|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2019‒02‒04
forty-five papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Agbemabiese, Lawrence; Nyangon, Joseph; Lee, Jae-Seung; Byrne, John |
| Abstract: | The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has estimated that to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global mean temperature rise to well below 2° Celsius, new forms of low-carbon investment must be unlocked and cost-effectively doubled by 2030. This level of deployment of low-carbon solutions require doubling current investment in renewable energy to US$500 billion per year up to 2020 and tripling in the 2020s to reach US$900 billion each year up to 2030. However, the mechanisms for scaling up such investments remain constrained by high transaction costs, insufficient investment size, and limited market liquidity. We explore recent development of climate investment readiness frameworks (CIRFs) and their application in support of low-carbon development strategies. The paper focuses on two objectives driving the creation and use of such frameworks: (a) barriers to attracting large-scale private investment in climate-sensitive technologies, and (b) how these barriers can be reduced through effective capacity building mechanisms. We consider the utility of the main investment readiness (IR) frameworks with a particular focus on their contributions to developing a climate investment-friendly policy regime through appropriate governance reforms and technical capacity building measures. Important connections between the performance of climate investment readiness frameworks and broader governance issues are highlighted. Conclusions for strengthening such frameworks as tools of multilevel governance regimes are offered. |
| Keywords: | Climate investment readiness, Renewable energy, Climate finance, Investability, International finance institutions, Public policy |
| JEL: | O3 Q43 Q54 Q56 Q57 |
| Date: | 2018–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91488&r=all |
| By: | Weifeng Liu; Warwick McKibbin; Adele Morris; Peter J Wilcoxen |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we use a multi-region model of the world economy to analyze the economic and environmental outcomes that are likely to result from Paris Climate Agreement. To construct the modeling scenario, we convert the disparate emission targets for each country or region in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) formulations into estimated reductions in CO2 emissions relative to a baseline scenario with no new climate policies. We then solve for the tax rate path on CO2 in each region that achieves the NDC-consistent emissions reductions in the target year, 2030 for most regions. We find that if all regions achieve their NDCs, the Paris Agreement significantly reduces CO2 emissions relative to baseline. However, the Paris policy scenario suggests that global CO2 emissions would not decline in absolute terms relative to 2015 levels, let alone follow a path consistent with a 2°C stabilization scenario. Comparing projected 2030 CO2 tax rates to the same year’s percent emissions abatement relative to baseline, we find that declines in CO2 emissions do not necessarily correlate with the CO2 tax rate. We find the climate policies result in significant macroeconomic spillovers across the global economy, meaning that macroeconomic outcomes across countries depend not only on their own commitments but also on those of the rest of the world. We also explore how outcomes could change if select countries (United States, China and Australia) unilaterally withdraw from the agreement and undertake no new climate policies. We find that non-participation leads to economic gains (in terms of GDP) for these countries relative to participating, illustrating the challenge of forging an international agreement with participation by all major emitters and fossil fuel producers. However, we also find that if we account for the monetized climate and domestic cobenefits of emissions reductions, those countries, including Australia, are worse off if they unilaterally withdraw from the Paris Agreement than if they participate. Thus, although we find there are gross costs to participating, doing so generates net benefits for the individual country participants. |
| Keywords: | climate change, Paris Climate Agreement, global macroeconomic modeling, G-Cubed, carbon taxes |
| JEL: | C54 F17 F41 F47 Q43 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:camaaa:2019-04&r=all |
| By: | Zakaria Babutsidze (Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques); Graham Bradley (Griffith University); A. Chai (University of Malaya); Thomas Dietz (Michigan State University) |
| Abstract: | Responding to climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity today (IPCC 2014). Climate change poses risks for human and natural systems via processes such as water scarcity, land degradation, habitat and biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events. In Southern France, climate change has been directly linked to recent flooding and is projected to increase the future frequency of storms and heatwaves (Beniston et al. 2007). Understanding how citizens perceive and psychologically adapt to climate change is of great importance to developing a coherent and effective strategy to reduce carbon emissions and greater climate resilience. This national survey represents the most comprehensive survey of national climate change attitudes in France to date. It presents and discusses national survey findings from a collaborative and cross-national research project undertaken by the Université Côte d'Azur and Griffith University (Australia) examining public risk perceptions, understanding and responses to the threat and unfolding impacts of climate change in France. The national survey was undertaken between June 5th and July 17th, 2017 and involved a representative, geographically and demographically stratified national sample of 3480 respondents across France. The results provide an up-to-date and comprehensive profile of current French attitudes and beliefs about climate change, their concerns about the impact it may have on their economic well-being, health and natural surroundings, and the ways in which they are responding psychologically and behaviorally to this threat. This report also uncovers how economic conditions and natural weather events impact the evolution of climate change perceptions and attitudes. These results highlight that the design of public communication strategies in relation to climate change adaptation should take into account the nature of these public perceptions of climate change. |
| Date: | 2018–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/7vdd604d4797ir5fgrk0es56n5&r=all |
| By: | Sanders, Jürn; Heß, Jürgen |
| Abstract: | Organic farming is considered to be a sustainable land use system and is therefore specifically supported. Although the interactions between organic farming and the resulting socially relevant environmental benefits have received widespread recognition in science and politics, the potential of organic farming to solve the environmental and resource challenges of our time are still assessed differently. Against this background, the aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of scientific studies on public goods provided by organic farming in the following areas: water protection, soil fertility, biodiversity, climate protection, climate adaptation, resource efficiency, and animal welfare. As part of a literature review, a total of 528 studies with 2,816 pairs (organic vs. conventional farming) were selected for the analysis. These studies had to meet the following criteria: (a) publication period: January 1990 to March 2018; (b) region: temperate climates; (c) study design: at least one organic / conventional pair, and (d) language: studies in German or English. The results of the comparisons between organic and conventional farming were statistically evaluated (min values, max values, mean values, median) and graphically illustrated using box plot diagrams. In addition, the results of the organic variant of the individual pairs were classified on the basis of quantitative criteria with regard to their relative characteristics compared to the conventional variant (Organic +, Organic =, Organic ‐). Across all indicators for the fields of environmental protection and resource conservation, organic management showed advantages over conventional management in 58 % of the pairs analysed. No differences were found for 28 %, and in 14 % of the comparison pairs, the conventional management was more advantageous. No clear picture was drawn regarding animal welfare. No substantial differences were found between organic and conventional livestock across all animal species and production forms in 46 % of the comparison pairs. The organic management showed advantages in 35 % of the pairs, whereas the conventional version performed better in 19 % of the pairs. However, very few studies have been found considering animal welfare in a comprehensive sense... |
| Keywords: | Farm Management |
| Date: | 2019–01–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:jhimwo:282535&r=all |
| By: | An Truong (CleanED - Clean Energy and Sustainable Development Lab - USTH - University of sciences and technologies of hanoi); Piera Patrizio; Sylvain Leduc (IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis); Florian Kraxner (IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis); Minh Ha-Duong (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) |
| Abstract: | Vietnam's Power Development Plan 7A authorized many new coal power plants projects, implying an increase of greenhouse gases emissions from 90 MtCO2eq/year today to 360 MtCO2eq/year in 2030. How could co-firing technology-that is the partial substitution of coal by biomass-contributes to mitigate that problem? In this study, we assess the costs and potentials of co-firing rice residues in present and planned coal power plants in Vietnam using a spatially explicit optimization model: BeWhere, adapted as recursive annual dynamic. We found that, the cost of CO2 emissions is the key parameter determining at what level the technology is used. A cost of CO2 emissions of 8 $/tCO2 mobilizes the maximum technical potential of the rice straw and husk domestic resource, with an annual emission reduction of 28 MtCO2eq/year by 2030. At this level, biomass co-firing contributes to an 8% emission reduction in the coal power sector with the abatement cost of 137 Million USD. |
| Keywords: | spatial explicit exploration,greenhouse gas emissions,Co-firing,emission reduction,bioenergy,rice residues |
| Date: | 2019–01–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01974493&r=all |
| By: | Klöck, Carola; Molenaers, Nadia; Weiler, Florian |
| Abstract: | At the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit, it was decided that by 2020, donors should rally up not less than US$100 billion per year for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. How much each donor should contribute to that annual target remains an open question, however. Dividing that ‘burden’ in equal parts would be rather unfair. Some countries are bigger and/or richer, but more importantly,some carry more responsibility for climate change than others in terms of their share in greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Keywords: | climate funding; climate change |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iob:apbrfs:2019001&r=all |
| By: | M. Indra al Irsyad; Rabindra Nepal; Sanjay Kumar Nepal |
| Abstract: | Sustainable tourism management policies should aim at maximising economic benefits from tourist arrivals while minimizing associated adverse impacts on the environment. This study assesses the short-run and long-run relationships between tourist arrivals, per capita economic output, emissions, energy consumption and capital formation, citing Nepal as a specific case study. We developed four hypotheses and tested them using time-series econometrics based on the autoregressive distributed lag model and Granger causality tests. The results provide strong evidence of an economy driven tourism sector where expansion in economic output leads to expansion in tourist arrivals. More tourist arrivals, in turn, generate positive impacts on gross capital formation. Energy consumption negatively affects tourist arrivals, calling for increased attention towards improving energy efficiency and energy diversity. We conclude that national policies to increase tourist arrivals should be integrated with national energy and environmental policies in order to facilitate the transition towards a sustainable tourism sector. |
| Keywords: | sustainable tourism, Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), Granger causality, energy consumption, climate change |
| JEL: | C32 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:camaaa:2019-03&r=all |
| By: | Osberghaus, Daniel |
| Abstract: | This review summarizes the empirical literature on the effects of natural disasters and weather variations on international trade flows. A first result is that the body of literature is actually not as small as previously suggested. In total, I summarize 19 studies of 18 independent research teams and show that there is a large diversity in terms of motivations, data sets used, methodologies, and results. Still, some overarching conclusions can be drawn. Increases in average temperature seem to have a detrimental effect on export values (less on imports), mainly for manufactured and agricultural products. Given climate change, this is an important finding for projecting long-term developments of trade volumes. Imports seem to be less affected by temperature changes in the importing country. Findings on the effects of natural disasters are more ambiguous, but at least it can be said that exports seem to be affected negatively by occurrence and severity of disasters in the exporting country. Imports may decrease, increase, or remain unaffected by natural disasters. Regarding heterogeneous effects, small, poor, and hot countries with low degrees of institutional quality and political freedom seem to face the most detrimental effects on their trade flows. Possible directions of future research include analyzing spillover effects in-depth (in terms of time, space, and trade networks), considering adaptation, and using more granular data. |
| Keywords: | International Trade,Climate Change,Natural Disasters |
| JEL: | Q17 Q54 Q56 F14 F18 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:19002&r=all |
| By: | Mohajan, Haradhan |
| Abstract: | The harmful effect of acid rain is considered as one of the most serious environmental problems in the modern globalized world. The effects of acid rain have reached dramatically mainly in the industrialized countries which fall on global ecology. It becomes a major local ecological problem in most of the countries of the world. International concern about acid rain has increased recently because of global ecological pollutions, such as fish kills, dying forests, dead of lakes and other marshes, and damage to monuments and other historic artifacts. Acid rain also creates various health problems of the human body like eye, nose, and throat irritations, and lung disorders, such as dry coughs, asthma, headaches, and bronchitis. The excess presence of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in rainwater is the main cause of acid rain. Emissions of these gases have increased in the atmosphere due to human activities, such as combustion of fossil fuels in thermal power plants, burnable wastes, automobiles, and airplanes. Some developed countries have taken steps to reduce the emission of the gases that cause acid rain. To reduce and protect global acid rain it is necessary to identify the causes and control strategies of it. An attempt has been taken here to reduce the acid rain for the welfare of the global ecology. |
| Keywords: | Acid Rain, pH Value, Pollution, Corrosion |
| JEL: | Q5 Q53 |
| Date: | 2018–10–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91622&r=all |
| By: | Noubissi Domguia, Edmond; Njangang, Henri |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study is to examine the two-way relationship between agricultural growth and the quality of the environment. Agriculture is considered a key sector and of great importance in the Cameroonian economy. But its sensitivity to climate fluctuations has created a great deal of concern about its ability to meet the food needs of the entire population as a result of climate change. Moreover, its contribution to the deterioration of the quality of the environment is far from being marginal. Thus, the analysis of the links between agricultural income and the quality of the environment was made in the framework of this study using the environmental curve of Kuznets and the Ricardian model. The results of the study show that there is a U-shaped relationship between agricultural growth and environmental quality (CO2). This shows that it is difficult to make agricultural production believe without having a negative effect on the quality of the environment. We finally show that rising temperatures have a U-shaped impact on farm income. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Growth, Kuznets approach, Ricardian approach, Environmental quality, ARDL |
| JEL: | Q01 Q51 Q56 |
| Date: | 2019–01–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91735&r=all |
| By: | Pugatch, Todd |
| Abstract: | Extreme weather induced by climate change can have major consequences for human health. In this study, I quantify the effect of tropical storm frequency and severity on mortality using objective meteorological data and the universe of vital statistics records from a large developing country, Mexico. Using a measure of storm exposure that accounts for both windspeed dispersion and population density along the storm track, I project changes in past storm-related mortality under various scenarios of continued climate change, while holding population and income at current levels. I find that storm-related deaths would have risen under most climate change scenarios considered, with increases of as much as 52% or declines of as much as 10%, depending on the interplay between increasing storm severity and decreased frequency. |
| Keywords: | tropical storms,tropical cyclones,hurricanes,natural disasters,human mortality,human health,climate change,developing countries,Latin America,Mexico |
| JEL: | I15 J10 O13 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:304&r=all |
| By: | Quemin, Simon; de Perthius, Christian |
| Abstract: | Linkages between Emissions Trading Systems are deemed an important element of the future climate policy landscape. They are, however, difficult to agree and remain few and far between. Temporary restrictions on permit trading have potential to facilitate and gradually approach unrestricted, full linkage. We compare the relative merits of several link restrictions in this respect, namely quantitative transfer limits, border taxes on transfers, exchange and discount rates, and unilateral linkage. To this end, we develop a simple model to have a unifying framework which, in conjunction with lessons we draw from realworld experiences, serves as a basis for a broader, policy-oriented discussion. While quantitative restrictions seem to be the natural route to full linkage, they can lead to uncertain distributional effects and weaken price signals. These aspects are mitigated under a border permit tax, but this policy seems harder to implement. Exchange rates have potential to adjust for programmes’ stringencies and raise ambition over time, but can be challenging to select. As experience corroborates, unilateral linkage can be a convenient approach. |
| Keywords: | climate change policy; emissions trading; linkage; restrictions on permit trading |
| JEL: | F15 H23 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–12–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:91522&r=all |
| By: | Christoph Boehringer (University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics); Xaquin Garcia-Muros (Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Leioa, Spain); Mikel González-Eguino (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain) |
| Abstract: | Environmental externalities call for the use of environmental taxes to get prices right and thereby reduce environmental pressures. To date, however, the Spanish government makes only limited use of environmental taxes. One major reason for the policy reluctance are concerns on the regressive impacts of environmental taxes. We argue that policy can hedge against these concerns by means of revenue recycling. More specifically, we assess the impacts of a green tax reform where additional revenues are redistributed lump-sum to Spanish households on an equal-per-capita basis. Based on quantitative evidence from coupled microsimulation and computable equilibrium analyses we find that such a green tax reform leads to a substantial reduction in harmful emissions while having a progressive impact. |
| Keywords: | Environmental tax reform, household incidence, computable general equilibrium, microsimulation |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:old:dpaper:418&r=all |
| By: | Asongu, Simplice A; Odhiambo, Nicholas M |
| Abstract: | This research examines the relevance of inclusive development in modulating the role ofgovernance on environmental degradation. The study focuses on forty-four countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. The Generalised Method of Moments is employed asthe empirical strategy and CO2 emissions per capita is used to measure environmental pollution.Bundled and unbundled governance dynamics are employed, notably: political governance(consisting of political stability/no violence and ???voice and accountability???), economicgovernance (encompassing government effectiveness and regulation quality), institutionalgovernance (entailing corruption-control and the rule of law), and general governance (acomposite measure of political governance, economic governance and institutionalgovernance). The following main findings are established. First, the underlying net effect in themoderating role of inclusive development in the governance-CO2 emissions nexus is notsignificant in regressions pertaining to political governance and economic governance. Second,there are positive net effects from the relevance of inclusive development in modulating theeffects of regulation quality, economic governance and general governance on CO2 emissions.The significant and insignificant effects are elucidated. Policy implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; Governance; Sustainable development; Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uza:wpaper:25226&r=all |
| By: | Maria Savona (SPRU, University of Sussex, UK); Tommaso Ciarli (SPRU, Univeristy of Sussex, UK) |
| Abstract: | The paper offers a review of selected topics in the empirical literature on structural change and sustainability. We focus on aspects of structural change that directly affect emissions and energy intensity: changes of the sectoral composition of economies, trade and international fragmentation of production, technological change and innovation, and demand. We identify several empirical facts. First, only a few countries have experienced a decoupling between growth and emissions, due to proportionately faster growth rather than greater energy efficiency. Second, the long-term shift from manufacturing to services has not led, in all cases, to the de-materialisation of economies and a lower environmental burden. Exploitation of energy efficiency increases depends on the ability of the service sectors to incorporate technical changes to reduce energy intensity. Third, global trade and energy and emissions intensity trends support the pollution haven hypothesis, which predicts displacement of the environmental burden from developed to emerging countries. The pursuit by developing countries of a long-term strategy of trading jobs for emissions is likely to exacerbate the asymmetry related to emissions intensities between developed and less developed economies. The review should inform debate on environmental policy within the broader context of innovation and development policies. Classification-JEL; O3; O44; Q55 |
| Keywords: | Structural change; sustainable development; tertiarisation; de-materialisation; pollution haven hypothesis |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sru:ssewps:2019-04&r=all |
| By: | Pascal Da Costa (LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec); Daniel Hernandez (CEREMA - CEREMA: Center for Risks, Environment, Mobility and Planning, Direction Territoriale Méditerranée, FRANCE.) |
| Abstract: | An economic valuation of some of the ecosystem services provided at the Taravo river basin was conducted, using a stated preferences approach. On average, respondents were willing to pay up to 128 Euros per year for the enhancement of the ecosystem services selected for this choice experiment. This result is in line with those obtained in other studies applying the same approach. This Choice Experiment is part of more comprehensive assessment, which will be published later, and expands the analysis to other ecosystem services and takes into account their biophysical aspect as well. |
| Keywords: | Discrete Choice Experiment,Stated Preferences Methods,Ecosystem Services,Economic Valuation,Willingness to Pay |
| Date: | 2019–01–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01971681&r=all |
| By: | Vasileva, Elka |
| Abstract: | In 2015, the UN New Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 was adopted and seventeen global goals were developed integrating the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. Goal 12 is defined as "Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns" (UN Global Goals 2030). It has a central role to play in tackling global consumption of resources and the environmental impacts associated with it, as well as numerous social and economic problems. The promotion of sustainable patterns of consumption and production and sustainable lifestyle is linked to the creation of policies involving a large number of stakeholders which in turn will offer innovative policy solutions to sustainable development problems. Against the backdrop of a variety of policy initiatives at international, European and national level, there is a need in Bulgaria for policies encouraging sustainable production and consumption. Standards have the potential to play a significant role in these processes, amid a wide range of regulations and existing social norms relating to sustainable consumption and production. A number of authors emphasize that the current development of standardization builds on its conventional focus on technical facilities or systems with the inclusion of social and environmental themes (Bistro and Klintman, 2011, Brunsson and Jacobson, 2000, Busch, 2000, Tamm Hallstrom, 2008). They support the idea that standardization emerges as a common new form of regulation in today's globalized world alongside traditional legislation and social norms (Bostrom and Klintman, 2011; Brunsson and Jacobson, 2000). In their entirety, standards build a "new institutional infrastructure" for organizational sustainability and social responsibility (Rasche 2015; Waddock, 2008). The monograph aims to identify the mechanisms by which standards support the implementation of sustainable patterns of consumption and production. In order to achieve the stated objective, the study examines the problems posed both theoretically and by providing a solid empirical material oriented to the Bulgarian organizations in their national context. The monographic work addresses current issues of sustainable consumption and production patterns through voluntary standardization mechanisms as "soft" regulatory instruments - an area still under-researched on a national and regional scale. The presented studies are among the few similar analyses in this field. They concern issues related to the management models of Bulgarian organizations placed under regulatory pressure in the field of environmental protection and social responsibility and the uncertain choice of the voluntary approaches proposed by international and European standards. At the same time, these studies also look at Bulgarian consumers who have the right to "be heard" in the development and implementation of government policies, laws and standards for sustainable consumption and production. The publication is a result of the author's constant interest in the scientific study of the problems of sustainable development in the country in the last ten years. The research work, both individual and joint in a team of fellow researchers – the University of National and World Economy - Sofia is manifested in the implementation of numerous projects, establishing cooperation and membership in the thematic networks in the field of sustainable consumption and production. The monograph could help all those interested in sustainable consumption and production problems - from Bulgarian consumers searching for their sustainable behaviour patterns, non-governmental organizations and consumer associations, through business organizations, certification and training organizations and reaches the state institutions setting out the policies and tools for implementation of these models. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable Production and Consumption; Standardization; consumers and standards; Bulgaria |
| JEL: | M0 M10 M14 Q5 Q59 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91539&r=all |
| By: | Götz, Martin |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the effect of financial constraints on firms' corporate social responsibility. Exploiting heterogeneity in firms' exposure to a monetary policy shock in the U.S., which reduced financial constraints for some firms, I find that firms increase their environmental responsibility. I use facility-level data to account for unobservable time-varying influences on pollution and find that toxic emissions decrease when parent companies are more exposed to the monetary policy shock. I further find that these facilities are also more likely to implement pollution abatement activities. Examining within-parent company heterogeneity I find that pollution abatement investments center on facilities at greater risk of facing additional costs due to environmental regulation. The findings are consistent with the idea that a reduction in financial constraints reduces pollution as it allows firms to implement pollution abatement measures. |
| Keywords: | Corporate Social Responsibility,Emissions,Financial Constraints,Pollution,Bond Markets |
| JEL: | G32 E52 Q52 Q53 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:safewp:241&r=all |
| By: | Odilon Costa; Franz Fuerst; Spenser Robinson; Wesley Mendes-da-Silva |
| Abstract: | This article investigates how emerging real estate markets price information conveyed by voluntary environmental certification schemes. In addition to low incidence of green buildings, developing countries typically exhibit weaker environmental performance due to limited capacity to enforce existing regulation. Therefore, we exploit the role of internationally accredited third-party environmental audit schemes. In addition to comparing labelled and non-labelled properties in a hedonic framework, we also examine pricing discrepancies related with the intention to certify (registration), but failure to achieve actual certification in a timely manner. Our results systematically indicate that labelled office properties in emerging markets yield a larger green premium than their peers from developed countries. Findings also suggest that failed applicants do not receive any green premiums and may be subject to discounts, depending on specification, beyond that of other non-green office buildings. These findings provide further evidence of the relevance of market diffusion and economic governance linked to the implicit pricing of environmental labels |
| Keywords: | eco-certification; emerging economies; Office Markets; signaling effects |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2017–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lre:wpaper:lares_2017_paper_5&r=all |
| By: | Enrica De Cian (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari and CMCC); Filippo Pavanello (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari); Teresa Randazzo (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari); Malcolm Mistry (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari and CMCC); Marinella Davide (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari and CMCC) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how households have been adapting to climate change through the use of two technologies important for thermal comfort, air conditioning and thermal insulation. Merging a global gridded dataset of historical temperatures with the 2011 OECD EPIC survey, we study the determinants of installing air conditioning or adopting thermal insulation in response to a warmer climate in eight countries. After controlling for a set of demographic, socio-economic and attitudinal variables, we apply a binary probit model and find that exposure to a warmer climate influences only air conditioning adoption whereas, climatic conditions seem not to affect thermal insulation decisions which, instead, mainly depends on household wealth, dwelling characteristics, age, household size and propensity to energy-saving behaviours. This study does not find any evidence of a possible joint decision for the two technologies. |
| Keywords: | Cross-section, climate change, adaptation, energy |
| JEL: | D12 O13 Q4 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ven:wpaper:2019:02&r=all |
| By: | Andrew Phiri (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of the business cycle on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for the Eswatini Kingdom over the period 1970 – 2014. To this end, we employ the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) model to capture the long-run and short-run cointegration effects between economic activity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over different phases of the business cycle. Our findings reveal that economic activity only degrades the environment during upswing of the economic cycle whilst this relationship is insignificant during downswing of the cycle. We specifically compute a value of $3.57 worth of output been gained at the cost of a metric unit of emissions during economic expansionary phases. Altogether, these results insinuate much needed government intervention in the market for emissions via environmental tax reforms (ETR) which should be designed with countercyclical bias towards upswing the business cycle. |
| Keywords: | Economic growth, Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Environmental Kuznets Curve, Business cycles, Nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) model, Eswatini; Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). |
| JEL: | C13 C32 C51 K32 Q43 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mnd:wpaper:1901&r=all |
| By: | Barbara Burgess-Wilkerson; Clovia Hamilton; Chlotia Garrison; Keith Robbins |
| Abstract: | As of 2015, a millennial born in the 1990's became the largest population in the workplace and are still growing. Studies indicate that a millennial is tech savvy but lag in the exercise of digital responsibility. In addition, they are passive towards environmental sustainability and fail to grasp the importance of social responsibility. This paper provides a review of such findings relating to business communications educators in their classrooms. The literature should enable the development of a millennial as an excellent global citizen through business communications curricula that emphasizes digital citizenship, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The impetus for this work is to provide guidance in the development of courses and teaching strategies customized to the development of each millennial as a digital, environmental and socially responsible global citizen. |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1901.06609&r=all |
| By: | Aude Pommeret; Katheline Schubert |
| Abstract: | We propose one of the first dynamic models of the optimal transition from fossil fuels to renewables in electricity generation that takes into account the variability and intermittency of renewable energy as well as storage. This work sheds light on the extent to which variability and intermittency constitute a serious obstacle to energy transition and, given these constraints, the value of storage. The results of this model provide useful insight into the complexity of transitioning to a clean energy mix, as well as the role climate policy can play in facilitating both the growth of renewables and storage. |
| JEL: | Q42 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7442&r=all |
| By: | Glenn P. Jenkins (Department of Economics, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada and Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus); Mikhail Miklyaev (Department of Economics, Queen’s University, Canada and Senior Associate/ Economist Cambridge Resources International Inc.); Brian Matanhire (Financial Analyst / Economist Cambridge Resource International Inc.); Primrose Basikiti (Financial Analyst / Economist Cambridge Resource International Inc.); Shahryar Afra (Financial Analyst / Economist Cambridge Resource International Inc.); Mostafa Shahee (Economist Cambridge Resource International Inc.) |
| Abstract: | The CBA for Burkina Faso and Niger, evaluated the projects for the interventions implemented in agriculture, poultry, and small ruminant value chains (VCs). The interventions, investment costs, and the number of beneficiaries in the VC for this CBA were such that agricultural VC interventions, Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Accelerated Growth (REGIS-AG’s) beneficiaries were 41,224 and 61,254 farmers respectively. This program assessed the “Sustainable Livelihoods Component” with a focus on Conservation Farming (CF). This encompasses the use of an assortment of climate-adapted farming practices to intensify agricultural productivity in the cowpea, millet, and sorghum VCs, with the objective of increasing the income of households and access to food. CF was introduced to 58,670 farmers in Burkina Faso and 24,280 farmers in Niger. The beneficiaries from the cowpea VC were 21,700 and 23,322 for the poultry VC, which was on chicken production the intervention reached 13,157 and 13,801 beneficiaries in Burkina – Faso and Niger, respectively. |
| Keywords: | Burkina – Faso, Niger, interventions, Agriculture, CBA, VC, Conservative Farming |
| JEL: | Q12 Q13 Q18 |
| Date: | 2018–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qed:dpaper:409&r=all |
| By: | Vitor Gaspar; David Amaglobeli; Mercedes Garcia-Escribano; Delphine Prady; Mauricio Soto |
| Abstract: | The goal of this paper is to estimate the additional annual spending required for meaningful progress on the SDGs in these areas. Our estimates refer to additional spending in 2030, relative to a baseline of current spending to GDP in these sectors. Toward this end, we apply an innovative costing methodology to a sample of 155 countries: 49 low- income developing countries, 72 emerging market economies, and 34 advanced economies. And we refine the analysis with five country studies: Rwanda, Benin, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Guatemala. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable development;Foreign aid;Sustainable Development Goals (SDG);Development;Fiscal policy;Sustainable Development Goals; Fiscal Policy, Sustainable Development Goals, Structure and Scope of Government, General, International Fiscal Issues, Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development, Health and Economic Development, Education and Economic Development, Railroads and Other Surface Transportation: Autos, Buses, Trucks, and Water Carriers, Electric Utilities |
| Date: | 2019–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfsdn:19/03&r=all |
| By: | Chyong, C-K.; Guo, B.; Newbery, D. |
| Abstract: | Energy policy aims to reduce emissions at least long-run cost while ensuring reliability. Their effectiveness depends on the cost of emissions reduced. Britain introduced an additional carbon tax (the Carbon Price Support, CPS) for fuels used to generate electricity that by 2015 added £18/t CO2, dramatically reducing the coal share from 41% in 2013 to 8% in 2018. This paper shows how to estimate CO2 reductions, arguing that policies have both short and long-run impacts. Both need to be estimated and combined to measure carbon savings. The paper shows how to measure the Marginal Displacement Factor (MDF, tonnes CO2 /MWh) for wind. The short-run MDF is estimated econometrically while the long-run MDF is calculated from a unit commitment model of the GB system in 2015. We examine counter-factual fuel and carbon price scenarios. The CPS lowered the short-run MDF by 7% in 2015 but raised the long-run MDF (for a 25% increase in wind capacity) by 33%. The CPS raised the 2016 wholesale price by £6.22/MWh with impacts on interconnector trade. |
| Keywords: | Wind, marginal displacement factors, carbon pricing, fuel mix, unit commitment model, econometrics |
| JEL: | H23 L94 Q48 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–01–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:1904&r=all |
| By: | Danielis, Romeo; Giansoldati, Marco; Scorrano, Mariangela |
| Abstract: | Introduction. The question of whether battery electric vehicles (BEVs) emit more or less CO2 than Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) along the entire life cycle is still a debated topic in the scientific literature and in the popular press. This paper contributes to the debate by providing an estimate for the best-selling cars in Italy. The methodology. On the basis of the VCA database reporting the CO2 emissions of most of the cars on sale in Italy in 2016, we perform a life-cycle analysis including fuel and electricity production, car\battery manufacturing and disposal, and direct and indirect emissions during the car use. Results. Currently, the BEVs emit 24% less CO2 than gasoline ICEVs, 26% less than diesel ICEVs, and 12% less than HEVs. In 2026 the savings could further increase to 38%, 40% and 24%, respectively, assuming the past trends towards a cleaner electricity mix and no improvement in the conventional and HEVs technologies Conclusion. BEVs should be promoted as an alternative to the ICEVs not only because they reduce air and noise pollution in urban areas but also because they contribute to decrease global CO2 emissions. |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sit:wpaper:19_1&r=all |
| By: | Hubert De Bon (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Ludovic Temple (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Éric Malézieux (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Pauline Bendjebbar (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Fouilleux Ève (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Pierre Silvie (CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement) |
| Abstract: | Directement organisée par les importateurs et par des experts plutôt que par les paysans eux-mêmes, l'agriculture biologique en Afrique répond à la demande en produits tropicaux biologiques des pays développés. Historiquement, les gouvernements africains s'y sont peu intéressés, de même que la plupart des programmes de développement. Les politiques agricoles africaines restent en effet le plus souvent marquées par le maintien d'une trajectoire productiviste, soutenue par les firmes de l'agrobusiness, les fondations privées et la plupart des organisations internationales. Les quelques projets qui ont cherché à développer l'agriculture biologique en Afrique l'ont fait dans un objectif d'exportation. En conséquence, son potentiel pour le développement agricole et pour l'alimentation des populations locales reste à ce jour encore peu reconnu. La plupart des institutions de recherche n'abordent pas non plus l'agriculture biologique comme un levier possible de développement agricole. Ceci est en partie lié aux controverses propres aux pays industrialisés, transférées telles quelles en Afrique alors que les problématiques sont différentes, qu'elles soient agronomiques, 1 1 Le contexte africain À l'échelle de la planète, l'agriculture biologique couvrait 57,8 millions d'hectares en 2016, incluant les surfaces en conversion, soit près de 1,2 % des surfaces agricoles cultivées. Pour le continent africain, l'agriculture biologique certifiée couvre 1,8 million d'hectares, soit seulement 0,2 % des terres cultivées du continent, d'après les statistiques de l'IFOAM (Fédération internationale des mouvements de l'agriculture biologique) et du FiBL (Institut de recherche de l'agriculture biologique). Dans les pays africains, le développement de l'agriculture biologique soulève souvent la question de sécuriser l'alimen-tation d'une population en croissance rapide. Toutefois, peu de données statistiques sont collectées. Les travaux scienti-fiques et techniques sur l'agriculture biologique, tout comme les projets de développement, y sont rares et souvent portés par des collectifs pilotés par des institutions spécialisées. Dans ces pays, l'agriculture biologique est généralement reconnue sous sa forme certifiée pour l'exportation. persp ctive e octobre 2018 48 L'agriculture biologique en Afrique : un levier d'innovations pour le développement agricole Hubert De Bon-Ludovic TempLe-Éric mALÉzieux-pauline BenDjeBBAr-Ève FouiLLeux-pierre SiLvie 48 Avec Perspective, le Cirad propose un espace d'expression pour de nouvelles pistes de réflexion et d'action, fondées sur des travaux de recherche et sur l'expertise, sans pour autant présenter une position institutionnelle. le policy brief du Cirad En Afrique, l'agriculture biologique est peu recensée dans les statistiques officielles, alors qu'elle est de plus en plus présente sur les marchés locaux et d'exportation. La demande des consommateurs africains s'accélère, offrant un débouché économique dynamique. Aujourd'hui, les apports de l'agriculture biologique au processus de transition agroécologique amorcé sur ce continent sont indéniables. Elle diminue les impacts négatifs de l'agriculture sur l'environnement et sur la santé, notamment parce qu'elle n'utilise pas d'intrants chimiques de synthèse. Elle améliore la résilience des systèmes agricoles. Ses techniques spécifiques peuvent, dans certaines conditions, accroître la productivité agricole même si les rendements sont en moyenne inférieurs à ceux de l'agriculture conventionnelle. Forte utilisatrice de main-d'oeuvre, elle peut aussi être une source d'emploi des jeunes dans les zones rurales. Certains travaux scientifiques et les initiatives prises par de nombreux acteurs locaux confirment tout l'intérêt de l'agriculture biologique sur ce continent. La recherche agricole doit désormais appuyer son émergence, dans un contexte où très peu d'études ont été conduites sur le sujet jusqu'à maintenant. Pour que se développent ces initiatives naissantes, la recherche pourrait aussi contribuer à l'élaboration de politiques publiques adaptées à différentes échelles. |
| Date: | 2018–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01971768&r=all |
| By: | Carolina de Souza dos Santos Ferreira; Daniel Ferreira Falcão |
| Abstract: | O presente estudo tem o objetivo geral de fazer compreender o tema Sustentabilidade; especificamente, o estudo da Sustentabilidade aplicada a empreendimentos imobiliários. Será possível compreender que de fato sustentabilidade não é apenas construir empreendimentos considerados “verdes“, que consigam economizar água ou energia; o conceito de sustentabilidade vai muito além, pois além de se caracterizar pela sua dimensão ambiental, ele se caracteriza também pelas dimensões econômica e social, o chamado “tripé” da Sustentabilidade. Para o estudo e compreensão do suporte teórico, será exposto o estudo dos principais selos de certificação, tornando claro o entendimento de quais são os principais requisitos para se buscar a certificação e, de como também, dar continuidade ao processo pós-certificação. Para o entendimento da aplicação prática desta temática, será explorado o Estudo de Caso do Conceito “Terra Mundi”, conceito este desenvolvido pela Construtora e Incorporadora NEWINC, de Goiânia, para desenvolvimento dos seus empreendimentos imobiliários, com o estudo detalhado do Empreendimento Terra Mundi Santos Dumont. Através da análise do estudo de caso, investigando todas as etapas do processo, desde a escolha do terreno, da concepção do projeto arquitetônico, da execução da obra e por fim, da entrega do empreendimento, será possível compreender quem todas as fases devem ser implantadas de acordo com os conceitos da Sustentabilidade. Ao tomar os conceitos da Sustentabilidade como uma verdadeira consciência, será possível concluir que sua aplicação pode ser possível, viável e descomplicada, se tornando uma consequência de hábitos sustentáveis. E estes hábitos que inicialmente foram aplicados especificamente ao empreendimento imobiliário, passam a se tornar modelo para a vida de quem os cerca, seja funcionários de obra ou os moradores do empreendimento, a consciência da Sustentabilidade torna-se algo inerente ao dia-a-dia de qualquer individuo, sendo aplicada nas menores atitudes. |
| Keywords: | case study; certification seals; Construção Civil; Construction; empreendimentos imobiliários; estudo de caso; real estate developments; selos de certificação; sustainability; Sustentabilidade |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2017–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lre:wpaper:lares_2017_paper_74&r=all |
| By: | Álvarez, Xana; Gómez-Rúa, María; Vidal-Puga, Juan |
| Abstract: | Protection against flood risks becomes increasingly difficult for economic and hydrological reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to improve water retention throughout catchment with a more comprehensive approach. Strategies in the land use and measures that are designed to prevent flood risks involve land owners. So, justice issues appear. This paper studies the application of game theory through a cooperative game in order to contribute the resolution of possible agreements among owners and to establish cost / benefit criteria. It is a methodological contribution where land use management for flood retention is analyzed. Specifically, we concentrate on enhancing upstream water retention focusing on the role that forests have as natural water retention measures. This study shows a framework for allocating the compensations among participants based on cooperative game theory and taking into account a principle of stability. We show that it is possible to establish distribution rules that encourage stable payments among land owners. This contribution shows the suitability of this method as a flood risk management tool and as a guide to help decision-making. Compensations and benefits could be established to raise awareness and encourage land owners to cooperate. |
| Keywords: | game theory, land management, flood mitigation, land use, compensations, decision-making. |
| JEL: | C7 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91515&r=all |
| By: | Camila R. Rocha; Daniel Ferreira Falcão |
| Abstract: | O presente trabalho apresenta uma comparação entre as principais certificações ambientais: AQUA, LEED e Selo Casa Azul através da comparação entre as exigências dos requisitos análogos. Para a avaliação das certificações, considerou-se o tipo das edificações como residenciais. A implantação das certificações ambientais é uma melhoria que pode ser adotada no setor da construção civil. A discriminação dos requisitos análogos permitiu comparar as semelhanças e diferenças entre as exigências, sendo possível determinar qual certificação é mais detalhada ou mais adequada à situação desejada. Esse procedimento auxilia os profissionais do setor da construção civil envolvidos na concepção de projetos residenciais. Com isso será garantida a promoção da sustentabilidade, o que reduz o impacto ambiental e gera economia e qualidade de vida para o usuário. As diferenças entre os requisitos avaliados em cada certificação estão no nível de exigência dos requisitos que avaliam uma mesma situação e nos itens contemplados em apenas algumas certificações, como por exemplo a preocupação com a acústica avaliada pelo LEED e AQUA. Apenas uma das certificações, a LEED, possui requisitos que são pontuados conforme a região onde o projeto está localizado. O Selo Casa Azul é uma boa opção para a empresa que deseja conceber o primeiro projeto com certificação ambiental, por ter uma quantidade menor de requisitos e as exigências serem mais simples de serem adotadas. Após a evolução do processo dentro da coordenação de projetos da empresa, o caminho para a busca de uma certificação mais detalhada como a LEED ou AQUA poderá ser o próximo passo, melhorando assim o produto final pela agregação de valor e qualidade para o usuário. |
| Keywords: | AQUA; certificação ambiental; Environmental certification; LEed; Selo Casa Azul |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2017–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lre:wpaper:lares_2017_paper_47&r=all |
| By: | Rosana Erika Brag de Sousa; Marcelo Augusto Farias de Castro |
| Abstract: | Na era da crise ecológica e econômica muitos projetos de construção nos países em desenvolvimento são considerados insustentáveis, principalmente os voltados à população de baixa renda, portanto a construção sustentável pode ser considerada o ponto de partida para a implantação dos princípios de desenvolvimento sustentável na comunidade. Um dos fatores para a predominância da construção convencional das casas unifamiliares se dá pelo investimento, pois as construções ecologicamente sustentáveis são inicialmente mais onerosas e o aspecto social da sustentabilidade inicialmente não é considerado, porém em vários estudos analisados, o menor custo do ciclo de vida e a vida econômica mais longa das construções sustentáveis foram ponderados como um efeito benéfico sobre o custo total, tendo um impacto positivo no mercado imobiliário de imóveis residenciais verdes. Este artigo faz uma explanação com base na literatura atual sobre os conceitos de sustentabilidade, os sistemas de certificações de sustentabilidade, algumas lições aprendidas nos projetos sustentáveis e uma ampla pesquisa sobre construção sustentável em comunidades de baixa renda considerando como os arquitetos, engenheiros, construtores, proprietários e comunidades podem aplicar melhor a sustentabilidade social para encontrar soluções adequadas de design e construção que maximizem o sucesso do projeto bem como o seu ciclo de vida. Com este estudo pode-se concluir que as decisões arquitetônicas associadas às modernas técnicas de construção podem ter um impacto positivo no valor final das casas sustentáveis. |
| Keywords: | casas unifamiliares; ciclo de vida; Construção Sustentável; Developing Countries; Investimento; Investment; Life Cycle; países em desenvolvimento; single family homes; Sustainable Construction |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2018–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lre:wpaper:lares_2018_paper_63-castro-sousa&r=all |
| By: | Jean-Louis Rastoin (UMR MOISA - Marchés, Organisations, Institutions et Stratégies d'Acteurs - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - Montpellier SupAgro - Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques - INRA Montpellier - Institut national de la recherche agronomique [Montpellier] - CIHEAM - Centre International des Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier) |
| Abstract: | The food transition marks the transition from an agro-industrial model generating negative externalities to sustainable food systems. It involves several breaks: spatial (proximity vs. globalized sectors), technological (agroecology and industrial eco-design and logistics vs. chemical and energy intensification), economic (total quality vs. volume maximization). These breaks involve a significant R & D and training investment and proactive food policies. |
| Abstract: | La transition alimentaire marque le passage d'un modèle agro-industriel générateur d'externalités négatives à des systèmes alimentaires durables. Elle suppose plusieurs ruptures : spatiale (proximité vs filières globalisées), technologique (agroécologie et écoconception industrielle et logistique vs intensification chimique et énergétique), économique (qualité totale vs maximisation des volumes). Ces ruptures impliquent un effort significatif de R&D et formation et des politiques alimentaires volontaristes. |
| Keywords: | Food system,transition,agro-industrial model,territorialization,Système alimentaire,modèle agroindustriel,territorialisation |
| Date: | 2018–12–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01973487&r=all |
| By: | Tommaso Ciarli (SPRU, University of Sussex, UK); Maria Savona (SPRU, University of Sussex, UK) |
| Abstract: | We discuss how different models assessing climate change integrate aspects of structural change that are crucial to improve understanding of the relation between changes in the environment and in the economy. We identify six related aspects of structural change, which have significant impact on climate change: sectoral composition, industrial organisation, technology, employment, final demand, and institutions. Economic models vary substantially with respect to the aspects of structural change that they include, and how they model them. We review different modelling families and compare these differences: integrated assessment models (IAM), computable general equilibrium (CGE) models, structural change models (SCM), ecological macroeconomics models in the Keynesian tradition (EMK) and evolutionary agent based models (EABM). We find that IAM and CGE address few of the aspects of structural change identified; SCM focus on the sectoral composition; and EKM study final demand and employment structure. But all these models are aggregate and omit the complexity of the interactions between structural and climate change. EABM have explored a larger number of aspects of structural change, modelling their emergence from the interaction of microeconomic actors, but have not yet exploited their potential to study the interactions among interrelated aspects of structural and climate change. |
| Keywords: | Strucural change, climate change, economic modelling |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sru:ssewps:2019-01&r=all |
| By: | Lou Aisenberg; Stina Heikkilä; Antonella Noya; Filipe Santos |
| Abstract: | This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Dutch policy ecosystem in place for socialentrepreneurship and social enterprises. It identifies the country’s key strengths andchallenges and provides policy recommendations to support the development of a strongerpolicy ecosystem for social entrepreneurship and social enterprises in the country. Keypolicy issues analysed include: clarifying the conceptual framework (Chapter 2); formallyrecognising social enterprises and boosting social entrepreneurship (Chapter 3);promoting social impact measurement and reporting (Chapter 4); developing socialentrepreneurial capacity and skills (Chapter 5); improving access to markets and finance(Chapters 6 and 7); and ensuring sustainable institutional support for socialentrepreneurship and social innovation (Chapter 8). |
| Keywords: | local development, policy ecosystem, social economy, social enterprises, social entrepreneurship, social impact, social innovation |
| JEL: | L31 L33 |
| Date: | 2019–01–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:cfeaaa:2019/01-en&r=all |
| By: | Jennifer Heissel; Claudia Persico; David Simon |
| Abstract: | We examine the effect of school traffic pollution on student outcomes by leveraging variation in wind patterns for schools the same distance from major highways. We compare within-student achievement for students transitioning between schools near highways, where one school has had greater levels of pollution because it is downwind of a highway. Students who move from an elementary/middle school that feeds into a “downwind” middle/high school in the same zip code experience decreases in test scores, more behavioral incidents, and more absences, relative to when they transition to an upwind school. Even within zip codes, microclimates can contribute to inequality. |
| JEL: | I20 I24 I3 Q53 R4 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25489&r=all |
| By: | Marialuisa Divella (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche); Alessandro Sterlacchini (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a micro-econometric analysis of the factors facilitating the introduction of responsible innovations by firms, with a focus on those aimed at improving occupational health and safety. These innovations have been rarely investigated with quantitative methods, especially if compared to those aimed at protecting the environment. Accordingly, we also assess whether firms pursuing health and safety innovations are also those ascribing high importance to the reduction of environmental impacts. The evidence provided by using firm-level data taken from the Italian Community Innovation Surveys highlights the key role played by some external sources of knowledge and internal human resource practices for the achievement of responsible innovations. Many similarities but also important differences between firms emerge, according to whether they are committed to health and safety or environmental innovation. |
| Keywords: | responsible innovation, occupational health and safety; environment protection. |
| JEL: | O31 Q55 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:anc:wpaper:435&r=all |
| By: | Carlos Roberto Lombardi; Daniel Ferreira Falcão |
| Abstract: | Com o objetivo de apontar as fontes alternativas e a utilização racional de energia elétrica em empreendimentos imobiliários, o estudo buscou, através de pesquisas bibliográficas, uma análise de diversas fontes de energia renováveis e procurou identificar as que melhor se encaixam para o propósito do trabalho. Três fontes de energia se destacaram para essa finalidade: energia eólica, cuja geração de energia elétrica ocorre através dos ventos, energia solar térmica, que utiliza coletores solares para aquecimento de água e a energia solar fotovoltaica, que produz eletricidade através da incidência da radiação solar. Disponibilizou-se metodologia de análise qualitativa para identificar as oportunidades de geração de energia própria em empreendimentos imobiliários. A fonte que melhor atende as unidades consumidoras para geração de energia elétrica é a fotovoltaica, cuja origem provém de uma reserva natural praticamente inesgotável: o sol. Através da redução de custos de equipamentos e de novos benefícios por parte do governo brasileiro, ela está se tornando cada vez mais acessível. O Ministério das Minas e Energia lançou em dezembro de 2015, um programa de desenvolvimento da geração distribuída de energia elétrica. Ele estimula a geração própria de energia nas unidades consumidoras conectadas à rede de distribuição de energia elétrica. Tem como atrativos incentivos fiscais e sistemas de compensação, aonde se pode guardar na rede de distribuição da concessionária, a energia produzida durante o dia e não consumida. Dessa forma, a rede da concessionária funciona como uma grande bateria que armazena esse energia e a devolve em momentos aonde não ocorre geração própria pelo sistema fotovoltaico, como por exemplo, à noite. Através do uso de produtos e equipamentos com melhor eficiência energética e do dimensionamento adequado dos sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados a rede para implementação em unidades consumidoras de edificações, abre-se uma nova perspectiva no uso de energia renovável, com estímulo significativo às ações de sustentabilidade e uma contribuição de vulto para uma menor agressão ao meio ambiente. Com as ações do governo se intensificando, promovendo mais debates públicos e incentivos, um novo cenário energético se desenha no Brasil. Junta-se a isso a elaboração de novos projetos que contemplem o uso dessa energia e teremos uma grande disseminação da sua aplicação em empreendimentos imobiliários. |
| Keywords: | Distributed Generation; empreendimento imobiliário; Energia Solar; Fontes Renováveis; Geração Distribuída; Photovoltaic System; Real Estate Development; Renewable Sources; Sistema Fotovoltaico; Solar Energy |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2017–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lre:wpaper:lares_2017_paper_37&r=all |
| By: | Ferrari, Giorgio (Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University); Koch, Torben (Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University) |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes a strategic model of pollution control. A firm, representative of the productive sector of a country, aims at maximizing its profits by expanding its production. Assuming that the output of production is proportional to the level of pollutants' emissions, the firm increases the level of pollution. The government of the country aims at minimizing the social costs due to the pollution, and introduces regulatory constraints on the emissions' level, which then effectively cap the output of production. Supposing that the firm and the government face both proportional and fixed costs in order to adopt their policies, we model the previous problem as a stochastic impulse two-person nonzero-sum game. The state variable of the game is the level of the output of production which evolves as a general linearly controlled one-dimensional Itô-diffusion. Following an educated guess, we first construct a pair of candidate equilibrium policies and of corresponding equilibrium values, and we then provide a set of sufficient conditions under which they indeed realize an equilibrium. Our results are complemented by a numerical study when the (uncontrolled) output of production evolves as a geometric Brownian motion, and the firm's operating prot and the government's running cost functions are of power type. An analysis of the dependency of the equilibrium policies and values on the model parameters yields interesting new behaviors that we explain as a consequence of the strategic interaction between the firm and the government. |
| Keywords: | pollution, stochastic impulse nonzero-sum game, verication theorem, diffusions |
| Date: | 2018–08–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bie:wpaper:586&r=all |
| By: | Madlener, Reinhard; Neustadt, Ilja |
| Abstract: | In a perfectly competitive market with a possibility of technological innovation we analyze guaranteed feed-in tariffs for electricity from renewables from a dynamic efficiency and social welfare point of view. Specifically, we model decisions about the technological innovation with convex costs within the framework of a game-theoretic model, and discuss implications for optimal policy design under different assumptions regarding regulatory pre-commitment. We find that in terms of dynamic efficiency no pre-commitment policies are shown to be at least as good as the pre-commitment ones. Thus, a government with a preference for innovation being performed if the achievable cost reduction is high should be in favor of the no pre-commitment regime. |
| Keywords: | Renewable electricity; Feed-in tariffs; Regulatory pre-commitment; Innovation; Energy policy |
| JEL: | Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2018–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:91546&r=all |
| By: | Schaak, Henning; Mußhoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | Biodiversity, landscape aesthetics and grazing livestock have significant relevance for agricultural production, however they are rarely considered in public landscape preferences research. This paper studies public preferences for pasture usage by the means of a discrete choice experiment using a sample of 449 individuals from Germany. Graphical representations of the choice sets are used to assess the preferences for the presence of livestock and typical pasture landscape elements. To account for preference heterogeneity, the paper utilises a latent-class logit model. Four different latent classes can be identified. The results show different preferences between the latent classes, not only in terms of the magnitude of the estimated parameters, but also in terms of the parameter signs. This indicates that there are multiple types of preferred pasture landscapes. Furthermore, the paper discusses the influence of sociodemographic variables on the class membership probabilities and presents the calculated willingness to pay for the landscape attributes and the livestock visibility. |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:daredp:1901&r=all |
| By: | Grafström, Jonas (The Ratio Institute) |
| Abstract: | China has in recent decades expanded its wind power generation capacity and become the world leader. Still, despite robust government support, wind power in China is obstructed by various barriers (e.g. quality deficiencies, inability to export, missing grid connections, and permit delays from central government for grid construction etc.). This paper synthesises the literature that has discovered weaknesses in the Chinese wind power development and suggests improvements. One energy policy relevant observation is that when the Chinese government sets command-and-control construction targets over new installed capacity, actors delivered to target – but with several power plants without grid connectivity and severe quality problems. The article contributes to the academic debate over the role of policy making in renewable energy development and argues that China should improve their incentive structure and coordination of regulations. |
| Keywords: | China; Wind power; Generation; Policy; Energy; Innovation |
| JEL: | O11 O21 O53 |
| Date: | 2019–01–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ratioi:0317&r=all |
| By: | Olivier Meric (TIL - Centre Interlangues : texte, image, langage [Dijon] - UB - Université de Bourgogne - UBFC - Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté [COMUE]); Eddie Marcelo Carrera Rodríguez |
| Abstract: | A pesar de presentar varios recursos tanto naturales como socio-culturales, en la actualidad los huertos comunitarios de las comunidades de la amazonia ecuatoriana, comúnmente llamados Chakras, no son considerados como un recurso para la actividad de turismo comunitario. Si bien es cierto que estos espacios de cultivo ofrecen productos agrícolas para la comunidad o ingresos debido a la vente de los excedentes de producción, también son espacios de gran biodiversidad y conocimientos ancestrales auténticos que pueden ofrecer nuevas experiencias al turista para que mejora su apreciación del centro de Turismo Comunitario. En esta contribución se presenta una metodología enfocada a la aplicación de la interpretación ambiental a las Chakras con el afán de valorar este espacio tradicionalmente de cultivo como recurso para la creación de actividades turísticas. Enmarcada en la investigación comunitaria, el concepto de investigación-acción participativa permite en primer lugar la elaboración en conjunto con los propietarios de las Chakras de un inventario del patrimonio material e inmaterial relativo a las riquezas de estos espacios. Luego, la información compilada se valora en el diseño de un sendero de interpretación. En el último paso, en la socialización de estos resultados, se podrá comprobar si los componentes naturales y socio-culturales de la Chakra permiten a los propietarios ofrecer nuevas experiencias al turista para que mejora su apreciación del centro de Turismo Comunitario y consecuentemente mejora la oferta turística de la comunidad. |
| Keywords: | patrimonio,Chakra,turismo comunitario,interpretación ambiental,senderismo |
| Date: | 2018–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01971353&r=all |
| By: | Emmanuelle Augeraud-Véron (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Raouf Boucekkine (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - Ecole Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 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); Vladimir Veliov (ORCOS, Vienna University of Technology) |
| Abstract: | We review the most recent advances in distributed optimal control applied to environmental economics, covering in particular problems where the state dynamics are governed by partial differential equations (PDEs). This is a quite fresh application area of distributed optimal control, which has already suggested several new mathematical research lines due to the specificities of the environmental economics problems involved. We enhance the latter through a survey of the variety of themes and associated mathematical structures beared by this literature. We also provide a quick tour of the existing tools in the theory of distributed optimal control that have been applied so far in environmental economics. |
| Keywords: | environmental economics,distributed systems,optimal control,partial differential equations |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-01982243&r=all |
| By: | M. Indra al Irsyad; Anthony Halog; Rabindra Nepal |
| Abstract: | This study estimates the impacts of four solar energy policy interventions on the photovoltaic (PV) market potential, government expenditure, economic growth, and the environment. An agent-based model is developed to capture the specific economic and institutional features of developing economies, citing Indonesia as a specific case study. We undertake a novel approach to energy modelling by combining energy system analysis, input-output analysis, life-cycle analysis, and socio-economic analysis to obtain a comprehensive and integrated impact assessment. Our results, after sensitivity analysis, call for abolishing the existing PV grant policy in the Indonesian rural electrification programs. The government, instead, should encourage the PV industry to improve production efficiency and to provide after-sales service. A 100-watt peak (Wp) PV under this policy is affordable for 33.2 percent of rural households without electricity access in 2010. Rural PV market size potentially increases to 82.4 percent with rural financing institutions lending 70 percent of capital cost for five years at 12 percent annual interest rate. Additional 30 percent capital subsidy and 5 percent interest subsidy slightly increase the rural PV market potential to 89.6 percent of PV adopters. However, the subsidies are crucial for creating PV demands by urban households but the most effective policy for promoting PV to urban households is the net metering scheme. Several policy proposals are discussed in response to these findings. |
| Keywords: | hybrid energy model, developing country, renewables policy, impact assessments, agent-based modelling, photovoltaic system |
| JEL: | C60 Q21 Q43 Q48 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:camaaa:2019-02&r=all |