute os efeitos urbanos do teletrabalho e apresenta uma estimativa para a redução do número de viagens decorrente de sua implementação pelo setor público no Brasil, além da estimativa de emissões de gás carbônico (CO2) evitadas por essa redução de viagens. Os resultados mostram que cada 10% do total de servidores brasileiros que passam para o teletrabalho representa redução de até 0,5% no número de viagens anuais realizadas em todo o país. A redução de emissões de gás cabônico decorrente dessas viagens evitadas seria cerca de 0,6% do total nacional emitido por automóveis e motos. Dessa forma, o incentivo ao teletrabalho pode ser interessante em políticas de gerenciamento de tráfego urbano no Brasil. In addition to advantages for companies and workers, teleworking could prove a factor on reducing the number of trips, which would contribute to the improvement of many variables of urban traffic. From this perspective, this paper presents an estimation for reducing the number of trips due to the implementation of telework in the Brazilian public sector, as well as estimation of carbon dioxide emissions avoided by this trip reduction. According to them, every 10% of Brazilian government employees that adopt teleworking can result in reduction of up to 0.5% in the annual number of trips made nationwide. The decrease in carbon dioxide emissions resulting from these avoided trips would be about 0.6% of the national total emitted by cars and motorbikes. Thus, encouraging telecommuting may be interesting to urban traffic management policies in Brazil. |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:2207&r=env |
| By: | Ishmael Ackah (Accra, Ghana) |
| Abstract: | Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals seeks to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. This target provides an opportunity as well as a challenge to African countries including Ghana. Indeed, the Ghana Energy Commission estimates that Ghana has about 34 potential hydro sites and enjoys about 330 days of sunshine annually. For instance, the three Northern regions, Volta and northern parts of Brong Ahafo have radiation levels with monthly average of between 4.0 and 6.5kWh/m2/day. These hydro and solar resources, coupled with abundant waste, wind potential of about 2000 MW and tidal potential can make Ghana a net exporter of power when the needed investment is provided. This paper examines the policy interventions in renewable energy in Ghana over the past 20 years. It also includes a review of the literature on the relationship between renewable energy investment and sustainable development and provides policy recommendations to fast-track renewable energy technology deployment in Ghana. |
| Keywords: | Renewable Energy, Ghana, Sustainable Development Goals, Energy supply and demand |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:16/013&r=env |
| By: | Thais Nuñez-Rocha (Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne) |
| Abstract: | A new branch of the literature on international trade and environment suggests that developing countries are becoming waste havens for their developed counterparts, due to environmental regulation differences with trade partners. This paper analyses the effectiveness of the Basel Convention formalisation in the European Union (EU-WSR), by studying the impact of the EU-WSR on hazardous waste trade, first on the less developed EU countries, and then on regions of developing countries. It does so, by means of a gravity model framework applied to a panel data-set. Results show that there is no enough evidence to call for waste haven effect in the less developed EU countries, with both aggregated and disaggregated measures of environmental regulations, but increasing institution efficiency differences could lead to increasing imports of waste. In the regional analysis, there is no evidence of the efficacy of the EU-WSR. These findings provide insights into the efficacy of European engagements on waste trade, indicating that there is no simple answer as to its effect |
| Keywords: | Hazardous waste; waste haven effect; international trade; international environmental agreements; difference-in-differences; log-linear and ppml gravity model |
| JEL: | F13 F18 Q53 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mse:cesdoc:16047&r=env |
| By: | Dietrich, Antje-Mareike |
| Abstract: | Many governments promote green technological innovation within the automobile sector as a means of combating climate change. Most of these innovations are driven by alternative fuels. Buyer's premiums and governmental investment in service infrastructure are widely used. This paper investigates the question regarding whether market intervention is adequate by considering the two-sided market character of the automobile market. This study shows that network effects, competition effects triggered by more automobile users and decreasing marginal utilities of further service stations determine the welfare-efficient extent of governmental intervention. The results of the analysis indicate that governmental promotion of service infrastructure is reasonable, although governments should be cautious about buyer's premiums. |
| Keywords: | network effects,two-sided markets,platform intermediation,alternative fuel vehicles,climate change,regulation |
| JEL: | L15 L92 L98 O33 Q55 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tbswps:16&r=env |
| By: | Osmar Coelho Filho; Nilo Luiz Saccaro Junior; Gustavo Luedemann |
| Abstract: | A avaliação do ciclo de vida (ACV) tem sido utilizada em todo o mundo para orientar ações de melhoria de desempenho e inovação em sistemas de produção, visando sua sustentabilidade ambiental. Entretanto, mesmo com a ampla disseminação da ACV no cenário internacional, a ferramenta ainda é pouco difundida e aplicada no Brasil. Esta pesquisa se dedicou a analisar as etapas de construção da ACV, seu potencial de aplicação em diferentes setores da economia e as condicionantes para seu uso em políticas públicas no Brasil. A metodologia de pressão-estado-resposta foi utilizada para avaliar os fatores de pressão e cenários futuros para a utilização da ACV no país, incluindo a governança da informação necessária à implementação. Foi realizado um questionário semiaberto, baseado na análise de literatura sobre o tema, com stakeholders representativos da academia, do setor público e do setor produtivo. A percepção dos stakeholders indicou a ACV como uma tendência do mercado internacional, vista como o paradigma para o ecodesign de produtos e processos, o que impulsiona cada vez mais sua popularização entre os agentes privados, embora seu custo ainda seja proibitivo para médias e pequenas empresas. Novas abordagens nacionais para a implantação da ACV (modular e escalonada) foram propostas para contornar este problema, permitindo que esta possa ser encarada não apenas como instrumento de comando e controle da política ambiental, mas também como ferramenta para a gestão da inovação. O avanço da tecnologia da informação (TI) e a convergência de bancos de dado foram apontados como relevantes, capazes de acelerar a implementação de abordagens de ACV adaptadas a diferentes setores econômicos. Há certo consenso de que a utilização da ACVna construção e na avaliação de políticas públicas requer uma etapa prévia de disseminação do pensamento de ciclo de vida (PCV) entre os stakeholders. A principal conclusão é que a ACV pode representar um papel importante na busca da sustentabilidade ambiental no Brasil, em um contexto de desafios climáticos e ambientais que afetarão o desempenho dos sistemas de produção. Life cycle analysis (LCA) has been used worldwide to guide innovation improving performance actions of and in production systems directed to the environmental sustainability. However, even with the wide dissemination of LCA internationally, the tool is still not very well known and applied in Brazil. This research is dedicated to examining the stages of construction of the LCA, its potential for application in different economy sectors and its use constraints in Brazilian public policies. The methodology Pressure-State-Response was used to assess the Pressure factors and future scenarios for LCA use in the country, including the information governance necessary for its implementation. A half-open questionnaire based on literature review on the topic was applied with representative stakeholders from academia, the public sector and the productive sector. The perception of stakeholders indicated that LCA as an international market trend, seen as the paradigm for the eco-design of products and processes, which boosts its increasingly popularization among private agents, although its cost is still prohibitive for medium and small enterprises. New national approaches to the implementation of the LCA (modular, staged) have been proposed to overcome this problem by allowing LCA to be seen not only as command and control environmental policy instrument but also as a tool for innovation management. The advancement of information technology and databases convergence was identified as relevant for accelerating the LCA approaches implementation adapted to different economic sectors. There is some consensus that LCA use in the public policies construction and evaluation require a preliminary stage of dissemination on Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) among the stakeholders. The main research conclusion is that LCA can play an important role in the pursuit of environmental sustainability in Brazil, in the context of climate and environmental challenges that will affect the production systems performance. |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:2205&r=env |
| By: | Graw, Valerie; Oldenburg, Carsten; Dubovyk, Olena |
| Abstract: | Bush encroachment (BE) describes a global problem severely affecting savanna ecosystems in Africa. Invasive species and woody vegetation spread out in areas where they are not naturally occurring and suppress endemic vegetation, mainly grasses. Livestock is directly affected by decreasing grasslands and inedible invasive species which are a result of the process of BE. For many small scale farmers in developing countries livestock represents a type of insurance particular in times of crop failure and droughts. Among that, BE is also becoming an increasing problem for crop production. Studies on the mapping of BE have so far only focused on smaller regions using high-resolution data and aerial photography. But they rarely provide information that goes beyond the local or national level. In our project, we aimed at a continental-wide assessment of BE. For this, we developed a process chain using a multi-scale approach to detect woody vegetation for the African continent. The resulted map was calibrated with field data provided by field surveys and experts in Southern and Eastern Africa. Supervised classification linked field data of woody vegetation, known as BE, to the respective pixel of multi-scale remote sensing data. The regression technique was based on random forests, a machine learning classification and regression approach programmed in R. Hotpots of woody vegetation were further overlaid with significant increasing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) trends which can refer to BE. Secondly, the probability of BE occurrence based on possible identified causes such as fire occurrence, mean annual precipitation rates, soil moisture, cattle density and CO2 emissions was analyzed. By this, possible areas for BE occurrence based on their pre-conditions and risk factors were identified. This approach includes multiple datasets derived from earth observation data to detect BE – a severe and ongoing global problem – at the continental level. Within the study´s duration of seven months, a method to upscale field data to a larger level could be developed. Nevertheless, improvement is needed to provide a reliable continental map on BE. Especially the integration of more field data will be needed which is currently under consideration. The identification of woody vegetation and the probability of its occurrence can help to prevent further ecosystem degradation. Moreover, sustainable land management strategies in these areas can be focused to support pastoralists and their livelihoods in rural areas. |
| Keywords: | bush encroachment, remote sensing, multi-scale analysis, probability map, random forests, regression trees, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2016–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ubzefd:241266&r=env |
| By: | Aldanondo, Ana M.; Casasnovas, Valero L.; Almansa, M. Carmen |
| Abstract: | Joint cost-environmental efficiency analysis based on the material balance principle (MBP) has an important short-coming, in that the measures of allocative efficiency it produces do not fully integrate environmental and economic outcomes. Their limitation lies in their failure to take into account some decision-making units (DMU) use a combination of inputs that is more environmentally-harmful than that of the least-cost unit, or, more rarely, more costly than that of the least-polluting unit. Input substitution can therefore bring both environmental and economic benefits. This paper develops a method for differentiating between environmental allocative efficiency gains that involve an economic trade-off and those that do not. Drawing insight from the literature on multi-criteria analysis, we extend the MBP approach to new measures of cost-constrained environmental efficiency using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The proposed approach is illustrated by an application geared to assessing the efficiency of a sample of greenhouse horticultural production units in Almeria, Spain. The results for this case show that it is possible to increase environmental allocative efficiency by up to 34 % on average without incurring additional costs. |
| Keywords: | Cross constrained cost-environmental efficiency, material balance condition, nitrogen pollution, green house horticulture |
| JEL: | C61 D24 Q12 Q50 |
| Date: | 2016–07–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:72490&r=env |
| By: | Ubilava, David |
| Abstract: | How are commodity prices related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, and has this relationship altered over time? Despite overwhelming evidence suggesting an important role played by the ENSO in global commodity production, the relationship between this climate anomaly and prices is not a trivial corollary, and requires careful investigation. To account for potentially complex dynamics in the ENSO–price relationship, this study applies a time– varying smooth transition autoregressive (TV–STAR) modeling framework to monthly series of the sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño3.4 region and 46 primary commodity prices spanning the January 1982 – December 2015 period. The findings suggest apparent linkages between ENSO shocks and a set of agricultural commodities, as well as forestry commodities and metals. An unexpected deviation in ENSO results in two-to-five percentage point change in prices, while up to 30 percent of price variation in the selected commodities can be attributed to ENSO shocks in the intermediate and long run. Importantly, there are benefits to regime– dependent modeling, which in some instances facilitates unveiling causal linkages that may have been camouflaged in a linear setting. Several commodity prices also reveal evidence of structural change, and in those instances, the ENSO effect appears to have been mitigated over time, suggesting some adaptive response to the known economic consequences of this climate anomaly. |
| Keywords: | Commodity Prices; El Niño Southern Oscillation; Nonlinear Dynamics; Structural Change; Time–Varying Smooth Transition Autoregression |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:syd:wpaper:2016-10&r=env |
| By: | ZhongXiang Zhang |
| Abstract: | China has realised that for its own sake and from the international community's perspective, it cannot afford to continue on the conventional path of encouraging economic growth at the expense of the environment. Accordingly, the country has placed ecological goals at the same level of priority as policies on economic, political, cultural and social development. Specifically, meeting the grand goal involves not only capping China's nationwide coal consumption to let it peak before 2020 and carbon emissions peak around 2030, but also putting in place a variety of flagship programs and policies. This article argues that the 2030 carbon emissions peak goal is ambitious but achievable and concludes by arguing why there is reason to be optimistic about China's ‘green push’. |
| Keywords: | low-carbon economy, carbon emissions peaks, carbon pricing, energy prices, resource tax reform |
| Date: | 2016–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201617&r=env |
| By: | Rajesh K Rai; Priya Shyamsundar; Laxmi Dutt Bhatta; Mani Nepal |
| Abstract: | This study was undertaken in the Sardukhola sub-watershed of eastern Nepal to illustrate how local policy instruments can be used to supplement government water supply. We discuss a strategy for using Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) to meet water demand in Dharan Municipality in Nepal. A rigorous process was followed in designing the PES scheme. Following focus group discussions, a Choice Experiment was carried out to determine the preferences of municipal water users. In addition, upstream households were interviewed to understand their requirements to participate in a watershed management program. Finally, we used a series of formal and informal stakeholder consultations to help validate household survey findings and develop an institutional framework for implementing PES. Our analysisindicates that water quality is the most important attribute preferred by water users and that upstream households require incentives to decrease domestic livestock grazing, change agricultural practices and reduce open defecation. Results suggest that developing a PES scheme would be socially acceptable and financially feasible and may contribute to a flow of USD 118,000 per year from water users for watershed management. In concurrence with local stakeholders, we propose a tri-partite institutional structure to implement PES. We note that a national PES policy would make it easier to initiate such integrated and market-oriented approaches for enhancing drinking water supply. |
| Keywords: | Choice experiment, willingness-to-pay, water quality, water users, upstream, watershed management |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:snd:wpaper:107&r=env |
| By: | Lopamudra Chakraborti (Division of Economics, CIDE); Michael Margolis (Division of Economics, CIDE); José Jaime Sainz Santamaria (Division of Economics, CIDE) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides the first, direct evidence that poorer communities in Mexico are associated with higher toxics pollution releases. We utilize previously unused, self-reported, plant-level annual database (from 2004 to 2012) and socioeconomic characteristics of the nearby population from the 2000 Census. Our measure of "Prosperity" is linked ot both a lower probability of toxic discharges into water as well as lower levels of averange releases. In addition, we find that at the bottom quintile of the "Prosperity" distribution, the predicted probability that a plant discharges in the fouth quartile of the pollution distribution is somewhat higher (28%) than for the first quartile of pollution. This negative association is consistent with two related findings that also indicate environmental justice concerns. A one prosperity point increase results in plants cleaning up i.e. reducing their toxic releases by as much as 10%. This order of magnitude is valid irrespective of the initial pollution levels reported by plants. Second, it is also linked with a 0.1% reduction in the probability of inaccurate reporting. Lastly, some evidence is found on changes in socioeconomic status indicator linked to decline in pollution. |
| Keywords: | industrial pollution, local income and unemployment effects, informal regulation, environmental justice, community pressure, toxic releasis in Mexico |
| JEL: | Q52 |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:emc:wpaper:dte597&r=env |
| By: | Florence Crick; Katie Jenkins; Swenja Surminski |
| Abstract: | Multisectoral partnerships are increasingly being mentioned as a mechanism to deliver and improve disaster risk management. Yet, partnerships are not a panacea and more research is required to understand the role that they can play in disaster risk management and particularly in disaster risk reduction. In this paper, we investigate how partnerships can incentivise flood risk reduction by focusing on the UK public-private partnership on flood insurance. Developing the right flood insurance arrangements to incentivise flood risk reduction and adaptation to climate change is a key challenge. While expectations of the insurance industry have traditionally been high when it comes to flood risk management, the insurance industry alone will not provide the solution to the management of rising flood risks due to climate change and socio-economic development. In addition, faced with these risks insurance partnerships can no longer afford to focus only on the risk transfer function. The case of flood insurance in the UK illustrates these challenges: even national government and industry together cannot fully address these risks and other actors need to be involved to create strong incentives for risk reduction. Our paper investigates this for the specific issue of surface water flood risk in London. Using an agent-based model we investigate how other agents could strengthen the insurance partnership by maintaining affordable insurance premiums and reducing flood risk and test this for the new Flood Re scheme. Our findings are relevant for wider discussions on the potential of insurance schemes to incentivise flood risk management and climate adaptation not just in the UK but also internationally. |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsg:lsgwps:wp241&r=env |
| By: | Chowdhury, Shyamal (School of Economics, University of Sydney); Krause, Annabelle (IZA, Bonn); Zimmermann, Klaus F. (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, and Harvard University) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the effect of drinking arsenic contaminated water on mental health. Drinking water with an unsafe arsenic level for a prolonged period can lead to arsenicosis and associated illness. Based on rich and newly collected household survey data from Bangladesh, we construct several measures for arsenic contamination that include the actual arsenic level in the respondent's tube well (TW), and past institutional arsenic test results as well as their physical and mental health. To account for potential endogeneity of water source, we take advantage of the quasi-randomness of arsenic distribution and employ the pre-1999 use of TW as an instrument and structural modelling as alternatives for robustness checks. We find that suffering from an arsenicosis symptom is strongly negatively related to mental health, even more so than from other illnesses. Calculations of the costs of arsenic contamination reveal that the average individual would need to be compensated for suffering from an arsenicosis symptom by an amount of money over 10 percent of annual household income. |
| Keywords: | Arsenic, Water Pollution, Mental Health, Subjective Well-Being, Environment, Bangladesh |
| JEL: | Q53 I10 I31 |
| Date: | 2016–06–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unm:unumer:2016037&r=env |
| By: | Prieur, Fabien; Schumacher, Ingmar |
| Abstract: | In this article we investigate the role that internal and external conflict plays for optimal climate and immigration policy. Reviewing the empirical literature, we put forward five theses regarding the link between climate change, migration, and conflict. Based on these theses, we then develop a theoretical model in which we take the perspective of the North who unilaterally chooses the number of immigrants from a pool of potential migrants that is endogenously determined by the extent of climate change. Accepting these migrants allows increases in local production which not only increases climate change but also gives rise to internal conflicts. In addition, those potential migrants that want to move due to climate change but that are not allowed to immigrate may induce external conflict. While we show that the external and internal conflict play a significant yet decisively different role, it is the co-existence of both conflicts that makes policy making difficult. Considering only one conflict induces significant immigration but no mitigation. Allowing for both types of conflict, then depending on parameters, either a steady state without immigration but with mitigation will be optimal, or a steady state with a larger number of immigrants but less mitigation. Furthermore, we find the possibility of Skiba points, signaling that optimal policy depends on initial conditions, too. During transition we examine the substitutability and complementarity between the mitigation and immigration policy. |
| Keywords: | climate change, immigration, conflict, mitigation. |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:30519&r=env |
| By: | Emmerling, Johannes; Drouet, Laurent Drouet; Reis, Lara Aleluia; Bevione, Michela; Berger, Loic; Bosetti, Valentina; Carrara, Samuel; De Cian, Enrica; De Maere D'Aertrycke, Gauthier; Longden, Tom; Malpede, Maurizio; Marangoni, Giacomo; Sferra, Fabio; Tavoni, Massimo; Witajewski-Baltvilks, Jan; Havlik, Petr |
| Abstract: | This paper describes the WITCH - World Induced Technical Change Hybrid - model in its structure, calibration, and the implementation of the SSP/RCP scenario implementation. The WITCH model is a regionally disaggregated hard-linked model based on a Ramsey type optimal growth model and a detailed bottom-up energy sector model. A particular focus of the model is the modeling or technical change and RnD investments and the analysis of cooperative and non-cooperative climate policies. Moreover, the WITCH 2016 version now includes land-use change modeling based on the GLOBIOM model, and air pollutants, as well as detailed modeling of the transport sector and the possibility for stochastic modeling. This version has been also used to implement the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) set of scenarios and RCP based climate policies to provide a new set of climate scenarios. In this paper, we describe in detail the mathematical formulation of the WITCH model, the solution method and calibration, as well as the implementation of the five SSP scenarios. This report therefore provides detailed information for interested users of the model, and for understanding the implementation of the different “worlds" of the SSP. |
| Keywords: | Integrated Assessment Model, SSPs, Climate Change, Scenarios, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q54, C63, |
| Date: | 2016–07–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:feemmi:240748&r=env |
| By: | Qian, Haoqi; Wu, Libo; Tang, Weiqi |
| Abstract: | A country’s existing emission standard policy will lead to a “lock in” effect. When the country plans to adopt new market-based instruments to control greenhouse gas emissions, it must consider this effect as it chooses among instruments to avoid larger efficiency loss. In this paper, we find that the “lock in” effect will cause a kink point to occur on the marginal abatement cost (MAC) curve. This change of shape for the MAC curve reminds us to be cautious in choosing market-based instruments when applying Weitzman’s rule. We also introduce this concept into a dynamic multi-regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for China and simulate MAC curves for all regions. After applying Weitzman’s rule, we propose a timeline for introducing price instruments under different marginal benefit (MB) curve scenarios. |
| Keywords: | Lock-in Effect; Marginal Abatement Cost Curve; Cap and Trade of Carbon Emissions Rights; Carbon Tax |
| JEL: | C68 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:72470&r=env |
| By: | G. Cornelis van Kooten |
| Abstract: | A mathematical programming model is used to examine the impact of carbon taxes on the optimal generation mix in Alberta’s electrical system. The model permits decommissioning of generating assets with high CO2 emissions and investment in new gas, wind and, in some scenarios, nuclear capacity. Although there are interties between Alberta and the U.S. and Saskatchewan, the focus is on the one to British Columbia, as wind energy can potentially be stored in reservoirs behind hydroelectric dams. Storage can also smooth out the net load facing nuclear facilities. In the model, a carbon tax facilitates early removal of coal-fired capacity, which is replaced by low-emissions gas plants. It is only when the carbon tax exceeds $80/tCO2 that wind enters the system, although wind is displaced by nuclear power if that option is permitted. Despite high upfront costs, nuclear outcompetes wind primarily because wind requires a great deal of gas capacity that is not needed with nuclear energy. While wind alone could lower CO2 emissions by two-thirds, nuclear can reduce them by more than 90%. |
| Keywords: | climate change, renewable energy, transmission capacity, energy storage |
| JEL: | Q42 |
| Date: | 2016–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rep:wpaper:2016-06&r=env |
| By: | Alessandro Mannini (Società Italiana di Biologia Marina (SIBM)); Rosaria Felicita Sabatella (Nisea - Fisheries and Aquaculture Economic Research) |
| Abstract: | The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requires the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This means an integrated approach to managing fisheries within ecologically meaningful boundaries which takes account of fishing and other human activities. The components of an ecosystem management approach to fisheries include the establishment of an appropriate balance between conservation and responsible use and the principle that conservation and management decisions for fisheries should be based on the best scientific information available. In the Italian context, this integrated approach to fisheries management is well known and it is reflected on the fisheries data-collection programme and data dissemination. In the paper the principal outcomes of the “Yearbook on the state of resources and economic performance of Italian fishing fleet†will be presented. The report analyzes the fishery sector on the basis of an integrated analysis of biological data, fishing effort data, landings by species and socio-economic data. Innovative tools for dissemination of information through web applications is also presented Language: en |
| Keywords: | Ecosystem – Based Approach |
| JEL: | Q22 K11 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irf:wpaper:015&r=env |
| By: | Sáni Ye Zou; Stephanie Ockenden |
| Abstract: | In response to on-going discussions on the relationship between international climate finance and development finance, this paper explores what enables effective international climate finance in the context of development co-operation. Through interviews, views were elicited from selected international climate finance stakeholders representing climate finance recipient and provider countries, as well as experts from international organisations and research institutions. Identified enabling conditions reveal common grounds and differences across stakeholder groups. This offers a possible starting point for further dialogue aiming to advance the international climate and development finance agendas in a harmonised manner. |
| Keywords: | development co-operation, mainstreaming, national planning, climate finance |
| Date: | 2016–06–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:dcdaaa:28-en&r=env |
| By: | Tode, Christian (Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI)) |
| Abstract: | Energy efficiency is considered to be a win-win situation for both the economy and the environment. Producing products and services at lower energy input and related input costs can contribute to climate change abatement and economic competitiveness. Actual implementation of energy efficiency falls short to expectations, though. For one thing, research suggests that consumer inattention is an underlying force for underinvestments. For another thing, energy supply markets are often characterized by imperfect competition. Do firms in the energy retail market have incentives to voluntarily introduce energy efficiency? Or should informational regulation inform inattentive consumers? In this article I show that consumer inattention and imperfect competition are the crucial drivers for firms' decisions to introduce or conceil energy efficiency to customers. I find two symmetric equilibria: One in which both firms introduce energy efficiency and one in which both firms conceil energy efficiency. Equilibrium coordination depends on the distribution of consumers that are attentive to energy effienciency and consumers that are not. Further, mandatory disclosure laws are found to be weakly welfare increasing. |
| Keywords: | Imperfect Competition; Consumer Inattention; Product Differentiation; Disclosure; Energy Efficiency |
| JEL: | D83 L13 L41 |
| Date: | 2016–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:ewikln:2016_006&r=env |
| By: | Oana CHINDRIS-VASIOIU (Faculty of Economics, Ecological University of Bucharest) |
| Abstract: | The concept of sustainable development starts from the premise that the human civilization is a subsystem of the Ecosphere, dependent on raw material and energy flows within it and the capacity for self-regulation, and maintaining the Ecosphere of stability. At the same time the concept believes that human civilization in turn has a significant impact on the ecosphere. In the early 1970s, the Club of Rome published a report entitled "limits of growth", in which it claimed that Terra has a limited capacity to meet the increasing demand for natural resources to socio-economic system and to alleviate the destructive effects of the use of these resources. This paper tries to define sustainable development in economic terms taking into account the historical evolution of the concept and, at the same time, to highlight its importance in the context of economic growth. |
| Keywords: | sustainable development, economic indicators, economic growth, the European Union |
| JEL: | Q41 Q51 |
| Date: | 2015–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eub:wp2015:2015-01&r=env |
| By: | Rachel Brewster; Claire Brunel; Anna Maria Mayda |
| Abstract: | In this paper we claim that, in the WTO Appellate Body (AB)’s ruling in US — Countervailing Measures (China), the AB decision has not put in question the practice of imposing countervailing duties (CVDs). While the US has formally “lost” the case, a change in the procedures and tests used to motivate the CVD will allow the US to continue using this policy tool on the specified products. From an economic point of view, this is not welcome news since CVDs have the standard distortionary effects of tariffs and could go against environmental goals. From a political-economy point of view, the CVDs in this case appear driven by pressure of domestic manufacturers of clean energy technology and products. |
| Keywords: | Environmental goods, countervailing duties, WTO. |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rsc:rsceui:2015/69&r=env |
| By: | Christoph Graf; Claudio Marcantonini |
| Abstract: | Electricity production from renewable sources generally displaces thermal generation, which leads to lower CO2 emissions in the power sector. However, the intermittent nature of many renewable technologies leads to greater inefficiencies in the operation of existing fossil power plants. This inefficiency translates into higher production costs as well as a higher rate of emissions relative to output. In this paper we focus on Italian power installations. Using panel econometrics, we show that a 10% increase in photovoltaics and wind infeed has reduced yearly CO2 emissions of the average thermal installation by about 4% while the average plants emissions relative to its output have increased by about 0.3% between 2005 and 2014. Given the additional inefficiency caused by intermittent renewables, our results suggest that the average installation actually only achieves around 94% of the expected reductions. The effect is more pronounced for installations that have not been retrofitted and for installations serving peak demand. |
| Keywords: | Emission factors, load-cycling, inefficiency |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rsc:rsceui:2016/16&r=env |
| By: | Gibson, Fiona; Hailu, Atakelty; Pannell, David |
| Abstract: | Economic analysis of bushfire mitigation options requires a range of information, such as the risk of bushfire, effectiveness of mitigation in reducing damage as well as cost and benefit estimates. Intangible or non-market benefits are likely to be a significant component of the latter as mitigation activities are designed to protect environmental, social and economic assets and services. Yet it is not clear whether these types of benefits have been given much consideration in economic analyses. In this paper, we review the studies that estimate the value of non-market benefits from bushfire mitigation and investigate to what extent non-market values have been incorporated in economic analysis. We find a small proportion of non-market valuation studies within the bushfire mitigation literature. About half of the studies on bushfire mitigation included non-market values but the values included were predominately environmental. We provide some possible explanations as to why non-market values are not used in economic analyses more widely and make recommendations to improve future use. |
| Keywords: | bushfire, mitigation, economic analysis, non-market valuation, intangibles, Land Economics/Use, Q540, Q510, Q5, |
| Date: | 2016–07–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uwauwp:241265&r=env |
| By: | Francisco Javier Caro-González; José Alberto Acosta Guzmán; Francisco Orgaz-Agüera; Mario Castellanos-Verdugo |
| Abstract: | El turismo es una actividad económica que puede contribuir a mejorar el desarrollo socioeconómico de un destino. Así, este estudio cualitativo se realiza en la ciudad dominicana de Santiago de los Caballeros y tiene como objetivo conocer la opinión de los expertos en turismo de la ciudad, para analizar, tras un periodo determinado, si ha mejorado este sector. Entre los principales resultados cabe resaltar que existe voluntad para el desarrollo del turismo, pero esto solo se queda plasmado en diferentes planes, puesto que no terminan de realizarse. Destacan un gran número de recursos potenciales, sobre todo de temática cultural y natural, aunque también existen debilidades. Mediante el análisis de estos puntos fuertes y débiles, se pueden establecer estrategias para ayudar a los planificadores actuales a identificar las verdaderas preocupaciones y los problemas del turismo para poner en marcha las políticas apropiadas. |
| Keywords: | Turismo, desarrollo económico, sostenibilidad, agentes sociales, República Dominicana. |
| JEL: | D01 D02 L83 M1 |
| Date: | 2015–06–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000382:014780&r=env |
| By: | Etna Mercedes Bayona Velásquez |
| Abstract: | El propósito de este artículo es analizar el impacto de las explotaciones de carbón en el crecimiento económico de los departamentos del Cesar y La Guajira, Colombia. Para estimar el efecto de la explotación de carbón sobre la economía de estos departamentos se utilizó inicialmente la estadística descriptiva. Luego se hizo una regresión de corte transversal y su método de estimación fue por Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios - MCO. Se realizó el análisis de efecto causal de ambos departamentos, utilizando dos funciones: una con la producción minera y otra con la ciudad minera (es decir, municipios productores de carbón), esto para evitar problemas de multicolinealidad que se pueden presentar en ambas variables. Se observó una alta dependencia del PIB de Cesar y La Guajira con la producción de carbón, lo que se refleja en la mayor participación que tienen los municipios mineros dentro del PIB departamental. |
| Keywords: | Crecimiento económico, maldición de los recursos naturales, carbón, Colombia. |
| JEL: | F10 I11 I15 |
| Date: | 2016–06–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000382:014789&r=env |
| By: | Bustamante, Néstor Miguel; Bertolotti, María Isabel; Liberman, Carlos Damián; Buono, J. J. |
| Abstract: | En la República Argentina la Ley de Pesca Nº 24.922 sancionada en el año 1997 originó el cambio del régimen de una administración pesquera tradicional a un régimen de administración por Cuotas Individuales Transferibles de Captura (CITC), que fue considerado por los legisladores, como más efectivo para favorecer la explotación sustentable de los recursos vivos del mar. Las cuotas individuales de capturas (CICs) consisten en asignar a cada unidad de pesca (buque, empresa pesquera o pescador individual) una porción de la cuota total anual de captura (CTC) por un período de tiempo. En algunos sistemas, la cuota individual asignada puede ser modificada mediante la transferibilidad de porciones entre las unidades productivas participantes, generando así un sistema de cuotas individuales y transferibles de captura (CITCs). El 11 de noviembre de 2009, mediante el Acta Nº 49/2009, el Consejo Federal Pesquero, en cumplimiento de la Ley 24.922, Régimen Federal de Pesca, estableció las definiciones básicas que hacen a la política de administración de los recursos pesqueros, en lo atinente al ordenamiento e implementación del sistema de Administración por Cuotas Individuales Transferibles de Captura. En el nuevo Régimen Federal de Pesca se establece que "...a partir de la vigencia de esta ley se asignará una cuota de captura a cada permiso de pesca, tanto a los preexistentes como a los que se otorguen en el futuro... Facultase al Consejo Federal Pesquero para que reglamente y dicte todas las normas necesarias para establecer un régimen de administración de los recursos pesqueros mediante el otorgamiento de cuotas de captura por especie, por buque, zonas de pesca y tipo de flota...". |
| Keywords: | Cuota de Pesca; Administración Pesquera; Argentina; |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nmp:nuland:2497&r=env |
| By: | Carine Moehler; Grégory Pieter; Edwin Zaccai |
| Abstract: | Le changement climatique constitue une thématique politique relativement récente dans les agendas politiques et électoraux. Souvent, dans le grand public, la question climatique est perçue à travers la médiatisation des grands sommets des Nations Unies consacrés à cette problématique (Rio de Janeiro en 1992, Kyoto en 1997, Copenhague en 2009, Paris en 2015, etc.). Mais les positions que défendent les différents pays lors de ces réunions ont bien entendu été préalablement construites, entre autres, sur les scènes nationales.Les partis politiques sont à la fois les reflets des opinions publiques et les initiateurs des régulières redéfinitions des orientations politiques qui entourent la thématique du changement climatique. Ils filtrent également les demandes politiques de la société civile qui paraissent compatibles avec leur programme et leur faisabilité, et les transforment. Aux États-Unis, la polarisation politique autour de la question du changement climatique est aisément détectable. Qu’en est-il en Europe ?L’opinion publique s’y déclare majoritairement convaincue de la réalité de changements climatiques d’origine anthropique et la trouve préoccupante, même s’il existe une part significative de la population qui en doute. Ce scepticisme se traduit-il toutefois dans les programmes électoraux de certains partis politiques, à l’instar de ce que l’on constate aux États-Unis ?Telle a été la question à la base du présent Courrier hebdomadaire. Annonçons cependant d’emblée que ce que nous désignerons ici par « climato-scepticisme », au sens strict de mise en doute du changement climatique d’origine humaine, n’est qu’un aspect assez partiel de cette étude. Nos résultats révèlent en effet que cette position climato-sceptique est extrêmement minoritaire parmi les formations politiques d’Europe. |
| Keywords: | Partis politiques; Europe; Changement climatique |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulb:ulbeco:2013/232147&r=env |