|
on Environmental Economics |
|
Issue of 2023‒04‒10
fifty-nine papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Grégory Levieuge; Jean-Guillaume Sahuc; Gauthier Vermandel |
| Abstract: | We explore the role of public subsidies in mitigating the transition costs associated with achieving a climate-neutral objective by 2060. To this end, we develop and estimate a quantitative macro-climate model for the world economy featuring an endogenous market structure for carbon abatement products. Public subsidies, fully financed by a carbon tax, are found to be an efficient instrument to promote firm entry into the abatement good sector by fostering competition and lowering the selling price of such products. We estimate that the subsidy, optimally distributed between startups at 60% and existing companies at 40%, would save nearly $2.9 trillion in world GDP each year by 2060. Finally, delaying the net-zero transition would require giving an even larger share to startups. |
| Keywords: | : Climate Change, Macro-Climate Model, Environmental Goods and Services Sector, Endogenous Market Structure, Stochastic Growth, Bayesian Estimation |
| JEL: | E32 H23 Q50 Q55 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bfr:banfra:910&r=env |
| By: | Waqainabete, Logotonu Meleisea; Molesworth, Anika; Demaio, Sandro |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2022–08–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp22:330871&r=env |
| By: | Faten Saliba; Giorgio Maarraoui; Walid Marrouch; Ada Wossink |
| Abstract: | This paper uses life satisfaction data to help the design of climate mitigation policies in the United Kingdom. We assess the effects of the exposure to ambient pollutants on long-term life satisfaction and short-term mental health in the UK. We estimate augmented Cobb-Douglas utility functions using pooled and random effects ordinal logit models. Results show that increases in NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 significantly decrease the odds of longterm happiness and short-term mental health in the UK. The willingness to pay for clean air is also significant and increases with level of education. These measurements derived can be used as benchmarks for pollution abatement subsidies or pollution taxes and can help in projecting a more comprehensive assessment of costs and benefits. |
| Keywords: | Air Pollution; Happiness; Policy Valuation; Climate Change; Environmental Policies; Pollution Taxes; Pollution Abatement Subsidies; life satisfaction data; dataset description; air pollutant; pollutants' correlation; household data; ordinal Logit; Income; Europe; Global |
| Date: | 2023–02–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2023/035&r=env |
| By: | Sara Floriani Zanini (Department of Management, Ca' Foscali University and Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei) |
| Abstract: | This mixed-method systematic review is motivated by the willingness to identify the efforts of the most recent developments of the literature on the understanding of water challenges in socioecological systems, particularly coastal ones. The attention, in the exercise, is directed at the analysis of individual and collective decision-making processes concerning the use of the environmental good. This is because ultimately, if it is true that water resources are affected by external trends and shocks, it is also relevant how distinct paths of local and regional level responses impact on resource status. The inquiry, departs from a conceptual point of view mainly pinpointing scholars’ already proposed method- ological solutions for the concern, being them mostly participatory modelling excercises, bayesian net- work analyses, multi-agent games and experiments and finally integrated assessment models. Even if methodological tools with a potential to explicitly represent human decision-making coupled with its connection with the natural environment do exist, these methods are found to be relatively superficially articulated in interdisciplinary water management analyses. Particularly, the study explores to what extent is the human behaviour, in relation to water resources, included into the extant analyses. |
| Keywords: | human behaviour, decision-making process, climate change adaptation, water resources |
| JEL: | D80 D90 Q25 Q54 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2023.06&r=env |
| By: | Joëlle Noailly ; Laura Nowzohour; Matthias van den Heuvel |
| Abstract: | We use machine learning algorithms to construct a novel news-based index of US environmental and climate policy uncertainty (EnvPU) available on a monthly basis over the 1990-2019 period. We find that our EnvPU index spikes during the environmental spending disputes of the 1995-1996 government shutdown, in the early 2010s due the failure of the national cap-and-trade climate bill and during the Trump presidency. We examine how elevated levels of environmental policy uncertainty relate to investments in the low-carbon economy. In firm-level estimations, we find that a rise in the EnvPU index is associated with a reduced probability for cleantech startups to receive venture capital (VC) funding. In financial markets, a rise in our EnvPU index is associated with higher stock volatility for firms with above-average green revenue shares. At the macro level, shocks in our index lead to declines in the number of cleantech VC deals and higher volatility of the main benchmark clean energy exchange-traded fund. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that policy uncertainty has adverse effects on investments for the low-carbon economy. |
| Date: | 2022–09–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gii:ciesrp:cies_rp_74&r=env |
| By: | Gallé, Johannes; Katzenberger, Anja |
| Abstract: | The latest generation of global climate models robustly projects that the summer monsoon rainfall in India will significantly increase in the 21st century due to global warming and that rainfall anomalies will occur more often. This raises the question of the impact of these changes on the agricultural yield. Based on annual district data for the years 1966-2014, we estimate the relationship between weather indices (amount of seasonal rainfall, number of wet days, average temperature) and the most widely grown kharif crops, including rice, in a flexible non-parametric way. We use this relationship in order to predict district-specific crop yield based on the climate projections of eight different climate models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project - phase 6 (CMIP6) under two global warming scenarios (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP1-2.6 & SSP5-8.5) for the years 2021-2100 (short-term, mid-term, long-term). We find that the loss in rice yield by the end of the 21st century lies on average between 3 - 22% depending on the underlying emission scenario. Potential gains due to increasing rainfall are more than offset by the negative impacts of increasing temperature. Adaptation efforts in the worst case scenario (SSP5-8.5) would need to cut the negative impacts of temperature by 50% in order to reach the outcome of the sustainable scenario (SSP1-2.6). |
| Keywords: | Climate change, monsoon, agriculture, India |
| JEL: | Q10 Q54 O53 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:1002&r=env |
| By: | Böttcher, Miranda; Geden, Oliver; Schenuit, Felix |
| Abstract: | Since net zero targets have become a keystone of climate policy, more thought is being given to actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while continuing to drastically reduce emissions. The ocean plays a major role in regulating the global climate by absorbing a large proportion of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. As the challenges of land-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches are increasingly recognised, the ocean may become the new 'blue' frontier for carbon removal and storage strategies in the EU and beyond. However, the ocean is not an 'open frontier'; rather, it is a domain of overlapping and sometimes conflicting rights and obligations. There is a tension between the sovereign right of states to use ocean resources within their exclusive economic zones and the international obligation to protect the ocean as a global commons. The EU and its Member States need to clarify the balance between the protection and use paradigms in ocean governance when considering treating the ocean as an enhanced carbon sink or storage site. Facilitating linkages between the ongoing review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the establishment of the Carbon Removal Certification Framework could help pave the way for debate about trade-offs and synergies in marine ecosystem protection and use. |
| Keywords: | climate policy, net zero targets, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reduce emissions, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), ocean governance, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, UN Ocean Conference, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:swpcom:122023&r=env |
| By: | Yasmine van der Straten (University of Amsterdam) |
| Abstract: | I study the implications of climate change and adaptation on housing and income, and wealth. I embed climate change in a redistributive growth model by introducing exposure of households and firms to extreme weather events, that damage their housing capital and physical capital, respectively. The analysis reveals that climate change is intrinsically redistributive, as it amplifies both income and wealth inequality. Low-income workers experience a relatively larger decline in income due to their exposure to climate-related damages, while the rate at which households with positive savings accumulate wealth rises. Furthermore, I find that adapting to climate change is more challenging for low-income households who are financially constrained, and the failure to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts exacerbates wealth inequality. Additionally, while houses exposed to climate risk face a price discount in the market, I demonstrate that the materialization of climate change risk puts upward pressure on house prices, as the supply of such houses becomes reduced. This general equilibrium effect is propagated and amplified over time. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Adaptation, Housing, Financial Assets, Extreme Weather Events, Income Inequality, Wealth Inequality |
| JEL: | E44 G51 Q54 |
| Date: | 2023–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20230014&r=env |
| By: | Alexandre Sollaci; Salma Khalid; Hibah Khan; Giacomo Magistretti; Ms. Era Dabla-Norris; Mr. Thomas Helbling; Mr. Krishna Srinivasan |
| Abstract: | Building public support for climate mitigation is a key prerequisite to making meaningful strides toward implementing climate mitigation policies and achieving decarbonization. Using nationally representative individual-level surveys for 28 countries, this note sheds light on the individual characteristics and beliefs associated with climate risk perceptions and preferences for climate policies. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; climate policies; carbon tax; perceptions; survey |
| Date: | 2023–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfsdn:2023/002&r=env |
| By: | Feist, Marian; Geden, Oliver |
| Abstract: | The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was marked by multiple crises and the shaken confidence of developing countries in the multilateral process. Nonetheless, an agreement was reached on the critical issue of loss and damage, even though many key aspects still need to be fleshed out. With regard to emission reductions, there is a credibility crisis that threatens to worsen, not only because political priorities have shifted following Russia's attack on Ukraine. In order to strengthen international climate cooperation in the coming years, it will be crucial to honour existing commitments, adhere to agreed processes, and show diplomatic tact in dealing with partner countries. |
| Keywords: | Klimapolitik, Klimawandel, UN-Klimarahmenkonvention (UNFCCC), 27. Vertragsstaatenkonferenz (COP 27) in Scharm El-Scheich, Schäden und Verluste, Loss and Damage, Klimaschutz, Mitigation, Klimafolgenanpassung, Adaptation, Global Shield, climate policy, climate change, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, COP 27, Sharm el-Sheik, loss and damage, mitigation, climate change adaptation, Global Shield, Vulnerable 20, Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs, Green Climate Fund, GCF |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:swpcom:102023&r=env |
| By: | Lim, Teng; Massey, Ray; McCann, Laura; Canter, Timothy; Omura, Seabrook; Willett, Cammy; Roach, Alice; Key, Nigel; Dodson, Laura |
| Abstract: | Animal manure provides crop nutrients and improves soil quality. However, manure’s nutrient variability and low phosphorus and nitrogen content per unit weight reduce its market value relative to chemical fertilizers. While manure remains an important source of fertilizer in many farming systems, alternative uses are becoming important. Manure can be used to generate renewable energy in the forms of heat, gas, and electricity with further processing, but innovation is required to compete against other renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Entrepreneurs are also developing markets for fiber found in manure. Environmental policies related to animal farms, meant to protect air and water quality, can both raise manure management costs and increase manure’s value as an energy precursor. This study uses data from the USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) to describe current manure production, handling, storage, and use. An extensive literature review of manure-related research describes existing and emerging technologies that have the potential to increase the value of manure or reduce manure management costs. The study identifies potential government programs and policies for promoting the adoption of technologies that enhance manure value for farmers. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Industrial Organization, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2023–03–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usdami:333552&r=env |
| By: | Angrist, Noam (University of Oxford); Winseck, Kevin (University of California at San Diego); Patrinos, Harry A. (World Bank); Graff Zivin, Joshua (University of California, San Diego) |
| Abstract: | Addressing climate change requires individual behavior change and voter support for pro-climate policies, yet surprisingly little is known about how to achieve these outcomes. In this paper, we estimate causal effects of additional education on pro-climate outcomes using new compulsory schooling law data across 16 European countries. We analyze effects on pro-climate beliefs, behaviors, policy preferences, and novel data on voting for green parties – a particularly consequential outcome to combat climate change. Results show a year of education increases pro-climate beliefs, behaviors, most policy preferences, and green voting, with voting gains equivalent to a substantial 35% increase. |
| Keywords: | human capital, education, climate change, compulsory schooling laws, voting |
| JEL: | D72 H41 I20 I28 P16 Q01 Q5 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15991&r=env |
| By: | David Franzmann; Heidi Heinrichs; Felix Lippkau; Thushara Addanki; Christoph Winkler; Patrick Buchenberg; Thomas Hamacher; Markus Blesl; Jochen Lin{\ss}en; Detlef Stolten |
| Abstract: | Green hydrogen is expected to be traded globally in future greenhouse gas neutral energy systems. However, there is still a lack of temporally- and spatially-explicit cost-potentials for green hydrogen considering the full process chain, which are necessary for creating effective global strategies. Therefore, this study provides such detailed cost-potential-curves for 28 selected countries worldwide until 2050, using an optimizing energy systems approach based on open-field PV and onshore wind. The results reveal huge hydrogen potentials (>1, 500 PWh/a) and 86 PWh/a at costs below 2 EUR/kg in 2050, dominated by solar-rich countries in Africa and the Middle East. Decentralized PV-based hydrogen production, even in wind-rich countries, is always preferred. Supplying sustainable water for hydrogen production is needed while having minor impact on hydrogen cost. Additional costs for imports from democratic regions only total 7%. Hence, such regions could boost the geostrategic security of supply for greenhouse gas neutral energy systems. |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2303.00314&r=env |
| By: | Leonardo Becchetti; Gianluigi Conzo; Francesco Salustri |
| Abstract: | Climate challenge can be modelled as a multiplayer prisoner’s dilemma where ecological action – e.g., purchasing an electric car or adopting sustainable life-styles – is costly in terms of economic resources, time, and effort. Even though social benefit is maximised with everyone taking ecological actions, no actions from all players is a Nash equilibrium assuming players are self-interested. In this paper we analyse how this ecological dilemma is affected by people’s perception. Using the European Social Survey, we study how urgent the climate threat is perceived by respondents and their beliefs about other countries’ actions. Theoretical predictions suggest that the former increases, while the latter does not affect individual willingness to act ecologically. Our empirical findings however show that both factors positively affect willingness to act. We interpret the positive effect of country action on responsibility to act as conditional cooperation and show that the effect is weaker as social capital increases. |
| Keywords: | climate change, perception, ecological actions, social dilemma, conditional cooperation |
| JEL: | H41 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rtr:wpaper:0274&r=env |
| By: | Meinerding, Christoph; Schüler, Yves; Zhang, Philipp |
| Abstract: | We propose and implement a method to identify shocks to transition risk, addressing key challenges regarding its definition and measurement. Our shocks are instances where significant new information about the economic relevance of climate change increases the valuation of green firms over brown firms. To illustrate our method, we identify shocks to transition risk in the United States. These shocks have important aggregate effects, also inducing financial instability. They are associated with events that increase the likelihood of an orderly transition, and they specifically affect parts of the economy related to fossil fuels and energy. We show that these main results carry over to Germany and the United Kingdom. Still, we find an important role for country specificities. |
| Keywords: | Transition risk, climate change, financial stability, portfolio sort, tex-tual analysis |
| JEL: | C30 E44 G12 Q43 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:bubdps:042023&r=env |
| By: | Kräussl, Roman; Oladiran, Tobi; Stefanova, Denitsa |
| Abstract: | This study examines the recent literature on the expectations, beliefs and perceptions of investors who incorporate Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) considerations in investment decisions with the aim to generate superior performance and also make a societal impact. Through the lens of equilibrium models of agents with heterogeneous tastes for ESG investments, green assets are expected to generate lower returns in the long run than their non- ESG counterparts. However, at the short run, ESG investment can outperform non-ESG investment through various channels. Empirically, results of ESG outperformance are mixed. We find consensus in the literature that some investors have ESG preference and that their actions can generate positive social impact. The shift towards more sustainable policies in firms is motivated by the increased market values and the lower cost of capital of green firms driven by investors' choices. |
| Keywords: | Environmental, Social, Governance, ESG, Performance, Sustainability, Social Impact, Greenwashing |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cfswop:694&r=env |
| By: | Federico Cornacchia (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei); Alberto Gabino Martínez-Hernández (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei); Marco Bidoia (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei); Carlo Giupponi (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) |
| Abstract: | As the impacts of climate change are expected to be increasingly disruptive, a growing share of the economic literature moved to modelling approaches to address the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues. Among them, System Dynamics (SD) stands out as a well-established modelling approach to analyse complex social-ecological systems. In order to benefit from such modelling exercises it is necessary to follow a structured process, bearing in mind that models should have as their ultimate ambition that of supporting decision-making processes. Yet, the connection with decision-making is addressed only in the last phases of the modelling process, with emphasis placed only on few particular sectors. Hence, a lack of a general framework that can be used as a reference to address climate change adaptation and which could provide insights to economic valuations to support decision-making processes for a different range of sectors emerges. Consistently, the present study aims to bridge the observed gap by employing a combined SES-DAPSIR framework to build a conceptual modelling process for simulating the behaviour of a generic socio-ecosystem, with a particular focus on climate change adaptation. It also illustrates how the proposed conceptual modelling process is concretely put into practice with an application for a coastal socio-ecosystem. This allows demonstrating how the proposed methodology constitute a potential common starting point for different targeted modelling exercises, resulting particularly useful when moving from analytical modelling to decision support. |
| Keywords: | Climate change adaptation, system dynamics, decision-making, socio-ecosystem, SES-DAPSIR framework, conceptual modelling |
| JEL: | C63 Q54 Q57 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2023.05&r=env |
| By: | Olivier Chanel; Alberto Prati; Morgan Raux |
| Abstract: | Each year, the international job market for economists involves more than 1, 000 candidates and several hundred recruiters from around the world meeting for short pre-screening interviews at annual congresses in Europe and the United States. Alberto Prati, Olivier Chanel and Morgan Raux argue that it's time to reassess this unsustainable system and estimate the carbon footprint of alternatives. |
| Keywords: | job market for economists, international job market, carbon footprint, environmental impact, comprehensive economic cost |
| Date: | 2022–10–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:637&r=env |
| By: | Guglielmo Zappalà |
| Abstract: | Local weather shocks have been shown to affect local economic output, however, little is known about their propagation through production networks. Using a six-sector global dataset over the past fifty years, this paper examines the effect of weather fluctuations and extreme weather events on sectoral economic production and the transmission of weather shocks across sectors, countries and over time. I document that agriculture is the most harmed sector by heat shocks, droughts and cyclones. Using input-output interlinkages, I find that sectors at later stages of the supply chain suffer from substantial and persistent losses over time due to domestic and foreign heat shocks in other sectors. A counterfactual analysis of the average annual output loss accounting for heat shocks across trade partners shows a substantial underestimation of the economic cost of temperature increases since 2000. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; sectoral shocks; spillovers; weather shocks |
| Date: | 2023–03–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2023/053&r=env |
| By: | Tihana Škrinjarić (Hrvatska narodna banka, Hrvatska) |
| Abstract: | This research examines the short-to-medium-term effects of weather changes on the Croatian economy by observing a simple model of an economy that includes changes in extreme weather events. Monthly data from 1999 to 2022 on the growth of the index of industrial production, inflation, energy inflation, changes in the unemployment rate, and selected weather variables is utilized to estimate several Vector Autoregression (VAR) models. The main finding indicates that inflation is mainly affected by weather shocks, especially drought. This means that monetary policy needs to consider this, mainly due to weather extremes being more frequent and of greater magnitudes. Furthermore, the insurance industry could also benefit from such findings due to the first quantification of such results on Croatian data. |
| Keywords: | climate change, weather effects, extreme weather, inflation. |
| JEL: | C3 O44 Q54 |
| Date: | 2023–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hnb:wpaper:70&r=env |
| By: | Tommaso Rughi; Jacopo Staccioli; Maria Enrica Virgillito |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a direct understanding of the twin transition from the innovative activity domain. It starts with a technological mapping of the technological innovations characterised by both climate change mitigation/adaptation (green) and labour-saving attributes. To accomplish the task, we draw on the universe of patent grants in the USPTO since 1976 to 2021 reporting the Y02-Y04S tagging scheme and we identify those patents embedding an explicit labour-saving heuristic via a dependency parsing algorithm. We characterise their technological, sectoral and time evolution. Finally, after constructing an index of sectoral penetration of LS and non-LS green patents, we explore its impact on employment share growth at state level in the US. Our evidence shows that employment shares in sectors characterised by a higher exposure to LS (non-LS) technologies present an overall negative (positive) growth dynamics. |
| Keywords: | Climate change mitigation technologies; Labour-saving technologies; Search heuristics; Natural Language Processing; Labour markets. |
| Date: | 2023–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2023/11&r=env |
| By: | Peter Lindner; Kay Chung |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to provide guidance to issuers of sovereign ESG bonds, with a focus on Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs). An overview of the ESG financing options available to sovereign issuers is followed by an analysis of the operational requirements and costs that the issuance of sovereign ESG bonds entails. While green bonds are the instruments used to describe the issuance process, the paper also covers alternative instruments, including social and sustainability-linked bonds to provide issuers and other stakeholders with a comprehensive view of the ESG bond marketplace. |
| Keywords: | Bond issuance; Climate finance; ESG bonds; Green bonds; Public Financial Management; Social bonds; Sovereign debt management; Sustainable finance; Sustainability-linked bonds |
| Date: | 2023–03–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2023/058&r=env |
| By: | Ralf Martin |
| Abstract: | Public investment in developing energy sources that don't cause climate change is a strategy for economic growth that could also contribute to the UK's levelling up agenda, says Ralf Martin. His analysis indicates that subsidies for research and development in 'clean' technologies can bring returns more than 40% higher than average. |
| Keywords: | innovation, knowledge spillovers, clean technology, innovation policy, patent data, Green Growth |
| Date: | 2022–10–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:636&r=env |
| By: | Kren, Janez; Lawless, Martina |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp742&r=env |
| By: | Phillips, Willard; Nicholson, George; Alleyne, Antonio; Alfonso, Maurys |
| Abstract: | As the Caribbean subregion seeks to implement strategies for meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the sustainable development of its land transportation subsector has emerged as a significant challenge. This relates to both the need to reduce green house gas emissions, for which the subsector is a major emitter, as well as the necessity for reducing its overall dependence on imported fossil energy. While several policy initiatives have sought to address these issues, the evidence of growing land transportation problems now motivates a closer examination of challenges in the subsector. Among the main issues are increasing motor vehicle concentrations in small island spaces and growing traffic congestion arising from increased private motor vehicle ownership. All of these factors operate to produce economic, social and environmental burdens such as growing imports of vehicles, fuel and spare parts; increased motor vehicle accidents and mortality; and socially deviant behaviors such as road rage. Given the pivotal role of transportation in the advancement of economies and society, this paper suggests policy options for improving land transportation efficiency and sustainability in the Caribbean. This study also seeks to add to the very limited literature related to the issue of land transportation in Small Island Developing States. |
| Keywords: | TRANSPORTE, TRANSPORTE SOSTENIBLE, TRANSPORTE POR CARRETERA, POLITICA DE TRANSPORTE, DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE, PEQUEÑOS ESTADOS INSULARES EN DESARROLLO, TRANSPORT, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT, ROAD TRANSPORT, TRANSPORT POLICY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES |
| Date: | 2023–02–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col033:48725&r=env |
| By: | Konstantin Sommer (University of Amsterdam); Henri L.F. de Groot (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Franc Klaassen (University of Amsterdam) |
| Abstract: | We study the effects of market integration on manufacturing emission intensities of CO2, SOx, and NOx. For this, we analyze the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargements in a sectoral panel with data on almost all EU member states from 1995 to 2015. We pay close attention to relevant channels of trade, regulation, and efficiency. Overall, the enlargements have resulted in a reduction of emission intensities in new member states: new regulations, which accession countries needed to adopt, have lowered pollution intensities strongly; induced improvements in productivity have further reduced them; and trade integration into the EU has had insignificant effects on emission intensities. We also do not find evidence of within-EU pollution haven effects and thus of leakage from old to new member states. For old members, trade integration, if anything, increased emission intensities, but productivity improvements have also contributed to cleaner manufacturing sectors here. |
| Keywords: | Market Integration, EU Enlargement, Carbon Leakage, Pollution Havens, Emission Intensity |
| JEL: | F15 F64 Q56 |
| Date: | 2022–06–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20220039&r=env |
| By: | Graciela Schiliuk; Dominika Miernik; Jens Lapointe-Rohde; Carlos Giraldo; Iader Giraldo |
| Abstract: | This study provides an overview of steps taken by Regional Financing Arrangements (RFAs) to incorporate climate considerations into their activities, covering the areas of economic monitoring, lending, capacity building, and internal policies and operations. It aims to deepen the RFAs’ understanding of how their regional peers are approaching the emerging policy issue of climate change, and to stimulate collective reflections on how best to support members’ efforts to foster a more sustainable and resilient future. |
| JEL: | Q00 Q20 Q50 |
| Date: | 2023–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000470:020681&r=env |
| By: | Provenzano, Sandro (London School of Economics); Roth, Sefi (London School of Economics); Sager, Lutz (London School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Recent research suggests that short-term exposure to air pollution is associated with an elevated prevalence of respiratory infectious disease. We examine the relationship between the air quality index (AQI) and weekly cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19 in the United States. We address potential bias from omitted variables and measurement error with an instrumental variable approach using atmospheric temperature inversions. Unlike other recent studies, we find no relationship between air quality and either ILI or COVID-19 cases. |
| Keywords: | air pollution, respiratory disease, COVID-19 |
| JEL: | I18 Q51 Q53 |
| Date: | 2023–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15947&r=env |
| By: | Emanuele Campiglio; Francesco Lamperti; Roberta Terranova |
| Abstract: | We develop a dynamic model where heterogeneous firms take investment decisions depending on their beliefs on future carbon prices. A policy-maker announces a forward-looking carbon price schedule but can decide to default on its plans if perceived transition risks are high. We show that weak policy commitment, especially when combined with ambitious mitigation announcements, can trap the economy into a vicious circle of credibility loss, carbon-intensive investments and increasing risk perceptions, ultimately leading to a failure of the transition. The presence of behavioural frictions and heterogeneity - both in capital investment choices and in the assessment of the policy-maker's credibility - has strong non-linear effects on the transition dynamics and the emergence of "high-carbon traps". We identify analytical conditions leading to a successful transition and provide a numerical application for the EU economy. |
| Keywords: | Beliefs; behavioural macroeconomics; credibility; investment decision-making; heterogeneous expectations; low-carbon transition; policy uncertainty |
| Date: | 2023–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2023/12&r=env |
| By: | Eisei Ohtaki |
| Abstract: | Motivated by recent climate actions of central banks and supervisors, this study aims to explore implications of climate change in an economy with financial intermediaries. For this aim, this study develops an overlapping generations model of the environment and financial intermediation. In that model, reactions of financial intermediaries, the monetary steady state, and optimal monetary policy against climate change are studied. Especially, it is demonstrated that the level of the optimal money growth rate depends on how "green" agents are. |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tcr:wpaper:e179&r=env |
| By: | Amelie Luhede; Houda Yaqine; Reza Bahmanbijari; Michael Römer; Thorsten Upmann |
| Abstract: | Environmental managers face substantial uncertainty when deciding on management actions. To reduce this uncertainty prior to decision-making, collecting new data may help arrive at more informed decisions. Whether any resulting improvement in the decision will outweigh the cost of collecting the data, and thus make investing in the acquisition of the information worthwhile, is an intricate question. The concept of the value of information (VoI) is a convenient tool to address this problem. We use the VoI framework to analyse a decision problem in water quality management. Based on real-world monitoring data, we calculate the VoI of monitoring nitrogen, which is used as an indicator of the ecological state of water body. We find that the VoI is significant in our case and we further investigate the dependency of the VoI in a similar setting on the management cost, the assumed value of a good state and on the level of uncertainty regarding the ecological state. In addition, we observe a negative relation between the relative management cost and the prior probability that maximises VoI. These insights may help decide on information acquisition in the presence of substantial uncertainties and sparse data. |
| Keywords: | value of information, decision analysis, uncertainty, environmental management, monitoring |
| JEL: | C11 C61 D81 Q25 Q57 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10307&r=env |
| By: | Thiemo Fetzer; Thiemo René Fetzer |
| Abstract: | Preserving heritage is an important part of maintaining collective identity for future generations. Yet, culturally defined notions of “heritage” or “character”, in the context of the climate crisis, may be a barrier to individual and collective climate action to tackle a much more existential threat to those future generations. Studying data for more than half of the English housing stock, I show that conservation area status – a rather fluffy area-based designation that intends to protect the unique character of a neighborhood – not to be confused with preservation of historic buildings – in England may be responsible for up to 3.2 million tons of avoidable CO2 emissions annually. Using a suite of micro-econometric methods and alternative identification strategies ranging from saturated specifications, border discontinuity, matching estimation and an instrumental variables approach leveraging World War II wartime destruction in London – I show that properties in conservation areas have a notable worse energy efficiency; experience lower investment in retrofitting and consume notably higher levels of energy owing to poor energy efficiency. Effect sizes are very consistent comparing engineering based energy consumption estimates with actual consumption data. Effects can be directly attributed to planning requirements for otherwise permitted development that only apply to properties by virtue of them being located inside a conservation area. |
| Keywords: | climate crisis, collective action, zoning, climate adaptation |
| JEL: | Q54 Q55 R14 R48 N74 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10309&r=env |
| By: | Alfredo Palacios; Julia Gabosi; Caitlin Williams; Carlos Rojas-Roque |
| Keywords: | Slums, environmental health, urban health, healthcare services, poverty |
| JEL: | I14 R58 Q53 |
| Date: | 2021–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aep:anales:4502&r=env |
| By: | Tathiana, Precillia |
| Abstract: | Perluasan produksi dan konsumsi tekstil telah berkontribusi terhadap peningkatan polusi, kekurangan air, penipisan bahan bakar fosil dan bahan mentah, serta perubahan iklim. Produksi serat poliester, serat buatan manusia yang paling banyak digunakan, mengkonsumsi sumber daya tak terbarukan dan tingkat energi yang tinggi, serta menghasilkan emisi atmosfer. |
| Date: | 2023–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:g2kaz&r=env |
| By: | Mitter, Neena |
| Keywords: | Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies |
| Date: | 2022–08–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp22:333329&r=env |
| By: | Silvia London; Mauro D. Reyes Pontet |
| Keywords: | Desarrollo Sostenible, Instituciones, Ambiente |
| JEL: | O1 Q56 |
| Date: | 2021–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aep:anales:4487&r=env |
| By: | Quemin, Simon; Trotignon, Raphaël |
| Abstract: | We develop an emission permits trading model where covered firms can (1) utilize rolling planning horizons to deal with uncertainty and (2) exhibit bounded responsiveness to supply-side control policies. We calibrate the model to reproduce annual market outcomes in the EU ETS over 2008–2018 and show that a rolling finite horizon reconciles the banking dynamics with discount rates implied by futures contracts’ yield curves. It also replicates the price dynamics well compared to a standard infinite horizon, including the new price regime induced by the 2018 market reform. We then use our calibrated model to decompose the impacts of the 2018 reform's design elements, quantify how they hinge on the firms’ horizon and responsiveness, and highlight important implications for policy design. For instance, when firms utilize rolling horizons, the Market Stability Reserve can improve effectiveness by frontloading abatement efforts and induce lower cumulative emissions compared to an infinite horizon. |
| Keywords: | bounded rationality; emissions trading; EU ETS; rolling horizon; supply-side policies; Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment; the UK Economic 70More generally; since there is no economic rationale for regulating the firms’ intertemporal use of permits (i.e. is permit use frontloaded or backloaded compared to MSR thresholds?); it would be worth studying how the MSR behaves relative to optimal supply adjustment mechanisms; e.g. à la Laffont & Tirole (1996). 40 and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy |
| JEL: | D81 E63 H32 Q58 |
| Date: | 2021–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:113518&r=env |
| By: | Bannor, Frank; Magambo, Isaiah; Mubenga-Tshitaka, Jean Luc; Mduduzi, Biyase; Osei-Acheampong, Bismark |
| Abstract: | This study explores the relationship between natural resources, governance, political stability, and economic growth in African countries. The study employs a robust econometric approach, the pooled mean group (PMG), to account for slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependency in the dataset. The study finds evidence that supports the resource curse hypothesis, which suggests that an abundance of natural resources can stifle economic growth. However, the study also finds that effective governance and political stability can mediate the negative impact of natural resource rents on economic growth. The findings suggest that investment in political stability, and effective governance, manifested through institutional quality, can directly boost economic growth in Africa. However, their indirect contribution can be maximized by linking them to natural resource utilization. The study recommends that policymakers prioritize the indirect contribution of effective governance, and political stability for transforming natural resource abundance into prosperity for resource-endowed African economies. This requires building credible and sustainable governance systems, particularly for natural resource revenue management and utilization. Additionally, political reforms should focus on building systems that prevent autocratic or corrupt political elites from solely benefiting from the physical control of natural resource rents. |
| Keywords: | Natural resource rents, resource curse hypothesis, governance, political stability, economic growth, Africa. |
| JEL: | O1 O13 O17 |
| Date: | 2023–03–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:116651&r=env |
| By: | Aline Mortha; Toshi H. Arimura |
| Abstract: | To foster domestic electricity production, Japan introduced a Feed-in-Tariff policy in 2012, financed by a renewable levy. This paper examines the impact of this tax on industrial, energy intensive (EI) sectors using plant data from 2005 to 2018. We explore whether the introduction of the levy encouraged plants to substitute electricity purchased from the market with electricity generated on site and whether changes in energy consumption patterns triggered by the levy resulted in additional CO2 emissions from the plants. Our results show that a 1% increase in the levy rate results in a decrease in energy consumption, estimated to be around 3, 800 tCO2e per plant on average. However, we also showed that the tax increase also leads to a rise in 0.03pp in the share of electricity generated on site, reflecting a marginal level of substitution between the two energy sources. We identify plants from the chemical sector as those with substitution capacity, and that the substitution leads to increased coal and gas consumption. Our results shed light on the effects of electricity taxes, and highlight the need for carbon pricing. Our paper also contributes to explaining mechanisms behind inter-fuel substitution in the EI sector, with a special focus on electricity and fossil fuel through cogeneration. |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tcr:wpaper:e181&r=env |
| By: | Ives, Matthew; Cesaro, Zac; Bramstoft, Rasmus; Bañares-Alcántara, René |
| Abstract: | Green hydrogen and ammonia are forecasted to have key roles in deep decarbonization, although national energy system models have yet to capture their full integration potential with sector coupling in future scenarios. In this study, the Power-to-X sector coupling potential of green hydrogen and ammonia is explored via a case study on the national-scale electricity grid of India in which the projected electricity demands for hydrogen and ammonia production account for nearly 25% of the total Indian electricity demand in 2050. Here we show that connecting the required fleets of electrolyzers to the grid and leveraging low-cost storage of ammonia with coupled sectors, such as shipping, steel, and agriculture, would provide valuable short-duration and long-duration load-shifting services. We find that this system design uses seasonal ammonia production patterns to reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen and ammonia, reduce curtailment, provide system resilience to interannual weather variations, and reduce the requirement for long duration energy storage or firm generating capacity while reducing total system cost. |
| Keywords: | sector coupling, Power-to-X, ammonia, hydrogen, India |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:amz:wpaper:2023-04&r=env |
| By: | Auzepy, Alix; Bannier, Christina E.; Martin, Fabio |
| Abstract: | The right to ask questions and voice their opinions at annual general meetings (AGMs) represents one of the few avenues for shareholders to communicate directly and publicly with the firm's management. Examining AGM transcripts of U.S. companies between 2007 and 2021, we find that shareholders actively express their concerns about environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in accordance with their specific relationship with the company. Further, they are also demonstrably more vocal about ESG issues at AGMs of firms with poor sustainability performance. What is more, we show that this soft engagement translates into a more negative tone which, in turn, results in lower approval rates for management proposals. Shareholders' soft engagement at AGMs is hence an effective way to "walk the talk". |
| Keywords: | shareholder engagement, annual general meeting, ESG, textual analysis |
| JEL: | G23 G34 G39 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cfswop:689&r=env |
| By: | Pierre Chiaverina (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement); Sophie Drogué (INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Florence Jacquet (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement); Larry Lev (OSU - Oregon State University); Robert King (University of Minnesota System) |
| Abstract: | Many researchers, policy makers and food activists view Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) as attractive levers for improving farm income and the sustainability of farming systems. However, the empirical evidence documenting the association between SFSC participation and farm economic performance has been mixed. In this study, through a meta-analysis using a logistic regression, we identify key factors to explain differences between studies that find better economic performance in SFSC and those that do not. Our meta-analysis consists of 48 studies published in English and French from 2000 to 2022 that examine the economic performance of farms engaged in SFSC. Based on far more empirical evidence than previous reviews, we find that the relationship between SFSC participation and farmer income remains ambiguous. More specifically the findings indicate that the reported effect of SFSC on a farm economic performance varies depending on location and the indicator used to capture the economic performance of farms. Studies conducted in Europe are more likely to report higher farmer income as are studies that use profit satisfaction metrics rather than measures of gross or net income. We also emphasize the need to interpret the reported results cautiously because few are based on causal inference methods. Furthermore, the very few studies that account for selection bias often do so with inadequate corrections. |
| Keywords: | Economic performance, Farmers, Income, Meta-analysis, Short food supply chains |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04011734&r=env |
| By: | Klauber, Hannah (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC)); Koch, Nicolas (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC)) |
| Abstract: | This paper identifies individual and regional risk factors for hospitalizations caused by heat within the German population over 65 years of age. Using administrative insurance claims data and a machine-learning-based regression model, we causally estimate heterogeneous heat effects and explore the geographic, morbidity, and socioeconomic correlates of heat vulnerability. Our results indicate that health effects distribute highly unevenly across the population. The most vulnerable are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease and live in rural areas with more old-age poverty and less nursing care. We project that unabated climate change might bring heat to areas with particularly vulnerable populations, which could lead to a five-fold increase in heat-related hospitalization by 2100. |
| Keywords: | heat, climate change, hospitalization, risk factors, adaptation, machine learning |
| JEL: | I14 I18 Q51 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15996&r=env |
| By: | Rupprecht, Christoph David Dietfried (Ehime University); Gärtner, Nadine; Cui, Lihua; Sardeshpande, Mallika; McGreevy, Steven R.; Spiegelberg, Maximilian |
| Abstract: | The concept of edible landscapes seeks to combine a participatory approach to food production with wider concerns about well-designed, sustainable human-landscape relationships. Despite its decade-long history and seeming potential for holistically addressing multiple intertwined socio-ecological crises, the concept has received much less attention than related ideas such as green infrastructure or nature-based solutions. We conducted a systematic, multilingual review of 79 studies to understand how edible landscapes are defined, what their characteristics are, what trends exist in the literature, and how edible landscapes can be situated in the broader context of food production. Findings suggest that no clear definition of the term ‘edible landscape’ currently exists, although the implicit consensus is that edible landscapes feature food production as well as an aesthetic contribution. The literature holds high expectations but provides only limited empirical evidence for benefits. Edible landscape frames a unique conceptual space, which we visualize by placing it in relation with related concepts. We then propose two concise, genus-differentia definitions as a basis for academic debate, one of which expands the concept to include multispecies agency in designing landscapes. We conclude with a call for more empirical as well as theory-focused research to facilitate edible landscapes’ contributions to more sustainable human-nature relationships. |
| Date: | 2023–03–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:64uvj&r=env |
| By: | Louis-Gaëtan Giraudet (ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech, CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Antoine Missemer (CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Taking a long-run historical perspective, we analyze how debates about energy efficiency have evolved in the economic literature since the mid-19th century. We distinguish three periods: the classical age, focused on the rebound effect, from Jevons in the 1860s to American institutionalism in the mid-20th century; the modern age, marked by the rise of the energy efficiency gap concept, from the 1970s to the 1990s; the contemporary age, from the early 2000s onwards, focused on the concept of energy performance gap. We find that reflections on energy efficiency have embraced more general developments in the economics discipline: emergence of institutionalism in the classical age, primarily concerned with policy; public economics in the modern age, emphasizing the concept of market failure; behavioral economics and the so-called credibility revolution in empirical economics in the contemporary age, which made energy efficiency a much-favored context for conducting experiments, questioning rationality and implementing nudges. The transitions between phases closely paralleled changes in societal concerns, from resource depletion in the classical age to energy security in the modern age to climate change in the contemporary age. Throughout this long history, we have detected a change in focus from macro- to micro-perspectives. Despite increasing sophistication and constant reinterpretation, energy efficiency remains a subject of controversy, such that no consensus has yet been reached on its potential and effective benefits. In closing, we propose to update Jaffe, Newell and Stavins' landmark energy efficiency gap framework to account for the most recent developments and trace avenues for future research. |
| Keywords: | energy efficiency, energy conservation, rebound effect, market barriers and failures, nudge, empirical turn, history of economic thought |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02301636&r=env |
| By: | Horbach, Jens |
| Abstract: | The paper analyses the relationship between digitalisation and sustainability strategies at the firm level. In a first step, operational definitions of digitalisation and sustainability allowing the development of fitting empirical indicators are discussed. The possible technical and social transmission channels of the effects of digitalisation on a sustainable firm development are analysed. From a technical side of view, less energy consumption induced by intelligent sensoring systems or the reduction of meetings in presence by video conferences or the promotion of home office work leading to less travel activities might lead to a more sustainable production. Digitalisation might also act as pre-condition of eco-process innovations (e. g. the introduction of intelligent control systems leading to material and energy savings). From a societal perspective, digitalisation might lead to a higher availability of information on sustainability issues promoting a faster spread of environmentally related social norms. The empirical analysis is based on firm data of the recent Eurobarometer 486/2020 of the European Commission. The econometric results show that 'digitally active' firms seem to be more sustainable for all available indicators. All considered digitalisation measures such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or the use of smart devices and intelligent sensors are positively correlated to eco-innovation and other sustainability-related activities of the questioned firms. |
| Keywords: | Digitalisation, sustainability, eco-innovation, probit analysis, negative binomial regression |
| JEL: | C35 O31 Q01 Q55 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:rwirep:1001&r=env |
| By: | Ilicic, Joanna; Crespi, Maria Giulia; Maggio, Giuseppe; Kwon, Jihae; Ngoc Nguyen, Hanh Thi; Mamidanna, Sravya; Ignaciuk, Adriana |
| Abstract: | The study unpacks the potential, current and future, linkages between beef and dairy development and deforestation, using Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in Viet Nam as case study, where the beef and dairy production increases are important and potential impact on the primary forests is of particular concern. It shows how beef and dairy expansion creates demand for additional land, which combined with existing land constraints, increases risk of further deforestation. The study also proposes possible entry points for developing deforestation-free value chains, which are key for decision-makers to enact new policies to overcome the dual challenge of agriculture growth without forest loss, which is likely to intensify if no action is taken. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy |
| Date: | 2022–10–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:faoets:330806&r=env |
| By: | Auzepy, Alix; Bannier, Christina E.; Martin, Fabio |
| Abstract: | The issuance of sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) has grown exponentially in recent years. Using a scoring methodology, we examine the underlying key performance indicators of a large sample of SLLs and analyze whether their design creates effective incentives for improving corporate sustainability performance. We demonstrate that the majority of loans fails to meet key requirements that would make them credible instruments for generating effective sustainability incentives. These findings call into question the actual sustainability impact that may be achieved through the issuance of ESG-linked debt. |
| Keywords: | Sustainability-Linked Loans, sustainability KPIs, ESG lending, ESG loans, sustainable finance |
| JEL: | G21 G32 M14 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cfswop:688&r=env |
| By: | Anna Valero |
| Abstract: | The UK has been particularly exposed to the global energy crisis - partly due to the country's dependence on gas for heating and electricity generation, and partly its poorly insulated housing stock. After predictions that annual utility bills would more than triple by October 2022 compared with the previous winter, the government announced a support package for households and businesses. Anna Valero says there is now a need to double down on efforts to build resilience and meet net-zero targets. |
| Keywords: | UK Economy, Green Growth, Cost of living, Policy |
| Date: | 2023–02–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:646&r=env |
| By: | Zaman, Khalid |
| Abstract: | Banana republics have been a persistent phenomenon in developing countries facing socio-economic, environmental, and geopolitical issues. This study focuses on the economy of Pakistan, a developing country facing severe economic challenges. Due to high currency devaluation in terms of US$, Pakistan is on the brink of default. The strict policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards developing countries like Pakistan are preventing them from accessing dollars to stabilize their economic indicators. As a result, Pakistan is not receiving loans from neighbouring and foreign countries. Political instability and conflicts between political parties are hindering the country's progress, while poverty is increasing at an alarming rate due to high inflation, food inflation above 40%, and skyrocketing petrol prices. Additionally, terrorism and domestic violence are increasing, while the judiciary and establishment are becoming politicized. The environment is deteriorating, and the country faces food insecurity risks, earthquakes, and wars with neighbouring countries where disputes are in a cold war. This study uses a qualitative case study approach to analyze Pakistan's challenges and potential policies to address them. The study focuses on five dimensions: economic, political, social, judicial and establishment, and geopolitical risks and challenges. The findings suggest that comprehensive and integrated policies are necessary to address the root causes of Pakistan's economic challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of promoting economic diversification and investing in social protection programs to reduce poverty and inequality. It also highlights the need for democratic governance, a strong judiciary, and an independent establishment to promote stability and development. Finally, the study stresses the importance of addressing environmental risks and geopolitical challenges to ensure sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | Banana republic; Pakistan economy; IMF policies; Political instability; Environmental risks; Geo-political challenges. |
| JEL: | Z18 |
| Date: | 2023–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:116713&r=env |
| By: | François Facchini (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Max Falque |
| Abstract: | Ce que souhaite rappeler cet article c'est qu'il existe de nombreuses raisons de ne pas avoir confiance dans les solutions publiques pour traiter des problèmes environnementaux. Il est l'occasion de faire connaître ou de rappeler les conclusions de la nouvelle économie des ressources et en particulier le fait que l'État est trop souvent un pompier pyromane qui évince les solutions privées qui auraient émergé s'il n'était pas intervenu. Au lieu de faire, les hommes politiques devraient faire faire. Ils devraient avoir l'humilité de déléguer la gestion des problèmes environnementaux à une société civile qui aurait repris confiance dans l'institution pivot des ordres décentralisés : la propriété. L'article s'organise de la manière suivante. Il présente succinctement l'histoire et les principales contributions de la nouvelle économie des ressources (1) puis montre par quelques exemples pourquoi il est juste de traiter l'État de pompier pyromane en matière d'environnement mais aussi pourquoi le recours à la réglementation s'avère inefficace pour traiter l'ensemble des problèmes environnementaux (2). Il propose pour cette raison une liste de mesures de politique publique alternatives qui font confiance aux institutions du marché et à ses entrepreneurs (3). |
| Keywords: | droit de propriété, environnement, free ecology, défaillances de l'Etat, climat, déchet, réglementation, biodiversité |
| Date: | 2022–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03938747&r=env |
| By: | Antoine Girard (PACTE - Pacte, Laboratoire de sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Sandrine Caroly (PACTE - Pacte, Laboratoire de sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Pierre Falzon (CRTD - Centre de recherche sur le travail et le développement - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université); Hervé Qualizza (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme (E.N.S.A.)) |
| Abstract: | The major changes (climatic, societal, economic) that are emerging at the beginning of the 21st century and the resulting vulnerabilities (environmental uncertainty, economic insecurity) confront our society with major new challenges. In this changing context, ergonomics must question the validity of its models and methods. In particular, is our discipline, which advocated a global and systemic approach since its origins, now able to take into account macroscopic scale (societal and environmental) transformations? This contribution will expose how the analysis of the actual everyday work centered on the risky situations of mountain guides, coupled with an analysis of the dynamics of the macroscopic components of the system, contributes in taking into account these major changes in safety issues. |
| Abstract: | Les changements (climatiques, sociétaux, économiques) qui émergent en ce début de XXI ème siècle et les vulnérabilités qui en découlent (incertitude environnementale, précarité économique) confrontent notre société à de nouveaux enjeux majeurs. Dans ce contexte de mutation, l'ergonomie doit se questionner sur la validité de ses modèles et de ses méthodes. En particulier, notre discipline, qui prône une approche globale et systémique depuis ses origines, est-elle aujourd'hui en mesure de tenir la question de l'activité tout en élargissant sa focale d'analyse à une échelle macroscopique ? Cette contribution montrera comment l'analyse de l'activité centrée sur les situations à risques que rencontrent quotidiennement les guides de montagne, couplée à une analyse de la dynamique du contexte d'exercice du métier, participe à une meilleure prise en compte de ces grands changements sur les questions de sécurité. |
| Keywords: | Health & Safety, Work design and organisation for health and safety, Economic Activities, Decision making, Risk assessment, Santé et sécurité au travail, Facteurs organisationnels et humains, Prise de décision dans l’incertain, Evaluation des risques professionnels |
| Date: | 2022–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03960911&r=env |
| By: | Éléonore Schnebelin (UMR Innovation - Innovation et Développement dans l'Agriculture et l'Alimentation - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, AGIR - AGroécologie, Innovations, teRritoires - Toulouse INP - Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) - Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement) |
| Abstract: | The development of digital technology is being promoted as a solution to cope with the economic and environmental challenges in agriculture (Lajoie-O'Malley et al., 2020). Digital technologies would support farmers in better allocating resources such as seeds, fertilisers, chemicals and in accessing knowledge about innovative farming practices. However, the effects of digital technology on the ecologisation of agricultural practices are the subject of scientific and political controversies (Lioutas and Charatsari, 2020). While there is consensus on the need to green agriculture, the form of agriculture to be developed is a matter of debate. Some propose to optimise and to improve efficiency of the actual production systems and other to redesign the production systems on the basis of biodiversity services, that is called agroecology (Duru et al., 2015). The controversies about digital technologies thus address the capacity of digital technologies to integrate and influence the diverse forms of agricultural ecologisation (Klerkx and Rose, 2020). However, little is actually known about farmers use of these technologies. Moreover, most of studies are still framed by a linear vision of adoption of digital solutions by farmers (between pioneers, laggards and followers) and overlook the diversity of technological trajectories in the sector. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to show the diversity of digital use patterns and to explain how these patterns connect to different forms of agricultural ecologisation. We applied a mixed qualitative-quantitative method to 98 interviews with cereal farmers in South-West France in order to study their use of digital technology as well as the economic characteristics of their farms and their agronomic practices. A statistical classification was used to construct three digital use patterns for two types of digital technologies: digital technologies for production (DTP) (guidance, variable rate technology, etc.) and digital technologies to get technical information (DTI) (social networks, websites, etc.). The individual, structural and agronomic characteristics of farms in each pattern were described. A qualitative analysis complemented this statistical analysis, by informing causal links that could explain highlighted statistical relations between the variables. We show that a diversity of uses patterns coexists. No interrelation between the uses of digital technologies for production (DTP) and digital technologies for information (DTI) is noted. The important use of DTP is rather linked to optimisation and efficiency strategies. Those strategies are associated with economic variables such as expansion, outsourcing, wage labour and specialisation. It reports on our first proposition: the important use of DTP is associated with weak forms of ecologisation integrated in the industrialisation of agriculture (Bronson, 2019; Clapp and Ruder, 2020). However, some farms that use widely DTP are also invested in more radical forms of ecologisation such as organic farming, while being in an industrialisation trajectory. DTP appear to allow the substitution of conventional inputs by organic ones or by organic mechanic tasks. Thus, DTP could accelerate the ‘conventionalisation' of organic farming (Darnhofer et al., 2010). Strategies of redesigning practices are more associated with low or intermediate uses of DTP. On the other side, the non-use of DTI is linked to more conventional practices. The use of DTI seems to inform farmers about ecologisation practices, to fill the information gap of ecologisation knowledge in farmers' traditional knowledge network. DTI complement rather than substitute face-to-face knowledge exchanges. It informs our second proposition: the use of DTI can be associated with stronger ecologisation forms of agriculture. We highlight that the diversity of technological trajectories is also related to farmers' innovation system and value chain. Actually, advisers, buyers, suppliers of other intermediaries can have a major role on the digitalisation of farms. This work allows us to go beyond a linear vision of innovation adoption, by showing how digital technologies can be included in technological trajectories and reinforce them. This invites us not to consider a uniform technology deployment policy, but rather the support of a diversity of solutions adapted to a diversity of agricultural models. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, Digital uses, Ecologisation, Digitalisation |
| Date: | 2021–09–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04009789&r=env |
| By: | Mianseli Elisabeth Tankoano; Martin Sawadogo (UNB - Université Nazi Boni) |
| Abstract: | En plus du changement climatique, les systèmes agricoles conventionnels contribuent à dégrader continuellement les terres, les forêts et les eaux, et entraînent in fine de faibles rendements agricoles dans la plupart des pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne. Les effets varient d'un contexte agroclimatique à un autre. Pour un pays sahélien comme le Burkina Faso, l'agroécologie est une réponse pour la transition agroenvironnementale. Cet article analyse donc le rôle des perceptions dans les décisions d'adoption et d'intensification des pratiques agroécologiques par les agriculteurs dans la région du Centre-Nord du Burkina Faso. Prenant appui sur un modèle Tobit, avec des données de 137 ménages agricoles, la recherche montre que les perceptions jouent un important rôle dans l'adoption et l'intensification de l'agroécologie. Les perceptions sur la couverture des besoins et de l'utilité favorisent la pratique de l'agroécologie. Il en est de même de l'expérience, l'alphabétisation et la taille du ménage. En revanche, la perception du risque, le poids des inactifs économiques et la superficie sont des freins. Ces résultats impliquent que les politiques agricoles de vulgarisation des techniques agroécologiques doivent tenir compte des perceptions des agriculteurs. Il faut aussi renforcer leur capacité à travers l'alphabétisation et la formation professionnelle. |
| Abstract: | En plus du changement climatique, les systèmes agricoles conventionnels contribuent à dégrader continuellement les terres, les forêts et les eaux, et entraînent in fine de faibles rendements agricoles dans la plupart des pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne. Les effets varient d'un contexte agroclimatique à un autre. Pour un pays sahélien comme le Burkina Faso, l'agroécologie est une réponse pour la transition agroenvironnementale. Cet article analyse donc le rôle des perceptions dans les décisions d'adoption et d'intensification des pratiques agroécologiques par les agriculteurs dans la région du Centre-Nord du Burkina Faso. Prenant appui sur un modèle Tobit, avec des données de 137 ménages agricoles, la recherche montre que les perceptions jouent un important rôle dans l'adoption et l'intensification de l'agroécologie. Les perceptions sur la couverture des besoins et de l'utilité favorisent la pratique de l'agroécologie. Il en est de même de l'expérience, l'alphabétisation et la taille du ménage. En revanche, la perception du risque, le poids des inactifs économiques et la superficie sont des freins. Ces résultats impliquent que les politiques agricoles de vulgarisation des techniques agroécologiques doivent tenir compte des perceptions des agriculteurs. Il faut aussi renforcer leur capacité à travers l'alphabétisation et la formation professionnelle. |
| Keywords: | Perception, Farmer, Agroecological practices, Adoption, Burkina Faso, Agriculteur, Pratiques agroécologiques |
| Date: | 2022–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03939540&r=env |
| By: | Caroline Flammer; Thomas Giroux; Geoffrey Heal |
| Abstract: | The use of private capital to finance biodiversity conservation and restoration is a new practice in sustainable finance. This study sheds light on this new practice. First, we provide a conceptual framework that lays out how biodiversity can be financed by i) pure private capital and ii) blended financing structures. In the latter, private capital is blended with public or philanthropic capital, whose aim is to de-risk private capital investments. The main element underlying both types of financing is the “monetization” of biodiversity, that is, the extent to which investments in biodiversity can generate a financial return for private investors. Second, we provide empirical evidence using deal-level data from a leading biodiversity finance institution. We find that projects with higher expected returns tend to be financed by pure private capital. Their scale is smaller, however, and so is their expected biodiversity impact. For larger-scale projects with a more ambitious biodiversity impact, blended finance is the more prevalent form of financing. While these projects have lower expected returns, their risk is also lower. This suggests that the blending—and the corresponding de-risking of private capital—is an important tool for improving the risk-return tradeoff of these projects, thereby increasing their appeal to private investors. Finally, we examine a set of projects that did not make it to the portfolio stage. This analysis suggests that, in order to be financed by private capital, biodiversity projects need to meet a certain threshold in terms of both their financial return and biodiversity impact. Accordingly, private capital is unlikely to substitute for the implementation of effective public policies in addressing the biodiversity crisis. |
| JEL: | G11 G23 G3 Q14 Q2 Q5 Q57 |
| Date: | 2023–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31022&r=env |
| By: | Chongyu Wang (The University of Hong Kong); Rose Neng Lai (University of Macau); Martin Hoesli (University of Geneva - Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM); Swiss Finance Institute; University of Aberdeen - Business School) |
| Abstract: | Treating the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a rare disaster event and defining proximity as both physical distance and political closeness, we analyze investors’ response to disaster risk by examining the performance of commercial real estate investments in countries of proximity to the event. We find that proximity to the war matters, but the impact of the disaster is not uniform across different property types. Firms with green and less obsolete properties are less likely to experience negative abnormal returns. Our findings highlight the differences in equity risk premia even within the same industry facing the same disaster. We also find support for the eminence of reducing reliance on brown fuel. |
| Keywords: | Disaster Risk, International Firm Performance, Equity Risk Premia, Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Sanction, Real Estate, Green Building |
| Date: | 2023–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2316&r=env |
| By: | Hayatullah Ahmadzai; Oliver Morrissey |
| Abstract: | Crop diversification is a farm level strategy to augment income, improve food security, and mitigate risks attributable to climate and market shocks. We use three-waves (2011/12 to 2016/17) of nationally representative repeated cross section surveys to study the impact of crop diversification on household welfare, measured by real adult equivalent consumption and food expenditure and dietary diversity, in Afghanistan. A multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) with instruments to correct for selection bias and endogeneity originating from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity is used to estimate average treatment effects of moving from one crop to two crops and then to three or more crops. Our analysis shows that crop diversification is a welfare enhancing strategy that increases household consumption, food security and dietary diversity. This holds for households in high and low conflict districts although the effect varies and households experiencing conflict tend to divert spending to food from other consumption spending. We also find a positive association between conflict, market related shocks and crop diversification, suggesting that households can adopt diversification to improve food security and mitigate the negative impacts of shocks by spreading risk through a wider production portfolio. |
| Keywords: | Crop diversification, Household welfare, Multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR), Conflict, Afghanistan |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:not:notcre:23/01&r=env |
| By: | Harper, Gavin D.J.; Kendrick, Emma; Anderson, Paul A.; Mrozik, Wojciech; Christensen, Paul; Lambert, Simon; Greenwood, David; Das, Prodip K.; Ahmeid, Mohamed; Milojevic, Zoran; Du, Wenjia; Brett, Dan J.L.; Shearing, Paul R.; Rastegarpanah, Alireza; Stolkin, Rustam; Sommerville, Roberto; Zorin, Anton; Durham, Jessica L.; Abbott, Andrew P.; Thompson, Dana; Browning, Nigel D.; Mehdi, B. Layla; Bahri, Mounib; Schanider-Tontini, Felipe; Nicholls, D.; Stallmeister, Christin; Friedrich, Bernd; Sommerfeld, Marcus; Driscoll, Laura L.; Jarvis, Abbey; Giles, Emily C.; Slater, Peter R.; Echavarri-Bravo, Virginia; Maddalena, Giovanni; Horsfall, Louise E.; Gaines, Linda; Dai, Qiang; Jethwa, Shiva J.; Lipson, Albert L.; Leeke, Gary A.; Cowell, Thomas; Farthing, Joseph Gresle; Mariani, Greta; Smith, Amy; Iqbal, Zubera; Golmohammadzadeh, Rabeeh; Sweeney, Luke; Goodship, Vannessa; Li, Zheng; Edge, Jacqueline; Lander, Laura; Nguyen, Viet Tien; Elliot, Robert J.R.; Heidrich, Oliver; Slattery, Margaret; Reed, Daniel; Ahuja, Jyoti; Cavoski, Aleksandra; Lee, Robert; Driscoll, Elizabeth; Baker, Jen; Littlewood, Peter; Styles, Iain; Mahanty, Sampriti; Boons, Frank |
| Abstract: | The market dynamics, and their impact on a future circular economy for lithium-ion batteries (LIB), are presented in this roadmap, with safety as an integral consideration throughout the life cycle. At the point of end-of-life (EOL), there is a range of potential options—remanufacturing, reuse and recycling. Diagnostics play a significant role in evaluating the state-of-health and condition of batteries, and improvements to diagnostic techniques are evaluated. At present, manual disassembly dominates EOL disposal, however, given the volumes of future batteries that are to be anticipated, automated approaches to the dismantling of EOL battery packs will be key. The first stage in recycling after the removal of the cells is the initial cell-breaking or opening step. Approaches to this are reviewed, contrasting shredding and cell disassembly as two alternative approaches. Design for recycling is one approach that could assist in easier disassembly of cells, and new approaches to cell design that could enable the circular economy of LIBs are reviewed. After disassembly, subsequent separation of the black mass is performed before further concentration of components. There are a plethora of alternative approaches for recovering materials; this roadmap sets out the future directions for a range of approaches including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, short-loop, direct, and the biological recovery of LIB materials. Furthermore, anode, lithium, electrolyte, binder and plastics recovery are considered in order to maximise the proportion of materials recovered, minimise waste and point the way towards zero-waste recycling. The life-cycle implications of a circular economy are discussed considering the overall system of LIB recycling, and also directly investigating the different recycling methods. The legal and regulatory perspectives are also considered. Finally, with a view to the future, approaches for next-generation battery chemistries and recycling are evaluated, identifying gaps for research. This review takes the form of a series of short reviews, with each section written independently by a diverse international authorship of experts on the topic. Collectively, these reviews form a comprehensive picture of the current state of the art in LIB recycling, and how these technologies are expected to develop in the future. |
| Keywords: | batteries; circular economy; legislation; lithium-ion; recycling; sustainability |
| JEL: | J1 |
| Date: | 2023–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:118420&r=env |
| By: | Beisheim, Marianne; Weinlich, Silke |
| Abstract: | Der Präsident der UN-Generalversammlung hat Deutschlands Botschafterin und Namibias Botschafter zu Verhandlungsführern für den "Summit of the Future" ernannt. Dieser für September 2024 geplante Reformgipfel soll die UN und mithin Strukturen des Weltregierens besser für alte und neue Herausforderungen aufstellen. Dazu zählt, die Umsetzung der internationalen Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (SDGs) bis 2030 voranzubringen. Wegen der angespannten Weltlage ist dies kein leichtes Unterfangen. Wichtig ist jetzt, den Prozess gut aufzugleisen, um Unterstützung zu gewinnen sowie öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit für und Vertrauen in ihn zu schaffen. |
| Keywords: | UN-Zukunftsgipfel, Summit of the Future, Vereinte Nationen, Our Common Agenda, SDG-Gipfel, Pakt für die Zukunft, Global Governance |
| Date: | 2022 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:swpakt:742022&r=env |