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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Amigues, Jean-Pierre; Moreaux, Michel |
| Abstract: | To prevent climate change, three options are currently considered: improve the energy conversion efficiency of primary energy sources, develop carbon free alternatives to polluting fossil fuels and abate potential emissions before they are released inside the atmosphere. We study the optimal mix and timing of these three mitigation options in a stylized dynamic model. Useful energy can come from two sources: a non-renewable fossil fuel resource and a carbon free renewable resource. The conversion efficiency rate of fossil energy into useful energy is open to choice but higher conversion rates are also more costly. The economy can abate some fraction of its potential emissions and a higher abatement rate incurs higher costs. The society objective is to maintain below some mandated level, or carbon cap, the atmospheric carbon concentration. In the empirically relevant case where the economy is actually constrained by the cap, at least temporarily, we show that the optimal path is a sequence of four regimes: a ’pre-ceiling’ regime before the economy is actually constrained by the cap, a ’ceiling’ regime at the cap, a ’post-ceiling’ regime below the cap and a final regime of exclusive exploitation of renewable resources. If the abatement option has ever to be used, it should be started before the beginning of the ceiling regime, first at an increasing rate and at a decreasing rate once the cap constraint binds. The efficiency performance from any source steadily improves with the exception of a time phase under the ceiling regime when it is constant. Renewables take progressively a larger share of the energy mix but their exploitation may be delayed significantly. Absolute levels of carbon emissions drop down continuously but follow a non monotonic pattern in per useful energy unit relative terms.To prevent climate change, three options are currently considered: improve the energy conversion efficiency of primary energy sources, develop carbon free alternatives to polluting fossil fuels and abate potential emissions before they are released inside the atmosphere. We study the optimal mix and timing of these three mitigation options in a stylized dynamic model. Useful energy can come from two sources: a non-renewable fossil fuel resource and a carbon free renewable resource. The conversion efficiency rate of fossil energy into useful energy is open to choice but higher conversion rates are also more costly. The economy can abate some fraction of its potential emissions and a higher abatement rate incurs higher costs. The society objective is to maintain below some mandated level, or carbon cap, the atmospheric carbon concentration. In the empirically relevant case where the economy is actually constrained by the cap, at least temporarily, we show that the optimal path is a sequence of four regimes: a ’pre-ceiling’ regime before the economy is actually constrained by the cap, a ’ceiling’ regime at the cap, a ’post-ceiling’ regime below the cap and a final regime of exclusive exploitation of renewable resources. If the abatement option has ever to be used, it should be started before the beginning of the ceiling regime, first at an increasing rate and at a decreasing rate once the cap constraint binds. The efficiency performance from any source steadily improves with the exception of a time phase under the ceiling regime when it is constant. Renewables take progressively a larger share of the energy mix but their exploitation may be delayed significantly. Absolute levels of carbon emissions drop down continuously but follow a non monotonic pattern in per useful energy unit relative terms. |
| Keywords: | energy efficiency; ; carbon pollution;; non-renewable resources;; renewable resources;; abatement. |
| JEL: | Q00 Q32 Q43 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:122842&r=all |
| By: | - |
| Abstract: | A mudança climática é um dos grandes desafios do século XXI devido a suas causas e consequências globais e à magnitude dos esforços necessários e simultâneos para amortecer seus impactos negativos, adaptar-se às novas condições climáticas e realizar os processos de mitigação das emissões de gases de efeito estufa. O principal objetivo desta publicação é apresentar as hipóteses e as cifras básicas da economia da mudança climática na América Latina e no Caribe de forma resumida e gráfica. Esses fatos estilizados procuram contribuir para uma melhor formulação, implementação e avaliação das políticas públicas relacionadas com a mudança climática no século XXI, de maneira a permitir a transformação do atual estilo de desenvolvimento e a transição para um desenvolvimento sustentável. Além do prólogo e desta introdução, apresentam-se nove teses e sete desafios que definem as características da mudança climática na América Latina e no Caribe. |
| Keywords: | CAMBIO CLIMATICO, ASPECTOS ECONOMICOS, AGENDA 2030 PARA EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, OBJETIVOS DE DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, ASPECTOS SOCIALES, DESARROLLO ECONOMICO, MODELOS DE DESARROLLO, CONSUMO, AGRICULTURA, RECURSOS ENERGETICOS, INFRAESTRUCTURA FISICA, ZONAS URBANAS, RECURSOS HIDRICOS, BOSQUES, DIVERSIDAD BIOLOGICA, COSTAS, INDICADORES AMBIENTALES, GAS DE EFECTO INVERNADERO, INDICADORES ECONOMICOS, INDICADORES DEL DESARROLLO, CLIMATE CHANGE, ECONOMIC ASPECTS, 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, SOCIAL ASPECTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT MODELS, CONSUMPTION, AGRICULTURE, ENERGY RESOURCES, PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, URBAN AREAS, WATER RESOURCES, FORESTS, BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, COASTS, ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS, GREENHOUSE GASES, ECONOMIC INDICATORS, DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS |
| Date: | 2019–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:44486&r=all |
| By: | Kube, Roland; von Graevenitz, Kathrine; Löschel, Andreas; Massier, Philipp |
| Abstract: | Voluntary environmental management programs for firms have become an increasingly popular instrument of environmental policy. However, the literature's conclusion on the effectiveness of such programs is ambiguous, and for the European region there is a lack of evidence based on a large control group. We seek to fill this gap with an evaluation of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), introduced in 1995 by the European Union as a premium certification of continuous pro-environmental efforts above regulatory minimum standards. It is more demanding than other voluntary programs due to annual public reports of the environmental performance and targets for improvements. We use official firm-level production census data on the German manufacturing sector, a major energy consumer and emitter in Europe. To account for the self-selection of firms, we combine the Coarsened Exact Matching approach with a Difference-in-Differences estimation. Our results do not suggest reductions of firms' CO2 intensity and energy intensity neither before nor after certification. Moreover, program participants do not increase renewable energy consumption or investments into the protection of the environment and climate. Our results are robust to a variety of checks and call into question the effectiveness of the EMAS program concerning these particular outcome variables. |
| Keywords: | Voluntary Environmental Programs,Firm-level Energy Behavior,Matching Difference-in-Differences |
| JEL: | Q58 Q54 Q48 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cawmdp:107&r=all |
| By: | Juliano Assunção; Robert McMillan; Joshua Murphy; Eduardo Souza-Rodrigues |
| Abstract: | This paper sets out an empirically-driven approach for targeting environmental policies optimally in order to combat deforestation. We focus on the Amazon, the world's most extensive rainforest, where Brazil's federal government issued a ‘Priority List’ of municipalities in 2008, to be targeted with more intense environmental monitoring and enforcement. In this setting, we first estimate the causal impact of the Priority List on deforestation using ‘changes-in-changes’ (Athey and Imbens, 2006), a flexible treatment effects estimation method, finding that it reduced deforestation by 40 percent and cut emissions by 39.5 million tons of carbon. Second, we develop a novel framework for computing targeted ex-post optimal blacklists. This involves a procedure for assigning municipalities to a counterfactual list that minimizes total deforestation subject to realistic resource constraints, drawing on the ex-post treatment effect estimates from the first part of the analysis. Accounting for spillovers, we show that the ex-post optimal list resulted in carbon emissions over 7.4 percent lower than the actual list, amounting to savings of more than $900 million, and emissions over 25 percent lower (on average) than a randomly selected list. The approach we propose is relevant for assessing both targeted counterfactual policies to reduce deforestation and quantifying the impacts of policy targeting more generally. |
| JEL: | H23 Q23 Q28 Q5 Q54 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25636&r=all |
| By: | Perino, Grischa; Ritz, Robert; Van Benthem, Arthur |
| Abstract: | We present an integrated framework to understand the emissions impact of unilateral overlapping policies within a carbon-pricing system. "Internal carbon leakage" captures emissions displacement within the system (e.g., due to greater product imports from a neighbouring country). The waterbed effect captures the policy's interaction with the system's overall emissions cap. Current market rules in the reformed EU ETS, California's carbon market and RGGI feature "punctured" waterbeds that allow overlapping policies to affect aggregate emissions. We present simple formulae to estimate internal carbon leakage for different types of policy such as a carbon price floor (perhaps with a border tax adjustment), an energy efficiency program, and renewables support. The sign and magnitude of the climate benefit from an overlapping policy varies widely depending on its design, location and timing. Punctured waterbeds raise the stakes: well-designed overlapping policies can be much more climate-effective but others now backfire. |
| Keywords: | cap-and-trade; Carbon leakage; carbon price floor; Carbon Pricing; EU ETS; hybrid policy; overlapping policy; Waterbed effect |
| JEL: | H23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13569&r=all |
| By: | Perino, G., Ritz, R., Van Benthem, A.; Ritz, R.; Van Benthem, A. |
| Abstract: | We present an integrated framework to understand the emissions impact of unilateral overlapping policies within a carbon-pricing system. "Internal carbon leak-age" captures emissions displacement within the system (e.g., due to greater product imports from a neighbouring country). The waterbed effect captures the policy's interaction with the system's overall emissions cap. Current market rules in the reformed EU ETS, California's carbon market and RGGI feature "punctured" waterbeds that allow overlapping policies to affect aggregate emissions. We present simple formulae to estimate internal carbon leakage for different types of policy such as a carbon price floor (perhaps with a border tax adjustment), an energy efficiency program, and renewables support. The sign and magnitude of the climate benefit from an overlapping policy varies widely depending on its design, location and timing. Punctured waterbeds raise the stakes: well-designed overlapping policies can be much more climate-effective but others now backfire. |
| Keywords: | Cap-and-trade, carbon leakage, carbon price floor, carbon pricing, EU ETS, overlapping policy, hybrid policy, waterbed effect |
| JEL: | H23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–03–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:1920&r=all |
| By: | David Popp |
| Abstract: | Encouraging innovation is an important part of environmental policy. A large literature in environmental economics examines the links between environmental policy and innovation. This paper reviews recent literature on green innovation. I highlight major trends in the literature, including an increased number of cross-country studies and a focus on the effect of different policy instruments on innovation. I include a discussion of the justifications and evidence for technology-specific policy incentives and present evidence on the effectiveness of government R&D spending. My review concludes with a discussion of three promising areas for new research on environmental innovation. |
| Keywords: | green innovation, induced innovation, pollution, climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, research and development, technology policy |
| JEL: | O31 O38 Q55 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7544&r=all |
| By: | Chang, Youngho (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | Some Asian countries such as the People’s Republic of China and Japan are very active in green finance. This study reviews how green finance in Singapore is working, examines existing barriers, and suggests some solutions. Singapore, a well-established financial hub in Asia, aims to be a hub for green finance in Asia. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the central bank of Singapore, has formed a network with seven other central banks in the world called the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening Financial System, which intends to promote sharing of experience and best practices in green finance with other countries. Along with forming the network, the MAS has established a Green Bond Grant scheme to promote and ensure the issuance of green bonds in Singapore. In parallel, the Association of Banks in Singapore published Guidelines on Responsible Financing to promote and support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures. The Singapore Exchange asks its member firms to strictly comply with the ESG disclosures. At an individual firm level in Singapore, City Development Limited (CDL), a real estate development company, and Development Bank of Singapore Limited (DBS), a commercial bank, issued Singapore’s first and second green bonds in 2017. The proceeds of the CDL green bond are allocated to finance retrofitting and upgrading of a commercial building in Singapore, while the proceeds of the DBS green bond are to be invested in renewable energy and climate change adaptation, among other uses. How successful the two green bonds are in meeting their pronounced goals and how well and effectively they contribute to the diffusion of renewable energy remains to be seen. |
| Keywords: | green finance; green bond grant scheme; guidelines of responsible financing; CDL green bond; DBS green bond |
| JEL: | G18 G28 G38 |
| Date: | 2019–01–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0915&r=all |
| By: | Grischa Perino; Robert A. Ritz; Arthur van Benthem |
| Abstract: | We present an integrated framework to understand the emissions impact of unilateral overlapping policies within a carbon-pricing system. "Internal carbon leakage" captures emissions displacement within the system (e.g., due to greater product imports from a neighbouring country). The waterbed effect captures the policy's interaction with the system's overall emissions cap. Current market rules in the reformed EU ETS, California's carbon market and RGGI feature "punctured" waterbeds that allow overlapping policies to affect aggregate emissions. We present simple formulae to estimate internal carbon leakage for different types of policy such as a carbon price floor (perhaps with a border tax adjustment), an energy efficiency program, and renewables support. The sign and magnitude of the climate benefit from an overlapping policy varies widely depending on its design, location and timing. Punctured waterbeds raise the stakes: well-designed overlapping policies can be much more climate-effective but others now backfire. |
| JEL: | H23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25643&r=all |
| By: | Antoine Dechezleprêtre; Caterina Gennaioli; Ralf Martin; Mirabelle Muûls; Thomas Stoerk |
| Abstract: | Does unilateral climate change policy cause companies to shift the location of production, thereby creating carbon leakage? In this paper, we analyse the effect of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) on the geographical distribution of carbon emissions of multinational companies. The empirical evidence is based on unique data for the period 2007-2014 from the Carbon Disclosure Project, which tracks emissions of multinational businesses by geographical region. Because they already operate from multiple locations, multinational firms should be the most prone to carbon leakage. Our data includes regional emissions of 1,122 companies, of which 261 are subject to EU ETS regulation. We find no evidence that the EU ETS has led to a displacement of carbon emissions from Europe towards the rest of the world, including in countries with no climate policy in place and within energy-intensive companies. A large number of robustness checks confirm this finding. Overall, the paper suggest that modest differences in carbon prices between countries do not induce carbon leakage. |
| Keywords: | carbon leakage, EU ETS, multinationals |
| JEL: | D22 F23 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2019–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1601&r=all |
| By: | Colmenares, Gloria; Löschel, Andreas; Madlener, Reinhard |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art and common practice of energy and climate modeling vis-à-vis the rebound literature, in particular regarding how macroeconomic energy and climate models quantify and include energy and greenhouse gas rebound effects. First, we focus on rebound effects in models of costless energy efficiency improvement that hold other attributes constant (zero-cost breakthrough), and an energy efficiency policy that may be bundled with other product changes that affect energy use (policy-induced efficiency improvement) (Gillingham et al. 2015). Second, we examine macroeconomic studies focusing on energy efficiency both in industry and in private households. Third, we go through a general theoretical revision from micro- to macroeconomic levels (the aggregation level) to include a review of the so-called meso-level studies (focused on the analysis of the production side). From 118 recent studies along the aggregation level, out of which 25 compute rebound calculations, we find that the average energy rebound effect is 58% with a standard deviation of 58%, and when we include green house gas rebound calculations, the magnitude is of the order of 43% with a standard deviation of 55%. Finally, we argue that the rebound effect is a phenomenon that requires a sound understanding of the complex interactions from different dimensions (e.g. aggregation level, heterogeneity, climate, energy conservation and economic growth), and we provide some ideas and motivations for future research. |
| Keywords: | Rebound effect,Macroeconomic models,Energy efficiency,Energy policy |
| JEL: | E13 Q41 Q43 Q48 Q54 R13 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cawmdp:106&r=all |
| By: | Meyer, Peter B.; Schwarze, Reimund |
| Abstract: | Urban infrastructure investment is needed for both, mitigation of climate risks and improved urban resiliency. Financing them requires the translation of those benefits into measurable returns on investment in the context of emerging risks that capital markets can understand and appreciate. This paper develops a generic framework to identify what are the necessary and sufficient factors to economically favor climate-change resilient infrastructure in private investment decisions. We specifically demonstrate that carbon pricing alone will not generate the needed will, because market prices at present systematically fail to account for climate change risks such as the costs of stranded assets and the national and local co-benefits of investments in climate resiliency. Carbon pricing is necessary, but not sufficient for an enhanced private financing of climate-resilient infrastructure. The Paris Agreement and other supra-local policies and actors including city networks can concretely help to generate the sufficient social and political will for investments into climate change mitigation and resiliency at the city level. |
| Keywords: | infrastructure,urban finance,resilience,low carbon economy,city networks,Paris agreement,carbon pricing,Infrastruktur,Finanzierung,Resilienz,Klimaneutralität,Städte,Akteursnetzwerke,Parisabkommen,CO2-Bepreisung |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ufzdps:12019&r=all |
| By: | Katinka Kristine Holtsmark; Kristoffer Midttømme |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a novel benefit of linking emission permit markets. We let countries issue permits non-cooperatively, and with endogenous technology we show there are gains from permit trade even if countries are identical. Linking the permit markets of different countries will turn permit issuance into intertemporal strategic complements. The intertemporal strategic complementarity arises because issuing fewer permits today increases investments in green energy capacity in all permit market countries, and countries with a higher green energy capacity will respond by issuing fewer permits in the future. Hence, each country faces incentives to withhold emission permits when permit markets are linked. Even though countries cannot commit to reducing their own emissions, or punish other countries that do not, the outcome is reduced emissions, higher investments, and increased welfare, compared to a benchmark with only domestic permit trade. We also show that permit market linking can arise as an equilibrium outcome. |
| Keywords: | international agreements, permit markets, dynamic games, green technology investments |
| JEL: | F55 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7548&r=all |
| By: | Faye, Amy; Msangi, Siwa |
| Abstract: | Recent research on climate change, within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, has shown the vulnerability of groundwater resources to climate change and variability. In Senegal, agriculture is among the most important users of groundwater resources, especially in the northern coastal area called ‘Niayes’ where farmers practice irrigated agriculture and use almost exclusively the quarternary sand aquifer for their irrigation needs during the dry season – which is the main growing period. However, in Senegal, irrigated agriculture, particularly that of horticultural crops, mostly grown in the Niayes, has attracted less research attention in terms of studies focused on climate change or variability, compared to staple-growing rainfed regions. In the Niayes region, farmers grow most of Senegal’s horticultural production. Combined with human use of water resources, climate variability may threaten future irrigation water availability in the area. This paper uses an integrated hydroeconomic model and a rainfall generator to evaluate the impact of rainfall variability on irrigation water availability and simulate its implications on producers’ responses and groundwater management policy measures. Results show that groundwater availability is diminishing over time, resulting in higher water table depth and smaller water withdrawals by farmers who will tend to decrease the area allocated to crops and favor the higher-valued crops. These trends are accelerated under a drier climate regime. A taxation policy to stabilize the aquifer would induce a reduction of the area under cultivation and have negative implications on revenues. Supply-side measures to enhance recharge may not be technically or financially feasible. This suggests that Senegal needs to develop groundwater management options that favor sustainable use of agricultural water resources without hindering national horticultural production. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture; irrigation; rainfall variability; hydro-economic modeling; groundwater management; Senegal. |
| JEL: | C6 |
| Date: | 2018–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:92388&r=all |
| By: | Faye, Amy; Msangi, Siwa |
| Abstract: | Recent research on climate change, within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, has shown the vulnerability of groundwater resources to climate change and variability. In Senegal, agriculture is among the most important users of groundwater resources, especially in the northern coastal area called ‘Niayes’ where farmers practice irrigated agriculture and use almost exclusively the quarternary sand aquifer for their irrigation needs during the dry season – which is the main growing period. However, in Senegal, irrigated agriculture, particularly that of horticultural crops, mostly grown in the Niayes, has attracted less research attention in terms of studies focused on climate change or variability, compared to staple-growing rainfed regions. In the Niayes region, farmers grow most of Senegal’s horticultural production. Combined with human use of water resources, climate variability may threaten future irrigation water availability in the area. This paper uses an integrated hydroeconomic model and a rainfall generator to evaluate the impact of rainfall variability on irrigation water availability and simulate its implications on producers’ responses and groundwater management policy measures. Results show that groundwater availability is diminishing over time, resulting in higher water table depth and smaller water withdrawals by farmers who will tend to decrease the area allocated to crops and favor the higher-valued crops. These trends are accelerated under a drier climate regime. A taxation policy to stabilize the aquifer would induce a reduction of the area under cultivation and have negative implications on revenues. Supply-side measures to enhance recharge may not be technically or financially feasible. This suggests that Senegal needs to develop groundwater management options that favor sustainable use of agricultural water resources without hindering national horticultural production. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture; irrigation; rainfall variability; hydro-economic modeling; groundwater management; Senegal. |
| JEL: | C6 |
| Date: | 2018–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:92625&r=all |
| By: | Schoenmaker, Dirk |
| Abstract: | Central banks look at climate related risks at the financial stability side. Should they also take carbon intensity of assets into account at the monetary policy side? After reviewing the central bank mandate, the paper proposes a tilting approach to steer the Eurosystem's asset and collateral framework towards low carbon assets. We find that a modest tilting approach could reduce carbon emissions in the Eurosystem's corporate and bank bond portfolio by over 40 per cent. It could also lower the cost of capital of low carbon companies in comparison with high carbon companies by 4 basis points. Our findings suggest that such a low carbon allocation can be done without undue interference with the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. Price stability, the primary objective, is, and should remain, the priority of the Eurosystem. |
| Keywords: | Assets; Carbon Emissions; Collateral; cost of capital; monetary policy |
| JEL: | E52 E58 Q01 Q52 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13576&r=all |
| By: | King, Peter |
| Abstract: | Marine plastics inflict annual damages of nearly $2bn on the marine economy. These damages may now be mitigated by a novel scheme that proposes to recover marine plastics. While a range of uses exist for recovered marine plastics; this research finds that none are profitable. While not financially viable, the scheme is found to be economically viable given the significant damages from marine plastics on the marine economy. Implications from this research for the future of pollution abatement are remarked upon. |
| Keywords: | Cost-benefit analysis, recycling, marine plastics. |
| JEL: | H23 Q5 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–09–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:92298&r=all |
| By: | Lorenzo Esposito (DISCE, Università Cattolica - Banca d’Italia, sede di Milano); Ettore Giuseppe Gatti (DISCE, Università Cattolica); Giuseppe Mastromatteo (DISCE, Università Cattolica) |
| Abstract: | The transition to a green economy is arguably the most important economic transformation of the next decades. To be completed it requires the mobilization of astounding resources, a flow of technological innovation and a whole series of new rules going from technical standards to financial regulation. Given the resources it needs, the transition, to be credible, requires a full engagement of the financial system. On this regard we analyze the policy set-up of Europe, the most advanced area on the issue. We identify a three-layer functioning of the EU project for transition. The first one (“green products”) is fully compatible with the present financial system. A second layer entails changes in the business model and organization of financial operators but it can be phased in with minor overhauls. Finally, there is a third layer, largely incompatible with the present financial system, yet crucial to achieve transition. We show that, according to the same EU analysis, the transition needs a total change in the financial landscape and therefore it is, rebus sic stantibus, intrinsically unfeasible. We suggest ways to escape the dilemma that connects financial stability and green economy. |
| Keywords: | climate change, sustainable finance, EU |
| JEL: | G28 Q54 |
| Date: | 2019–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ctc:serie5:dipe0004&r=all |
| By: | Sarah Marie Jordaan (School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University); Kate Konschnik (Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University) |
| Keywords: | Energy and Natural Resources; Environmental Policies and Norms;North American Integration;Oil and Gas;Regulatory Burden |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdh:ebrief:288&r=all |
| By: | Binder, Martin; Blankenberg, Ann-Kathrin; Guardiola, Jorge |
| Abstract: | Our well-being is influenced by our notion of what constitutes a good life, a vital part of our identity. While pro-environmental behavior is often found to be positively related to individuals' well-being, our research delves into the extent to which this relationship is influenced by individuals' identity, measured both as green self-image and their notion of the good life in general. Using survey responses from Spanish university students (n = 640) and paying close attention to the subjective perception of what it means to be "satisfied with their lives", we find that green behavior is negatively related to life satisfaction in our sample. In contrast, green self-image is positively related to life satisfaction. Whether pro-environmental behavior is positively related to life satisfaction further depends on whether one's notion of the good life (and hence happiness) is utopian, stoicist, or based on a fulfillment- or virtueview. In addition, well-being loss from pro-environmental behavior also decreases with the available disposable income. |
| Keywords: | Pro-environmental behavior,subjective well-being,good life,identity,green self-image,conceptual referent theory,life satisfaction |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cegedp:366&r=all |
| By: | Benedikt Downar; Jürgen Ernstberger; Hannes Rettenbacher; Sebastian Schwenen; Aleksandar Zaklan |
| Abstract: | We examine how mandatory disclosure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions influences companies’ emission levels. We identify the effect of full transparency by exploiting a mandate requiring UK-incorporated listed companies to disclose information on GHG emissions in their annual reports. Comparing the emissions of installations (e.g. power plants, or oil refineries) owned by listed companies and installations owned by firms not subject to the mandate, we document that disclosing GHG emissions in annual reports reduces emission levels by up to 18%. Emission reductions occur across all industries but are largest for installations from the energy supply industry. Our results are robust to various specifications and document the incremental effect of disclosing emission data in annual reports, as firms had to report emission data to a central register already before the disclosure mandate. |
| Keywords: | Disclosure of non-financial information; greenhouse gas emissions; real effects |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1795&r=all |
| By: | L. (Lisa B.) Ryan; Sarah La Monaca; Linda Mastrandrea; Petr Spodniak |
| Abstract: | Legacy electricity retail tariffs are ill-adapted to future electricity systems and markets, particularly with regard to accommodating the multi-faceted shift toward decarbonisation. We examine how retail tariffs need to be reformed to not only meet the future revenue requirements of energy-suppliers and networks but also to help achieve the environmental objectives of the energy transition. While existing literature has explored the link between retail tariff structure design, wholesale markets and/or network cost recovery, there is less recognition of the impact of tariff structure design on environmental objectives. This paper reviews the demand responsiveness of household customers to electricity prices and implications of retail tariff structure and design for the policy targets of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, and renewable electricity generation, in addition to electricity system. A review of the literature provides a theoretical basis for price elasticity of demand and electricity retail tariff design, and we explore the environmental implications for future retail tariff design options via examples of various tariff structures in the EU and US. The research links the topics of emissions mitigation policy and market design, and should add empirical insights to the body of academic literature on future electricity markets. It should also be of interest to policy makers wishing to consider retail tariff structures that promote decarbonisation of the electricity system through multiple objectives of improved energy efficiency and increased shares of renewable electricity within future electricity markets. |
| Keywords: | Electricity retail tariffs; Electricity prices; Energy policy; Decarbonisation of electricity |
| JEL: | H2 Q21 Q41 Q42 |
| Date: | 2018–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucn:wpaper:201822&r=all |
| By: | Wes Austin; Garth Heutel; Daniel Kreisman |
| Abstract: | Diesel emissions from school buses expose children to high levels of air pollution; retrofitting bus engines can substantially reduce this exposure. Using variation from 2,656 retrofits across Georgia, we estimate effects of emissions reductions on district-level health and academic achievement. We demonstrate positive effects on respiratory health, measured by a statewide test of aerobic capacity. Placebo tests on body mass index show no impact. We also find that retrofitting districts see significant test score gains in English and smaller gains in math. Results suggest that engine retrofits can have meaningful and cost-effective impacts on health and cognitive functioning. |
| JEL: | I18 I20 Q53 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25641&r=all |
| By: | Ralf Martin; James Rydge; Anna Valero |
| Abstract: | Anna Valero and colleagues urge the UK government to put action on climate change and sustainability at the heart of its growth strategy. |
| Keywords: | growth, climate change, sustainability |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:550&r=all |
| By: | Giovanni Morleo (University of Ferrara; SEEDS, Italy); Marianna Gilli (University of Ferrara; SEEDS, Italy); Massimiliano Mazzanti (University of Ferrara; SEEDS, Italy) |
| Abstract: | This study focuses on the environmental performances of the European manufacturing industry. Our aim is to test the existence of both absolute and conditional ß-convergence as well as s-convergence in the environmental productivity (i.e., for each sector, the ratio between value added and carbon dioxide emissions) of 14 sectors for the period 1995-2009 using data from the WIOD database. The results support the hypothesis of ß-convergence and highlight other factors such as trade openness. In addition, the results indicate that the sectorial share of value added can affect sectorial environmental performances, as shown by a higher speed of convergence. No statistical evidence of s-convergence is found. |
| Keywords: | environmental performances; manufacturing industry; ß-convergence; s-convergence; sector performances |
| JEL: | L52 Q53 Q55 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:srt:wpaper:0519&r=all |
| By: | Marie-Gabrielle Piketty (UPR 47 GREEN - Gestion des ressources renouvelables et environnement - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Isabel Garcia Drigo (Imaflora - Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola, FSC International); Claudia Romero (University of Florida [Gainesville]); Paule Pamela Tabi Eckebil (CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research) |
| Abstract: | L'organisation mondiale Forest Stewardship Council (FSC International) régit le label FSC de gestion des forêts, qui se décline en standards nationaux selon le contexte de chaque pays. La version initiale des principes et critères de ce label, éditée en 1994, a été révisée et, en 2015, de nouveaux principes et critères ont été publiés ainsi qu'une liste d'indicateurs génériques. Cette nouvelle version doit être utilisée pour actualiser les standards nationaux. Ce numéro de Perspective propose des recommandations pour formuler ces nouveaux standards nationaux et pour revoir certaines règles d'audit. Ces recommandations sont illustrées de cas concrets au Brésil, en Indonésie et dans les pays du bassin du Congo. Les indicateurs des nouveaux standards doivent réduire le plus possible la marge d'interprétation pendant les audits de certification. Les audits ne doivent plus accepter la récurrence des mêmes non-conformités, y compris lorsqu'elles sont mineures. Alors que le Gabon a annoncé en septembre 2018 l'obligation de la certification FSC pour attribuer ou maintenir les concessions forestières à partir de 2020, il est important de réduire les fragilités existantes de cette certification. |
| Keywords: | FSC,Forest Stewardship Council,certification,norme,exploitation forestière,forêt,organisme de certification,accréditation,développement durable,audit,Indonésie,Brésil,Cameroun,Gabon,République du Congo,Pérou,Bolivie |
| Date: | 2019–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:cirad-02049798&r=all |
| By: | Marie-Gabrielle Piketty (UPR 47 GREEN - Gestion des ressources renouvelables et environnement - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Isabel Garcia Drigo (Imaflora - Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola, FSC International - FSC International); Claudia Romero (University of Florida [Gainesville]); Paule Pamela Tabi Eckebil (CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research) |
| Abstract: | The global organisation Forest Stewardship Council (FSC International) regulates the FSC forest management label, which is translated into national standards according to the context in each country. The initial version of the Principles and Criteria for this label, published in 1994, was revised and, in 2015, new Principles and Criteria were published, along with a list of generic indicators. This new version should be used to update national standards. This issue of Perspective proposes recommendations for drafting these new national standards and reviewing certain audit procedures. The study's recommendations are illustrated with specific cases in Brazil, Indonesia and the countries of the Congo Basin. Indicators for the new national standards need to minimise any scope for interpretation during certification audits. Audits should no longer accept recurrence of the same non-conformities, even when these issues are minor. With Gabon announcing in September 2018 the obligation to obtain FSC certification in order to allocate or maintain forest concessions from 2020 onwards, it is important to reduce existing weaknesses in this certification. |
| Keywords: | FSC,Forest Stewardship Council,certification,standard,logging operation,forest,certification body,accreditation,sustainable development,auditing,Indonesia,Brazil,Cameroon,Gabon,Republic of the Congo,Peru,Bolivia |
| Date: | 2019–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:cirad-02049812&r=all |
| By: | Suarez, Ronny |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we introduced the Efficiency ($/CO2) at Risk indicator. It could be used to compare performance, to evaluate asset allocation, to execute a portfolio optimization and/or to establish risk appetite policies. |
| Keywords: | Climate finance, Efficiency at Risk |
| JEL: | C0 |
| Date: | 2019–03–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:92713&r=all |
| By: | Frimpong, Eugene; Petrolia, Daniel R.; Harri, Ardian; Cartwright, John H. |
| Abstract: | The Community Rating System (CRS) was introduced to encourage community-level flood mitigation and increase household-level flood insurance uptake through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Using historical data of policies-in-force and flood damage claims from 1998-2014 for all NFIP communities in Alabama and Mississippi, we estimate the relationship between community participation in the CRS and the number of policies-in-force, as well on flood damage claims. We find a significant, positive, and generally increasing effect of CRS participation on insurance uptake. Reduced flood damage claims are found to be limited to communities with a very high level of CRS participation (Class 5) only. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use |
| Date: | 2019–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:misswp:284989&r=all |
| By: | Karl Zimmermann |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses and compares the performance of carbon taxes and capital taxes in financing public goods with positive effects on private firm productivity. It is motivated by Franks et al. (2017), who ask whether using carbon taxes could be motivated on fiscal grounds rather than by environmental ones, arguing that the advantage of the carbon tax consists in its potential to reap foreign resource rents. I employ an analytical general equilibrium framework of n identical countries, where local firms use internationally mobile capital and imported fossil fuel and in production as well as local public infrastructure. The latter is financed solely by either taxing the input of fossil fuels (carbon tax) or capital. The choice of the policy instrument is exogenous to policy makers and symmetric across countries. I find that the effect of policy on the fossil fuel price (terms-of-trade effect) leads to higher public good provision under carbon taxation. However, tax-competition could cause either policy instrument to yield higher provision depending on how strongly either tax base reacts to changes in the tax rate. And finally, I conclude that the ranking of the two policy scenarios is ambiguous when considering tax competition and the terms-of-trade effect simultaneously. A numerical exercise shows cases for higher provision of either policy. |
| Keywords: | Tax Competition,Public Infrastructure,Carbon Tax |
| JEL: | H21 H54 Q38 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:193458&r=all |
| By: | Petros C. Mavroidis; Damien J. Neven |
| Abstract: | This paper considers the APEC and EGA agreements which grant tariff concession through HS classifications beyond the six digit level ("ex outs") in favour of "green" goods and discuss how these initiatives fit into the WTO legal regime. Even if the practical significance of the APEC agreement should not be overestimated as it involves modest tariff concessions over a subset of goods which are not heavily traded, these agreements involve a paradigm shift to the extent that they use tariffs concessions negotiated on a plurilateral basis as a policy instrument to meet public policy concern, instead of making market access conditional on meeting national regulations. We find that there is a tension between the current definition of likeness for the enforcement of MFN provisions and the use of ex outs and a risk that improved market access for ex outs could be seen a de facto discrimination. One way out of this conundrum is to define likeness in terms of policy rationales. |
| Keywords: | WTO, APEC, EGA, Tariffs, Terms of Trade, ex outs |
| JEL: | K40 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rsc:rsceui:2019/07&r=all |
| By: | Martina Mazzarolo (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari); Giacomo Ferraro (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari); Ilda Mannino (Venice International University - VIU); M. Bruna Zolin (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari) |
| Abstract: | The paper aims to illustrate the factors that can influence the choices of European and Chinese consumers of products obtained with a lower use of pesticides (IPM methods). The results, obtained from a survey, allow identifying the most aware categories, those still far from a complete knowledge of IPM methods and their potential. They can also suggest useful policies to achieve a more sustainable consumption behavior. |
| Keywords: | Food consumption, Regional Consumer Behavior, sustainable development, IPM products, EU, China |
| JEL: | Q18 R2 O3 Q57 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ven:wpaper:2019:08&r=all |
| By: | Bachev, Hrabrin |
| Abstract: | The goal of this study is to unpack sustainability in terms of understanding and evaluation using as a case Bulgarian agriculture. A hierarchical system for assessing agrarian sustainability in Bulgaria at national, regional, sub-sectoral, ecosystem and farm level is proposed. It includes 3 aspects(pillars), 17 principles, 35 criteria, and 46 indicators and reference values for evaluating sustainability as well as approach for their integration and interpretation. Assessment is made of agrarian sustainability in the country at various level using aggregate macro and farm level micro data. The assessment has found out that there is a considerable differentiation in the level of integral and aspects sustainability of different type of farms, ecosystems, subsectors and regions. Nevertheless, results on the integral agrarian sustainability based on macro aggregate and micro farm data are quite similar. The later indicates that both approaches are reliable and could be simultaneously used according to the level of analysis, needs of decision makers, and available data. Major factors encouraging improving economic sustainability are market demand and price; direct state subsidies; market competition; financial capability; participation in public support programs; possibility of benefitting immediately; possibility of benefitting in the near future; tax preferences; possibility of benefitting in the long term; and integration with buyers of farm products. Main factors encouraging the enhancement of social sustainability are personal convictions and satisfaction; social recognition of individual contribution; immediate benefits for other people and groups; regional community initiatives and pressure; access to advisory services; European Union policy; and existing regional problems and risks. Important factors encouraging environmental sustainability are problems and risks existing at the global scale; official regulations, standards, and norms; existing regional problems and risks; and European Union policies. Public policies and instruments that improve economic sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture include: direct area-based payments; national top-ups for products and livestock; modernization of agricultural holdings; green payments; support for semi-market farms. At the same time the impact of national and European policies on social and environmental sustainability is relatively weak. Having in mind the importance of holistic assessments of this kind for improving agrarian sustainability, farm management and agrarian policies, they are to be expended and their precision and representation increased. The latter requires a closer cooperation between and participation of all interested parties as well as improvement of the precision through enlargement of collected statistical data, number of surveyed farms, and incorporating more “objective” data from field tests and surveys, monitoring, expertise of professionals in the area, etc. |
| Keywords: | sustainability, assessment, economic, social, ecological, agriculture, Bulgaria |
| JEL: | Q1 Q12 Q13 Q15 Q18 Q2 Q3 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:92752&r=all |
| By: | Kamila Galeza; Amal Faltas; Lina Abdelghaffar |
| Keywords: | Health, Nutrition and Population - Health and Sanitation Social Development - Participations and Civic Engagement Social Development - Social Accountability Water Supply and Sanitation - Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Water Supply and Sanitation - Water Supply and Sanitation Governance and Institutions Water Supply and Sanitation - Water Supply and Sanitation Participation |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:29647&r=all |
| By: | Lorena Torres Bernardino (TRIANGLE - Triangle : action, discours, pensée politique et économique - ENS Lyon - École normale supérieure - Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] - IEP Lyon - Sciences Po Lyon - Institut d'études politiques de Lyon - Université de Lyon - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | (…) hay otro río poco frecuentado, que es sin duda el más hermoso del país, el más caudaloso, el que tiene más extensión y más anchura, y que ostensiblemente prodiga más sus beneficios (…). Este río es el Usumacinta, que naciendo en la República de Centroamérica (…), va a perderse en nuestro Golfo (…) Diario de la Ciudad de México, 1843. Introducción La política ambiental es un nuevo ámbito de las políticas públicas, ya que configura nuevos mecanismos para relacionar el poder de los actores y de las instituciones ante la evidencia de un problema-ambiental-asumido como público. El cambio climático se ha posicionado como el problema global más importante de los últimos tiempos, ya que expresa el colapso del modelo de crecimiento, de consumo y de distribución de los recursos naturales; así como del modelo de desarrollo donde la relación humano-naturaleza se inscribe en los asuntos prioritarios por analizar y resolver. Se vislumbra también como un reto para la gobernanza global, la cual muestra los patrones cambiantes de negociación, donde los problemas comunes se abordan en un mundo cada vez más interdependiente, y las formas clásicas de cooperación multilateral, abarcan hoy una gran variedad de actores e instituciones. Los actores públicos y privados, instituciones oficiales y no oficiales, organizaciones intergubernamentales y las formas transnacionales de regulación interactúan en una estructura a menudo sin coordinación, y a veces competitiva. Las consecuencias por el cambio climático, se pueden observar en la degradación de los suelos, la erosión costera y el derretimiento de los polos, que ocasiona cambios visibles en la pérdida de tierra con respecto al nivel del 113 |
| Date: | 2018–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02055411&r=all |
| By: | Ciara?n Mac Domhnaill; L. (Lisa B.) Ryan |
| Abstract: | The twenty-first century must see a decarbonisation of electricity production to mitigate the flow of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This paper presents an econometric analysis of the factors that motivate the use of renewable energy in electricity production using panel data from EU Member States during the period 2000-2015. The research extends the literature in this area in several ways. Firstly, the econometric analysis is focused on the electricity sector rather than on the overall primary energy supply, which also includes the diverse heating and transport sectors. In addition, an alternative public policy variable is proposed using the tax and levy component of electricity bills. Furthermore, an alternative econometric approach is employed using a hybrid mixed effects estimator. The results of this analysis are found to be broadly as expected, with mixed fossil fuel price effects; electricity grid interconnection and higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions both motivate the development of renewable electricity. Policy implications are that policy support for fossil fuels should be ceased; electricity grid interconnections should be developed between countries; and furthermore, levies on retail electricity prices to fund RE support schemes are effective at promoting renewable electricity. |
| Keywords: | Renewable electricity policy; Energy economics; Climate policy; Hybrid mixed effects econometric model |
| JEL: | Q21 Q4 Q41 Q42 Q58 |
| Date: | 2018–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucn:wpaper:201823&r=all |
| By: | Chakravorty, Ujjayant; Dar, Manzoor; Emerick, Kyle |
| Abstract: | We use two randomized controlled trials in 544 villages of rural Bangladesh to study a simple water conservation technology called "Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)". The AWD technology is a perforated PVC pipe that allows farmers to observe the water level below ground and thus irrigate their field less often. Even though this technology has shown promising results in numerous agronomic experiments, we find no significant effects on water use and profits. AWD only leads to measurable water savings in villages where farmers pay a volumetric (marginal) price for water, but not in villages where water prices are set by the acre. Building on these findings, the second RCT randomly distributed debit cards that convert farmers from per-acre charges to hourly billing. The debit cards cause demand for AWD to become less price sensitive and farmers to put more value on the technology. Taken together, these results show that introducing a marginal price for water aligns incentives for conservation. |
| JEL: | O13 Q25 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13572&r=all |
| By: | Stephen Gibbons; Cong Peng; Cheng Keat Tang |
| Abstract: | The canal and waterway network in Britain provides a potentially valuable recreational and environmental amenity. In this paper, we estimate the value of this amenity based on how much households are willing to pay through housing to live close to the canal network, a well-established and theoretically grounded method in the urban and environmental economics literature. To deal with potential omitted confounding factors in our house price regressions we adopt two strategies. First we conduct a cross-sectional analysis, but control for local area fixed effects so we estimate from marginal differences in distance from homes to canals within small geographical neighbourhoods. Secondly, we apply a difference in difference method to analyse the effect of the restoration of the Droitwich canals in the later 2000s. Both methods yield similar conclusions. There is a price premium for living close to a canal, but this is very localised - around 3.4% in 2016 within 100m and zero beyond that. The implication is that the effect is driven predominantly by canal-side properties and others with a direct outlook on the canals or immediate access. The premium fell substantially from the pre-recession to post recession periods. We also find evidence that canal-side locations are attractive for developers, with a much higher proportion of new-build sales within 100m of canals relative to elsewhere - a 5.9% increase on a 7.8% baseline. Some back of the envelope calculations indicate the land value uplift from the canal network was around £0.8-£0.9 billion in 2016. |
| Keywords: | canals, waterways, house prices, environment, valuation |
| JEL: | Q51 R3 R2 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1604&r=all |
| By: | Emmanuelle Augeraud-Véron (Bordeaux University, GREThA (UMR CNRS 5113)); Raouf Boucekkine (Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, EHESS, Centrale Marseille, AMSE; Institute for Advanced Studies (Iméra) & Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)); Vladimir Veliov (ORCOS, Vienna University of Technology, Austria) |
| 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 |
| JEL: | C60 C61 Q50 Q57 |
| Date: | 2019–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aim:wpaimx:1902&r=all |
| By: | Lorena Torres Bernardino (TRIANGLE - Triangle : action, discours, pensée politique et économique - ENS Lyon - École normale supérieure - Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] - IEP Lyon - Sciences Po Lyon - Institut d'études politiques de Lyon - Université de Lyon - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Mayra Miranda (Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo) |
| Abstract: | The world has witnessed a redefinition in the development schemes, one where planetary limits exist, and where the mechanisms of action and participation must consider multilevel governance. Given this, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) combine four main ideas: 1) Do not leave anyone behind, that is, reinforce the goals and strategies that were in place since the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), 2) Define the bases , from a set of rights and services that must be guaranteed, 3) Take into consideration the limits imposed by nature, and the capacity of available technologies, and 4) Strengthen applied public capacities and rely on open institutions. Thus, several spaces have taken actions to strengthen the innovations undertaken by the public sector, such is the case of the United Nations Forum for the Public Sector. In particular, Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda promotes the existence of peaceful societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and the construction of effective and responsible institutions. |
| Keywords: | public agenda,multi level governance,Institutions,actors,Participation |
| Date: | 2018–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02059858&r=all |
| By: | Marion Maisonobe (GC - Géographie-cités - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Bastien Bernela (CRIEF - Centre de Recherche sur l'Intégration Economique et Financière - Université de Poitiers) |
| Abstract: | Competition in research has led to the emergence of numerous consortia of laboratories, designed to improve their participants' visibility. This article aims to understand the determinants of these new structures through the case study of a French federation of laboratories in green chemistry. Working from bibliographic and qualitative data, we examine this federation's geographical and institutional scope, highlighting the importance of i) prior collaborations in French chemistry, ii) interpersonal relations between consortium members, and iii) policy and scientific incentives. This research highlights the role of the territorial scope of the consortium not only as an argument for the consortium to emerge but also as a resource for its development and visibility among academics and industrial partners. |
| Keywords: | green chemistry,territorial organization,network formation,embeddedness,scientific alliances |
| Date: | 2019–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-02053595&r=all |
| By: | Özdemir, Ö.; Hobbs, B.; van Hout, M., Koutstaal, P.; Koutstaal, P. |
| Abstract: | Policy makers across Europe have implemented renewable support policies with several policy objectives in mind. Among these are achieving ambitious renewable energy targets at the lowest cost and promoting technology improvement through learning-by-doing. Although subsidy mechanisms based on energy out-put are cost-effective for achieving a certain renewable energy target in the short run, policies tied to capacity installation might be more effective in reducing technology costs in the longer term. We address the question of how policies that subsidize renewable energy (feed-in premia and renewable portfolio standards (RPSs)) versus capacity (investment subsidies) impact the mix of renewable investments, electricity costs, renewable share, the amount of subsidies, and consumer prices in the EU electric power market in 2030. Our analysis is unique in its focus on the market impacts of capacity-oriented vs energy-oriented policies while considering a realistic landscape of diverse and time-varying loads and renewable resources (including existing and potential hydro, wind, and solar resources), as well as fossil-fuelled generators and network constraints. |
| Keywords: | Electricity markets, renewable policy, capacity subsidy, energy subsidy, renewable target |
| JEL: | D7 D72 D74 F13 F23 F51 F53 |
| Date: | 2019–03–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:1927&r=all |
| By: | Luca Di Corato (Department of Economics, University Of Venice Cà Foscari); Yishay D. Maoz (The Open University of Israel) |
| Abstract: | In markets where production has adverse externalities, policy makers may wish to increase welfare by imposing a cap on market entries. In this paper, we examine the implications that the cap has on the firms’ investment equilibrium policy and on social welfare in the presence of market uncertainty. In contrast with previous literature, we explicitly model the present externality and then let the social planner choose the cap level maximizing welfare. We find that: i) if the consideration of the option value triggers investment at price above the social marginal cost of production, then it is optimal to have no cap at all; ii) otherwise, the cap should be set on the current market quantity and a ban on further market entries should be announced. |
| Keywords: | Investment, Uncertainty, Caps, Competition, Externalities, Welfare |
| JEL: | C61 D41 D62 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ven:wpaper:2019:07&r=all |
| By: | Lorena Torres Bernardino (TRIANGLE - Triangle : action, discours, pensée politique et économique - ENS Lyon - École normale supérieure - Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] - IEP Lyon - Sciences Po Lyon - Institut d'études politiques de Lyon - Université de Lyon - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Keywords: | COALITIONS,ACF mappings,PUBLIC POLICY,CONFLIT,BARRAGE |
| Date: | 2018–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02055418&r=all |
| By: | Schütz, Aurelia; Sonntag, Winnie Isabel; Spiller, Achim |
| Abstract: | In recent years livestock production became a special focal point in public debate, with animal welfare particularly turning out to be a major concern. Since pig husbandry systems are characterised by intensive production systems, where animals are often kept on slatted floor in an extremely barren environment, consumers' distinctive concern about pigs' welfare is not surprising. Previous researches revealed a clear public demand for a more species-appropriate pig husbandry and in this context identified various enriching housing elements to be important for ensuring animal welfare. However, to our knowledge, research addressing specific and comparative assessment of individual enriching housing elements by consumers, has been lacking so far. For our study we selected 14 housing elements which are commonly known to potentially enrich the pigs' environment, including outdoor runs, straw as bedding and enrichment substrate, different enrichment objects (toys) as well as cooling facilities. In order to give participants an idea of each element and therefore facilitate rating, we used a pictorial-based survey design. Thus German consumers were asked to rate elements regarding their benefit for animal welfare, to indicate their desire for availability in a pigsty and furthermore to evaluate respective costs and practicability. With regard to benefit for animal welfare, wallows seemed to be appreciated most, closely followed by straw as bedding and distraction material in a separate rooting area, but showers, tubs and straw as distraction material in containers were rated positive as well. In contrast, the slatted outdoor run and all four enriching objects performed relatively poor, even though rating was only slightly not positive. Overall, costs associated with the installation/usage of the respective housing elements were evaluated rather low and practicability issues were more or less neglected. Furthermore our cluster analysis revealed several rating-influencing factors such as attitude towards or perception of animal protection and sociodemographic characteristics. We consider our results to be relevant in the context of future production systems, as for justifying animal husbandry and increasing its acceptance in the public, the integration of social demands, like desire for a more animal friendly production including specific enriching housing elements, is indispensable. |
| Keywords: | animal welfare,pig husbandry,environmental enrichment,consumer acceptance,public concern |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:daredp:1903&r=all |
| By: | Menyuka, N.; Bob, U.; Sibanda, M. |
| Abstract: | Waste management has become a critical issue across the globe, especially in the metropolitan regions. This paper is focusing on the potential for organic waste utilization and management through urban agriculture in different countries, using the Netherlands as a case study. Furthermore, the difficulties and/or risks of utilizing organic waste through urban agriculture is described. Waste management hierarchy shows the invention, such that in the conventional, there is more of disposal of waste and less of waste reduction. However, the new proposal is to have more reduction of waste and less of waste disposal. This is where urban agriculture comes in through the re-use and recycling of waste, giving room for the opportunity of better waste management though urban agriculture. The benefits or opportunities of utilizing organic waste through urban agriculture were explained with the reference from relevant literature. The results of the study done by researchers in the Hague Municipality, Netherlands have been used to provide a picture of current and potential role of urban agriculture in managing organic waste. Key words: Agriculture, management, organic, urban and waste |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development |
| Date: | 2018–09–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aeas18:284779&r=all |
| By: | Suzanne Bisaillon; Ejan Mackaay; Sarah Barrère |
| Abstract: | L'introduction d'organismes génétiquement modifiés dans l'agriculture a soulevé des craintes, souvent appelées « perceptions négatives », relatives aux effets à long terme de leur consommation. Elle pose également le problème de la coexistence avec les autres cultures, dites non-OGM. Ces craintes sont véhiculées par une pluralité de sources, dont les médias sociaux, largement répandues dans le public. Elles obligent les agriculteurs, selon les consommateurs ciblés pour la vente de leurs récoltes, à instituer une séparation rigoureuse entre les cultures comportant des éléments génétiquement modifiés et les autres cultures (conventionnelles et biologiques notamment), de même qu'une information fiable sur la présence de produits OGM dans les intrants de l'agriculture et dans les produits de consommation. Les cultures conventionnelles, à leur tour, font l'objet de crainte du fait de l'utilisation de pratiques et de produits jugés nocifs pour la santé, dont les pesticides. On a pu constater récemment l'effet néfaste de certains pesticides sur les abeilles, qui sont pourtant essentielles à l'agriculture. Parmi les substances retrouvées dans la définition de pesticide dans la note infrapaginale, quelques effets néfastes pour la santé humaine ont pu être démontrés. Toutefois, même si une certaine prudence peut être souhaitable à l’occasion, il faut se méfier des études portant sur quelques cas, puisqu’elles ne permettent pas une conclusion probante pouvant être extrapolée à l’ensemble de la population et donner ouverture à une réglementation appropriée. En réponse à ces craintes, l’accent a été mis sur une agriculture dite biologique, où l'on doit s'abstenir d'avoir recours à des produits et à des pratiques présentées comme néfastes. Plusieurs définitions de produits biologiques vont très loin dans les exclusions, selon des critères propres aux divers marchés cibles, reposant quelques fois sur des hypothèses ou des extrapolations douteuses à partir de données scientifiques. La promotion des produits biologiques n’échappe pas aux exagérations relevant de pratiques de « marketing », ce qui provoque des attentes élevées, voire la confusion. Les cultures biologiques posent, à l'égard des deux autres types de culture, les mêmes problèmes de séparation et d'information que ceux qui viennent d'être évoqués. Alors que des études scientifiques confirment le danger de consommer des produits traités avec certains pesticides, aucune étude scientifique n'établit de manière probante un danger lié à la consommation de produits génétiquement modifiés (OGM) dans la mesure où le résidu d’un pesticide utilisé – on pense ici au glyphosate – ne dépasse pas les limites permises selon des études toxicologiques appropriées. Néanmoins, les craintes à l'égard des OGM persistent et se sont même amplifiées. Le présent document fait un relevé de l'ensemble de l'encadrement juridique nécessaire pour effectuer la séparation entre les différentes cultures et pour prévenir la contamination. Cet encadrement a deux volets. Il y a d'abord un encadrement général par différentes formes de réglementation. Le document explique deux principes directeurs soutenant cette réglementation, soit ceux de la gestion des risques et de la réglementation étagée. L'encadrement prévoit un enregistrement initial de toute semence OGM, qui peut, par la suite, être librement exploitée et mise en marché. Il y a ensuite une réglementation élaborée touchant l'information disponible pour indiquer le type de culture auquel on a affaire : OGM ou non-OGM. L'appellation biologique est rigoureusement contrôlée par un processus de certification, lequel suit le principe de la réglementation étagée : principes fixés au niveau fédéral ; mise en œuvre par des organismes privés de certification qui sont près des agriculteurs, mais demeurent sous une surveillance du gouvernement fédéral. Un tel niveau d’encadrement rend plus complexe la coexistence. Ainsi, la certification biologique englobe un ensemble de mesures, de restrictions et de vérifications dont le but est d'assurer une séparation aussi rigoureuse que possible des produits biologiques de ceux relevant des cultures conventionnelles et OGM. L’obtention d’une telle certification fera l’objet d’une mention spécifique sur l’étiquette ; l’ennui, c’est que les mentions ne sont pas uniformes (c’est à dire ne sont pas les mêmes peu importe l’entité certifiante) et ne sont ni facilement détectables par des consommateurs, ni bien comprises d'eux. Cet état de fait peut être à l’origine de divers problèmes liés à la coexistence des produits lorsqu’il s’agit d’établir les caractéristiques et les exigences emportant une responsabilité en la matière. À cet encadrement général, s'ajoute un encadrement des rapports entre intervenants dans les marchés des semences et des récoltes à vendre, par des règles du droit privé. Dans le milieu des agriculteurs, il existe un éventail de normes, de pratiques, de guides de conduite, dont le but est d'éviter qu'un différend au sujet d'une confusion de deux cultures ou d'une contamination ne dérape et finisse au procès devant un tribunal. Le document inventorie les règles du droit des contrats (entre parties qui ont contracté entre elles) et du droit de la responsabilité civile (entre parties n’ayant pas contracté entre elles) qui pourraient s'appliquer à de tels litiges ainsi que quelques éléments sur la propriété intellectuelle. Le survol pointe vers des éléments et des documents que les agriculteurs ont intérêt à créer et à conserver dans l'optique de pouvoir construire une preuve pour le cas où ils se trouvent poursuivis ou amenés à poursuivre quelqu’un d’autre devant une instance appropriée. Dans la conclusion, le rapport revient sur de possibles points de tension, où une intervention gouvernementale, inspirée des deux principes de régulation évoqués, pourrait être avantageuse. Dans le cours des « récoltes » que nous avons effectuées lors d’une veille documentaire, nous avons constaté qu’il y avait plusieurs sujets qui débordaient le cadre du présent rapport mais qui méritaient néanmoins qu’on synthétise les trouvailles afin d’alimenter une réflexion plus poussée sur certains aspects. Parmi ces sujets, il convient de mentionner l’étiquetage des produits, les multiples certifications biologiques et encore l’attitude des consommateurs. Ces problématiques permettent de relever une série d’avantages et d’inconvénients à porter à l’attention de personnes à la recherche de la voie optimale. Un résumé se trouve à l’An-7. Les médias sociaux véhiculent des informations, provenant d’organisations tout à fait crédibles, qui laissent croire à la dangerosité des OGM. Souvent, on présente les OGM dans le même souffle que les pesticides, herbicides et fongicides, entretenant ainsi la perception de leur effet délétère pour la santé. Deux mises en garde sont à propos : a) Les textes législatifs et les statistiques auxquels renvoie le présent document sont en vigueur ou à jour au moment de clore la recherche, soit en janvier 2017. Pour d’autres informations sur lesquelles table la présente réflexion, il convient de rappeler que l’évolution dans ce secteur est très rapide et ne repose pas toujours, à ce qu’il nous semble, sur des bases strictement scientifiques. C’est toujours le cas dans les domaines où les assises scientifiques sont truffées de perceptions, souvent négatives, avec lesquelles il faut composer. S’ajoutent au portrait de la situation les intérêts commerciaux des parties prenantes, pour lesquels une assise sur des données scientifiques est peu souvent assurée. b) En traitant de la coexistence des OGM avec les autres cultures, on ne peut échapper à l’influence des perceptions ou des peurs dans les propos relevés, même dans la littérature dite scientifique. Qu’il nous soit permis de citer, à titre d’exemple, dans le rapport de Commission sur l’avenir de l’agriculture et de l’agroalimentaire québécois publié en janvier 2008, les propos suivants retrouvés dans l’introduction : « Les citoyens et les consommateurs qui s’étaient tenus à l’écart des débats sur les enjeux de l’agriculture, sont entrés en scène et désormais ils expriment davantage leurs préoccupations et leurs exigences à l’égard de l’environnement et de la santé, interpellant directement l’agriculture et l’agroalimentaire ». Ces propos n’ont pas pris une ride, neuf ans plus tard. |
| Date: | 2019–03–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cir:cirwor:2019s-05&r=all |
| By: | David Popp |
| Abstract: | Innovation is an important part of environmental policy, and encouraging innovation is often an explicit goal of policymakers. A large literature in environmental economics examines the links between environmental policy and innovation. Popp et al. (2010) provides an extensive review of the literature on environmental innovation. This paper updates that review, highlighting research published during the past decade, with a focus on empirical research examining links between environmental policy and environmentally friendly innovation. I highlight major trends in the literature, including an increased number of cross-country studies and a focus on the effect of different policy instruments on innovation. I include a discussion of the justifications and evidence for technology-specific policy incentives and present evidence on the effectiveness of government R&D spending. My review concludes with a discussion of three promising areas for new research on environmental innovation. |
| JEL: | O31 O38 Q55 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25631&r=all |