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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Daniel Nachtigall (Freie Universität Berlin) |
| Abstract: | The allocation of free allowances for firms belonging to the carbon leakage list of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) was found to lead to substantial overcompensation, which is why some stakeholders recently have called for a phasing out of free allowances in the near term. This paper analyzes the consequences of phasing out free allowances in a dynamic two-period model when one group of countries unilaterally implements climate policies such as an emissions trading scheme. A carbon price induces firms to invest in abatement capital, but may also lead to the relocation of some firms. The social planner addresses the relocation problem by offering firms transfers, i.e. free allowances, conditional on maintaining the production in the regulating country. If transfers are unrestricted in both periods, then the social planner can implement the first best by setting the carbon price equal to the marginal environmental damage and using transfers to prevent any relocation. However, if transfers in the future period are restricted, it is optimal to implement a declining carbon price path with the first period price exceeding the marginal environmental damage. A high carbon price triggers investments in abatement capital and thus creates a lock-in effect. With a larger abatement capital stock, firms are less affected by carbon prices in the future and therefore less prone to relocate in the second period where transfers are restricted. |
| Keywords: | unilateral climate policy, relocation, lock-in effect, rebating |
| JEL: | Q54 Q56 Q58 H23 |
| Date: | 2016–12–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdp:wpaper:2016007&r=env |
| By: | Daniel Nachtigall (Freie Universität Berlin) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the impact of declining extraction costs of shale oil producers on the choice of the policy instrument of a climate coalition in the presence of a monopolistic oil supplier such as OPEC. Shale oil producers' extraction costs represent an upper bound for the oil price OPEC can charge. Declining extraction costs ultimately limit OPEC's price setting behavior and thus impacts the optimal climate policy of the climate coalition. A pure cap-and-trade system is weakly welfare-inferior relative to a carbon tax for the climate coalition. While high extraction costs allow OPEC to appropriate the whole climate rent in case of quantity regulation, declining extraction costs imply OPEC to capture only a part of the climate rent. A carbon tax always generates positive revenue and thus is welfare-superior in general. However, low extraction costs prevent OPEC from exerting its market power, leading the climate coalition to implement the Pigouvian tax in the first place. Both market-based instruments are equivalent in this case. Complementing a quota with a base tax cannot outperform a pure carbon tax. |
| Keywords: | fossil fuel taxation, prices versus quantities, international redistribution, global warming |
| JEL: | H23 Q31 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2017–06–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdp:wpaper:2017001&r=env |
| By: | Cervera-Ferri, José L.; Luz Ureña, Mónica |
| Abstract: | This publication is the outcome of a project entitled “Towards a set of indicators for greener production”, co-financed by ECLAC and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, the objective of which was to develop specific knowledge for promoting the design and compilation of harmonized regional indicators on sustainable production and the incorporation of green technologies in firms of Latin America and the Caribbean. The guide should be seen as a set of methodological recommendations for voluntary application. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the use of these guidelines will facilitate the production of data (providing instruments that countries can readily adapt) and enhance their comparability. The production and dissemination of internationally harmonized data on green production will help policymakers in the industrial and environmental areas, as well as businesses and society in general, to understand more thoroughly the environmental processes and practices of firms and allow them to take appropriate decisions for reducing the harmful effects of industrialization, to promote environmentally friendly growth, and to seize new economic opportunities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
| Keywords: | DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, DESARROLLO ECONOMICO, ASPECTOS AMBIENTALES, PRODUCCION INDUSTRIAL, PRODUCCION MAS LIMPIA, MEDICION, INDICADORES AMBIENTALES, DIRECTRICES, METODOLOGIA ESTADISTICA, SISTEMAS DE INFORMACION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, CLEANER PRODUCTION, MEASUREMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS, GUIDELINES, STATISTICAL METHODOLOGY, INFORMATION SYSTEMS |
| Date: | 2017–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:41853&r=env |
| By: | Shahbaz, Muhammad; Syed, Jawad; Kumar, Mantu; Hammoudeh, Shawkat |
| Abstract: | We examine the causal relationship between globalization and CO2 emissions for 25 developed economies in Asia, North America, Western Europe and Oceania using both time series and panel data techniques, spanning the annual data period of 1970–2014. Because of the presence of cross-sectional dependence in the panel, we employ Pesaran’s (2007) cross-sectional augmented panel unit root (CIPS) test to ascertain unit root properties. The Westerlund (2007) cointegration test is also used to ascertain the presence of a long-run association between globalization and carbon emissions. The long-run heterogeneous panel elasticities are estimated using the Pesaran (2006) common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator and the Eberhardt and Teal (2010) augmented mean group (AMG) estimator. The causality between the variables is examined by employing the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) and Emirmahmutoglu and Kose (2011) Granger causality tests. The empirical results reveal that globalization increases carbon emissions, and thus the globalization-driven carbon emissions hypothesis is valid. This empirical analysis suggests insightful policy guidelines for policy makers using ‘globalization’ as an economic tool for better long-run environmental policy. |
| Keywords: | Carbon Emissions, Causality, Globalization |
| JEL: | A10 |
| Date: | 2017–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:80055&r=env |
| By: | Dirk Schoenmaker |
| Abstract: | The issue of sustainable development has multiple aspects, all of which need to be considered if sustainability is to be guaranteed. On the environmental front, climate change and depletion of natural resources are two factors that are threatening the earth’s ability to regenerate. On the economic front, development that does not pay sufficient attention to income inequality and provision of basic needs to all is a process in danger of imploding. This essay explores the role that finance can play to ensure that investment protects the environment and promotes economic systems that are internally sustainable. Dirk Schoenmaker argues that seeing the role of finance as one of allocating funding to productive investments in a narrow sense is no longer appropriate. What constitutes ‘productive’ cannot be independent of a project’s environmental and socio-economic impact because there are often trade-offs between short-term profits and long-term impact. What might appear to be a profitable project over a given time period could have negative impacts that might only become apparent in the longer term. This essay discusses these trade-offs in the context of the conflicting objectives of shareholders and other stakeholders - the motivation of the former to generate profits might at times jeopardise the long-term interests of the latter. This essay shows how that is a consequence of short-termism and a failure to act with the collective interest in mind. But if sustainability is paramount, as it should be, then the shareholders’ and stakeholders’ motives need to be better aligned. This essay provides a framework for moving in this direction and offers guidelines to counter short-termism, with an emphasis on incentive-compatible measures for all. Moving from traditional to sustainable finance means having to counter attitudes that are embedded in the ways our economic systems are organised. Shifting away from them requires both new ways of operating but, importantly, new underlying principles that put sustainability centre stage to guide our thinking. It is important that we put this process in motion, and the earlier the better. Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director of Bruegel Brussels, July 2017 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bre:esslec:21249&r=env |
| By: | Yoon, Haeyeon; Heshmati, Almas |
| Abstract: | In an attempt to verify the pollution haven hypothesis, this study investigates the impact of environmental regulations on foreign direct investment (FDI). We use Korean outward FDI data covering the manufacturing sector for 2009-15. The study not only considers the stringency but also the enforcement of environmental regulations when measuring the degree of the host country’s environmental regulations. Since the pollution haven’s effects indicate moving the polluting production stages from the home country to other (host) countries, we distinguish between investments in the ‘production’ part from that in the non-production part using location information about the host country. The main results of the estimation of a FDI model show that the stricter the regulations in host countries in Asia the lower the FDI both intensively and extensively to those countries. This supports the prevalence of the effects of pollution havens. However, before we separate the FDI into the production part, the effect of environmental regulations on FDI is hindered by the FDI in the non-production part. The results indicate that environmental regulations are determinants of FDI in the production part, while environmental regulations do not have a significant effect on FDI decisions when the entire FDI is considered. |
| Keywords: | Pollution haven hypothesis,environmental regulation,foreign direct investment |
| JEL: | F23 K32 L51 Q56 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:86&r=env |
| By: | Simplice Asongu (Yaoundé/Cameroun); Jacinta C. Nwachukwu (Coventry University, UK) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates how the mobile phone can complement knowledge diffusion in order to influence CO2 emissions in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. Three knowledge diffusion variables representing three of the four pillars of the World Bank’s Knowledge Economy Index are employed: educational quality, information and communication technology (ICT) and scientific output. Six CO2 emission variables are used, namely: CO2 per capita, CO2 from electricity and heat, CO2 from liquid fuel, CO2 from manufacturing and construction, CO2 from transport and CO2 intensity. In the assessments, a decreasing tendency in these variables translates into positive conditions for environmental sustainability. Based on net effect from complementarities, the following findings are established. First, the mobile phone complements education to have a net negative effect on CO2 emissions per capita and CO2 emissions from the consumption of liquid fuel. Second, where some positive net effects of knowledge diffusion are apparent, corresponding marginal effects are negative. Corresponding mobile phone penetration thresholds at which the positive net effects on CO2 emissions can be dampened and reversed are largely within policy range. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; ICT; Economic development; Africa |
| JEL: | C52 O38 O40 O55 P37 |
| Date: | 2017–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:17/025&r=env |
| By: | Luc DOYEN, Claire ARMSTRONG, Stefan BAUMGARTNER; Christophe BÉNÉ, Fabian BLANCHARD, Abdoul Ahad CISSÉ; Rachel COOPER, Léo DUTA, Debora FREITAS,; Sophie GOURGUET, Felipe GUSMAO, Astrid JARRE; Richard LORNE LITTLE, Claire MACHER, Lauriane MOUYSSET; Martin QUAAS, Esther REGNIER, Nicolas SANZ, Olivier THEBAUD |
| Abstract: | Avoiding whinges from various and potentially conflicting stakeholders is a major challenge for sustainable development and for the identification of sustainability policy or scenarios for biodiversity and ecosystem services. It turns out that complying with whinge thresholds and constraints independently is not sufficient because dynamic ecological-economic interactions and uncertainties occur. Thus more demanding whinge boundaries are needed. In this paper, we first argue that these new boundaries can be endogenously exhibited with the mathematical concepts of viability kernel and viable controls. Second, it is shown how these no whinge kernels have components, such as harvesting of resources, that should remain within a safe corridor while some other components, in particular biodiversity, are only bounded from below. Thus, using radar charts, we show how this no whinge kernels can take the shape of a tree that we name viability tree. These trees of viability capture the idea that the unbounded renewal potential of biodiversity combined with a bounded use of the different ecosystem services are pivotal elements for the sustainability of socio-ecosystems and the design of no whinge policies reconciling the different stakeholders involved. |
| Keywords: | Minimal whinge, scenarios, ecological economics, sustainability, viability. |
| JEL: | Q2 Q5 C3 C6 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grt:wpegrt:2017-12&r=env |
| By: | Francesco Vona (Observatoire Francais des Conjonctures Economiques (OFCE), France; Universite Cote d'Azur, SKEMA, CNRS, GREDEG, France.); Giovanni Marin (Department of Economics, Society and Politics, University of Urbino `Carlo Bo', Italy.); Davide Consoli (ZINGENIO[CSIC-UPV], Valencia, Spain.) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the nature and the key empirical regularities of green employment in US local labor markets between 2006 and 2014. The main methodological novelty consists of a new measure of green employment based on the task content of occupations. Descriptive analysis reveals that: 1. the share of green employment is between 2 and 3 percent, with a strongly pro-cyclical trend; 2. the green wage premium is 4 percent; 3. green jobs are more geographically concentrated than similar non-green jobs; and 4. the top green areas are mostly high-tech. As regards to the drivers, direct changes in environmental regulation are a secondary force in explaining the 8-years growth of green jobs compared to the local amount of green subsidies within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the endowment of green knowledge and the resilience to the great recession. Assessing the impact of moving to greener activities, we find that one additional green job is associated with 4.2 (2.2 in the crisis period) new local jobs in non-tradable activities, and that this effect can be mostly ascribed to the green ARRA package. |
| Keywords: | Green employment; local labor markets; task-based approach; local multipliers; green American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; environmental policies |
| JEL: | J23 O33 Q52 R23 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sru:ssewps:2017-13&r=env |
| By: | Pinget, Amandine |
| Abstract: | Understanding how companies innovate for positive environment impact and sustainable development is a crucial issue for business and society today. Yet, little is currently known about this particular kind of innovation. The objective of this thesis is to shed light on the specificities of environmental innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in terms of determinants and perceived barriers. The theoretical framework is based on the Porter’s Hypothesis in order to examine the effect of regulation. It is enriched by the RBV and KBV approaches to better take into account SMEs’ capabilities and resources in the adoption of environmental innovation. This research is based on three empirical articles and on a quantitative approach which mobilizes several econometric methods. This thesis contributes to three key findings: (1) Environmentally innovative SMEs perceive more barriers, in more intense and numerous ways, compared to others innovative or non-innovative SMEs; (2) Environmentally innovative SMEs utilize more external knowledge sources than other SMEs; (3) SMEs, like large firms, can adopt environmental innovations proactively because they possess certain capacities. These results lead to public policy and managerial recommendations for more widespread and more effective environmental innovation in SMEs. |
| Keywords: | Environmental innovation, Technological innovation, Determinants, Barriers, Strategic profile, SMEs |
| JEL: | Q5 Q55 |
| Date: | 2016–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:80108&r=env |
| By: | Billings, Stephen B. (University of Colorado, Boulder); Schnepel, Kevin T. (University of Sydney) |
| Abstract: | The presence of lead paint significantly impairs cognitive and behavioral development, yet little is known about the value to households of avoiding this residence-specific environmental health risk. In this paper, we estimate the benefits of lead-paint remediation on housing prices. Using data on all homes that applied to a HUD-funded program in Charlotte, North Carolina, we adopt a difference-in-differences estimator that compares values among remediated properties with those for which an inspection does not identify a lead paint hazard. Results indicate large returns for public and private investment in remediation with each $1 spent on lead remediation generating $2.60 in benefits as well as a reduction in residential turnover. |
| Keywords: | lead paint exposure, lead hazard remediation, value of environmental health risk, urban environmental health |
| JEL: | Q51 Q52 Q58 R21 R23 R31 I18 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10873&r=env |
| By: | Rikard Forslid (Department of Economics, Stockholm University); Toshihiro Okubo (Faculty of Economics, Keio University); Mark Sanctuary (Stockholm School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a monopolistic competitive framework to study the impact of trade liberalization on local and global emissions. We focus on the interplay of asymmetric emission taxes and the home market effect and show how a large-market advantage can counterbalance a high emission tax, so that trade liberalization leads firms to move to the large high-tax economy. Global emissions decrease when trade is liberalized in this case. We then simulate the model with endogenous taxes. The larger country, which has the advantage of the home market effect, will be able to set a higher Nash emission tax than its smaller trade partner, yet still maintain its manufacturing base. As a result, a pollution haven will typically not arise in this case as trade is liberalized. However, global emission increases as a result of international tax competition, which underscores that the importance of international cooperation increases as trade becomes freer. |
| Keywords: | Trade liberalization, transboundary pollution, home market effect, transportation costs, emission tax |
| JEL: | F12 Q52 |
| Date: | 2017–06–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:keo:dpaper:2017-019&r=env |
| By: | Galindo, Luis Miguel; Beltrán, Allan; Ferrer, Jimy; Alatorre, José Eduardo |
| Abstract: | El principal objetivo de este estudio es analizar, de forma preliminar e hipotética, los potenciales efectos de un impuesto al carbono (CO2) sobre el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) en los países de América Latina, atendiendo a la inexistencia de evidencia empírica que permita evaluar dichas consecuencias y en el sentido de que, a la fecha, sólo México y Chile aplican un impuesto al carbono. En este sentido, la investigación se fundamenta en un meta-análisis y en una función de transferencia de beneficios en el que, la muestra de estudios, sugiere que el efecto de la aplicación de un impuesto al carbono sobre el PIB es muy heterogéneo. |
| Keywords: | CARBONO, TRIBUTACION, PRODUCTO INTERNO BRUTO, MACROECONOMIA, POLITICA FISCAL, REFORMA TRIBUTARIA, ANALISIS ECONOMICO, CARBON, TAXATION, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, MACROECONOMICS, TAX REFORM, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS |
| Date: | 2017–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:41867&r=env |
| By: | Leonardo Becchetti (DEF & CEIS, University of Rome "Tor Vergata"); Lorenzo Semplici (LUMSA); Michele Tridente (University of Rome "Tor Vergata") |
| Abstract: | We investigate with an ad hoc survey respondents’ tastes about the different corporate responsibility (CR) items typically used by CR rating agencies. The hypothesis of equal average value weights given to different CR items and equal variance (which we consider as a proxy of the inverse of consensus on the importance of an indicator) are strongly rejected by our data both in our overall suvey sample and in more homogeneous subsamples based on gender, age, education and religion. We as well frequently reject the hypothesis that value weights for the same CR item are the same across different subpopulations in gender subsamples since women attribute significantly higher weights than men to many CR items when we do not correct for young respondents’ oversampling. |
| Keywords: | corporate responsibility, gender effect, environmental sustainability, CR rating agencies |
| JEL: | D21 L21 M14 I31 |
| Date: | 2017–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rtv:ceisrp:407&r=env |
| By: | Billings, Stephen B. (University of Colorado, Boulder); Schnepel, Kevin T. (University of Sydney) |
| Abstract: | Lead pollution is consistently linked to cognitive and behavioral impairments, yet little is known about the benefits of public health interventions for children exposed to lead. This paper estimates the long-term impacts of early-life interventions (e.g. lead remediation, nutritional assessment, medical evaluation, developmental surveillance, and public assistance referrals) recommended for lead-poisoned children. Using linked administrative data from Charlotte, NC, we compare outcomes for children who are similar across observable characteristics but differ in eligibility for intervention due to blood lead test results. We find that the negative outcomes previously associated with early-life exposure can largely be reversed by intervention. |
| Keywords: | early childhood intervention, early health shocks, lead exposure, human capital formation |
| JEL: | I12 I18 I21 J13 J24 K42 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10872&r=env |
| By: | Jonathan R. Sweeney; Richard E. Howitt; Hing Ling Chan; Minling Pan; PingSun Leung |
| Abstract: | We present a vessel and target-specific positive mathematical programming model (PMP) for Hawaii's longline fishing fleet. Although common in agricultural economics, PMP modeling is rarely attempted in fisheries. To demonstrate the flexibility of the PMP framework, we separate tuna and swordfish production technologies into three policy relevant fishing targets. We find the model most accurately predicts vessel-specific annual bigeye catch in the WCPO, with an accuracy of 12% to 35%, and a correlation between 0.30 and 0.53. To demonstrate the model's usefulness to policy makers, we simulate the economic impact to individual vessels from increasing and decreasing the bigeye catch limit in the WCPO by 10%. Our results suggest that such policy changes will have moderate impacts on most vessels, but large impacts on a few generating a fat tailed distribution. These results offer insights into the range of winners and losers resulting from changes in fishery policies, and therefore, which policies are more likely to gain widespread industry support. As a tool for fishery management, the calibrated PMP model offers a flexible and easy-to-use framework, capable of capturing the heterogeneous response of fishing vessels to evaluate policy changes. |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1707.03960&r=env |
| By: | Jean-François FAGNART (CEREC, Université Saint-Louis, Bruxelles et UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES)); Marc GERMAIN (LEM-CNRS (UMR 9221), Université de Lille 3 et UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES)) |
| Abstract: | Cet article revisite un modèle néoclassique de l'enseignement de la macroéconomie (Williamson, 2014) en y introduisant une contrainte de ressource naturelle intertemporelle, tout en respectant le postulat de soutenabilité forte. Deux régimes, appelés respectivement contraint et non contraint, sont distingués selon que la contrainte de ressource (CR) est liante ou non. Dans le Régime contraint, un durcissement de la CR (i) a un impact négatif sur les indicateurs macroéconomiques d'activité a chaque période et (ii) modifie le partage de la valeur ajoutée au détriment du facteur travail (même si la ressource est gratuite). Une CR liante modifie aussi l'efficacité des politiques de soutien de la demande. Le progrès technique n'a un impact positif sur l'activité que s'il permet d'économiser le(s) facteur(s) de production limitant(s), c-a-d les facteurs travail et capital dans le cadre du Régime non contraint et la ressource dans le cadre du Régime contraint. Dans une extension ou l'usage de la ressource se traduit par de la pollution, nous étudions les conséquences d'une politique qui laisse délibérément une partie de la ressource inexploitée. Si la politique a des effets négatifs sur l'activité et la consommation, le bien-être des ménages augmente si leur désutilité marginale de la pollution est suffisamment forte. Ce résultat montre l'importance de considérer d'autres mesures que les indicateurs macroéconomiques traditionnels pour évaluer les politiques environnementales. We introduce an intertemporal resource constraint into the textbook 2-period neoclassical macro-model proposed by Williamson (2014). The resource is free but is an essential input in final production and is complementary to man-made inputs (labour and capital). Two regimes, called respectively constrained and unconstrained, are possible whether the resource constraint is binding or not. In the constrained regime, a strengthening of the resource constraint has a negative impact on economic activity and employment in the two periods. It also changes the value-added sharing in a way unfavourable to labour income. A binding resource constraint also alters the effectiveness of demand policies. Technical progress only improves economic activity in the two periods if it improves the productivity of man-made inputs in the unconstrained regime and the resource productivity in the constrained one. |
| Keywords: | macroéconomie écologique, ressource naturelle, soutenabilité forte |
| JEL: | E10 E25 E60 Q57 |
| Date: | 2017–05–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ctl:louvir:2017009&r=env |
| By: | Mihai, Florin-Constantin; Grozavu, Adrian |
| Abstract: | The management of construction waste it is at an early stage in urban areas and lacking in rural areas where this fraction is frequently uncontrolled disposed on public lands. Despite the fact some items of construction waste are considered inert for the environment (soil, concrete) it also contains hazardous items (paint additives, cans, and containers) or recyclables (plastics, metals, wood). Potential recovery of this waste stream is high if it is properly managed. The paper estimates the potential amounts of waste resulted from residential constructions across rural municipalities of Neamț County between 2002 and 2010. These statistical values are calculated at commune level (rural territorial administrative unit) in order to outline the disparities between various geographical areas using thematic cartography. This approach is correlated with demographic features in order to reflect such spatial patterns. The map of population density within built-up areas reveals where the construction sector is emerging at the county scale. Field observations highlight the existence of illegal disposal practices of construction waste in the proximity of settlements or water bodies. This waste stream should receive proper attention in following years in order to achieve recycling and recovery targets imposed by EU regulations. |
| Keywords: | construction waste, spatial assessment, Neamț County, Romania |
| JEL: | Q52 Q53 Q56 R11 R51 R52 R53 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:80124&r=env |
| By: | Glantz, Stanton A PhD; Bareham, David W BSc, MSc |
| Keywords: | Medicine and Health Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Date: | 2018–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:ctcres:qt421813nc&r=env |
| By: | Andreas A. Renz; Christoph Weber (Chair for Management Sciences and Energy Economics, University of Duisburg-Essen (Campus Essen)) |
| Abstract: | It would seem that Hotelling's rule and its related models of resource extraction and electricity production as largest consumer of scarce resources are closely related. However, although fixed costs and a non-storable product are essential in characterizing electricity markets, they can hardly be found in respective literature. We show optimal extraction paths when coal, gas and a renewable with differing fixed and variable costs as well as carbon intensities are considered. The technology with lowest fixed costs will then "–" though relying on a scarce resource "–" always be used in perpetuity. The high fixed-cost fossil technology may be exploited at a definite point of time if it is relatively scarce or also used ad infinitum. |
| Keywords: | Scarce resource, Optimal control theory, Hotelling, Valuation, Non-renewable resource, Pollution target, Climate change, Peak-load-pricing |
| JEL: | C61 Q32 Q48 L94 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dui:wpaper:1707&r=env |
| By: | Hayato Kato (Faculty of Economics, Keio University); Toshihiro Okubo (Faculty of Economics, Keio University) |
| Abstract: | How do multinational enterprises (MNEs) affect the host country through their vertical industrial linkages when large natural disasters occur? To answer this question, we develop a simple theoretical framework and show that, as trade costs decline, the host country is first dominated by MNEs and then later by local firms. Thus, when natural disasters seriously damage capital, the industrial configurations in the host country switch from domination by MNEs to domination by local firms. The replacement of MNEs with local firms can raise the welfare of the host country. |
| Keywords: | MNEs, Natural disasters, Industrial linkage |
| JEL: | F12 F23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2017–06–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:keo:dpaper:2017-018&r=env |
| By: | Jorge Marco (University of Girona); Renan Goetz (University of Girona) |
| Abstract: | This study revisits the problem of the tragedy of the commons. Extracting agents participate in an evolutionary game in a complex social network and are subject to social pressure if they do not comply with the social norms. Social pressure depends on the dynamics of the resource, the network and the population of compliers. We analyze the influence the network structure has on the agents’ behavior and determine the economic value of the intangible good - social pressure. For a socially optimal management of the resource, an initially high share of compliers is necessary but is not sufficient. The analysis shows the extent to which the remaining level of the resource, the share of compliers and the size, density and local cohesiveness of the network contribute to overcoming the tragedy of the commons. The study suggests that the origin of the problem – shortsighted behavior - is also the starting point for a solution in the form of a one-time payment. A numerical analysis of a social network comprising 7500 agents and a realistic topological structure is performed using empirical data from the western La Mancha aquifer in Spain. |
| Keywords: | Tragedy of the Commons, Cooperation, Evolutionary Game, Social Network, Social Punishment |
| JEL: | C71 D85 Q25 |
| Date: | 2017–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2017.35&r=env |
| By: | Vellini, Nicolás Andrés |
| Abstract: | El Partido de General Pueyrredon, a través de la Ordenanza Municipal Nº 21.296/2013, crea el Plan de Desarrollo Rural Sustentable en respuesta a la norma que permite la aplicación de agroquímicos a partir de un radio de 1.000 metros desde las zonas urbanas. Dentro de los objetivos principales de la Ordenanza, se encuentra el de generar canales de certificación que permitan, a través de un sello de calidad, garantizar al consumidor de frutas y verduras frescas el bajo impacto ambiental de dichas producciones. En la presente tesis, se analizan distintos aspectos de las verduras frescas que los consumidores tienen en cuenta al momento de aceptar un sello de calidad que asegure que las mismas se producen de forma sustentable, con bajo impacto ambiental, y un mínimo contenido de agroquímicos. Se estudiaron las principales preocupaciones de los consumidores y la influencia que éstas tienen en dicha aceptación. Para ello, se emplearon datos provenientes de un relevamiento llevado a cabo en la Ciudad de Mar del Plata, durante los meses de febrero a abril del año 2016, donde participaron 127 consumidores. Las pruebas estadísticas de Cochran, de Mantel-Haenszel y de Kruskal-Wallis fueron aplicadas a fin de explorar la posibilidad de aceptación de un sello de calidad por parte de los consumidores y la información relevante que esperan encontrar en el mismo, estratificando por nivel de barrio de residencia. |
| Keywords: | Consumo de Alimentos; Seguridad Alimentaria; Comportamiento del Consumidor; Hortalizas; Partido de General Pueyrredon; |
| Date: | 2017–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nmp:nuland:2641&r=env |
| By: | Morten Endrikat (RWTH Aachen University) |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically analyzes the influence of rents from natural resources on the composition of government spending and investigates whether the relationship differs between democracies and autocracies. Both panel data and instrumental variable regressions suggest that there is a negative joint effect of autocracy and natural resource dependency on education spending. Moreover, there is slight evidence in the results of a positive joint effect on spending for social protection, while other components of government spending do not seem to be influenced. In particular, the results do not suggest that autocratic regimes in resource-dependent countries spend relatively more on military. |
| Keywords: | Natural Resources, resource curse, institutions, government spending |
| JEL: | H50 Q32 Q38 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:201727&r=env |
| By: | Vellini, Nicolás Andrés; Rodríguez, Elsa Mirta M.; Lupín, Beatriz |
| Abstract: | El nivel de incertidumbre de los consumidores disminuye al comunicar efectivamente las características de calidad de un alimento. La presencia de un sello de calidad constituye la forma visible de demostrar que dichas características han sido fehacientemente verificadas. En este sentido, la etiqueta constituye un elemento de protección del consumidor y de mejora de su bienestar. |
| Keywords: | Consumo de Alimentos; Seguridad Alimentaria; Comportamiento del Consumidor; Hortalizas; Partido de General Pueyrredon; |
| Date: | 2017–06–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nmp:nuland:2691&r=env |