|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2018‒06‒18
forty-one papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Juan Moreno-Cruz; Gernot Wagner; David W. Keith |
| Abstract: | This paper introduces geoengineering into an optimal control model of climate change economics. Together with mitigation and adaptation, carbon and solar geoengineering span the universe of possible climate policies. Their wildly different characteristics have important implications for climate policy. We show in the context of our model that: (i) the optimal carbon tax equals the marginal cost of carbon geoengineering; (ii) the introduction of either form of geoengineering leads to higher emissions yet lower temperatures; (iii) in a world with above-optimal cumulative emissions, only a complete set of instruments can minimize climate damages. |
| Keywords: | climate change, climate policy, mitigation, adaptation, carbon geoengineering, carbon dioxide removal, solar geoengineering, solar radiation management |
| JEL: | D90 O44 Q48 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7059&r=env |
| By: | Francesco Lamperti; Giovanni Dosi; Mauro Napoletano; Andrea Roventini; Alessandro Sapio |
| Abstract: | In this work, we employ an agent-based integrated assessment model to study the likelihood of transition to green, sustainable growth in presence of climate damages. The model comprises heterogeneous fossil-fuel and renewable plants, capital- and consumption-good firms and a climate box linking greenhouse gasses emission to temperature dynamics and microeconomic climate shocks affecting labour productivity and energy demand of firms. Simulation results show that the economy possesses two statistical equilibria: a carbon-intensive lock-in and a sustainable growth path characterized by better macroeconomic performances. Once climate damages are accounted for, the likelihood of a green transition depends on the damage function employed. In particular, aggregate and quadratic damage functions overlook the impact of climate change on the transition to sustainability; to the contrary, more realistic micro-level damages are found to deeply influence the chances of a transition. Finally, we run a series of policy experiments on carbon (fossil fuel) taxes and green subsidies. We find that the effectiveness of such market-based instruments depends on the different channels climate change affects the economy through, and complementary policies might be required to avoid carbon-intensive lock-ins. |
| Keywords: | climate change; agent based models; transitions; energy policy; growth |
| Date: | 2018–06–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2018/14&r=env |
| By: | Raouf Boucekkine (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales); Giorgio Fabbri (GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Salvatore Federico (LPMA - Laboratoire de Probabilités et Modèles Aléatoires - UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 - UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Fausto Gozzi (Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Aziendali - Libera Università INTERNAZIONALE DEGLI STUDI SOCIALI G. CARLI) |
| Abstract: | We solve a linear-quadratic model of a spatio-temporal economy using a polluting one-input technology. Space is continuous and heterogenous: locations di er in productivity, nature self-cleaning technology and environmental awareness. The unique link between locations is transboundary pollution which is modelled as a PDE di usion equation. The spatio-temporal functional is quadratic in local consumption and linear in pollution. Using a dynamic programming method adapted to our in nite dimensional setting, we solve the associated optimal pollution. We show that optimal emissions will decrease at given location if and only if local productivity is larger than a threshold which depends both on the local pollution absorption capacity and environmental awareness. Furthermore, we numerically explore the relationship between the spatial optimal distributions of production and (asymptotic) pollution in order to uncover possible (geographic) Environmental Kuznets Curve cases. |
| Keywords: | Growth, geography, transboundary pollution, in nite dimensional optimal control problems 1. |
| Date: | 2018–05–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01795160&r=env |
| By: | Nuno Carlos Leitão (Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, ESGTS and CEFAGE-UE, Évora University) |
| Abstract: | The climate change has inspired the interest of the academic community in the most diverse areas of knowledge. This study tests and revisited the environmental Kuznets curve assumptions for Portugal. The econometric strategy used in this research is time series (ARIMA model, OLS estimator, ARCH regression, VAR model, and Granger causality) for the time period 1980-2013.The econometric results show that the income per capita and squared income per capita are according to the expected signs, i.e. a positive impact of income per capita on carbon dioxide emissions, and a negative effect of squared income per capita on carbon dioxide emissions. The empirical study also demonstrates that Portugal presents a dependence on energy consumption. The openness trade and foreign direct investment are negatively correlated with carbon dioxide emissions. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve, Climate Changes, Time Series and Openness Trade |
| JEL: | C50 Q43 Q53 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2018.11&r=env |
| By: | Raouf Boucekkine (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales, IMéRA - Institute for Advanced Studies - Aix-Marseille University, IUF - Institut Universitaire de France - M.E.N.E.S.R. - Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche); Giorgio Fabbri (GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Salvatore Federico (Università degli Studi di Siena, Dipartimento di Economia Politica e Statistica); Fausto Gozzi (Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza, Università Luiss - Guido Carli) |
| Abstract: | We solve a linear-quadratic model of a spatio-temporal economy using a polluting one-input technology. Space is continuous and heterogenous: locations differ in productivity, nature self-cleaning technology and environmental awareness. The unique link between locations is transboundary pollution which is modelled as a PDE diffusion equation. The spatio-temporal functional is quadratic in local consumption and linear in pollution. Using a dynamic programming method adapted to our infinite dimensional setting, we solve the associated optimal control problem in closed-form and identify the asymptotic (optimal) spatial distribution of pollution. We show that optimal emissions will decrease at given location if and only if local productivity is larger than a threshold which depends both on the local pollution absorption capacity and environmental awareness. Furthermore, we numerically explore the relationship between the spatial optimal distributions of production and (asymptotic) pollution in order to uncover possible (geographic) Environmental Kuznets Curve cases. |
| Keywords: | growth,geography,transboundary pollution,infinite dimensional optimal control problems |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-01792440&r=env |
| By: | Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "In a country of continental size and endowed with incredible environmental assets such as Brazil, it is not immediately feasible to coordinate national and climate change accounts, perhaps due to caution. However, recent federal legislation (Law No. 13.493/2017) has mandated the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística?IBGE) to calculate and release?annually, if possible?the countrys green domestic product (Produto Interno Verde?PIV), detailing the nations environmental assets. The greatest challenge to this endeavour will be to determine the methodology that will underpin the national accounting system to be adopted". (?) |
| Keywords: | Brazilian, environmental, accounting, initiatives |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:373&r=env |
| By: | Soheil Shayegh (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)); Valentina Bosetti (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) and Bocconi University); Simon Dietz (London School of Economics); Johannes Emmerling (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)); Christoph Hambel (Goethe University Frankfurt); Svenn Jensen (Oslo Metropolitan University); Holger Kraft (Goethe University Frankfurt); Massimo Tavoni (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) and Politecnico di Milano); Christian Traeger (University of Oslo and University of California Berkeley); Rick Van der Ploeg (University of Oxford) |
| Abstract: | Over the last few decades, integrated assessment models (IAM) have provided insight into the relationship between climate change, economy, and climate policies. The limitations of these models in capturing uncertainty in climate parameters, heterogeneity in damages and policies, have given rise to skepticism about the relevance of these models for policy making. IAM community needs to respond to these critics and to the new challenges posed by developments in the policy arena. New climate targets emerging from the Paris Agreement and the uncertainty about the signatories’ commitment to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are prime examples of challenges that need to be addressed in the next generation of IAMs. Given these challenges, calculating the social cost of carbon requires a new framework. This can be done by computing marginal abatement cost in cost-effective settings which provides different results than those calculated using constrained cost-benefit analysis. Here we focus on the areas where IAMs can be deployed to asses uncertainty and risk management, learning, and regional heterogeneity in climate change impacts. |
| Keywords: | Integrated Assessment Models, Climate Policy, Carbon, Uncertainty |
| JEL: | Q54 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2018.19&r=env |
| By: | Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "Gustavo Luedemann, a researcher at Ipeas Directorate of Regional, Urban and Environmental Policies and Studies, started the panel discussion by relating the past remarks of a colleague from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística?IBGE) regarding the incompatibility between accounts calculated by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC) and by the IBGE. Naturally, MCTIC data are produced following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines regarding climate issues, while IBGE data are generated according to a statistical base. The Green Domestic Product (Produto Interno Verde?PIV) legislation was highlighted as a facilitator to achieve compatible data". (...) |
| Keywords: | Environment, account, challenges, way forward |
| Date: | 2018–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:376&r=env |
| By: | Montresor, Sandro; Quatraro, Francesco (University of Turin) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the move of regions towards sustainable growth through their specialisation in new green technologies. In particular, we analyse the role that smart specialisation strategies (S3) can have in this respect by addressing two research questions. First of all, we investigate whether the environmental diversification of regional technologies is, according to the S3 logic, driven by their “relatedness” to existing knowledge of green and non-green nature. Second, we analyse the role of the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) that S3 policies recommend regions to prioritise, not only in fostering the adoption of environmental technologies, but also in affecting its dependence on the pre-existing knowledge-base. Combining regional patent and economic data for a 34-year panel (1980-2013) of 180 European regions, we find that the relatedness to the existing technological-base of the region actually makes the acquisition of a new green-tech specialisation more probable. This holds true with respect to both the green and non-green extant knowledge, pointing to a regional diversification that also benefits from the “hybridisation” of non-environmental technologies. The latter however requires a higher degree of relatedness than a “pure” green branching process. Regional KETs also help the transition towards sustainable technologies. What is more, they negatively moderate the green impact of the relatedness to pre-existing technologies, of both green and non-green nature, and thus attenuate the boundaries the latter could pose to regions in their environmental specialisation. These results confirm that S3 policies can actually boost the intertwining of a smart and sustainable kind of growth, and that the KETs inclusion within S3 can amplify the virtuous interaction between these two objectives. |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uto:labeco:201804&r=env |
| By: | Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "How can emissions reporting be transformed into emissions accounts? Maria Lidén, Senior Advisor, Environmental Accounts and Natural Resources at Statistics Sweden, asserted that this endeavour is possible. Statistics Sweden has managed to successfully improve each successive inventory of air emissions. Every new set of national economic accounts has been better than the preceding one. There is no need for extra services to account for emissions?the only need is to transform the data". (?) |
| Keywords: | Linking, national, emissions, inventories, economic, accounting |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:374&r=env |
| By: | Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "The International Seminar on Linking Climate Change and National Accounting showed that the state-of-the-art for accounting in Brazil and around the world requires the integration of actors and information systems to meet a challenging new era, where people and economies will be evaluated according to their ability to diminish the human impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere". (...) |
| Keywords: | International, experiences, climate change, related, statistics |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:372&r=env |
| By: | Kitesa, Rahel (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management) |
| Abstract: | This doctoral dissertation consists of three chapters on the design and implementation of environmental conservation mechanisms using economic experiments. The first chapter examines how variations in information and context affect the outcomes of valuation using field experiment. The chapter shows the evidence that people’s contributions increase significantly and substantially if attention is drawn to their own responsibility in the deforestation and desertification process, suggesting, the ‘responsibility effect’ is important in the valuation-an extension of the previous examination on the role of behavior in valuation. The second chapter revisits Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and the determination of the optimal price by comparing the performance of Uniform Price Auctions (UPA) and Take-it-or-leave (TILI) mechanism. Using both laboratory and field experiments it is found that given the same level of price, the sign-up rate to a PES project differs between the two mechanisms. More subjects are willing to sign-up in TILI than was predicted in UPA. The findings also suggest that this disparity can be explained by the hypothesis of more deliberate decision making in UPA than TILI. The third chapter examines how trust and trustworthiness evolve in the community (engaged in public good provision) to predict the sustainability of common good conservation. The chapter deals with trust and trustworthiness, as important social norms, between the cooperators and non- cooperator in common good provision. The findings of the chapter support the hypothesis that higher trust is placed on the cooperators than non-cooperators with payoff consequences-contrary to standard economic prediction. The cooperator type receives more money, but sends and returns less to non-cooperators which allow the cooperator type to receive a consistently higher payoff- which was predicted by the Ostrom’s theory of collective actions. |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tiu:tiutis:cda8497d-6dcf-4092-b815-1d8e5c5c6631&r=env |
| By: | David Allen (University of Sydney); Michael McAleer (Asia University, University of Sydney Business School, EUR); David McHardy Reid (Seattle University) |
| Abstract: | A set of 115 tweets on climate change by President Trump, from 2011 to 2015, are analysed by means of the data mining technique, Sentiment Analysis. The intention is to explore the contents and sentiments of the messages contained, the degree to which they differ, and their implications about his understanding of climate change. The results suggest a predominantly negative emotion in relation to tweets on climate change, but they appear to lack a clear logical framework, and confuse short term variations in localised weather with long term global average climate change. |
| Keywords: | Sentiment Analysis; Polarity; Climate Change; Scientific Verification; Weather |
| JEL: | A1 C88 C44 Z0 |
| Date: | 2018–05–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180054&r=env |
| By: | Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "A two-year project to study compatibility tables between national accounts and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is being developed by experts in accounting and climatic issues. What can be done, in practical terms, to establish GHG emissions accounts in Brazil? Inventory data, as usually presented, are too aggregated. When the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication (MCTIC) creates the GHG emissions inventory, it follows the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística?IBGE), developing climate accounts using the inventory as a data source implies adjusting inventory data into a format which is compatible with national accounts". (...) |
| Keywords: | project, bridging, tables, national, accounts, emissions |
| Date: | 2018–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:377&r=env |
| By: | Linda Arata (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore); Gianni Guastella (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei); Stefano Pareglio (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei); Riccardo Scarpa (University of Durham, University of Verona and University of Waikato); Paolo Sckokai (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) |
| Abstract: | In the European Union (EU) periurban agriculture is under the same agri-environmental policy regime designed for general agriculture. We argue that the specific needs of periurban agriculture may justify ad hoc agri-environmental policy measures. We present results from a Choice Experiment (CE) performed on a sample of 600 people living in the municipality of Milan, which was designed to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) for ecological benefits generated by four agri-environmental practices implementable in the periurban area and already included in the Rural Development Programmes of the Lombardy region. Results suggest that a large population share is willing to pay to support an increase in the use of the agricultural practices studied with an average WTP ranging between 5.6 to 16.3 euro/person/year, according to the type of practice. These results are in contrast with their current low level of adoption. The sub-optimal uptake rate is likely due to an insufficient per hectare compensating payment, which is too low to cover the income foregone consequent to the adoption of sustainable agriculture measures in this area. The mismatch between the low uptake rate and the high social benefits generated by the four agri-environmental agricultural practices sheds light on the need to design agri-environmental policy programmes specifically targeted to periurban areas, where the costs of compliance with AEMs are high and the social benefits of their adoption are large. |
| Keywords: | Periurban Agriculture, Agri-environmental Policy, Choice Experiment, Random Parameter Logit Model, Error Component, WTP Space |
| JEL: | Q18 Q57 C35 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2018.16&r=env |
| By: | Branko BOSKOVIC; Ujjayant CHAKRAVORTY; Martino PELLI; Anna RISCH |
| Abstract: | Fuelwood collection is often cited as the most important cause of deforestation in developing countries. Use of fuelwood in cooking is a leading cause of indoor air pollution. Using household data from India, we show that households located farther away from the forest spend more time collecting. Distant households are likely to sell more fuelwood and buy less. That is, lower access to forests increases fuelwood collection and sale. This counter-intuitive behavior is triggered by two factors: lower access to forests (a) increases the fixed costs of collecting, which in turn leads to more collection; and (b) drives up local fuelwood prices, which makes collection and sale more profitable. We quantify both these effects. Using our estimates we show that a fifth of the fuelwood collected is consumed outside of rural areas, in nearby towns and cities. Our results imply that at the margin, fuelwood scarcity may lead to increased collection and sale, and exacerbate forest degradation. |
| Keywords: | energy access, cooking fuels, deforestation, forest cover, fuelwood collection |
| JEL: | D10 O13 Q42 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mtl:montec:05-2018&r=env |
| By: | Effrosyni Diamantoudi (Concordia University); Eftichios Sartzetakis (University of Macedonia); Stefania Strantza (Concordia University) |
| Abstract: | The paper examines the stability of self-enforcing International Environmental Agreements (IEAs) among heterogeneous countries, allowing for transfers. We employ a two-stage, non-cooperative model of coalition formation. In the first stage each country decides whether or not to join the agreement, while in the second stage countries choose their emissions simultaneously. Coalition members agree also to share the gains from cooperation in the first stage. We use quadratic benefit and environmental damage functions and assume two types of countries differing in their sensitivity to the global pollutant. In examining the impact of transfers on the coalition size, we apply the notion of Potential Internal Stability (PIS). Results show that transfers can increase cooperation among heterogeneous countries. However, the increase in the coalition size, relative to the case without transfers, comes only from countries belonging to the type with the lower environmental damages, which are drawn into the coalition by the transfers offered. Furthermore, the level of cooperation increases with the degree of heterogeneity. However, the reduction in aggregate emissions achieved by the enlarged coalition is very small leading to dismal improvement in welfare, which confirms the "paradox of cooperation". |
| Keywords: | International Environmental Agreements, Heterogeneous Countries, Transfers |
| JEL: | Q5 Q54 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2018.20&r=env |
| By: | Gani Aldashev; Elena Vallino |
| Abstract: | Participatory conservation projects run by NGOs in developing countries imply involvement of communities in conservation efforts, to combine economic development with environmental preservation. We build an economic model explaining the emergence of participatory conservation and its contradictions linked to the conflicting incentives of local farmers, NGOs, and donors. The tragedy of the commons in a natural area justifies an NGO intervention. Contractual incompleteness calls for participatory conservation. However, if the revenue from the conservation project is uncertain, the community abstains from conservation unless the NGO allocates resources to agriculture. The NGO must deviate from its narrow mission to reach its broad mission. If the NGO is funded by conservation-oriented donors, it struggles to justify diverting resources to agriculture. Thus, the NGO faces a “size versus efficiency” dilemma: poorly conserving a larger area (non-cooperating local community, satisfied donors) or conserving well a smaller area (local community cooperation, unsatisfied donors). |
| Keywords: | Participatory conservation, NGOs, local development, land use |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eca:wpaper:2013/271490&r=env |
| By: | Doda, Baran; Taschini, Luca |
| Abstract: | We propose a theory of the economic advantage (EA) of regulating carbon emissions by linking two emissions trading systems versus operating them under autarky. Linking implies that permits issued in one system can be traded internationally for use in the other. We show how the nature of uncertainty, market sizes, and sunk costs of linking determine EA. Even when sunk costs are small so EA>0, autarky can be preferable to one partner, depending on jurisdiction characteristics. Moreover, one partner’s permit price volatility under linking may increase without making linking the less preferred option. An empirical application calibrates jurisdiction characteristics to demonstrate the economic significance of our results which can make linking partner match crucial for the effectiveness and success of the Paris Agreement. |
| Keywords: | emission trading; climate change policy; market-based regulation; linking |
| JEL: | H23 Q58 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:68379&r=env |
| By: | Stefan Borsky (University of Graz, Austria); Christian Unterberger (Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape, Switzerland) |
| Abstract: | Weather shocks frequently impair the smooth functioning of transportation systems. To further add empirical evidence to this finding, we use a dataset consisting of 2.14 million flightdepartures from ten large U.S. airports between January 2012 and September 2017, and estimate the effects sudden onset events, i.e., precipitation and wind, and slow onset events, i.e., temperature, have on departure delay. For sudden onset events, we apply a difference-in-difference framework that allows for inferences at the hourly level. The effects of slow onset events on departure delay are estimated based on a Prais Winstein estimator with panel-corrected standard errors. Our estimates show a significant increase in departure delay of up to 23 minutes depending on the weather type and intensity of the disturbance. Given the social costs of schedule delays, these results are important. This is especially true in the light of climate change, which will alter the frequency and intensity of adverse weather phenomena. |
| Keywords: | Flight Departure delays; Climate change impact; Sudden and slow onset events |
| JEL: | Q54 R41 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grz:wpaper:2018-13&r=env |
| By: | Ian A. Lange; Michael Redlinger |
| Abstract: | This analysis seeks to understand whether changes in oil regulation brought about by the shale revolution have restricted the pace of drilling and production. This hypothesis is tested using data on North Dakota and Montana both before and after North Dakota increased the level of bonding required. Results generally find that the new regulations had no statistical impact on the pace of drilling and production, however it is found that smaller operators reduced their production and exited. These results are instructive for policymakers who weigh the loss of economic welfare against improved environmental quality when deciding on new regulations. |
| Keywords: | oil and gas regulation, shale oil, drilling, firm exit |
| JEL: | L51 L71 Q53 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7053&r=env |
| By: | Armel Ngami (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales); Thomas Seegmuller (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales) |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the effect of a pay-as-you-go pension system on the evolution of capital and pollution, and on the efficiency of an environmental versus health policy. In an overlapping generations model (OLG), we introduce endogenous longevity that depends on pollution and health expenditures. Global dynamics may display multiple balanced growth paths (BGP). We show that by discouraging savings, a policy that promotes the pension system enlarges the environmental poverty trap. More surprisingly, the environmental policy has contrasted effects according to the significance of the pension system. If it has a low size, a raise of the environmental policy enlarges the environmental poverty trap and leads to a rise in capital over pollution at the highest stationary equilibrium. In contrast, in economies where intergenerational solidarity is well developed, capital over pollution decreases at the highest BGP. In such a case, the environmental policy does not necessarily lead to a better longevity and growth. |
| Keywords: | longevity,environment,health,pension system,growth,pollution |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-01798710&r=env |
| By: | Alistair Hunt (University of Bath); Nick Dale (University of Bath) |
| Abstract: | This paper gives an overview of economic assessments of the benefits of the control of formaldehyde and reflects on developments in its risk management and regulation. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of resins, as a disinfectant and fixative and as a preservative in consumer products. Formaldehyde exposure can be harmful to human health. |
| Keywords: | Cost-benefit analysis, environmental health valuation, formaldehyde, non-market valuation, regulatory impact assessment |
| JEL: | Q51 Q52 Q53 |
| Date: | 2018–06–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaaa:134-en&r=env |
| By: | Marion Desquilbet (TSE - Toulouse School of Economics - Toulouse School of Economics); Elise Maigne (US ODR - Observatoire des Programmes Communautaires de Développement Rural - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique); Sylvette Monier-Dilhan (US ODR - Observatoire des Programmes Communautaires de Développement Rural - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) |
| Abstract: | We propose an empirical study of French sales in conventional food retailing and in specialised organic stores for 2012. We examine the plant or animal origin of food products, as an indicator of the environmental and health impacts of sales, and their degree of processing, as an indicator of their health impact. The results indicate that sales of organic food products are more plant-based and less processed in specialised organic stores than in conventional retail stores, two criteria for a better health and environmental impact. In conventional stores, organic sales are more plant-based and less processed than conventional sales. Organic sales in conventional stores show some specificity, having the highest share of particular product ranges lacking a clear health or environmental impact, such as processed culinary ingredients or unprocessed or minimally processed animal products. Building a typology of buyers in conventional stores, we find that even purchases by buyers with the highest organic purchase intensity in conventional stores are less plant-based and more processed than average purchases in specialised organic stores. Our results characterise to what extent some of the holistic environmental and health impacts of organic agriculture are lower in conventional retail stores than in specialised organic stores in France in 2012. |
| Abstract: | Cet article présente une analyse empirique des ventes de produits alimentaires conventionnels et bio en France en 2012 dans les grandes et moyennes surfaces conventionnelles et dans les magasins bio spécialisés, selon l’origine animale ou végétale des produits (un indicateur de l’impact environnemental et sanitaire des ventes) et leur degré de transformation (un indicateur de leur impact sanitaire). Les ventes de produits alimentaires issus de l’agriculture biologique, quoique restant relativement faibles, sont en augmentation significative dans les pays développés et notamment en France. Si les cahiers des charges de l’agriculture biologique ont différentes implications favorables en termes d’environnement et de santé, les effets de cette augmentation en termes de durabilité sont toutefois sujets à débat, autour de deux éléments principaux. Le premier élément de débat tient au fait que l’agriculture biologique a des rendements plus faibles que l’agriculture conventionnelle. Produire les mêmes quantités des mêmes aliments avec l’agriculture biologique nécessiterait de mettre en culture plus de terres qu’avec l’agriculture conventionnelle, avec des impacts environnementaux négatifs. Cependant, cet effet négatif est contrebalancé par la différence entre les régimes alimentaires incluant ou non des produits bios, qui peut être due aux différences entre systèmes de production bio et conventionnels, aux motivations différentes des acheteurs de produits bio, et au surcoût des produits bio conduisant à ajuster la composition des achats (Reganold et Watcher, 2016). Le second élément de controverse est la tendance de l’agriculture biologique à développer certaines caractéristiques du système alimentaire conventionnel lorsqu’elle change d’échelle, de manière contraire à son projet initial, et avec des effets négatifs possibles sur différentes dimensions de la durabilité (Guthman, 2004). Pour éclairer ces débats, cette recherche analyse les ventes de produits conventionnels et de produits bio en France en 2012, en distinguant les deux principaux circuits de distribution de produits bio, à savoir les grandes et moyennes surfaces conventionnelles et les magasins bio spécialisés. Pour cela, l’analyse utilise deux bases de données. La première est la base Kantar Worldpanel, qui contient des données détaillées d’achats alimentaires en grandes surfaces conventionnelles par un panel de consommateurs, et distingue notamment l’origine bio ou non bio des produits. La seconde est une base de données de ventes de différents magasins d’un réseau français de magasins vendant exclusivement des produits issus de l’agriculture biologique, à laquelle nous avons eu accès pour cette étude. A notre connaissance, il s’agit de la première étude scientifique combinant de telles données. L’analyse porte sur deux dimensions de la durabilité pouvant être étudiées à partir de ces deux bases de données : l’origine végétale ou animale des produits, qui fournit un indicateur de l’impact environnemental et sanitaire des ventes (Tilman et Clark, 2014) ; leur degré de transformation, qui donne un indicateur de leur impact sanitaire (Monteiro et al, 2016). Les résultats de notre étude, montrent qu’en France, en 2012, les ventes de produits alimentaires bio étaient plus végétales et moins transformées que les ventes de produits alimentaires conventionnels, deux indicateurs d’une meilleure durabilité. De plus, les ventes de produits bio étaient plus végétales et moins transformées en magasins bio spécialisés qu’en grandes surfaces conventionnelles. Ces différences étaient particulièrement importantes concernant l’origine végétale ou animale des produits. Ces résultats illustrent l’importance de ne pas raisonner qu’en termes de rendements culture par culture pour comparer les performances de l’agriculture biologique et de l’agriculture conventionnelle. De plus, ils suggèrent un impact négatif de la conventionnalisation de l’agriculture biologique en France, au sens où les ventes de produits bio dans en grandes et moyennes surfaces conventionnelles (qui représentaient près de la moitié des ventes de bio) avaient un moins bonne structure que les ventes en magasins bio spécialisés (qui représentaient environ un tiers des ventes de bio). Ces résultats peuvent aussi être lus comme montrant un impact positif de « la biologisation » de la grande distribution conventionnelle : leurs ventes de produits bio, plus végétales et moins transformées que leurs ventes de produits conventionnels, rendaient leurs ventes globales plus durables selon ces deux indicateurs. Cependant, cette « biologisation » des grandes surfaces conventionnelles restait limitée, les produits bio représentant moins de 2 % de leurs ventes globales. En différenciant des groupes d’acheteurs en magasins conventionnels selon l’intensité de leurs achats bio (c’est-à-dire la proportion de produits bios dans leurs achats alimentaires), les résultats montrent une tendance (faible) vers des achats (conventionnels et bio) plus végétaux et moins transformés pour les acheteurs avec une forte intensité d’achats bio. Cependant, la différence entre la structure des acheteurs avec la plus forte intensité d’achats bio en magasins conventionnels et la structure moyenne dans les magasins spécialisés bio était beaucoup plus substantielle. Ce résultat souligne la singularité des magasins spécialisés bio selon nos deux indicateurs. Ces différences dans les structures de vente impliquent que les consommateurs font face à un environnement alimentaire plus sain en magasin spécialisé bio qu’en grande surface conventionnelle, ce qui pourrait affecter de manière positive leurs choix alimentaires. Ces résultats suggèrent différentes pistes possibles pour limiter l’effet indésirable de la conventionnalisation des ventes bio observée dans nos données. Une manière serait de renforcer les spécifications des cahiers des charges de l’agriculture biologique pour interdire les additifs, les fractionnements d’aliments et les méthodes de transformation les plus problématiques. Une manière moins radicale serait d’augmenter les connaissances du grand public sur les impacts différentiels en termes de santé et d’environnement de différents types de produits bio et sur la structure différente des ventes dans les principaux circuits de distribution. Un pas possible dans cette direction pourrait être d’associer la communication sur le label bio avec des recommandations sur la composition des régimes alimentaires. Jusqu’ici, au contraire, le plan de développement de l’agriculture biologique (Ambition bio 2017) a consacré des ressources à la communication pour encourager la consommation de produits bio en général, sans mentionner que les impacts des achats de produits alimentaires bio peuvent dépendre des caractéristiques des produits achetés, qui peuvent varier selon les circuits de distribution. |
| Keywords: | conventionnalisation, produit non ou peu transformé,produit ultra-transformé,environnement alimentaire,organic agriculture,retail channel,conventionalisation,unprocessed or minimally processed food products,plant-based food product,food environment,organic farming,distribution network,agriculture biologique,réseau de distribution,produit d'origine animale,produit d'origine végétale |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01792846&r=env |
| By: | Ha Trong Nguyen (Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre, Curtin University); Huong Thu Le (School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia); Luke B Connelly (The University of Queensland) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the first robust causal estimates of the effect of weather on the allocation of children’s time. It uses individual-level data from over 45,000 time-use diaries of children from two nationally representative cohorts of Australian children whose time-use diaries were surveyed biannually over 10 years to measure the time allocation of children and exploits exogenous variations in local weather conditions observed during the random diary dates. Unfavourable weather conditions, as represented by cold or hot temperature or rain, cause children to switch activities from outdoors to indoors, mainly by reducing the time allocated to active pursuits and travel and increasing the time allocated to media. The effects of weather are more pronounced on weekends and are heterogeneous across different population sub-groups. The results also provide some evidence of adaptation, as temperature tends to have greater impact not only in winter months but also in colder regions. The findings are robust to a wide range of sensitivity checks, including controlling for individual fixed effects and using alternative model specifications. |
| Keywords: | weather, time allocation, time-use diary, children |
| JEL: | J13 J22 Q54 |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ozl:bcecwp:wp1801&r=env |
| By: | Richard Dubourg (The Economics Interface Limited) |
| Abstract: | This paper gives an overview of economic assessments of the benefits of the control of emissions of mercury compounds, discusses their completeness from a social cost point of view, and discusses the relative magnitudes of the values attached to mercury compounds in different contexts. The majority of the assessments have been conducted in the context of coal-fired electricity generation and the valuation of human health impacts linked to ingestion of methylmercury. |
| Keywords: | benefits, impacts, Mercury, policy, valuation |
| JEL: | Q51 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–06–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaaa:132-en&r=env |
| By: | Simplice Asongu (Yaoundé/Cameroun) |
| Abstract: | Sustainable development within the investigated context includes the ability of African countries to meet the present economic, social and environmental needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A challenging contemporary policy syndrome is the lack of funding for adequate capacities and structures essential for the realisation of the post-2015 development agenda. This introductory chapter provides highlights on all chapters covered by the book in the direction of addressing the underlying policy syndrome. |
| Keywords: | finance; sustainable development; Africa |
| JEL: | B20 F35 F50 O10 |
| Date: | 2018–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:18/021&r=env |
| By: | Guy Meunier; Jean-Pierre Ponssard |
| Abstract: | We analyze the impact of indirect network effects in the deployment of zero emission vehicles in a static partial equilibrium model. In most theoretical analysis direct and indirect effects are conflated, and relatively few authors have explicitly considered indirect network effects. We also introduce the market power of vehicle producers and scale effects in the production function. The model exhibits a multiplicity of local social extrema and of market equilibria, suggesting a possibility of lock-in. The optimal set of subsidies is derived so that the Pareto dominating market equilibrium would coincide with the social optimum. This framework is applied to the case of the fuel cell electric (hydrogen) vehicles. |
| Keywords: | E-mobility, network effects, joint incentives for infrastructure and car rebates |
| JEL: | C61 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7026&r=env |
| By: | Eloi Laurent (Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques) |
| Abstract: | Un an exactement après avoir accueilli la COP21, Paris suffoquait début décembre sous un dôme de pollution, mais aussi Lyon, Villeurbanne, Marseille, Avignon, Rouen ou Grenoble. Airparif, qui a relevé un niveau de particules fines de 146 µg/m3 à Paris en moyenne pour le 1er décembre, précisait dans un communiqué qu’il s’agissait là d’un des pics hivernaux de pollution les plus sévères de ces dix dernières années, les précédents remontant à janvier 2009 et décembre 2007. |
| Keywords: | Environnement; Pollution; Qualité de l'air |
| Date: | 2017–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/46p2m7859l9uoq1kdbjm6rbrn2&r=env |
| By: | Antonia Díaz (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid); Gustavo A. Marrero (Universidad de La Laguna); Luis Puch (Universidad Complutense de Madrid); Jesús Rodríguez-López (U. Pablo de Olavide) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores how changes in energy intensity and the switch to renewables can boost economic growth. In doing so, we implement a dynamic panel data approach on a sample of 134 countries over the period 1960 to 2010. We incorporate a set of control variables, related to human and physical capital, socio-economic conditions, and policies which are widely used in the associated literature. According to our results, and given the current state of technology, improving energy intensity is an approach that could reconcile growth and the environment at the worldwide level. Moving to conventional renewables (biomass and hydro) may reduce CO2 emissions, consistent with the related literature, although we do not find evidence that supports a growth enhancing effect. However, moving to frontier renewables (wind, solar, wave or geothermic) does reconcile the reduction of CO2 emissions with economic growth. Our results are robust to the specification of the dynamic panel with respect to three alternative methods, namely, the pooled OLS regression, the regression under fixed effects, and the GMM estimation. |
| Keywords: | Economic growth, energy intensity, renewable energy, dynamic panel data models. |
| JEL: | C23 C33 O5 Q2 Q3 Q41 Q43 Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pab:wpaper:18.08&r=env |
| By: | - |
| Keywords: | DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, MACROECONOMIA, INDICADORES DEL DESARROLLO, ESTADISTICA, DESARROLLO DE CAPACIDAD, PROYECTOS DE DESARROLLO, EVALUACION DE PROYECTOS, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, MACROECONOMICS, DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS, STATISTICS, CAPACITY BUILDING, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, PROJECT EVALUATION |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col093:43629&r=env |
| By: | Infrastructure Victoria |
| Abstract: | This paper outlines the limitations in the current Australian approach to evaluating infrastructure projects, programs and policies. It considers how Cost-Benefit Analysis in social housing, criminal justice, health and transport sectors could be further developed or strengthened by improving the valuation of non-market impacts. For each of these four sectors, we suggest impacts that could be considered. We argue using the benefit transfer method (where proxies from other jurisdictions or studies to measure impact) is our preferred approach as a first step to extending and improving the use of Cost-Benefit Analysis in non-transport sectors. We present different methods, data sources and evaluation instruments that can be used to ascribe monetary values to more economic, social, and environmental impacts. Finally, we report a set of parameter values that are currently used in other Australian states and internationally that could be adopted for use in Victoria. Creation Date: 2016-11-02 |
| Keywords: | Cost-Benefit Analysis, Infrastructure, Project Appraisal, Project Evaluation, Health, Criminal Justice, Social Housing, Transport |
| JEL: | D61 H43 H75 I18 K00 R42 R00 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inv:ppaper:201602&r=env |
| By: | George Economides (Athens University of Economics and Business, and CESifo); Anastasios Xepapadeas (Athens University of Economics and Business, University of Bologna) |
| Abstract: | We study monetary policy under climate change in order to answer the question of whether monetary policy should take into account the expected impacts of climate change. The setup is a new Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of a closed economy in which a climate module that interacts with the economy has been incorporated, and the monetary authorities follow a Taylor rule for the nominal interest rate. The model is solved numerically using common parameter values and fiscal data from the euro area. Our results, which are robust to a large number of sensitivity checks, suggest non-trivial implications for the conduct of monetary policy. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; monetary policy; new Keynesian model; Taylor rule |
| JEL: | E5 E1 Q5 |
| Date: | 2017–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bog:wpaper:247&r=env |
| By: | George Economides; Anastasios Xepapadeas |
| Abstract: | We study monetary policy under climate change in order to answer the question of whether monetary policy should take into account the expected impacts of climate change. The setup is a new Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of a closed economy in which a climate module that interacts with the economy has been incorporated, and the monetary authorities follow a Taylor rule for the nominal interest rate. The model is solved numerically using common parameter values and fiscal data from the euro area. Our results, which are robust to a large number of sensitivity checks, suggest non-trivial implications for the conduct of monetary policy. |
| Keywords: | climate change, monetary policy, new Keynesian model, Taylor rule |
| JEL: | E50 E10 Q50 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7021&r=env |
| By: | Fix, Blair |
| Abstract: | This article discusses the aggregation problem and its implications for ecological economics. The aggregation problem consists of a simple dilemma: when adding heterogeneous phenomena together, the observer must choose the unit of analysis. The dilemma is that this choice affects the resulting measurement. This means that aggregate measurements are dependent on one's goals, and on underlying theory. Using simple examples, this article shows how the aggregation problem complicates tasks such as calculating indexes of aggregate quantity, and how it undermines attempts to find a singular metric for complex issues such as sustainability. |
| Keywords: | aggregation,GDP,capital stock,natural capital,sustainability indexes |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:capwps:201803&r=env |
| By: | Talat Genc (Department of Economics and Finance, University of Guelph, Guelph ON Canada); Pietro De Giovanni (Department of Operations Management, ESSEC Business School, Paris, France) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the impact of some innovation-led lean programs in a Closed-loop Supply Chain(CLSC)setting. We use a game-theoretic approach to model a CLSC composed of one supplier and one manufacturer. The supplier sets the wholesale price of an intermediate product while the manufacturer sets the selling price of a final product. Further, the manufacturer invests in innovation-led lean practices to entail both a strategic effect and a process innovation effect. The strategic effect consists of responsiveness involving the CLSC's capacity to properly respond to consumers' needs and leading to increase in sales. Further, the strategic effect enhances sustainability as consumers align their behavior to the CLSC's attitude of reducing the waste through lean, thus using their products for longer time period and entirely exhausting their residual value. Innovation-led lean practices also generate a process innovation effect, which consists of the marginal production cost abatement. Our findings indicate that lean practices leading to both strategic and process innovation are profitable for the manufacturer and sponsor sustainability. When only one of those can be presented, CLSCs should prefer the adoption of a strategic lean program. From its side, the supplier is much less sensitive to environmental benefits, thus it focuses on sales and operational matters. Furthermore, in a centralized CLSC, the preferences for strategic vs. process innovation lean follow the same path of the decentralized CLSC. Nevertheless, we pinpoint that the manufacturer in the decentralized CLSC has a larger incentive to adopt a strategic lean program than in the centralized CLSC. Also, the supplier always obtains larger economic benefits in the decentralized CLSC under any type of innovation-led lean program. |
| Keywords: | Closed-loop Supply Chain, Innovation-led Lean, Process Innovation, Sustainability, Used-product returns, Vertical Integration |
| JEL: | D24 D30 L23 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gue:guelph:2018-03&r=env |
| By: | Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPC-IG) |
| Abstract: | "O Seminário Internacional "Relacionando Mudanças do Clima e Contas Nacionais" mostrou que o estado da arte das contas brasileiras, e mundialmente, envolve a necessidade de união entre partes e sistemas de informação ? juntos para o desafio de uma era em que pessoas e economia serão avaliadas conforme diminuam impactos de emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) na atmosfera". (...) |
| Keywords: | Experiências, internacionais, estatísticas, relacionadas, mudança, clima |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opport:372&r=env |
| By: | Zoi Vrontisi; Gunnar Luderer (PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research); Bert Saveyn; Kimon Keramidas; Lara Aleluia Reis; Lavinia Baumstark; Christoph Bertram (PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research); Harmen Sytze De Boer; Laurent Drouet; Kostas Fragkiadakis; Oliver Fricko; Shinichiro Fujimori (NIES - National Institute for Environmental Studies); Céline Guivarch (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Alban Kitous (Enerdata S.A. - Université de Lille, Sciences Humaines et Sociales); Volker Krey (IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis [Laxenburg]); Elmar Kriegler (PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research); Eoin Broin; Leonidas Paroussos (NTUA - National Technical University of Athens [Athens]); Detlef Van Vuuren (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) |
| Date: | 2018–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01782274&r=env |
| By: | Brown, Jason (Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City); Lambert, Dayton; Wojan, Timothy R. |
| Abstract: | This article suggests two methods for deriving a statistical verdict from a null finding,allowing economists to more confidently conclude when “not significant" can in fact be interpreted as “no substantive effect." The proposed methodology can be extended to a variety of empirical contexts where size and power matter. The example used to demonstrate the method is the Economic Research Service's 2004 Report to Congress that was charged with statistically identifying any unintended negative employment consequences of the Conservation Reserve Program (the Program). The report failed to identify a statistically significant negative long-term effect of the Program on employment growth, but the authors correctly cautioned that the verdict of “no negative employment effect" was only valid if the econometric test was statistically powerful. We replicate the 2004 analysis and use new methods of statistical inference to resolve the two critical deficiencies that preclude estimation of statistical power by economists: 1) positing a compelling effect size, and 2) providing an estimate of the variability of an unobserved alternative distribution using simulation methods. We conclude that the test used in the report had high power for detecting employment effects of -1 percent or lower resulting from the Program, equivalent to job losses reducing a conservative estimate of environmental benefits by a third. |
| Keywords: | Power analysis; Monte Carlo simulation; Hypothesis testing |
| JEL: | C12 Q42 R11 |
| Date: | 2018–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedkrw:rwp18-04&r=env |
| By: | Mike Holland (Ecometrics Research and Consulting) |
| Abstract: | This paper gives an overview of economic assessments of the benefits of the control of exposure to phthalates, a group of chemicals with numerous uses, most importantly, as a plasticiser to make rigid plastics like PVC flexible. There is significant concern that these substances can act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), affecting both human health and ecosystems. |
| Keywords: | chemical pollution, endocrine disrupting chemicals, health effects, Phthalates, socio-economic assessment, valuation |
| JEL: | Q51 Q53 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–06–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaaa:133-en&r=env |
| By: | Jason Fletcher (University of Wisconsin–Madison) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores gene-environmental interactions between family environments and children’s genetic scores in determining educational attainment. The central question is whether poor childhood family environments reduce the ability for children to leverage their genetic gifts to achieve high levels of educational attainments. The multigenerational information and genetic data contained in the Health and Retirement Study is used to separate two mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status – genetic endowments and family environments. Using parental in utero exposure to the 1918/1919 influenza pandemic as a source of quasi-experimental variation to family environments (but not affecting children’s genetic endowments), this paper estimates interactions between parental investments and children’s genetic potential. The main finding suggests that girls with high genetic potential whose fathers were exposed to influenza face reduced educational attainments – a gene-environment interaction – but there is no similar effect for boys. |
| Keywords: | in utero exposure, gene-environment interactions, polygenic scores, intergenerational effects |
| JEL: | J62 J10 J24 |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hka:wpaper:2018-036&r=env |