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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Hallegatte,Stephane; Rozenberg,Julie; Maruyama Rentschler,Jun Erik; Nicolas,Claire Marion; Fox,Charles James Edward |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the benefits and the costs of strengthening infrastructure assets to make them more resilient, reducing the repair costs and infrastructure disruptions caused by natural hazards. Strengthening infrastructure assets in low- and middle-income countries would increase investment needs in power, transport, and water and sanitation by between $11 billion and $65 billion a year, i.e. 3 percent of baseline infrastructure investment needs. The uncertainty pertaining to the costs and benefits of infrastructure resilience makes it difficult to provide a single estimate for the benefit-cost ratio of strengthening exposed infrastructure assets. To manage this uncertainty, this paper explores the benefit-cost ratio in 3,000 scenarios, combining uncertainties in all parameters of the analysis. The benefit-cost ratio is higher than 1 in 96 percent of the scenarios, larger than 2 in 77 percent of them, and higher than 4 in half of them. The net present value of these investments over the lifetime of new infrastructure assets -- or, equivalently, the cost of inaction -- exceeds $2 trillion in 75 percent of the scenarios and $4.2 trillion in half of them. Moreover, climate change makes the strengthening of infrastructure assets even more important, doubling the median benefit-cost ratio. |
| Keywords: | Transport Services,Science of Climate Change,Climate Change and Health,Climate Change and Environment,Hydrology,Sanitary Environmental Engineering,Environmental Engineering,Health and Sanitation,Water Supply and Sanitation Economics,Town Water Supply and Sanitation,Small Private Water Supply Providers,Engineering,Sanitation and Sewerage,Water and Human Health,Infrastructure Regulation |
| Date: | 2019–06–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8896&r=all |
| By: | Karimi, Abdul Matin; Delgado, Abraham García; Soliman, Ashrakat El-Amir; Sánchez Ramos, Karen Melissa |
| Abstract: | In many of the developing countries, dependency on natural resources is significantly high. From peasants to fishermen and farmers, all of them earn their living from the utility of renewable natural resources such as water, air, farming land, forest, plants, animals and grazing areas (Heltberg, 2002). Given the importance of natural resources for many of the developing countries, it is important to address the issues like the tragedy of the commons, climatic change, pollution, and unsustainable usage of natural resources which might lead to rural poverty, food insecurity, and high rural-urban migration (Heltberg, 2002). Among the major factors mentioned above, this essay will focus on tragedy of the commons, property rights, and natural resource management in developing countries. |
| Keywords: | Property Rights, Tragedy of the Commons, Ostrom’s Principles, Managing the Commons |
| JEL: | D23 H82 H87 K11 P14 P26 P48 |
| Date: | 2020–02–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:98642&r=all |
| By: | Hu,Xi; Pant,Raghav; Zorn,Conrad; Lim,Weeho; Koks,Elco Eduard; Mao,Zhimin |
| Abstract: | This paper describes the methodology and findings for the extreme hazard exposure analysis of the Chinese wastewater sector to flooding and earthquakes hazards. This analysis is undertaken for changing flooding, under climate scenarios, and earthquake exposure of a spatially accurate wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) database for China, covering a total of 1,346 assets with additional attributes quantifying the treatment capacity and users dependent on each plant. For flooding, we apply and downscale a global river routing (CaMa-Flood) model that quantifies the change degree of flood exposures from the present time-period (1980-2005) to the near future time-period (2016-2035) to a far future time period (2036-2055). We find evidence that most climate models project increasing number of WWTP assets face climate-induced flood hazards in both the near and far future, potentially affecting as many as 208 million users by 2050. However, there are spatial and temporal variations from these projections which means that planning for resilient wastewater infrastructure requires more detailed understanding of the vulnerability attributes of WWTPs including their exact location, the number of users they serve as well as their flood protection standards. For earthquakes, we examine the exposure of WWTPs to earthquake hazards through both seismic shaking and induced liquefaction. Overall, we demonstrate the significant risk that earthquakes can have on the WWTP process -- especially on centralized systems. By considering liquefaction susceptibility in combination with shaking, we expose a number of WWTPs that face an increased level of exposure to damages following earthquakes compared to looking at shaking in isolation. |
| Keywords: | Natural Disasters,Hydrology,Climate Change and Environment,Science of Climate Change,Climate Change and Health |
| Date: | 2019–06–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8903&r=all |
| By: | Mayberry, Dianne |
| Abstract: | The red meat sector makes an important contribution to Australia’s economy, but is also a contributor to national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2005 (the baseline year for the Paris Agreement), emissions from the Australian red meat industry were 129.3 Mt CO2e; 21% of national emissions. The main sources of emissions were CO2 from forest land converted to grassland, and enteric methane from grazing beef cattle. Between 2005 and 2016, emissions attributed to the red meat sector decreased by 58% to 54.8 Mt CO2e and 10% of national emissions. This large reduction was primarily due to decreased land clearing for grazing, but there has also been a modest increase in the efficiency of red meat production. Further reductions in GHG emissions from the red meat industry are possible through continued improvements in land management and new options to reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock. As the custodians of almost half of Australian land, there are also opportunities for grazing livestock industries to be leaders in carbon sequestration. While possible, mitigation and sequestration activities come at a cost, and require investment and policy support from private and government bodies. This needs to be supported by a willingness of consumers, both in Australia and export markets, to pay a higher price for low-carbon products. This case study gives an update to our 2019 paper on carbon neutral pathways, and highlights some of the lessons from Australia that can be applied to developing countries. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries |
| Date: | 2019–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp19:301975&r=all |
| By: | Strand,Jon |
| Abstract: | This paper considers the impacts of"finance blending"whereby climate finance is added to international carbon markets for offset trading. The paper first discusses climate finance and the carbon market as free-standing finance solutions by high-income countries to increase mitigation in low-income countries. Climate finance solutions have advantages for high-income countries due to their greater flexibility and general efficiency. A favorable aspect of well-functioning offset markets is that all participating countries face a similar and robust carbon price. With finance blending and"all attribution to the carbon market,"the market equilibrium is inefficient, as mitigation is excessive in low-income countries and too low in high-income countries. Instead, mitigation outcomes in the offset market should be attributed to the two finance types in proportion to their finance shares provided to the low-income countries through this market. When climate finance is added to the carbon market, the ambition level for emissions reductions for donor countries should be raised equivalently; otherwise, the added climate finance leads to no increase in global mitigation. When low-income country market participants have limited access to credit markets, climate finance can increase mitigation by supplying the capital required to implement efficient mitigation projects. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Economics,Energy Policies&Economics,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Energy and Mining,Energy and Environment,Energy Demand |
| Date: | 2019–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8914&r=all |
| By: | Timilsina,Govinda R.; Pang,Jun; Yang,Xi |
| Abstract: | Top-down economic models, such as computable general equilibrium models, are the common tools to assess the economic impacts of climate change policies. However, these models are incapable of representing the detailed technological characteristics of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The economic impacts measured by the top-down economic models are likely to be overestimated. This study attempts to quantify the overestimation by measuring the economic impacts linking the top-down model with a bottom-up engineering model for the energy sector. The study uses meeting China's pledges under the Paris Agreement for testing this hypothesis. The study shows that the economic impacts measured by the stand-alone top-down model are almost three times as high as those resulting from the model after linking it with the bottom-up model. However, the findings are sensitive to the assumptions and existing or planned policies on energy technologies considered in the bottom-up model. |
| Keywords: | Energy and Environment,Energy Demand,Energy and Mining,Energy Policies&Economics,Transport Services,Oil Refining&Gas Industry,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases |
| Date: | 2019–06–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8905&r=all |
| By: | Thomas, Timothy S.; Robertson, Richard D.; Boote, Kenneth J. |
| Abstract: | Aflatoxins affect the health of close to 70 percent of the population of the world through contaminated food. Smallholder farmers in developing countries can be especially hard hit, since they consume a high proportion of what they produce without a clear knowledge of the level of contamination their harvest might have. Climate change can cause dramatic shifts in the level of contamination and the frequency of that high levels of aflatoxins are found in harvested foods, particularly maize and groundnuts. In this paper, we introduce new software that is able to estimate potential field concentrations of aflatoxins based on weather, and then apply the software to the question of how projected changes in climate will affect the occurrence of aflatoxins in six countries. The analysis is done at a very fine geographic resolution so that problem areas within countries are also identified. For rainfed groundnuts, baseline period calculations using the module show fairly high frequency of expected contamination levels above 4 ppb for Burkina Faso and Niger (39 and 56 percent), while Nigeria has a more modest estimate of 14 percent. However, factoring in climate change, we find great variation in projections. One of the five climate models used in the analysis projects a much wetter region which serves to drive down aflatoxin concentrations steeply. However, others have lower or even negative projections for changes in rainfall and coupled with temperature increases (large in some climate models), three of the five climate models project rising aflatoxin concentrations. The frequency of projected contamination levels above 4 ppb in rainfed maize are high in the baseline for Niger, at 43 percent, though Niger grows little maize. Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Guatemala, and Honduras all have more modest projections in the baseline (8, 9, 4, 10), while Nepal has just a trace above 0. Aflatoxin concentrations are projected to rise with climate change by all 5 models for Nepal, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nigeria, but only rise for 3 models for Niger and 4 of the 5 models for Burkina Faso. We use regressions with weather variables on projected aflatoxin concentrations levels above 4 ppb to better understand critical levels of rainfall and temperature that could trigger local crises with aflatoxins in on-farm consumption of harvested foods. At the end of the paper, we examine why aflatoxin concentrations in Nepal as reported by the modeling results appear low despite aflatoxins being a significant issue for the country. |
| Keywords: | NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA, AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA, AFRICA, NIGER, BURKINA FASO, GUATEMALA, LATIN AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA, HONDURAS, NEPAL, SOUTH ASIA, ASIA, aflatoxins, smallholders, contamination, climate change, developing countries, health, field contamination, aflatoxin concentrations, Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT), |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1859&r=all |
| By: | Chesney McOmber |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to explore the gendered impacts of climate change in the Sahel. In particular, it explores the ways in which gender inequality is a critical factor in understanding vulnerability and resilience efforts concerning climate change. It shows that the current climate crisis is affecting livelihoods throughout the Sahel in pronounced ways. In a region highly dependent upon subsistence agriculture and pastoralist livelihoods, climate variability and environmental degradation have made such livelihoods difficult to sustain, the effects of which have broad ranging impacts on social and economic systems. Consequently, migration, livelihood adaptation, social unrest, and political instability emerge from the ecological challenges the Sahel is facing. Those with the resources to respond to and prepare for future climate events will be better equipped to navigate the climate crisis. Unfortunately, those resources are rarely equally distributed at the household, community, and state levels. In particular, gender inequalities within the Sahel pose a very real challenge for adaptation and resilience strategies as states and global institutions make interventions to support at risk populations. The paper then explores what development and state institutions are doing to resolve gender inequity through climate resilience policy, and where these efforts are falling short. The paper concludes with some strategies to improve opportunities for gender equity and climate resilience based on field research within the Sahel. |
| JEL: | Q54 J16 O55 |
| Date: | 2020–03–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:swacaa:27-en&r=all |
| By: | Doda, Baran; Fankhauser, Samuel |
| Abstract: | Climate policies do not affect all power producers equally. In this paper, we evaluate the supply-side distributional consequences of emissions reduction policies using a simple and novel partial equilibrium model where production takes place in technology-specific sites. In a quantitative application hydro, wind and solar firms generate power combining capital and sites which differ in productivity. In contrast, the productivity levels of coal, gas and nuclear technologies are constant across sites. We parameterise the model to analyse the effects of stylised tax and subsidy schemes. Carbon pricing outperforms all other instruments and, crucially, leads to more equitable outcomes on the supply side. Technology-specific and uniform subsidies to carbon-free producers result in a greater welfare cost and their supply- side distributional impacts depend on how they are financed. Power consumption taxes have exceptionally high welfare costs and should not be the instrument of choice to reduce emissions or to finance subsidies aiming to reduce emissions. |
| Keywords: | Carbon pricing; renewable subsidies; supply-side distributional implications; ES/R009708/1) |
| JEL: | Q41 Q48 H23 |
| Date: | 2020–01–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:102960&r=all |
| By: | Damania,Richard; Desbureaux,Sebastien Gael; Zaveri,Esha Dilip |
| Abstract: | Much micro-econometric evidence suggests that precipitation has wide ranging impacts on vital economic indicators such as agricultural yields, human capital, and even conflict. And yet paradoxically most macro-econometric evidence (especially in the climate economy literature) finds that precipitation has no robust and significant impact on various measures of aggregate economic output. This paper argues that spatial aggregation of weather at the country level explains this result. The paper uses annual subnational gross domestic product data to show a concave relationship between precipitation and local gross domestic product growth between 1990 and 2014. It then demonstrates that when the data are aggregated at larger spatial scales, the impact decreases and eventually vanishes. The impact of precipitation on aggregate economic activity is predominantly felt in developing countries; it is insignificant in developed countries. Agriculture is found to be the dominant pathway. The results have significant consequences for measuring the economic impacts of climate change. |
| Date: | 2019–06–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8888&r=all |
| By: | Shamsudduha,Mohammad; Joseph,George; Haque,Sabrina Sharmin; Khan,Mahfuzur R.; Zahid,Anwar; Ahmed,Kazi Matin Uddin |
| Abstract: | Groundwater currently provides 98 percent of all the drinking water supply in Bangladesh. Groundwater is found throughout Bangladesh but its quality (that is, arsenic and salinity contamination) and quantity (that is, water storage depletion) vary across hydrological environments, posing unique challenges to certain geographical areas and population groups. Yet, no national-scale, multi-hazard groundwater risk maps currently exist enabling water resource managers and policy makers to identify areas that are vulnerable to public health. This paper develops, for the first time, groundwater risk maps at the national scale for Bangladesh that combine information on arsenic, salinity, and water storage, using geospatial techniques, linking hydrological indicators for water quality and quantity to construct risk maps. A range of socioeconomic variables, including access to drinking and irrigation water supplies and social vulnerability (that is, poverty), are overlaid on these risk maps to estimate exposures. The multi-hazard groundwater risk maps show that a considerable proportion of land area (5 to 24 percent under extremely high to high risks) in Bangladesh is currently under combined risk of arsenic and salinity contamination, and groundwater storage depletion. As few as 6.5 million (2.2 million poor) to 24.4 million (8.6 million poor) people are exposed to a combined risk of high arsenic, salinity, and groundwater storage depletion. The multi-hazard groundwater risk maps reveal areas and exposure of population groups to water risks posed by arsenic and salinity contamination and depletion of water storage. |
| Keywords: | Hydrology,Public Health Promotion,Town Water Supply and Sanitation,Small Private Water Supply Providers,Water Supply and Sanitation Economics,Water and Human Health,Climate Change and Health,Science of Climate Change,Climate Change and Environment,Economic Growth |
| Date: | 2019–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8922&r=all |
| By: | Asongu, Simplice A; Odhiambo, Nicholas M |
| Abstract: | This study assesses whether improving governance standards affects environmental quality in 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. Bundled and unbundled governance dynamics are used notably: (i) political governance (consisting of political stability and ?voice & accountability?); (ii) economic governance (entailing government effectiveness and regulation quality), (iii) institutional governance (represented by the rule of law and corruption-control) and (iv) general governance (encompassing political, economic and institutional governance dynamics). The following hypotheses are tested: (i) Hypothesis 1 (Improving political governance is negatively related to CO2 emissions); (ii) Hypothesis 2 (Increasing economic governance is negatively related to CO2 emissions) and (iii) Hypothesis 3 (Enhancing institutional governance is negatively related to CO2 emissions. Results of the tested hypotheses show that: the validity of Hypothesis 3 cannot be determined based on the results; Hypothesis 2 is not valid while Hypothesis 1 is partially not valid. The main policy implication is that governance standards need to be further improved in order for government quality to generate the expected unfavorable effects on CO2 emissions. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; Governance; Economic development; Sustainable development; Africa |
| Date: | 2019–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uza:wpaper:26282&r=all |
| By: | Wu, Ziting (Peking University); Chen, Xi (Yale University); Li, Guoxing (Peking University); Tian, Lin (Peking University); Wang, Zhan (Peking University); Xiong, Xiuqin (Peking University); Yang, Chuan (Peking University); Zhou, Zijun (Peking University); Pan, Xiaochuan (Peking University) |
| Abstract: | This study aims to fill the gap in our understanding about exposure to particulate matters with diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and attributable risks and economic costs of mental disorders (MDs). We identify the relationship between PM2.5 and risk of hospital admissions (HAs) for MDs in Beijing and measure the attributable risk and economic cost. We apply a generalized additive model (GAM) with controls for time trend, meteorological conditions, holidays and day of the week. Stratified analyses are performed by age, gender and season. We further estimate health and economic burden of HAs for MDs attributable to PM2.5. A total of 17,252 HAs for MDs are collected. We show that PM2.5 accounts for substantial morbidity and economic burden of MDs. Specifically, a 10 μg/m3 daily increase in PM2.5 is associated with a 3.55% increase in the risk of HAs for MDs, and the effect is more pronounced for older males in colder weather. According to the WHO's air quality guidelines, 15.12 percent of HAs and 16.19 percent of related medical expenses for MDs are respectively attributable to PM2.5. |
| Keywords: | attributable risk, economic cost, hospital admissions, mental disorders, PM2.5 |
| JEL: | Q51 Q53 I24 I31 G11 J24 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12986&r=all |
| By: | Mendez, Alvaro; Houghton, David Patrick |
| Abstract: | This article explores the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in originating norms of sustainable banking that have attracted and supported green private finance, a role not widely known in the management literature. Any prospect of achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 presupposes mobilizing the estimated US$23.3 trillion currently locked‐up in risk‐averse private savings to bridge the gap between developing countries’ demand for capital and the current global financial architecture’s capacity to supply it. The three biggest obstacles to sustainable banking identified by the authors are discussed: (1) The uncertain bankability of projects; (2) non‐transparency in tracking sustainable capital flows; and (3) no universal mechanism capable of making matches between green investment supply and demand; and what MDBs have actually done to overcome these roadblocks, and might do in future, is also discussed. Seen through the lens of “applied constructivism”, MDBs are revealed to be norm entrepreneurs proactive since at least the 1970s in socially constructing most of the basic norms and practices of sustainable banking which the private sector relies on or is now striving to take up. MDBs are typically the first “port of call” for international governmental organizations (IGOs) and civil society organizations wishing to establish a sustainable financial framework for development; and are the likeliest political agents to pioneer sustainable banking in future. MDBs would do well to develop an awareness of the methods of Constructivism, which they have actually been unwittingly using, to empower themselves to meet the challenges of the 21st century |
| Keywords: | sustainable banking; multilateral development banks (MDBs); norm entrepreneurs; constructivism; sustainable development goals; international development; commercial banks |
| JEL: | F3 G3 |
| Date: | 2020–01–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:103227&r=all |
| By: | Woodhill, Jim |
| Abstract: | Rising populations, rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion and economic growth are projected to significantly increase the demand for water, energy and food in South Asia over the next two decades. Energy demand alone is projected to more than double by 2040. Water availability per capita is expected to continue its long-term decline, particularly in Pakistan and parts of India where, within 20 years, it could reach crisis levels in some subregions. Arable land per capita will also continue to shrink and increases in food supply will need to come from intensified agricultural production systems and/or increased food imports. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these emerging issues of resource scarcity. Rising temperatures, changes to water resource availability – resulting from melting glaciers and changed precipitation regimes – and increases in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events (droughts, floods and heat waves) are all projected to adversely impact on economic activity, especially in the agriculture and energy sectors. Maintaining water, energy and food security will be a significant challenge for South Asian countries. Competition for land and water resources is set to intensify, driven by increased demand from agriculture, the energy sector and industry. Emerging resource constraints may involve difficult resource allocation trade-off decisions across sectors. Balancing the competing demands will be essential to sustaining future economic growth, poverty alleviation (especially achieving Sustainable Development Goals) and in maintaining national and regional political security. The extent to which South Asian countries can effectively manage these emerging issues will largely determine the region’s future economic development trajectory. Adopting a more integrated ‘nexus’-based approach to natural resource management and development planning offers much potential for improved water, energy and food (WEF) security and enhanced climate change resilience. Australia, through the Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio (SDIP), is supporting countries to better manage these emerging WEF security constraints, through targeted aid program investments and public/economic diplomacy. This paper highlights some of the innovative approaches that have been supported through SDIP and how they are contributing to improved development outcomes in the agriculture and energy sectors in South Asia. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2019–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp19:301978&r=all |
| By: | Dasgupta,Susmita; Guha,Bansari; Wheeler,David |
| Abstract: | Research on the determinants of collective action in the commons generally focuses on interest-group heterogeneity, implicitly assuming that groups perceive the same problems but have different priorities. This paper changes the focus to the role played by perceptions themselves. Within localities, collective action may be easier if elite and non-elite households have similar perceptions of environmental problems. Regionally, collective action may be aided by common perceptions among local elites who communicate across village lines. This paper uses regression analysis to explore variations in environmental perceptions across classes and localities, using new survey data from the Indian Sundarbans. The paper finds that perceptions vary significantly across localities. Within localities, perceptions among elite households vary significantly more than perceptions among non-elite households. The results therefore favor locally-oriented collective action in the region, along with local governance that promotes non-elite participation. |
| Keywords: | Global Environment,Educational Sciences,Hydrology,Environmental Strategy,Environmental Management,Environmental Governance,Brown Issues and Health,Pollution Management&Control |
| Date: | 2019–06–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8917&r=all |
| By: | Mathur, Ajay |
| Abstract: | Water availability, at the right time and in appropriate quantity is at the heart of agricultural practices worldwide; and the availability of water is largely dependent on the use of energy to pump it. Energy use also drives many other farm operations – tilling, sowing, harvesting and the manufacture of chemical fertilisers. We have, over the years, tended to overuse both water and energy in agricultural operations; practices that are now at odds with the challenges due to the emerging changes in hydrology and the increasing global concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs). It has been argued that water-use efficiency and energy efficiency in agriculture are self-regulating phenomena, largely driven by water and energy prices. This is only partially correct now. Climate change requires us to effectively decarbonise our economies by the third quarter of this century. This implies that agricultural operations will need to become fossil-fuel free in the next two decades. We believe that this requires three parallel interventions: (i) enhance water-use efficiency and energy-use efficiency in agricultural operations; (ii) convert agricultural operations to use electricity instead of fossil fuels; and (iii) decarbonise the electricity supply by converting to renewable sources, instead of fossil fuels, as energy sources for electricity generation. All the three interventions require policies, incentives, and regulations for their initial acceptance, commercial model development, and large-scale replication. However, the first two interventions require actions mainly by farmer-entrepreneurs, while the third intervention requires action both by the farmer-entrepreneurs (through generating their own solar electricity) as well as by electricity generation companies. What would these interventions look like? An example that covers all the three interventions is the promotion of energy-efficient solar pumps for irrigation accompanied by micro-irrigation facilities, with the excess electricity being bought by the electricity distribution company. The micro-irrigation facilities and the energy-efficient pump reduce the requirement for water pumping, and consequently the electricity needed to pump it, thus reducing the cost of the expensive solar panels. At the same time, the purchase, by others, of the excess electricity provides a revenue stream for farmer-entrepreneurs, which enables them to invest in the solar panels, energy-efficient pump and micro-irrigation facilities, as well as minimise fertiliser and water use. Another example is the promotion of energy-efficient electric tillers, harvesters and other farm equipment. These avoid greenhouse gas emissions, at the user level, and provide the potential to contribute to zero-GHG agriculture with the decarbonisation of the electricity grid. Energy-efficient solar pumps with micro-irrigation facilities are already less expensive, on a lifetime cost basis, as compared to flood irrigation by inefficient diesel or electric pumps. Similarly, electric machinery is cheaper than diesel-run machinery, though the capital cost is higher for electricitydriven machinery, such as electric tractors which require onboard storage of electricity in batteries. The major challenge that these interventions face is the creation of demand for the zero-GHG energy-efficient options (so that economies of scale can drive down prices); and the availability of capital (loans) for farmer-entrepreneurs to invest in these options. These are challenges that have been successfully overcome in the past – in enabling the Green Revolution, and more recently in building the market demand for energy-efficient refrigerators and air conditioners, buildings, etc. Drops for crops are essential; energy efficiency provides us with the entry point to enable a perfect storm for change – which addresses the wellbeing of the farmer-entrepreneurs and local water availability, as well as global climate concerns. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2019–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp19:301977&r=all |
| By: | Yang, Yuting |
| Abstract: | Electricity interconnection has been recognized as a way to mitigate carbon emissions by dispatching more efficient electricity production and accommodating the growing share of renewables. I analyze the impact of electricity interconnection in the presence of intermittent renewables, such as wind and solar power, on renewable capacity and carbon emissions using a two-country model. I find that in the first-best, interconnection decreases investments in renewable capacity and exacerbates carbon emissions if the social cost of carbon (SCC) is low. Conversely, interconnection increases renewable capacity and reduces carbon emissions for a high SCC. Moreover, the intermittency of renewables generates an insurance gain from interconnection, which also implies that some renewable capacity is optimally curtailed in some states of nature when the SCC is high. The curtailment rate and the corresponding carbon emissions increase for more positively correlated intermittency. I calibrate the model using data from the European Union electricity market and simulate the outcome of expanding interconnection between Germany-Poland and France-Spain. I find that given the current level of SCC, the interconnection may increase carbon emissions. The net benefit of interconnection is positive, with uneven distribution across countries . |
| JEL: | D24 D61 F18 F61 Q27 Q48 Q54 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:124097&r=all |
| By: | Maruyama Rentschler,Jun Erik; Braese,Johannes Michael; Jones,Nicholas K.W.; Avner,Paolo |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the degree to which infrastructure reliability and urban economic activity in several African cities is impacted by flooding. It combines firm-level micro data, flood maps, and several spatial data layers across cities through a harmonized geospatial network analysis. The analysis shows that a significant share of jobs in cities is directly affected by floods. It further details how transport infrastructure is subjected to significant flood risk that disproportionally affects main roads in many cities. While direct flood effects are revealed to be significant, this work further shows how knock-on implications for the entire urban economy might be even larger. Regardless of the direct flood exposure of firms, flooded transport networks mean that disruptions propagate across the city and drastically reduce the connectivity between firms. Access to hospitals is also found to be reduced significantly -- even during relatively light flooding events: From a third of locations in Kampala, floods mean that people would no longer be able to reach hospitals within the"golden hour"-- a rule of thumb referring to the window of time that maximizes the likelihood of survival after a severe medical incident. Overall, this study showcases the use of high-detail city-level analyses to better understand the localized impacts of natural hazards on urban infrastructure networks. |
| Keywords: | Natural Disasters,Transport Services,Labor Markets,Hydrology,Energy Policies&Economics |
| Date: | 2019–06–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8898&r=all |
| By: | Bassino, Jean-Pascal; Lagoarde-Segot, Thomas; Woitek, Ulrich |
| Abstract: | This paper presents evidence of the irreversible consequences of exogenous climatic shocks and economic fluctuations on human welfare. We rely on a unique data set covering the period from 1872 to 1917, corresponding to the early phase of Japanese industrialization. This data includes prefecture level average temperature, precipitation, agricultural prices, and the number of individuals by interval of height recorded in conscription reports, as well as nationwide indices of fluctuation in economic activities. We estimate the impact of yearly and monthly regional climate anomalies and yearly nationwide business cycle reversals on the average height of Japanese conscripts and its dispersion. |
| Keywords: | Business cycles, climate shocks, human stature, height cycles, Japan |
| JEL: | E32 I15 N15 N95 Q54 |
| Date: | 2020–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hit:hituec:704&r=all |
| By: | Godfray, Charles |
| Abstract: | It is now over 200 years since Malthus pessimistically predicted demand for food would inevitably outpace our capacity to produce it. Over these two centuries the goal of feeding the world sustainably has seemed elusive and even receding as we understand the threats posed by global warming and other types of environmental challenge that John Beddington so memorably called the ‘Perfect Storm’. But there are grounds for hope. Population growth rates are decelerating as more countries go through the demographic transition. We can now imagine a future where humanity’s demands of the Earth plateau or even decrease. But at that plateau there will be billions more people needing to be fed than exist today. This talk argues that it is possible to feed this number of people without despoiling the environment, but only if we make hard decisions today. We require a new revolution in agriculture, of the same magnitude as the Industrial and Green Revolutions, that not only boosts productivity but also radically improves resource-use efficiency and sustainability. We need to reduce waste across the food system. We need to make hard decisions about diets and consumption patterns. And we need to accept globalisation and refashion a globalised food system that provides public as well as private benefits. These ambitious goals are attainable – it’s ‘game on’ – but only if we understand the risks and the challenges and build the political will to act. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty |
| Date: | 2019–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp19:301971&r=all |
| By: | Simone Bertolia; Frédéric Docquier; Hillel Rapoport; Ilse Ruyssen |
| Abstract: | We use a multilevel approach to characterize the relationship between weather shocks and (internal and international) migration intentions. We combine individual survey data on migration intentions with measures of localized weather shocks for Western African countries over 2008-2016. A meta-analysis on results from about 310,000 regressions is conducted to identify the specification of weather anoma-lies that maximizes the goodness of fit of our empirical model. We then use this best specification to document heterogeneous mobility responses to weather shocks, which can be due to differences in long-term climatic conditions, migration percep- tions, or adaptation capabilities. We find that droughts are associated with a higher probability of migration intentions in Senegal, Niger and Ivory Coast. The effect on international migration intentions are only significant in Niger. These effects are amplified, but qualitatively similar, when restricting the sample to rural low-skilled respondents. |
| Keywords: | International Migration;Migration intentions;Individual-level Data;Weather Shocks;Western Africa |
| JEL: | F22 J61 O13 O15 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cii:cepidt:2020-02&r=all |
| By: | Isabel Hovdahl |
| Abstract: | While economists have focused on the e?ect of mean temperatures on mortality, climate scientists have emphasized that global warming might not only lead to an increase in mean temperatures, but can potentially also a?ect temperature variability. This is the ?rst paper to estimate the causal e?ect of temperature variability on mortality. Using monthly state level data for the US in the period 1969-2004, I o?er three main results: (1) Increased monthly temperature variability causes increased mortality, (2) omitting the e?ect of temperature variability on mortality can severely bias our predictions on the number of temperature-induced fatalities caused by global warming, and (3) adaptation to increased temperature variability is more di?cult than adaptation to increased mean temperatures. |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bny:wpaper:0084&r=all |
| By: | Taran Faehn; Gabriel Bachner; Robert Beach; Jean Chateau; Shinichiro Fujimori; Madanmohan Ghosh; Meriem Hamdi-Cherif; Elisa Lanzi; Sergey Paltsev; Toon Vandyck; Bruno Cunha; Rafael Garaffa; Karl Steininger |
| Abstract: | Limiting global warming in line with the goals in the Paris Agreement will require substantial technological and behavioural transformations. This challenge drives many of the current modelling trends. This paper undertakes a review of 17 state-of-the-art recursive-dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) models and assesses the key methodologies and applied modules they use for representing sectoral energy and emission characteristics and dynamics. The purpose is to provide technical insight into recent advances in the modelling of current and future energy and abatement technologies and how they can be used to make baseline projections and scenarios 20-80 years ahead. In order to represent likely energy system transitions in the decades to come, modern CGE tools have learned from bottom-up studies. We distinguish between three different approaches to baseline quantification: (a) exploiting bottom-up model characteristics to endogenize responses of technology investment and utilization, (b) relying on external information sources to feed the exogenous parameters and variables of the model, and (c) linking the model with more technology-rich, partial models to obtain bottom-up- and pathway-consistent parameters. |
| Keywords: | computable general equilibrium models, long-term economic projections, energy, technology change, emissions, greenhouse gases |
| JEL: | C68 O13 O14 O18 Q43 Q54 |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_8072&r=all |
| By: | Telaye,Andualem; Benitez,Pablo; Tamru,Seneshaw; Medhin,Haileselassie Amaha; Toman,Michael A. |
| Abstract: | This study uses a computable general equilibrium model to analyze various policy scenarios for a carbon tax on greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum fuels and kerosene in Ethiopia. The carbon tax starts at $5 per ton of carbon dioxide in 2018 and rises to $30 per ton in 2030. Different scenarios examine the impacts with revenue recycling through a uniform sales tax reduction, reduction of labor income tax, reduction of business income tax, direct transfer back to households, and use by the government to reduce debt. Because petroleum fuels and kerosene are a relatively small part of the Ethiopian economy, the carbon tax has quite small impacts on overall economic activity while having a notable proportionate impact on greenhouse gas emissions from these energy sources, depending on the recycling scenario. The carbon tax can raise significant revenue -- up to $800 million per year by 2030. The impacts on the poor through increased cost of living are not that large, since the share of the poor in total use of petroleum fuels and kerosene is small. In terms of income effects through employment changes, urban households tend to experience more impacts than rural households, but the results also depend on the household skill level and the revenue recycling scenario. |
| Date: | 2019–05–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8860&r=all |
| By: | Pang,Jun; Timilsina,Govinda R. |
| Abstract: | This study analyzes the potential impacts of a national emission trading scheme on provincial economies in China of meeting China's emission reduction pledges, the Nationally Determined Contributions announced under the Paris Agreement. The study developed a multiregional, multisectoral, recursive-dynamic computable general equilibrium model and calibrated it with the latest provincial-level social accounting matrices (2012). The study shows that meeting China's Nationally Determined Contributions through an emission trading scheme would reduce almost 30 percent of the emission reduction from the business as usual scenario in 2030. If the baseline is corrected based on information from a bottom-up energy sector model, TIMES, the required reduction of emissions from the baseline in 2030 drops by half, to 15 percent. At the national level, the emission trading scheme would cause a 1.2 to 1.5 percent reduction in gross domestic product from the business as usual scenario in 2030. If the baseline is corrected, the impact on gross domestic product drops by two-thirds. The emission trading scheme would cause some provincial economies to gain and others to lose. The economic impacts are highly sensitive to the allowance allocation rules. Not only the magnitudes, but also the directions of the economic impacts alter when the allocation rules change. The provinces that rely on coal mining or coal-intensive manufacturing industries are found to experience relatively larger economic losses irrespective of the allowance allocation rules. |
| Keywords: | Energy and Environment,Energy Demand,Energy and Mining,Oil Refining&Gas Industry,Public Sector Administrative&Civil Service Reform,Public Sector Administrative and Civil Service Reform,De Facto Governments,Democratic Government,Energy Policies&Economics,Employment and Shared Growth |
| Date: | 2019–06–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8909&r=all |
| By: | Cai,Yongyang; Steinbuks,Jevgenijs; Judd,Kenneth L.; Jaegermeyr,Jonas; Hertel,Thomas W. |
| Abstract: | The productivity of the world's natural resources is critically dependent on a variety of highly uncertain factors, which obscure individual investors and governments that seek to make long-term, sometimes irreversible investments in their exploration and utilization. These dynamic considerations are poorly represented in disaggregated resource models, as incorporating uncertainty into large-dimensional problems presents a challenging computational task. This study introduces a novel numerical method to solve large-scale dynamic stochastic natural resource allocation problems that cannot be addressed by conventional methods. The method is illustrated with an application focusing on the allocation of global land resource use under stochastic crop yields due to adverse climate impacts and limits on further technological progress. For the same model parameters, the range of land conversion is considerably smaller for the dynamic stochastic model as compared to deterministic scenario analysis. The scenario analysis can thus significantly overstate the magnitude of expected land conversion under uncertain crop yields. |
| Date: | 2020–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:9159&r=all |
| By: | Maruyama Rentschler,Jun Erik; Obolensky,Marguerite Anne Beatrice; Kornejew,Martin Gunter Michail |
| Abstract: | This study finds that natural shocks -- storms in particular -- are a significant and often leading cause for power supply disruptions. This finding is based on 20 years of high frequency (i.e. daily) data on power outages and climate variables in 28 countries -- Bangladesh, the United States and 26 European countries. More specifically: (1) Natural shocks are the most important cause of power outages in developed economies. On average, they account for more than 50 of annual outage duration in both the US and Europe. In contrast, natural shocks are responsible for a small share of outages in Bangladesh, where disruptions occur on a daily basis for a variety of reasons. (2) Outages due to natural shocks are found to last significantly longer than those due to non-natural shocks in -- e.g. more than 4.5 times in Europe. Reasons include the challenge of locating wide-spread damages, and the sustained duration of storms. (3) Several factors can reinforce the adverse effect of natural shocks on power supply. In the US, forest cover is shown to significantly increase the risk of power outages when storms occur. (4) There are significant differences in network fragility. For instance, wind speeds above 35 km/h are found to be 12 times more likely to cause an outage in Bangladesh than in the US. This difference may be explained by a range of factors, including investments in infrastructure resilience and maintenance. |
| Keywords: | Energy Policies&Economics,Energy and Environment,Energy Demand,Energy and Mining,Electric Power,ICT Policy and Strategies,Power&Energy Conversion |
| Date: | 2019–06–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8897&r=all |
| By: | Ragasa, Catherine |
| Abstract: | The lead farmer (LF) approach has been implemented and heavily promoted nationwide in Malawi since 2009 to support government extension workers and accelerate technology dissemination. Earlier reports have shown that donor-funded projects in Malawi widely adopted the LF approach, indicating positive roles and contributions of LFs. However, national data show persistently low rates of adoption of management practices being promoted by the LFs, prompting this study to look closely at the nationwide implementation and effectiveness of the LF approach. Specifically, we model the effects of farmers’ interaction with and exposure to LFs and farmers’ access to LFs’ advice on farmers’ awareness of and adoption of several promoted technologies and management practices. We use data from 531 randomly selected LFs linked to panel data from 2,800 farming households and, using correlated random effects, model the effectiveness of the LF approach on technology awareness and adoption. This is complemented by 55 focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with agricultural extension development officers (AEDOs) and service providers. Our results point to two major conclusions. First, LFs support and assist AEDOs in their work, especially in organizing community meetings and farm demonstrations, and are also an important bridge between farmers and AEDOs. But LFs complement AEDOs’ work rather than substitute for it. In communities without strong AEDOs and community leaders to work with and monitor them, LFs were not active or performed at a substandard level. Second, results show limited coverage and weak implementation and effectiveness of the LF approach at the national level. Only 13 percent of farmers reported receiving agricultural advice from an LF in the last two years, and only 20 percent reported having interacted with an LF. Our econometric models also consistently show neither the farmers’ exposure or interaction with LFs nor farmers’ access to LFs’ advice had an effect on awareness of and adoption of the major agricultural management practices being promoted. When heterogeneity and types of LFs are unpacked, results show that quality of LFs, adoption behavior of LFs, and regular training of LFs have strong and consistent effect on the awareness and adoption of most agricultural practices promoted. |
| Keywords: | MALAWI, SOUTHERN AFRICA, AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA, AFRICA, agricultural extension, conservation agriculture, sustainable land management, skill training, extension services, lead farmers, effectiveness analysis, technology dissemination, agricultural extension development officers, |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1848&r=all |
| By: | Ali,Daniel Ayalew; Deininger,Klaus W.; Hilhorst,Dorothea Huberta Maria; Kakungu,Frank; Yi,Yuanyuan |
| Abstract: | Adding a module designed to measure land tenure-related Sustainable Development Goals indicators to the 2018 round of Zambia's labor force survey shows low transferability and high levels of tenure insecurity. Having a title is associated with greater transferability and reduced insecurity. Although demand for titles, including willingness to pay, is high, current policies limit the scope for tenure regularization and reinforce rather than reduce gender discrimination. Efforts in this direction need to be preceded by (i) procedural reform to reduce costs, streamline procedures, and make them gender-sensitive; (ii) institutional change to increase the efficiency of service delivery and ensure record maintenance; and (iii) legal change to recognize customary tenure and improve land management and transferability. Adding the Sustainable Development Goals land tenure module to ongoing surveys has the potential to provide the evidence base needed to design results-based approaches for the land sector and reliably track progress. |
| Keywords: | Gender and Development,Legal Reform,Legislation,Regulatory Regimes,Social Policy,Common Property Resource Development,Legal Products,Judicial System Reform,Food Security,Agricultural Economics |
| Date: | 2019–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8912&r=all |
| By: | Anna Gloria Bill\`e; Marco Rogna |
| Abstract: | Given the extreme dependence of agriculture on weather conditions, this paper analyses the effect of climatic variations on this economic sector, by considering both a huge dataset and a flexible spatio-temporal model specification. In particular, we study the response of N-fertilizer application to abnormal weather conditions, while accounting for GDP as a control variable. The dataset consists of gridded data spanning over 21 years (1993--2013), while the methodological strategy makes use of a spatial dynamic panel data (SDPD) model that accounts for both space and time fixed effects, besides dealing with both space and time dependences. Time-invariant short and long term effects, as well as time-varying marginal effects are also properly defined, revealing interesting results on the impact of both GDP and weather conditions on fertilizer utilizations. The analysis considers four macro-regions - Europe, South America, South-East Asia and Africa - to allow for comparisons among different socio-economic societies. In addition to finding a good support for the existence of an environmental Kuznets curve for fertilizer application, it shows peculiar responses of N-fertilization to deviations from normal conditions of moisture for each selected region, calling for ad hoc policy interventions. |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2002.03922&r=all |
| By: | Skoufias,Emmanuel; Kawasoe,Yasuhiro; Strobl,Eric; Acosta,Pablo Ariel |
| Abstract: | This paper builds on the existing literature assessing retrospectively the quantitative effects of natural disasters on different dimensions of household welfare, to make progress toward the ex ante identification of households that are vulnerable to poverty due to natural disasters, especially typhoons. A wind field model for the Philippines is employed to estimate local wind speeds at any locality where a tropical typhoon directly passes over or nearby. The estimated wind speeds are merged with the household Family Income and Expenditure Surveys at the barangay level, and consumption expenditures are then regressed against wind speed (or a related damage index) and household socioeconomic characteristics. The estimated coefficients from the regression model are then used to estimate ex ante household vulnerability to poverty (the likelihood that household consumption falls below the poverty line) in the event of future natural disasters of different intensities. |
| Keywords: | Inequality,Natural Disasters,Educational Sciences,Hydrology,Social Protections&Assistance |
| Date: | 2019–05–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8857&r=all |
| By: | Zhang, Wei; Walker, Dominic; Hernandez, Carlos Calvo; Elias, Marlène; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth Suseela; Nkonya, Ephraim M. |
| Abstract: | Healthy soils play a critical role in supporting agricultural productivity, climate change mitigation and resilience, and a range of ecosystem services. Degraded and poorly responsive soils cover large areas of Africa and represent the majority of poor farmers’ fields in certain regions. While there are hundreds of technical options for improving the sustainability of land management and preventing or reversing degradation, there are many sociocultural, institutional, economic, and policy barriers hindering their adoption at large scale. At the same time, there is an emerging consensus within the international development community that gender equality and women’s empowerment are both an end in themselves and an important means for achieving a range of economic and social development objectives such as improved food security, child nutrition and education, and women’s health. Yet, gender inequality remains a wicked problem, whose deep-seated socio-economic and ideological causes are difficult to recognize and address, and which require context- and culture-specific understandings and approaches, involving multiple stakeholders with different and sometimes conflicting interests and different positions within power hierarchies. There is an urgent need to make more rapid progress on restoring and sustaining soil productivity and ecosystem functions and also to leverage soil health management for progress on gender equality. While there are important interconnections between soil health and gender equality and empowerment, these are seldom recognized, and have not been addressed in a coherent or concerted manner. In this study, we have reviewed relevant gender literature and proposed a conceptual framework to help illuminate important gender considerations for soil health and land management. These considerations are essential for identifying gender-based constraints, opportunities, and unintended consequences in promoting soil management technologies. Moreover, the application of the framework can help guide in priority setting with respect to where gender-responsive interventions are essential. We make several recommendations for setting priorities for gender-soil health research. |
| Keywords: | gender equality, suistanable land management, agricultural productivity, agriculture, gender, soil, empowerment, soil properties, women, soil health, |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1822&r=all |
| By: | Thanh-Tung Nguyen; Trung Thanh Nguyen; Ulrike Grote |
| Abstract: | Enhancement of rice production efficiency in developing countries is important to improve the livelihoods of farmers and to ensure global food security for a growing population. Despite significant progress in recent decades, rice production in these countries is facing multiple challenges from climate change, land degradation, to the increasing competition for land and labour from urbanization and industrialization. Given that rice farmers in Vietnam often suffer from extreme weather events and lack of access to credit, our study aims to (i) investigate the impact of weather shocks and credit on the rice production efficiency, and to (ii) examine the role of credit in mitigating the impact of weather shocks. We find that weather shocks, land fragmentation and the migration of household members are the major sources of inefficiency. Meanwhile, livestock, farm mechanization and education level are positive factors for rice production efficiency. In addition, our results show that access to credit plays a significant role in mitigating the negative impact of weather shocks. Our studies call for more assistance and support to farmers in mitigating the severe effect of weather shocks, in particular, via the promotion of credit market. In addition, the encouragement of farm mechanization, land defragmentation, livestock farming and the improvement of rural education should be given a high priority to improve the rice production efficiency. |
| Keywords: | Weather shocks, Agricultural production efficiency, Credit |
| JEL: | Q12 Q54 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tvs:wpaper:wp-017&r=all |
| By: | David Martin (Department of Economics, Davidson College) |
| Abstract: | Microeconomic theory is applied to protecting the biodiversity that conservation biologists have identified as important and threatened in several ways, including creating market values for ecosystem services and providing incentives for local people to protect habitats. Yet, economists frequently ignore the power dynamics inherent in the social systems involved with the biodiversity measures they propose and assess, which brings them into conflict with political ecologists. To bridge this gap between economists, political ecologists, and conservation biologists, I discuss how to frame the important introductory microeconomic topics of consumer sovereignty and the equimarginal rule with the additions of the type of power dynamics commonly used by political ecologists. I use the topics of shade grown coffee and the Noah’s Ark framework, both very familiar to conservation biologists, to place this discussion within the context of protecting biodiversity. I conclude that introducing these topics will better serve the biodiversity analysts who take only the economics principles course. |
| Keywords: | Biodiversity protection, consumer sovereignty, equimarginal rule, shade grown coffee, Noah’s Ark |
| JEL: | Q57 A12 A13 |
| Date: | 2020–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dav:wpaper:20-03&r=all |
| By: | Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Joshi, Pramod Kumar |
| Abstract: | The frontiers of technologies have been constantly expanded in many industries around the world, including the agricultural sector. Among many “frontier technologies†in agriculture, are protected agriculture, precision agriculture, and vertical farming, all of which depart substantially from many conventional agricultural production methods. It is not yet clear how these technologies can become adoptable in developing countries, including, for example, South Asian countries like India. This paper briefly reviews the issues associated withthese three types of frontier technologies. We do so by systematically checkingthe academic articleslisted in Google Scholar, which primarily focus on these technologies in developing countries in Asia. Where appropriate, a few widely-cited overview articles for each technology were also reviewed. The findings generally reveal where performances of these technologiescan be raised potentially, based on the general trends in the literature. Where evidence is rich, some generalizable economic insights about these technologies are provided. For protected agriculture, recent research has focusedsignificantly on various features of protective structures (tunnel heights, covering materials, shading structures, frames and sizes) indicating that there are potentials for adaptive research on such structures to raise the productivity of protected agriculture. The research on protected agriculture also focuses on types of climate parameters controlled, andenergy structures, among others. For precision agriculture, recent research has focused on the spatial variability of production environments, development of efficient and suitable data management systems, efficiency of various types of image analyses and optical sensing, efficiency of sensors and related technologies, designs of precision agriculture equipment, optimal inputs and service uses, and their spatial allocations, potentials of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and nano-technologies. For vertical farming, research has often highlighted the variations in technologies based on out-door / indoor systems, ways to improve plants’ access to light (natural or artificial), growing medium and nutrient / water supply, advanced features like electricity generation and integration of production space into an office / residential space, and water treatment. For India, issues listed above may be some of the key areas that the country can draw on from other more advanced countries in Asia, or can focus in its adaptive research to improve the relevance and applicability of these technologies to the country. |
| Keywords: | ASIA, precision agriculture, vertical greening, developing countries, innovation adoption, protected agriculture, vertical farming, agricultural technology adoption, |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1814&r=all |
| By: | Luis Antonio Espinosa; Juan José Li Ng |
| Abstract: | An analysis of economic variables and through Big Data is made to quantify the effects of sargassum in the tourist activity of Quintana Roo in 2019. The results do not find solid evidence in this regard, either because it was not a relevant factor or by the success of mitigation actions. An analysis of economic variables and through Big Data is made to quantify the effects of sargassum in the tourist activity of Quintana Roo in 2019. The results do not find solid evidence in this regard, either because it was not a relevant factor or by the success of mitigation actions. |
| Keywords: | Tourism, Turismo, Economic policies, Políticas económicas, Environmental phenomena, Fenómenos medioambientales, Big Data, Big Data, Mexico, México, Latin America, Latam, Analysis with Big Data, Análisis con Big Data, Regional Analysis Mexico, Análisis Regional México, Sustainable Development, Desarrollo Sostenible, Working Papers, Documento de Trabajo |
| JEL: | C55 L83 Q51 H50 Z38 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bbv:wpaper:2002&r=all |
| By: | Joseph,George; Alam,Bushra Binte; Shrestha,Anne; Islam,Khairul; Lahiri,Santanu; Ayling,Sophie Charlotte Emi |
| Abstract: | Adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care facilities plays a critical role in ensuring improved health care utilization and reducing disease burden due to reinfection. WASH in health facilities is now gaining momentum with the new SDG targets that governments have vowed to meet. This goal callsfor a baseline examination of existing WASH conditions in health facilities. Using data collected through a census of all community health clinics in Bangladesh, this paper presents an analysis of the state of WASH in Bangladesh's rural, public health facilities highlighting that the lack of functionality of WASH facilities is a widespread problem across the country. The paper also identifies priority areas for action when considering the prevalence of poverty and chronic undernutrition at the upazilla level. |
| Keywords: | Hydrology,Health Care Services Industry,Inequality,Town Water Supply and Sanitation,Water Supply and Sanitation Economics,Sanitation and Sewerage,Engineering,Sanitary Environmental Engineering,Water and Human Health,Health and Sanitation,Environmental Engineering,Small Private Water Supply Providers,Early Child and Children's Health,Nutrition,Reproductive Health |
| Date: | 2019–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8924&r=all |
| By: | Khumalo, Temndeni Amnestantia |
| Keywords: | Farm Management |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cmpart:302067&r=all |
| By: | Hlanze, Mbali Phile |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2018–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cmpart:302076&r=all |
| By: | Anja Baum |
| Abstract: | Despite starting as one of the poorest countries in the mid-1980s, Vietnam has achieved rapid developmental progress, reaching lower middle-income status in 2010. In line with rapid economic growth, Vietnam has achieved impressive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this time. This paper sheds light on some elements of Vietnam’s success story, highlighting crucial policies in education and electricity sectors. It undertakes a forward-looking costing exercise that focusses on five sectors – education, health, roads, water, and electricity infrastructure. Achieving the remaining SDGs in Vietnam will be a challenge, with total annual additional spending needs in the 5 subsectors estimated at 7 percent of GDP by 2030. |
| Date: | 2020–02–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:20/31&r=all |
| By: | Audrey Berry (Cired); Eloi Laurent (OFCE-Sciences Po Paris & Stanford University) |
| Abstract: | La perspective d’une reprise de la hausse de la fiscalité carbone française, suspendue en décembre 2018, s’est précisée à l’occasion du « grand débat national » et plusieurs propositions d’amélioration du dispositif existant ont été avancées dans le débat public, visant en particulier sa dimension sociale. Nous proposons à notre tour dans cet article une nouvelle fiscalité carbone, dénommée « contribution climat anti-pauvreté énergétique », que nous inscrivons dans son cadre écologique, social, juridique et politique. Nous commençons par formuler, à la lumière des trois échecs successifs de 2001, 2010 et 2018, quatre critères de réussite d’une fiscalité carbone : son efficacité écologique, sa justice sociale, sa conformité juridique et enfin son acceptabilité politique. Nous détaillons ensuite pour chaque critère les modalités que nous envisageons afin d’assurer la réussite de notre proposition. Répondant notamment aux revendications de justice sociale et d’équité fiscale du mouvement des « gilets jaunes », la fiscalité carbone que nous proposons permettrait à 50% des ménages français de recevoir plus qu’ils ne paient, les recettes additionnelles dégagées permettant de réduire considérablement la précarité énergétique qui touche des millions de Français. |
| Keywords: | Taxe carbone, justice sociale, transition écologique, précarité énergétique |
| JEL: | H23 Q52 Q58 |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fce:doctra:1906&r=all |
| By: | Calderon,Cesar; Castillo Castro,Catalina |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the growth effects of different dimensions of international trade integration -- notably, volume, diversification, and natural resource dependence -- in Sub-Saharan Africa. First, the paper documents the recent trends in these foreign trade dimensions for the region and the traditional sources of growth. Second, it empirically estimates the impact of trade integration on growth per worker and the sources of growth; that is, growth of capital per worker and total factor productivity growth. To accomplish this task, the analysis uses a sample of non-overlapping five-year period observations for 173 countries from 1975 to 2014. The econometric evidence shows that increased trade openness, greater export production diversification, and reduced export dependence from natural resources will have a positive causal impact on economic growth. These effects will be mainly transmitted through faster capital accumulation or enhanced total factor productivity growth. Finally, the paper finds that, despite the progress exhibited in trade openness and diversification over the past decade, there are still potential benefits that can be accrued if countries were to deepen their integration to world trade. |
| Keywords: | International Trade and Trade Rules,Global Environment,Energy and Natural Resources,Coastal and Marine Resources,Trade and Services,Economic Theory&Research,Economic Growth,Industrial Economics |
| Date: | 2019–05–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8859&r=all |
| By: | Blum, Bianca |
| Abstract: | Die Erhöhung der Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt.) auf Fleisch und tierische Produkte wird seit einiger Zeit als mögliches Instrument diskutiert, um den Fleischkonsum auf ein umweltfreundliches Niveau zu senken und gleichzeitig den Tierwohlaspekte zu begünstigen. In diesem Zusammenhang muss jedoch kritisch hinterfragt werden, ob eine Anpassung der Mehrwertsteuer ein geeignetes, politisches Instrument darstellt, um einen geringeren Fleischkonsum, nachhaltigere Produktionsmechanismen und mehr Tierschutz als politisches Ziel zu fördern. In diesem Papier wird die Möglichkeit diskutiert, den Konsum von höherwertigen Produkten, wie z.B. ökologisch erzeugtem Fleisch, durch eine Erhöhung der Mengensteuer zu fördern und gleichzeitig einen marktbasierten, fiskalpolitischen Ansatz dabei zu verfolgen. Die Idee des Qualitätssprungs geht auf Alchian-Allen (1964) zurück und wurde von Barzel (1976) um das Argument der steuerlichen Effekte erweitert. Das Papier kann zeigen, dass eine Mengensteuer ein besseres Instrument zur Verfolgung der politischen Ziele beim Fleischkonsum darstellt als eine Erhöhung der Mehrwertsteuer. Implementierungsideen und politische Implikationen werden am Ende des Papiers diskutiert. |
| Keywords: | quality switch,unit taxation,equilibrium model,consumption sustainability,meat taxation,environmental policy,policy recommendation |
| JEL: | D78 Q18 Q58 |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cenwps:012020&r=all |
| By: | Lehberger, Mira; Gruener, Sven |
| Abstract: | We investigate consumers’ willingness to pay for plants protected by biological insects and those protected by pesticides, respectively, as well as the influence of message framing on willingness to pay. We use basil, heather, and orchids as experimental objects and find evidence from two experiments that consumers prefer plants protected by biological insects. Moreover, we find that message framing affects consumers’ willingness to pay, where gain framing produces greater overall willingness to pay. To check for the robustness of our results, we implemented instruments to mitigate concerns for social desirability and hypothetical bias, finding that our results are robust in terms of our key findings. This is the first comprehensive experimental study specifically on consumer’s willingness to pay for plants protected by beneficial insects. Our findings are also valuable for practitioners, as the use of biological insects in under-glass production systems is already common. Following our results, this information could be successfully used for marketing purposes. |
| Date: | 2020–02–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:5zc62&r=all |
| By: | Arezki,Rabah |
| Abstract: | The paper deals with the economics of sustainability associated with the transformation of energy markets. It emphasizes the interrelations between technical changes and energy markets and how in turn the resulting transformations alter the sustainability of economic systems that are dependent on these markets. It also explores how innovation (or the lack thereof) is intimately linked to the ability of energy rich economies to adapt and transform. The agenda is especially relevant for oil rich countries that have announced or already put in place policies to help transform their economies and move away from dependence on oil. The agenda is also relevant for the global community, as it relates to the economic consequences of the needed transformation of energy markets to support the goal of limiting global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Keywords: | Energy and Mining,Energy Demand,Energy and Environment,Public Sector Administrative and Civil Service Reform,State Owned Enterprise Reform,Public Sector Administrative&Civil Service Reform,Economics and Finance of Public Institution Development,Democratic Government,De Facto Governments,Climate Change and Health,Climate Change and Environment,Science of Climate Change,Legal Products,Common Property Resource Development,Regulatory Regimes,Legal Reform,Judicial System Reform,Legislation,Real&Intellectual Property Law,Intellectual Property Rights,Social Policy,Oil Refining&Gas Industry |
| Date: | 2019–05–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8858&r=all |
| By: | Kennett, Jonathon; Westbrooke, Victoria |
| Abstract: | Full season, once a day (OAD) milking systems have increased in popularity. A high proportion of farmers in Northland (24%) use the system. This study investigated the reasons behind this level of adoption. Four OAD case study farmers were interviewed followed by a thematic data analysis. Farmers reported an OAD system was more resilient to climatic and topographical challenges. This was reflected in higher herd reproductive rates overall, with a 6- week in-calf rate of 84% compared to the Northland average of 63%. Milk production overall was lower (7%) than the Northland average. However, time milking decreased, and flexibility in time management increased. OAD milking could be used to adapt dairy farming to challenging climatic conditions. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management |
| Date: | 2019–08–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar19:302419&r=all |
| By: | Grilli, Gianluca; Curtis, John |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp645&r=all |
| By: | von Graevenitz, Kathrine; Rottner, Elisa |
| Abstract: | The manufacturing sector accounts for a substantial share of German GDP, employment and carbon emissions. Therefore, the manufacturing sector's energy use and carbon emissions are of crucial importance for reaching Germany's climate goals. In this paper, we analyse energy use patterns in German manufacturing between 2003 and 2014, using rich administrative micro-data. We find that although the manufacturing sector has been faced with rising energy costs as a share of total costs, energy use has not declined except briefly during the economic crisis. We also find that energy intensity in the manufacturing sector has not decreased substantially. In contrast, carbon intensity has fallen slightly between 2003 and 2014. This can be attributed to changes in the fuel mix. |
| Keywords: | Energy use,Fuel mix,Energy intensity,Carbon emissions,Manufacturing |
| JEL: | D22 L60 Q41 |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:20008&r=all |
| By: | Volker, Jamey; Lee, Amy; Fitch, Dillon |
| Abstract: | Local governments have long relied on Level of Service (LOS), a measure of automobile congestion, as the basis for assessing transportation impacts of land use development projects. However, use of the LOS metric creates an incentive for projects that contribute to urban sprawl while penalizing denser development projects that could allow people better accessibility to jobs and services through alternate modes like walking, bicycling, or transit. Starting July 1, 2020, local governments in California are required to use vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rather than LOS to measure land use projects’ transportation impacts. Researchers at UC Davis studied how this change affects the approval process for urban development. Because most agencies have not yet switched to using VMT in their analyses, the researchers looked back at environmental documents for development projects in the City of Los Angeles between 2001 and 2016 and determined whether these projects could have benefited from using a VMT metric instead of LOS for measuring their transportation impacts. Findings are summarized in this policy brief. View the NCST Project Webpage |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Law, CEQA, development, housing, level of service, vehicle miles traveled |
| Date: | 2020–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt9gc99576&r=all |
| By: | Zephaniah, Mayaka Ongaga |
| Keywords: | Farm Management |
| Date: | 2018–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cmpart:302072&r=all |
| By: | Belay, Getachew |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2018–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cmpart:302089&r=all |
| By: | Campi, Mercedes; Dueñas, Marco; Fagiolo, Giorgio |
| Abstract: | Understanding specialization patterns of countries in food production can provide relevant insights for the evaluation and design of policies seeking to achieve food security and sustainability, which are key to reach several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, we use production data from FAO for the period 1993 to 2013 to build bipartite networks of food products and food producing countries. We use methods from complex systems analysis to rank countries according to their capabilities or competitiveness and products according to their sophistication or need of capabilities. Competitiveness is quantified by the fitness of countries, which measures the quality and how diversified are their food production baskets. We observe two well-defined communities of food producing countries, one clustering countries with relatively developed agricultural systems, and theother one grouping only developing countries. We use network statistics on food production and specialization patterns, and we perform an econometric analysis to study whether and how specialization patterns affect food supply, food security, and sustainability of food systems. We show that concentrating agricultural production decreases food supply, food security, and sustainability of food systems. The competitiveness or fitness of countries as well as the coherence of diversification patterns, both increase per capita food supply and food security (SDGs: Targets 2.1 and 2.2) but might have a negative effect on sustainability (SDGs: Target 2.4). This reflects the trade-off between achieving food security while simultaneously improving sustainability, which needs to be considered when developing or implementing policies seeking to reach SDGs. Given that the position of countries in food trade dynamics also affects their decisions in food production specialization, the analysis opens the ground for trade policy considerations (SDGs: Target 2.b). |
| Keywords: | Specialization; Food supply; Food security; Sustainability; Complex networks; Bipartite networks |
| JEL: | Q01 Q18 F63 |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rie:riecdt:30&r=all |
| By: | Perkins, Richard; Clementino, Ester |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2020–01–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:103046&r=all |
| By: | Kinuthia, Catherine Wambui |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management |
| Date: | 2019–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cmpart:302080&r=all |
| By: | Kirchem, Dana; Lynch, Muireann Á.; Bertsch, Valentin; Casey, Eoin |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esr:wpaper:rb202004&r=all |
| By: | Mauch, Michael; Skabardonis, Alexander; McKeever, Benjamin |
| Keywords: | Engineering |
| Date: | 2019–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt6012k149&r=all |
| By: | Bolognesi, Thomas; Turley, Laura; Heikkila, Tanya |
| Abstract: | Cities face the risk of water deficits, and these deficits are likely to be more frequent and severe in the future. This risk comprehends substantial costs and damages that impair water access, biodiversity, public health, education and business. Consequently, comparative research is growing to understand urban water deficit risks and to derive policy lessons that can limits the vulnerability of large population centres. So far, this body of the literature has mostly focused on short term analysis (<10 years) and emphasized particular policy instruments to cope with shocks while neglecting the role of socio-economic context. The socio-economic context of a city includes technology, demography, land use patterns, types of growth which remain underinvestigated in water deficit studies. We intend to fill this gap by questioning how current urban structural characteristics affect future urban water deficits. We built a dataset combines indicators of cities’ centrality and maturity in 2010 with the likelihood and magnitude of cities’ water deficits between 2050 and 2070. The dataset covers 235 of the 595 cities over 750 000 inhabitants in 2010. We show that urban centrality and maturity are negatively associated with future urban deficit as these two characteristics enable cities to attract political, technical, and economic resources to fuel their development. Further, we depict the non-linearities of these relationshisp. Whereas management responses and strategies may impact short-term water deficits in cities, we argue a role for urban structural factors in shaping future water deficits. |
| Date: | 2020–02–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:gxfqh&r=all |
| By: | Peter Zwaneveld (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis); Gerard Verweij (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis) |
| Abstract: | Flood prevention policy is of crucial importance to the Netherlands. We assess economical optimal flood prevention where multiple barrier dams and dikes protect the hinterland against sea level rise and peak river discharges. Current optimal flood prevention methods only consider dike rings with no dependencies between dikes. We propose a graph-based model for a cost-benefit analysis to determine optimal dike heights with multiple dependencies between dikes and barrier dams. Our model provides great flexibility towards the modelling of flood probabilities, damage costs and investments cost. Moreover, our model is easy to implement and can be solved quickly to proven optimality. |
| JEL: | C61 D61 H54 Q54 |
| Date: | 2018–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpb:discus:380.rdf&r=all |
| By: | Shaheen, Susan PhD; Stocker, Adam; Meza, Ruth |
| Abstract: | To better understand the equity implications of a variety of congestion management strategies, researchers at the Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC) at University of California, Berkeley analyzed existing literature on congestion management strategies and findings from 12 expert interviews. The literature review applies the Spatial – Temporal – Economic – Physiological – Social (STEPS) Equity Framework1 to identify impacts and classify whether social equity barriers are reduced, exacerbated, or both by a particular strategy. The congestion management strategies of interest were categorized into six broader categories: 1) pricing, 2) parking and curb policies, 3) operational strategies, 4) infrastructure changes, 5) transportation services and strategies, and 6) conventional taxation. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, traffic congestion, congestion pricing, social equity |
| Date: | 2019–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt7rm9w4pn&r=all |