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on Environmental Economics |
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Issue of 2024‒02‒26
sixty-nine papers chosen by Francisco S. Ramos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco |
| By: | Chakraborty, Lekha (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Kaur, Amandeep (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Mohanty, Ranjan Kumar (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Rangan, Divy (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy) |
| Abstract: | Against the backdrop of COP28, this paper investigates the impact of intergovernmental fiscal transfers (IGFT) on climate change commitments in India. Within the analytical framework of environmental federalism, we tested the evidence for Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) using a panel model covering 27 Indian States from 2003 to 2020. The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between IGFT and the net forest cover (NFC) across Indian States. The analysis also suggests an inverse-U relationship between Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and the environmental quality, indicating a potential Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for India. The findings substantiate the fiscal policy impacts for climate change commitments within the fiscal federal frameworks of India, and the significance of IGFT in increasing the forest cover in India. This has policy implications for the sixteenth Finance Commission of India in integrating a climate change related criterion in the tax transfer formula in a sustainable manner. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Federalism ; Environmental Kuznets Curve ; Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers ; Government Expenditures |
| JEL: | E6 H5 H7 |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:24/406&r=env |
| By: | Pollitt, M. G.; Dolphin, G. G. |
| Abstract: | This paper considers the current proposal to extend the EU ETS to cover CO2 emissions from the combustion of heating and road transport fuels. We argue that increased coverage of the EU ETS, together with a binding cap consistent with a net zero trajectory, would be a powerful dynamic incentive to efficient emissions reduction. In addition, it would complement standards-based policies currently enacted in these sectors in several ways. Distributional implications remain a serious challenge to such an extension but several mechanisms are available to alleviate them. |
| Keywords: | climate policy, emissions trading, EU, net zero |
| JEL: | Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:2152&r=env |
| By: | Duran-Fernandez, Roberto; de Carvalho Coutinho, Taciana |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Amazon, a vital ecological treasure in Latin America. It covers the region's environmental significance as the planet's largest rainforest and a major carbon sink, housing immense biodiversity. The study also traces the Amazon's geological history and its crucial role in the global water cycle. It explores the rich cultural heritage of the Amazon, debunking the myth of an untouched wilderness by revealing evidence of significant ancient civilizations and agricultural origins. The economic analysis highlights the contrast between the region's natural richness and the poverty of its inhabitants, focusing on the challenges posed by extractive industries, geographical isolation, and environmental threats like deforestation. The paper proposes a sustainable bioeconomy model, emphasizing indigenous knowledge and the need for strategic investments and institutional strengthening. It concludes by stressing the importance of a balanced approach to conserving the Amazon while ensuring economic viability for its inhabitants, underlining the region's global significance for environmental health and climate change mitigation. |
| Keywords: | Amazon Rainforest, Environmental, Conservation, Sustainable Development, Bioeconomy, Amazonia |
| JEL: | Q01 Q56 Q57 R11 N56 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:281668&r=env |
| By: | Inessa BENCHORA; Aurélien LEROY; Louis RAFFESTIN |
| Abstract: | This article examines the impact of monetary policy (MP) on firms’ stock prices across CO2 emissions. We provide a theoretical model in which green firms are less sensitive to MP shocks than brown firms, because they are less exposed to transition risk and provide non-pecuniary utility to investors. We test this prediction by using a panel event-study regression approach on 857 US firms between 2010 and 2019. We find robust evidence that firms with high carbon intensity are significantly more affected by policy rate surprises. The sensitivity premium of brown firms remains significant when controlling for classic sources of MP heterogeneity, is persistent, and increases with climate awareness. Our results suggest that the market neutrality principle guiding the implementation of monetary policy could induce a bias toward brown firms. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Transition risk, Carbon emissions, Monetary policy shocks, Risk premia. |
| JEL: | E44 O13 Q49 Q54 G12 G15 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grt:bdxewp:2023-08&r=env |
| By: | Shima, Mst. Urmi Akter; Hasan, Mohammad Monirul |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the intricate dynamics of land transformation and its correlation with rising surface temperatures in Gazipur District, Bangladesh, amid rapid urbanization and climate change. As urban areas attract more inhabitants, Gazipur experiences alarming rates of urbanization, contributing significantly to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. The depletion of water bodies exacerbates this effect, posing severe consequences for the regional climate and environment. Conducted as an integrated study utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), this research spans the years 2000 to 2021. Landsat 7 & 8 satellite imagery products were employed to analyze land cover changes and recover Land Surface Temperature (LST). Remote sensing techniques enabled the examination of the impact of vegetation cover changes on surface temperature, revealing a strong correlation between LST and land cover classes. Results indicate a substantial reduction in water bodies, decreasing from 33% to 0.01%, and a parallel decline in vegetation cover. These areas are increasingly converted into built-up spaces, contributing to rising temperatures that fluctuate between 28℃ and 35℃. The findings underscore the significance of land cover classes in influencing surface temperature variations. The study not only adds depth to the understanding of Gazipur's evolving landscape but also contributes valuable insights into the intricate relationship between land transformation, urbanization, and climate change. |
| Keywords: | Vegetation coverage, Land Surface Temperature, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Urbanization |
| JEL: | Q23 Q24 Q25 Q56 Q57 R14 R52 |
| Date: | 2022–08–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:119867&r=env |
| By: | Ferreira, Susana (University of Georgia) |
| Abstract: | This article reviews the literature on the economic impacts of disasters caused by extreme weather and climate events to draw lessons on how societies can better manage these risks. While evidence that richer, better governed societies suffer less and recover faster from climate extremes suggests adaptation, knowledge gaps remain, and little is known about the efficiency of specific adaptation actions. I review various "no or low" regrets adaptation options which are recommended when uncertainties over climate change impacts are high. I discuss how governments can play an important role in adaptation by directly providing public goods to manage disaster risks or by facilitating private agents' adaptation responses, but also highlight the political economy of policy and coordination failures. |
| Keywords: | climate change policy, natural disasters, climate adaptation, risk management, climate extremes |
| JEL: | Q54 Q56 O13 O44 I30 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16715&r=env |
| By: | Sorroche-del-Rey, Yolanda; Piedra-Muñoz, Laura; Galdeano-Gómez, Emilio |
| Abstract: | In recent years, a great deal of research has analyzed the impact of trade openness on the environment, with the aim of determining whether internationalization contributes to the improvement of environmental performance or, on the contrary, hinders the achievement of sustainable development. The objective of the present work is to conduct a systematic literature review on the interrelationship between international trade and environmental performance (EP) at the micro and macroeconomic levels, analyzing the existent theoretical approaches and the EP indicators utilized in practice. The most prominent theories found are firm heterogeneity, at a microeconomic level, and the pollution haven/halo hypotheses, at a macroeconomic level. Also, the EP indicators have been classified according to five dimensions: energy consumption, resource consumption, emissions, risk potential and toxic potential, of which pollutant gas emissions and energy consumption are the most used. The results obtained show evidence of the interrelationship mentioned from the perspective of the different theories. In addition, this analysis helps to identify several gaps in this line of study. |
| Keywords: | international trade, environmental performance, sustainable development, indicators, theoretical framework, systematic literature review. |
| JEL: | D21 F13 F18 F41 Q01 Q56 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:119918&r=env |
| By: | Moustafa, Khaled (Founder & Editor of ArabiXiv) |
| Abstract: | Climate change is a multi-hazard challenge for life on earth in all its aspects. Wildfires, pollution, drought and heatwaves are just a few examples of exacerbated environmental crises propelled by climate change effects. To mitigate such effects, urgent actions are required to cutoff greenhouse gas emissions by all the means across all the sectors. Every additional kilogram of greenhouse gases produced unnecessarily should be avoided. One source of greenhouse gas emissions that may not be top of mind for the public and policymakers - and which can be taken into account in preventive environmental policies- is the industry of administrative and identification documents (papers) with short validity dates that involves intensive production (mass printing) and frequent renewals (mass reprinting) while the carbon footprint is too high. The validity of, for example, identity cards, passports, banking cards, driving licenses, etc., is often short ranging from ~ 3 to 10 years, depending on each type of document and issuing country. Short validity dates, however, should raise critical questions regarding the environmental sustainability, societal and carbon impact, and depletion of natural resources used in their production and frequent renewals. Identification documents are not food products that spoil over time or medications that lose their functional activities, so their validity should be unlimited by time in order to avoid the high environmental costs of mass printing/reprinting and high rates of greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production. The production of plasticized ID-type cards can emit up to 100 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per card. Manufacturing one administrative document per person and renewing it five times could produce up to 4 million tons of carbon dioxide globally. If individuals have five administrative documents that need renewing five times, which is often the case, gas emissions would be five times higher, or approximately 20 million tons of CO2 equivalent. To save such important amounts of gas emissions, a modernization and flexibilization of administrative documents industry is required toward removing validity by date. This simple change could save substantial amounts of energy and natural resources, such as trees and water, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by million tons, especially in the pressing context of climate change. It should be time to initiate a paradigm shift in the administrative document industry. Eliminating validity periods is a straightforward yet effective solution that would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable environmental practices. |
| Date: | 2023–12–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:uan9g&r=env |
| By: | Santeramo, Fabio; Ferrari, Emanuele; Toreti, Andrea |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339436&r=env |
| By: | Anna Burova (Bank of Russia, Russian Federation); Elena Deryugina (Bank of Russia, Russian Federation); Nadezhda Ivanova (Bank of Russia, Russian Federation); Maxim Morozov (Bank of Russia, Russian Federation); Natalia Turdyeva (Bank of Russia, Russian Federation) |
| Abstract: | Energy transition and climate policies associated with it may become one of the major challenges for the Russian economy. We present an approach to assessing consequences of climate policy for Russia and evaluating related transition risks for the country’s financial system. This approach relies on a CGE model for the Russian economy and a financial model based on firm-level data. We show that both international and domestic climate policies affect the financial stability of the Russian Federation. The effects of international climate actions summarised in the NGFS Net Zero 2050 scenario are bigger than the effects of the introduction of a domestic emission trading system with a reduction goal of the Intensive scenario of the Russian state strategy of low-carbon development. |
| Keywords: | Russia, climate policy, energy transition, transition risk, financial stability, CGE |
| JEL: | C68 E51 E62 G10 G21 Q52 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bkr:wpaper:wps109&r=env |
| By: | Fischer, Lion; Rapp, Marc Steffen; Zahner, Johannes |
| Abstract: | In December 2017, during the One Planet Summit in Paris, a group of eight central banks and supervisory authorities launched the "Network for Greening the Financial Sector" (NGFS) to address challenges and risks posed by climate change to the global financial system. Until 06/2023 an additional 69 central banks from all around the world have joined the network. We find that the propensity to join the network can be described as a function in the country's economic development (e.g., GDP per capita), national institutions (e.g., central bank independence), and performance of the central bank on its mandates (e.g., price stability and output gap). Using an event study design to examine consequences of network expansions in capital markets, we document that a difference portfolio that is long in clean energy stocks and short in fossil fuel stocks benefits from an enlargement of the NGFS. Overall, our results suggest that an increasing number of central banks and supervisory authorities are concerned about climate change and willing to go beyond their traditional objectives, and that the capital market believes they will do so. |
| Keywords: | Climate finance, green central bank policy, stock market reaction, sustainable finance |
| JEL: | E58 E61 G1 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:imfswp:281998&r=env |
| By: | Bats, Joost Victor; Bua, Giovanna; Kapp, Daniel |
| Abstract: | The European Union plays a prominent role in climate regulations initiatives, this commitment likely implies that climate risk premiums look different in Europe compared to the rest of the world. This paper examines the pricing implications of climate risks in euro area corporate bond markets, focusing on physical and transition risk. Using climate news as a gauge for systematic climate risk, we find a significant pricing effect of physical risk in long-term bonds, with investors demanding higher returns on bonds exposed to physical risk shocks. The estimated physical risk premium is 34 basis points, indicating increased awareness and hedging demand after the Paris Agreement. Transition risk premiums are smaller and less significant, reflecting the ongoing transition to a low-carbon economy. Our findings contribute to understanding climate risk pricing in the European bond markets, highlighting the importance of physical risk and the evolving nature of investor demand for climate-resilient assets. JEL Classification: G12, G14, G28, Q51, Q54 |
| Keywords: | climate physical risk, climate transition risk, corporate bonds, intertemporal hedging demand, news index |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20242899&r=env |
| By: | Domingo, Sonny N.; Manejar, Arvie Joy A. |
| Abstract: | The 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 28) in November 2023 started with the manifestation of concrete commitments from developed countries and ended with a progressive promise to complete the establishment of a climate change loss and damage fund, sustain and administer country contributions, and continue to work toward fossil fuel reduction and disaster risk reduction and management. The move contributes toward an equitable burden distribution between the highest GHG emitters in the global community and the most affected nations by climate-related disasters. This is important as pieces of evidence show that developing countries like the Philippines are disproportionately more affected by climate change-related disaster events. This study assessed the particulars of the climate and disaster-related loss and damage accounting in the Philippines and looked into ways to better the country’s position to tap the newly established Loss and Damage Fund. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | climate change impact;loss and damage accounting;disaster risk reduction and management;DRRM |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2023-47&r=env |
| By: | Chengyi Tu; Renfei Chen; Ying Fan; Yongliang Yang |
| Abstract: | Common-pool resource governance requires users to cooperate and avoid overexploitation, but defection and free-riding often undermine cooperation. We model a human-environmental system that integrates dynamics of resource and users' strategies. The resource follows a logistic function that depends on natural growth rate, carrying capacity, and extraction rates of cooperators and defectors. The users' strategies evolve according to different processes that capture effects of payoff, resource, and noise. We analyze the feedback between resource availability and strategic adaptation, and explores the conditions for the emergence and maintenance of cooperation. We find different processes lead to different regimes of equilibrium solutions and resource levels depending on the parameter configuration and initial conditions. We also show that some processes can enhance the sustainability of the resource by making the users more responsive to the resource scarcity. The paper advances the understanding of human-environmental system and offers insights for resource governance policies and interventions. |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.11269&r=env |
| By: | Jaden Kim; Augustus J Panton; Gregor Schwerhoff |
| Abstract: | The current energy crisis has raised important policy questions on how to strengthen short-term energy security while remaining firmly committed to the green transition, a challenge amplified by the recent consensus at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels. This paper examines the historical determinants of the security of energy supply and analyzes the green transition implications for energy security. Looking back, we find that the diversification of energy trade partners, or the lack thereof, was the main factor that underpinned energy security dynamics within and across countries over the last two decades. Looking ahead, the green transition is expected to have a net positive effect on energy security provided investments are aligned to address new challenges posed by the increased reliance on renewables. |
| Keywords: | Energy security; energy independence; green transition; climate mitigation; geo-political risks |
| Date: | 2024–01–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2024/006&r=env |
| By: | Fusacchia, Ilaria; Berthet, Étienne; Antimiani, Alessandro |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339439&r=env |
| By: | Martin Stuermer (International Monetary Fund, Research Department); Maxwell Fleming (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Ian Lange (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Sayeh Shojaeinia (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines) |
| Abstract: | Growth models with resources and environmental externalities typically assume that planet Earth is a closed economy. However, private firms like Blue Origin and SpaceX have reduced the cost of rocket launches by a factor of 20 over the last decade. What if these costs continue to decline, making mining from asteroids or the moon feasible? What would be the implications for economic growth and the environment? This paper provides stylized facts about cost trends, geology and the environmental impact of mining on Earth and potentially in space. We extend a neoclassical growth model to investigate the transition from mining on Earth to space. We find that such a transition could potentially allow for continued growth of metal use, while limiting environmental and social costs on Earth. Acknowledging the high uncertainty around the topic, our paper provides a starting point for research on how space mining could contribute to sustainable growth on Earth. |
| Keywords: | space economics, metals, mining, growth, sustainability |
| JEL: | Q32 E22 Q02 |
| Date: | 2023–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp202302&r=env |
| By: | Eeshaan Dutta; Sarthak Diwan; Siddhartha P. Chakrabarty |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes an algorithmic trading framework integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings with a pairs trading strategy. It addresses the demand for socially responsible investment solutions by developing a unique algorithm blending ESG data with methods for identifying co-integrated stocks. This allows selecting profitable pairs adhering to ESG principles. Further, it incorporates technical indicators for optimal trade execution within this sustainability framework. Extensive back-testing provides evidence of the model's effectiveness, consistently generating positive returns exceeding conventional pairs trading strategies, while upholding ESG principles. This paves the way for a transformative approach to algorithmic trading, offering insights for investors, policymakers, and academics. |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.14761&r=env |
| By: | Lundberg, Clark; Szmurlo, Dan; Abman, Ryan |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339470&r=env |
| By: | Moustafa, Khaled (Founder & Editor of ArabiXiv) |
| Abstract: | Evergreen trees have continuous photosynthetic and physiological reactions that generate a permanent flow of electrons. If we can harness such electric charges, we can produce renewable electricity from green trees. To make this a reality, I propose the development of highly sensitive electronic sensors capable of capturing electric charges and movement inside plant stems and leaves. The captured charges can then be collected and converted into usable electricity stored in batteries, and used as a new renewable energy to power low-wattage devices such as lamps, street lights, and small electronics. If successfully achieved, such an approach has the potential to fulfill basic electricity needs in small cities and remote rural areas where conventional electric sources are not always available. In forests and highly dense plant populations, where thousands of trees grow, the total amount of potentially generable electricity could be significant to meet the energy needs of surrounding communities. |
| Date: | 2024–01–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:f8g5n&r=env |
| By: | Abman, Ryan; Lundberg, Clark; Ruta, Michele |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339471&r=env |
| By: | Blanc, Corin |
| Abstract: | Based on the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) of 2020, we are analyzing the relationship between political positioning, trust, and attitudes towards environmental policies. Our study reveals that voters of far-right parties in France, Europe, and the United States are less concerned about environmental issues compared to others. Their environmental concerns also differ in nature: they focus on local issues whose consequences directly affect their daily lives. Furthermore, these voters are generally opposed to any binding environmental policy, regardless of its nature. They also prefer punitive environmental policies over positive incentives for behavioral change, unlike centrist voters. We also confirm a previously known result: far-right voters express lower trust than others towards the rest of society and institutions in general. However, this distrust appears to hinder their adherence to environmentally friendly policies and attitudes. |
| Keywords: | Environnement, Vote, Wellbeing, far-right |
| Date: | 2023–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpm:notobe:2315b&r=env |
| By: | Gary D. Libecap |
| Abstract: | Non-target marine fish species and ocean ecosystems are increasingly valuable. Ongoing efforts to preserve them emphasize spatial controls on human entry and use via Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). They cover 7.6% of world oceans and aim for 30% by 2030 under the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). MPAs are Pigouvian-style, polluter-pays, controls with rare direct compensation and uncertain projected fishery benefits. Under this policy design, they impose differential economic costs and benefits and likely are inequitable. Absent economic cost/benefit analysis at inauguration, they may be too large, extensive, and restrictive. In the empirical cases below, MPAs are controversial with political pushback, threatening long-term conservation. User rights and Coasean bargaining may avoid some of these outcomes. |
| JEL: | H41 K32 L38 N5 Q22 Q57 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32079&r=env |
| By: | David A. Keiser; Bhashkar Mazumder; David Molitor; Joseph S. Shapiro; Brant J. Walker |
| Abstract: | The quality and inequality of US drinking water investments have gained attention after recent environmental disasters in Flint, Michigan, and elsewhere. We compare the formula-based targeting of subsidized loans provided under the Safe Drinking Water Act with the targeting of congressional drinking water earmarks (“pork barrel” spending). Earmarks are often critiqued for potentially privileging wealthier and more politically connected communities. We find that earmarks target Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities, partly due to targeting water systems serving large populations. Earmark and loan targeting differ significantly across all the demographics we analyze. Compared to Safe Drinking Water Act loans, earmarks disproportionately target Hispanic communities but not Black or low-income communities. |
| JEL: | H2 I1 P0 Q5 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32058&r=env |
| By: | Baier, Philipp; Berninger, Marc; Kiesel, Florian |
| Abstract: | Considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors becomes increasingly important for companies and investors. However, “ESG” is not clearly defined so far and, therefore, it is difficult to measure the ESG activity of companies. We analyze the extent and changes in 10‐K reports and proxy statements on ESG, using a textual analysis and creating an ESG dictionary. The results show an average of 4.0 % ESG words on total words in the reports. The ESG word list with 482 items can be used to quantitatively examine the extent of ESG reporting, which will be helpful especially for SRI investors. Our classification of 40 subcategories allows a highly granular analysis of different ESG related aspects. Moreover, indications for a relation between changes in reporting and real events, especially negative media presence, are detected. Regulatory bodies have to be aware of the use of such words and how they are used. |
| Date: | 2024–01–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dar:wpaper:142193&r=env |
| By: | Daniele Colombo; Laurent Ferrara |
| Abstract: | This paper evaluates the dynamic impact of weather shocks on economic activity within the three main European countries. To consolidate meaningful variation in weather patterns, we propose a novel monthly composite weather index (CWI). This index captures relevant information on severe cold and heat conditions, drought, heavy precipitation, and intense wind events. We estimate a series of country-specific Bayesian Structural Vector Autoregressive models to assess the effects of weather shocks on distinct production sectors, namely energy, construction, manufacturing, and services. The findings reveal evidence of a significant impact of weather shocks on economic activity in Europe, with each component of the CWI exerting heterogeneous effects across different countries and production sectors. |
| Keywords: | weather shocks, European production, Bayesian SVAR |
| JEL: | C32 E23 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:camaaa:2024-07&r=env |
| By: | Díaz, Araceli Ortega; García, Victor Hugo Hernández; Zahniser, Steven; Arias, José Valentín Solis y |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Demand and Price Analysis |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339465&r=env |
| By: | Nicoletta Corrocher; Simone Maria Grabner; Andrea Morrison |
| Abstract: | To promote a more environmentally sustainable economy, countries need to broaden their innovation activities to include green technologies. In this process, the increasing global interconnectedness and internationalisation of innovative activities underlines the growing importance of external knowledge linkages. This paper examines how different categories of countries - technological leaders, catching-up countries and follower countries - diversify into green technologies by exploiting different types of external linkages through co-inventions with international partners. The dataset covers 49 countries over a period of 40 years. The results show that it is complementary linkages, rather than external linkages alone, that facilitate related diversification in the green sector. Moreover, while complementary linkages have a significant impact on the ability of catching-up countries and followers to diversify into less complex and widely diffused green technologies, the diversification pattern of leaders is more oriented towards complex technologies in their early stages. Therefore, green technology development policies should actively promote international cooperation as it has the potential to catalyse green catching-up and foster sustainable growth. |
| Keywords: | technological diversification, green technologies, co-inventor linkages, relatedness, catching-up |
| JEL: | O33 Q55 |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egu:wpaper:2404&r=env |
| By: | Diletta Acuti (University of Portsmouth); Marta Pizzetti (EM - emlyon business school); Sara Dolnicar (University of Queensland [Brisbane]) |
| Abstract: | The existential need for more sustainable production and consumption has attracted substantial scholarly interest, which has focused on the positive outcomes of corporate sustainability. Negative side-effects have been largely neglected. This study contributes (1) by synthesizing past research into such negative side-effects from a diverse set of business disciplines; (2) by conceptualizing—for the first time—unintended negative side-effects of product and service sustainability; and (3) by developing a research agenda guiding researchers in addressing the most important knowledge gaps. The synthesis of 94 articles identifies three main cognitive mechanisms (information elaboration, product perception bias, and self-perception) and several emotionally aversive states (anxiety, shame, guilt, regret, distress, reduced enjoyment, frustration, discomfort, stress, and embarrassment) that are responsible for unintended negative side-effects resulting from product and service sustainability. Immediate managerial implications from this study include the critical importance of simple corporate sustainable communication that does not require consumers to dedicate substantial cognitive resources. Important future research directions include the investigation of the effects of green hushing and the development and testing of practical ways to help companies to avoid the sustainability liability trap, which leads to reduced demand because of sustainable features of products or services. |
| Keywords: | Information complexity, Systematic review, Negative effect, Product perception, Self‐perception, Sustainability, Sustainable consumption |
| Date: | 2022–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04381310&r=env |
| By: | Elena Fourcroy (INTERACT - Innovation, Territoire, Agriculture et Agro-industrie, Connaissance et Technologie - UniLaSalle) |
| Abstract: | The use of digestates as a nutrient-rich by-product of biogas productionas cheap fertilizers in agriculture is experiencing an important increase in the European Union. The growth of digestate markets is promoted as a tool to develop a circular bioeconomy in rural areas. However, regional and local conflicts around digestates use are on the rise, due to potential negative externalities. One of the major externalities lies in the fear of nitrates, phosphates and pathogens pollution of water resources. These conflicts threaten the very existence of digestate markets. The recent literature on circular economy emphasizes the importance of regional governance for circular economy implementation and success in rural territories. By governance, we understand here the coordination of stakeholders to organize economic activity. The aim of this paper is therefore to understand the role of the regional coordination of stakeholders to manage conflicts affecting digestate markets in situations of information asymmetry or shared uncertainty. We present in this article the regional governance of two antagonistic case studies of digestate markets in France. We mirror the two cases as one is experiencing severe conflicts over the protection of water resources with a poor regional coordination of stakeholders, and the second one is experiencing almost no conflict as digestate use has been designed and implemented through intense regional coordination in order to help protecting the water resources. We identify regional and sub-regional governance mechanisms and we analyse their success or their failure in preventing and managing conflicts over water resources protection. |
| Keywords: | regional governance, regional planning, environmental conflicts, digestates, water protection |
| Date: | 2022–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04369271&r=env |
| By: | Neha Deopa; Daniele Rinaldo |
| Abstract: | Do religions codify ecological principles? This paper explores theoretically and empirically the role religious beliefs play in shaping environmental interactions. We study African Traditional Religions (ATR) which place forests within a sacred sphere. We build a model of non-market interactions of the mean-field type where the actions of agents with heterogeneous religious beliefs continuously affect the spatial density of forest cover. The equilibrium extraction policy shows how individual beliefs and their distribution among the population can be a key driver of forest conservation. The model also characterizes the role of resource scarcity in both individual and population extraction decisions. We test the model predictions empirically relying on the unique case of Benin, where ATR adherence is freely reported. Using an instrumental variable strategy that exploits the variation in proximity to the Benin-Nigerian border, we find that a 1 standard deviation increase in ATR adherence has a 0.4 standard deviation positive impact on forest cover change. We study the impact of historically belonging to the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, birthplace of the Vodun religion. Using the original boundaries as a spatial discontinuity, we find positive evidence of Dahomey affiliation on contemporary forest change. Lastly, we compare observed forest cover to counterfactual outcomes by simulating the absence of ATR beliefs across the population. |
| Date: | 2023–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.13673&r=env |
| By: | Nepal, Rabindra (School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong, Australia); Liu, Yang (School of International Trade and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, China); Dong, Kangyin (School of International Trade and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, China); Jamasb, Tooraj (Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School) |
| Abstract: | The electricity sector in many developing nations faces the difficulty of insufficient financing throughout the low-carbon transition, highlighting the importance of green financing in alleviating financial constraints. The advancement of digital technology can provide green finance in the power industry inside the digital economy, but this statement lacks empirical evidence. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of green financing on low-carbon power transformation in developing nations. Additionally, we investigate the moderating role of digital economy between the two. Our findings validate the favorable impact of green financing on low-carbon electricity transformation, and this impact is particularly evident for wind and solar power. We show that this beneficial effect is greater for low-income countries or regions with low levels of electricity transition. We also provide evidence of the positive moderation effect of digital economy and find that this effect has three dimensions: digital infrastructure, digital social impact, and digital social support. This research helps to broaden green financing channels for the power sector in developing countries, especially from the perspective of digital economy. |
| Keywords: | Green financing; Low-carbon transformation of electricity; Digital economy; Moderation effect; Global case |
| JEL: | C23 G23 O33 Q42 |
| Date: | 2024–02–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cbsnow:2024_006&r=env |
| By: | TAKAGI Seiji |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the contributions of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using three major FTAs of which Japan is a member as case studies. The analysis focuses on the current state of contributions and explores the potential for further contributions in the future. Although the 17 goals and 169 targets of SDGs have limited direct linkages to international trade issues, considering the broader context of negotiations related to SDGs, the contribution of FTAs, with their primary goal of trade liberalization, can be considered substantial. Upon analyzing the specific content of the three FTAs—CPTPP, Japan-EU EPA, and RCEP, it is evident that all the three FTAs include many provisions that contribute to SDGs. CPTPP and Japan-EU EPA include provisions in new, broader areas such as the environment, labor, and transparency, contributing to SDGs. While RCEP has relatively limited provisions in new areas compared to the other two FTAs, it has strengthened provisions in such areas as special consideration for developing countries and cooperation. Thus, in the existing agreements, contributions to SDGs are observed across a wide range of fields. The expansion of existing FTA memberships, improvements in content, and the establishment of new FTAs could potentially enhance contributions to SDGs in the future. Moreover, contributions to SDGs through economic agreements that do not involve trade liberalization can also continue to expand. The regulations within FTAs that contribute to SDGs often include less legally binding provisions and many provisions on cooperation. The extent and evaluation of contributions in these provisions are likely to be determined through practical implementation in the future. |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:24006&r=env |
| By: | Magdalena Cornejo (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella/CONICET); Nicolás Merener (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella); Ezequiel Merovich (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella) |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Midwest produces about a third of global corn and soybeans, two of the most important crops for humanity. Earlier literature has found that corn and soybean output is sensitive to weather in a nonlinear manner: yields benefit from moderate rain and temperatures, and generally suffer under drought, excessive rain and extreme heat. In this study we explore how changing weather patterns and extreme events in the U.S. Midwest have impacted the valuation of corn and soybeans. Using data for 1971-2019 we find that the distribution of regional summer rain has experienced a significant shift towards the right since 1993, with a marked increase in extreme rain episodes. Prior to 1993, dry spells during the summer led to strongly higher crop prices and were exacerbated by extreme heat. Since 1993, extreme dry spells and larger storms have been both associated with price increases in the 10% range. We also find that the nonlinear price response to weather is compatible with the impact of weather on terminal yields. Our results suggest that changing weather patterns and extreme events in the U.S. Midwest have a strong influence in the valuation of corn and soybeans. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture; Extreme Events; Climate Change; Valuation; Corn; Soybeans |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aoz:wpaper:303&r=env |
| By: | Stephen P. Holland; Erin T. Mansur; Valentin Verdier; Andrew J. Yates |
| Abstract: | Environmental policy is increasingly concerned with measuring emissions resulting from local changes to electricity consumption. These marginal emissions are challenging to measure because electricity grids encompass multiple locations and the information available to identify the effect of each location’s consumption on grid-wide emissions is limited. We formalize this as a high-dimensional aggregation problem: The effect of electricity consumption on emissions can be estimated precisely for each electricity generating unit (generator), but not precisely enough to obtain reliable estimates of marginal emissions by summing these effects across all generators in a grid. We study how two economic constraints can address this problem: electricity supply equals demand and an assumption of monotonicity. We show that these constraints can be used to formulate a ‘naturally regularized’ estimator, which implements an implicit penalization that does not need to be directly tuned. Under an additional assumption of sparsity, we show that our new estimator solves the high-dimensional aggregation problem, i.e., it is consistent for marginal emissions where the usual regression estimator would not be. We also develop an asymptotically valid method for inference to accompany our estimator. When applied to the U.S. electricity grid with 13 separate consumption regions, our method yields plausible patterns of marginal generation across fuel types and geographic location. Our estimates of region-level marginal emissions are precise, account for imports/exports between regions, and allow for all fuel types to potentially be on the margin. |
| JEL: | C23 Q42 Q48 Q53 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32065&r=env |
| By: | Jhorland Ayala-García; Federico Ceballos-Sierra |
| Abstract: | Quantifying the impact of supply shocks on global commodity trade networks is an increasing concern for researchers under the current threats of climate change and the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper proposes a novel methodology to estimate these effects across the entire trade network: we create a weight matrix based on an index that captures the extent to which two coffee-producing countries compete within consumer markets. Using this matrix, we estimate the degree to which an adverse weather shock in a coffee-producing country influences the coffee production of its competitors. Our results show that this adverse shock has a negative direct effect on the country’s coffee exports and, importantly, a positive effect on the quantities produced by its competitors. **** Resumen: Cuantificar el impacto de los choques de oferta en las cadenas mundiales de comercio de productos básicos es una preocupación cada vez mayor para los investigadores ante las amenazas actuales del cambio climático y las lecciones de la pandemia del COVID-19. Este artículo propone una metodología novedosa para estimar estos efectos en toda la red comercial: creamos una matriz espacial de competidores basada en un índice que captura el grado en que dos países productores de café compiten dentro de los mercados de consumo. Utilizando esta matriz, estimamos el grado en que un choque climático adverso en un país productor de café influye en la producción y exportación de café de sus competidores. Nuestros resultados muestran que este choque adverso tiene un efecto directo negativo sobre las exportaciones de café del país y, más importante aún, un efecto positivo sobre las cantidades producidas por sus competidores. |
| Keywords: | coffee, frosts, supply shocks, weighting matrix, spatial spillovers, Café, heladas, choques de oferta, matriz de pesos espaciales, difusión |
| JEL: | E23 F1 Q02 Q17 Q56 |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdr:region:324&r=env |
| By: | Llorca, Manuel (Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School); Soroush, Golnoush (Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School); Giovannetti, Emanuele (Faculty of Business and Law, Anglia Ruskin University, UK); Jamasb, Tooraj (Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School); Davi-Arderius, Daniel (Càtedra de Sostenibilitat Energètica, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain) |
| Abstract: | The green transition relies on electricity generation from intermittent renewable energy sources and the electrification of end-consumption such as heating, cooling, or mobility. At the same time, an increasing number of previously passive consumers are becoming active actors in the energy system, while the quantity of electric devices connected to the grid increases. These trends pose new operational, economic, and regulatory questions as the traditional roles of certain agents are mutating and multiplying. Digitalisation offers the possibility of implementing innovative solutions to the new challenges faced by grid operators, especially at the distribution grid level. In the EU Grid Action Plan, investments in grid digitalisation and real-time monitoring are deemed as crucial to achieve an efficient and fast energy transition. In this paper we present potential digital solutions to overcome the operational challenges posed by the ‘future-proof’ energy systems currently being devised and we address their economic implications. We also address some key aspects related to the digitalisation of the energy sector (efficiency and innovation, interoperability and standardisation, centralised vs decentralised solutions) from an economic perspective. Finally, a successful digitalisation of the sector requires adjustments in the regulatory frameworks. In the conclusion, we detail some recommendations needed for regulatory improvements. |
| Keywords: | Energy transition; Digitalisation; Standardisation and interoperability; Economic principles; Innovation; Regulation |
| JEL: | L10 L50 L90 Q40 |
| Date: | 2024–02–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cbsnow:2024_005&r=env |
| By: | Adenäuer, Marcel; Frezal, Clara; Chatzopoulos, Thomas |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2022–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iats22:339448&r=env |
| By: | Cédric Crofils (LEDa, Paris-Dauphine & PSL Universities, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, AMSE, Marseille, France); Ewen Gallic (Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, AMSE, Marseille, France); Gauthier Vermandel (CMAP, Ecole polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Banque de France, LEDa, Paris-Dauphine & PSL Universities) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the dynamic effects of weather shocks on monthly agricultural production in Peru, using a Local Projection framework. An adverse weather shock, measured by an excess of heat or rain, always generates a delayed negative downturn in agricultural production, but its magnitude and duration depend on several factors, such as the type of crop concerned or the timing at which it occurs. On average, a weather shock –a temperature shock– can cause a monthly decline of 5% in agricultural production for up to four consecutive months. The response is time-dependent: shocks occurring during the growing season exhibit a much larger response. At the macroeconomic level, weather shocks are recessionary and entail a decline in inflation, agricultural production, exports, exchange rate and GDP. |
| Keywords: | weather shocks, agriculture, Local projections, VAR |
| JEL: | C23 E32 Q11 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aim:wpaimx:2402&r=env |
| By: | Ankinée KIRAKOZIAN; Raphaël CHIAPPINI; Nabila ARFAOUI |
| Abstract: | The central issue of this paper is to understand how policy makers can design instruments to create incentives towards green mobility. With this in mind, we ran a field experiment in 89 French firms (both public and private organizations) over 54 weeks to investigate how nudges and financial incentives can decrease the use of polluting vehicles by employees during their commute to work each week. Based on data including 845 employees, our study highlights several results related to three important attributes of policy design: the type of instrument, the timing and the targeting. We find that individuals exposed to the nudges “Moral Appeal”, “Risk of Loss”, and a combination of these two, significantly decrease their use of polluting vehicles in their daily commute to work. We find no treatment effect, either for the other nudges or for the impact of financial incentives. Our findings also reveal a persistent effect in time of the three successful nudges on the transport behavior of employees. Using a causal forest method to evaluate the heterogeneous treatment effects of these three nudges, we demonstrate that distance from work and pro-environmental behavior are the strongest predictors of treatment effects. We find that the further the employees reside from their workplace, the lower the treatment effect estimates. It suggests that selective targeting can improve the efficiency of the nudging policy. |
| Keywords: | Nudge, field experiment, green mobility, transport mode. |
| JEL: | C93 D91 Q5 R4 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grt:bdxewp:2023-09&r=env |
| By: | Wenting Liao (School of Finance, Renmin University of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China); Xin Sheng (Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa); Sayar Karmakar (Department of Statistics, University of Florida, 230 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of a metric of extreme weather shocks on 32 state-level inflation rates of the United States (US) over the quarterly period of 1989:01 to 2017:04. In this regard, we first utilize a dynamic factor model with stochastic volatility (DFM-SV) to filter out the national factor from the local components of overall, non-tradable and tradable inflation rates, to ensure that the effect of regional climate risks is not underestimated, given the derived sizeable common component. Second, using impulse responses derived from linear and nonlinear local projections models, we find statistically significant increases in the state (and national) factor of overall inflation rates, with the aggregate effect being driven by the tradable sector relative to the non-tradable one, particularly across the agricultural states in comparison to the non (less)-agricultural ones. Our findings have important policy implications. |
| Keywords: | Extreme weather shocks, Inflation, US states, Dynamic factor model with stochastic volatility, Linear and nonlinear local projections, Impulse response functions |
| JEL: | C22 C23 C32 E31 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:202402&r=env |
| By: | Florian Heeb (Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management); Julian F Kölbel (University of St. Gallen - School of Finance; MIT Sloan; Swiss Finance Institute) |
| Abstract: | We report results from a pre-registered field experiment about the impact of index provider engagement on corporate climate policy. A randomly chosen group of 300 out of 1227 international companies received a letter from an index provider, encouraging the company to commit to setting a science-based climate target to remain included in its climate transition benchmark indices. After one year, we observed a significant effect: 21.0% of treated companies have committed, vs. 15.7% in the control group. This suggests that engagement by financial institutions can affect corporate policies when a feasible request is combined with a credible threat of exit. |
| Keywords: | Shareholder Engagement, Field Experiment, Climate, ESG, Activism |
| JEL: | D22 D62 G23 G34 M14 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2404&r=env |
| By: | Muhammad Syukri; M. Sulton Mawardi; Lia Amelia; Annabel Noor Asyah; Made Anthony Iswara |
| Abstract: | Marine protected areas have played an important role in conserving and restoring marine biodiversity that is threatened due to the climate change. Indonesia has expanded its marine protected areas, covering 411 locations with more than 28 million hectares (about 9% of its territorial waters). Managed by different types of government units (national and locals), Indonesian MPAs located mostly in regions where the communities have high poverty rate and high inequality index. This paper explores the dynamic of the MPAs management in Indonesia, focusing on how they have addressed not only issues related to the biodiversity conservation but also the welfare of the community who live near MPAs. Employing mix method of the quantitative (secondary data) analysis and the qualitative primary data collection and analysis, the study was conducted in three different MPAs with different administrative status. This paper argues that despite the Indonesian government has shown eagerness to expand the quantity of MPA, their focus on the quality of MPA management is still lacking. Especially the focus on social aspects of the MPA management needs significant improvement to ensure improving the welfare of people and reduction of inequality among communities reside across coastal areas are integrated into its main missions. |
| Keywords: | Indonésie |
| JEL: | Q |
| Date: | 2024–01–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:avg:wpaper:en16384&r=env |
| By: | Thomas Heggarty (RTE - Réseau de Transport d'Electricité [Paris], PERSEE - Centre Procédés, Énergies Renouvelables, Systèmes Énergétiques - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Jean-Yves Bourmaud (RTE - Réseau de Transport d'Electricité [Paris]); Robin Girard (PERSEE - Centre Procédés, Énergies Renouvelables, Systèmes Énergétiques - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Georges Kariniotakis (PERSEE - Centre Procédés, Énergies Renouvelables, Systèmes Énergétiques - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Capacity expansion models provide the basis on which to decide where, when, how much and what technology type to deploy. In systems with large shares of variable renewable energy, the low temporal detail of these models has been shown to introduce biases, prompting much recent work to reduce them. This paper shows that this issue is fairly secondary compared to the impact of maximum investment rates. Through this parameter, typically not discussed in capacity expansion studies, many notions can collectively be expressed, such as the rate at which capacity is financed, institutions approve development, manufacturers roll-out equipment, civil engineers build infrastructure, network operators connect plants etc. This paper shows that considering even ambitious development rates significantly increases total system costs, and drastically changes the structure of an optimal generation mix. The presented sensitivity analysis is based on a multi-region representation of the European power system, modelled using the open-source tool OSeMOSYS, to which a novel power transmission module has been added. Results stress the extent to which hopes of meeting climate targets hinge on society's collective ability to deploy new low-carbon infrastructure fast enough. Energy policy can enhance this ability by providing long-term visibility and stability, reducing investment risk. |
| Keywords: | Capacity expansion planning, maximum investment rate, optimal investment pathways, brownfield study, climate targets, energy transition, Prospective studies, Renewable energies |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04383397&r=env |
| By: | Jonathan M. Colmer; Suvy Qin; John L. Voorheis; Reed Walker |
| Abstract: | This paper uses administrative tax records linked to Census demographic data and high-resolution measures of fine small particulate (PM2.5) exposure to study the evolution of the Black-White pollution exposure gap over the past 40 years. In doing so, we focus on the various ways in which income may have contributed to these changes using a statistical decomposition. We decompose the overall change in the Black-White PM2.5 exposure gap into (1) components that stem from rank-preserving compression in the overall pollution distribution and (2) changes that stem from a reordering of Black and White households within the pollution distribution. We find a significant narrowing of the Black-White PM2.5 exposure gap over this time period that is overwhelmingly driven by rank-preserving changes rather than positional changes. However, the relative positions of Black and White households at the upper end of the pollution distribution have meaningfully shifted in the most recent years. |
| JEL: | H0 H4 Q5 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32060&r=env |
| By: | Héloïse Valette (LISST - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Solidarités, Sociétés, Territoires - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - UT - Université de Toulouse - ENSFEA - École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole de Toulouse-Auzeville - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | The water governance model that currently dominates at the international level is based on the principles of the Dublin Conference (1992), one of which asserts that water is an economic good. Faced with growing environmental issues as well as increased demand for recognition of water as a human right or as a common good, this model is being contested both in international arenas and at national or local levels. This article aims to examine the justification discourses used by actors who either challenge or reinforce the dominant model. The focus is on water qualification issues, which we argue have a significant impact on policymaking and the renewal of water governance models. We employ the Economies of Worth framework (Boltanski and Thévenot, 1991) not only to decipher which values actors resort to when qualifying water-as a human right, an economic good, or a social good, for example-but also to understand the reasons why one qualification prevails over others in water-related debates. We examine these debates in the Indonesian context, where many disputes arising from water qualification have occurred, the 'tests of worth' in Boltanski and Thévenot's framework. Using a qualitative methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews and reviewed legislation and operational documents to explore three such tests of worth. Our case study reveals the persistence of the governance model that promotes water as an economic good, despite extensive debate and new regulations that may have strengthened a model based on the qualification of water as a human right. |
| Keywords: | Water qualification, Economies of Worth, water governance model, justification discourse, Indonesia |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04412387&r=env |
| By: | Aline Mortha; Toshi H. Arimura |
| Abstract: | As the manufacturing industry is one of the largest contributors to global emissions, decarbonization of the production line is a key aspect in the fight against climate change. In this study, we examine the level of substitutability between fossil fuel and electricity. Using data on Japanese plants from 2004 to 2020, we estimate the elasticity of substitution between the two inputs, and find that a 1% increase in electricity prices results in a 6.55% increase in fossil fuel consumption. This is a unilateral form of substitution, as an increase in fossil fuel price does not translate in any significant changes in electricity consumption in the short-run. Our paper also contributes to explaining mechanisms behind inter-fuel substitution, with a special focus on electricity and fossil fuel through cogeneration. We find that substitutability is highly sector-dependent, and identify the pulp & paper, iron & steel, chemicals and cement to be sectors with substitution capacity. These sectors see an increase in their electricity generation, the magnitude of which is estimated between 0.004% (cement) to 0.23% (iron & steel). Iron & steel and cement also increase their consumption of coal to power generators by 0.06% and 0.005%, respectively. |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tcr:wpaper:e199&r=env |
| By: | Jonah J. Allen (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines) |
| Abstract: | This study examines the efficacy and implications of state-level anti-Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies by investigating the impact of Texas's anti-ESG policy on oil and gas (O&G) drilling activity through a difference-in-regression-discontinuity design comparing the Texas and New Mexico Permian. I find that the policy had no statistically significant effect on new drilling activity in the eight months after implementation; this is consistent across several robustness checks. Results are also not economically significant, other than in a few robustness checks. This suggests that banks did not respond to the policy by adapting short-term lending behavior, which is one pathway through which to signal to the regulator that the institution is not boycotting energy companies. Short-term lending has been subject to industry-wide changes in recent years and is particularly relevant to regulators seeking to protect O&G investment within state borders. This paper contributes to the nascent literature on anti-ESG policies in the United States. |
| Keywords: | ESG policies, anti-ESG, Oil and Gas, Permian Basin, Reserve-based lending |
| JEL: | L71 Q38 G18 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp202401&r=env |
| By: | Ferreira, Susana (University of Georgia); Moro, Mirko (University of Stirling); Welsch, Heinz (University of Oldenburg) |
| Abstract: | A growing literature in economics uses subjective well-being data collected in surveys as a proxy for utility. Environmental economists have combined these data with the public goods experienced by respondents using a novel non-market valuation approach: the experienced preference approach. In this review, we take stock of what we know, including recent developments, and what we still need to learn about this new approach. We first present a conceptual framework that clarifies the relationship between experienced preference and conventional valuation approaches. We then discuss key challenges for its empirical application and identify areas where additional research would be fruitful. |
| Keywords: | subjective well-being, life-satisfaction, happiness, experienced utility, non-market valuation, willingness to pay, public goods |
| JEL: | Q51 I31 H41 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16718&r=env |
| By: | Daniel Florentin (ISIGE - Institut Supérieur d'Ingénierie et de Gestion de l'Environnement - Mines Paris - PSL (École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris) - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres, LATTS - Laboratoire Techniques, Territoires et Sociétés - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Université Gustave Eiffel) |
| Keywords: | Transition écologique, infrastructures, investissement, collectivités locales |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04375660&r=env |
| By: | I. Šindelářová (Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia In České Budějovice) |
| Abstract: | The aim of this article is to provide theoretical information on the importance of local economy and factors that influence the development of local food systems, to describe current trends towards decentralization of food production and to bring best practices in supporting local food production. Local food production is represented by local farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises that produce local food using local natural, financial, and human resources. The development of local entrepreneurship provides benefits not only for local people but also for cities, regions, and the state. Supporting local entrepreneurship is important for food self-sufficiency and resilience in an area, especially to ensure a functional food chain for its inhabitants. In the past decade, the preference for local food among consumers has increased rapidly, mainly due to the quality and safety of good local food, the freshness, and the immediate availability of the local production. Sustainability, in the form of reducing negative environmental impacts, also plays a key role in supporting the development of local production. The high importance of self-sufficiency in the food supply chains has appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues in the energy crisis during the autumn / winter of 2022. Resilient and sustainable local food systems can ensure relevant food security for the states and long-term occupation for the inhabitants that work in local production/or local food systems. Used methodology is a narrative review, that is summarizing the functions and importance of the actors of the local food system and its development. The review is supported by the qualitative research using method of the structured expert interviews. The objective of the qualitative research was to identify motivations and barriers to local entrepreneurship and to identify key areas of support. The findings suggest that appropriate legislative support to create local food systems, reduce administrative burdens and educate consumers could bring a number of benefits to the region, such as social, economic and environmental benefits, as well as consumer benefits in the form of fresh and quality locally produced food. |
| Keywords: | Local Economy, Local Food System, Decentralization, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, Sustainable Food Procurement |
| JEL: | O10 P49 Q01 Q10 Q50 |
| Date: | 2023–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boh:wpaper:07_2023&r=env |
| By: | Izquierdo-Tort, Santiago (Instituto de Investigaciones Economicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico); Jayachandran, Seema (Department of Economics, Princeton University); Saavedra, Santiago (Facultad de Economía, Universidad del Rosario) |
| Abstract: | Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) are a widely used approach to incentivize conservation efforts such as avoided deforestation. Although PES effectiveness has received significant scholarly attention, whether PES design modifications can improve program outcomes is less explored. We present findings from a randomized trial in Mexico that tested whether a PES contract that requires enrollees to enroll all of their forest is more effective than the traditional PES contract that allows them to exercise choice. The modification’s aim is to prevent landowners from enrolling only parcels they planned to conserve anyway while leaving aside other parcels to deforest. We find that the full-enrollment treatment significantly reduces deforestation compared to the traditional contract. This extra conservation occurs despite the full-enrollment provision reducing the compliance rate due to its more stringent requirements. The full-enrollment treatment quadrupled cost-effectiveness, highlighting the potential to substantially improve the efficacy of conservation payments through simple contract modifications. |
| Keywords: | Deforestation; Payments for Ecosystem Services; financial incentives; contract design; Mexico |
| Date: | 2024–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000092:021022&r=env |
| By: | Ghanshyam Pandey (Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia In České Budějovice) |
| Abstract: | Cooperatives today are facing difficulties resulting from the disruption of the cooperative system and the global economic crisis. Instead of a vibrant cooperative sector, cooperatives in Nepal are facing increasing financial difficulties that threaten their survival as businesses. Therefore, a study was conducted in the sub-metropolitan town of Tulsipur in Dang district of Nepal to explore practical economic models and types of cooperatives, to use the concept of bio-economy as a great opportunity for rural development, and to find a way to mitigate these negative impacts to restore the sustainable functioning of rural cooperatives in Nepal. Twenty-one agricultural cooperatives were studied through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and semi-structured questionnaires using an interview schedule. Various parameters such as investment, net income, size, liquid assets, interest income, interest expenses and other financial characteristics were used to examine economic sustainability in relation to market linkages and membership strategy. The study broadens the understanding of the existing crisis of cooperatives and the economic sustainability of cooperatives as well as the search for options for their existence. The study also provides an avenue to explore the economic opportunities of agricultural cooperatives in Nepal. Identification of successful bio-economic practices, potential bottlenecks, cooperatives, facilitation of policy dialogues to explore new economic dynamics and enable improved governance and prosperity of local communities are highly recommended for the economic sustainability of agricultural cooperatives. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture Co-operative, Bio-economic model, Economic analysis, economic sustainability |
| JEL: | P13 J54 Q13 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boh:wpaper:01_2024&r=env |
| By: | Bryan Bollinger; Naim R. Darghouth; Kenneth T. Gillingham; Andres Gonzalez-Lira; Kenneth Gillingham |
| Abstract: | Product complementarities can shape market patterns, influencing the demand for related products and their accessories. This study examines complementarities in the demand for rooftop solar and an accessory, battery energy storage. Using nationwide administrative data, we estimate a dynamic nested-logit model of solar and storage adoption. We quantify the demand complementarity between solar and storage, and find that if storage was not available, 20% of households who coadopt solar and storage would not adopt anything. We find that the demand for solar and storage bundles increases with power outages, with a larger effect in California. |
| Keywords: | product complementarity, electricity resilience, demand estimation, new technology |
| JEL: | C51 L94 Q48 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10871&r=env |
| By: | Homma, Kirara; Islam, Abu Hayat Md. Saiful; Matsuura, Masanori; Legesse Debela, Bethelhem |
| Abstract: | Despite substantial efforts to improve food and nutrient intake in the last decades, child undernutrition remains a daunting challenge, particularly in developing countries' rural areas. Today, frequent extreme weather events harm agricultural production, exacerbating the food shortage problem in these regions. Although off-farm labor is found to be an ex-ante strategy for mitigating weather shocks, little is known about how households' labor reallocation in response to weather shocks is associated with child nutritional status as an ex-post strategy. We investigate how different forms of labor activity mitigate the effect of rainfall shocks on children's nutritional status, using three waves of nationally representative panel data from rural households in Bangladesh, in conjunction with historical monthly precipitation and temperature data. Our findings show that less rainfall during the main cropping season in the year before the survey is associated with a lower weight for age z-score (WAZ score) of children under the age of five years. The findings indicate that there are heterogeneous mitigating impacts of different types of labor allocation affecting the link between rainfall shocks and child health. While maternal labor allocation plays a role as a mitigation factor, household-level labor time and other household members' labor time are not significantly associated with the link between rainfall shocks and child nutritional status. Findings also show that maternal off-farm self-employment mitigates the negative impact of rainfall shortage, whereas maternal on-farm labor exacerbates the rainfall shock impact. Our results therefore underscore the importance of providing sufficient off-farm employment opportunities for mothers and addressing maternal time constraints through targeted policies to cope with rainfall shocks and improve child nutrition. |
| Keywords: | Child nutrition, Labor allocation, Weather shock, Fixed effect model, Bangladesh |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:daredp:281992&r=env |
| By: | Erturk-Mintcheva Aygun (Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"); Tchipev Plamen (Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", Economic Research Institute at BAS) |
| Abstract: | ПОЛИТИКИ НА „ПОБУТВАНЕ" – РЕШЕНИЯ ОТ ПОВЕДЕН-ЧЕСКИЯ ИКОНОМИКС В УСЛОВИЯ НА НАСЛАГВАЩИ СЕ КРИЗИ / "NUDGE" POLICIES - SOLUTIONS OF BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS IN CONDITIONS OF OVERLAPPING CRISES Развиващите се негативни икономически и социални процеси - климатични промени, енергийна криза, висока инфлация, влошена демография, кризи в образованието, здравеопазването и пр. изискват адекватни решения от икономическата теория. Доминантната нео-класическа парадигма се фокусира основно върху решения за икономическата политика, но те биха могли да бъдат допълвани успешно с друг тип решения от алтернативните/хетеродоксални школи. Поведенческият икономикс, развива идеята за „политики на побутване" – като насърчаване на „зелено поведение", поощряване на енергийна ефективност и рециклиране, насърчаване на спестяване чрез даване на автоматични опции по подразбиране и системи на предварителна ангажираност, използване на социалното влияние в образователната среда. Настоящият доклад си поставя за задача да разгледа възможността за приложение на един потенциален набор от такива политики в условията на наслагващи се кризи в България. Ключови думи: |
| Abstract: | The growing negative economic and social processes - climate change, energy crisis, high inflation, worsening demographics, crises in education, health care, etc. require adequate solutions from economic theory. The dominant neo-classical paradigm focuses mainly on economic policy decisions, but these could be successfully complemented by other types of decisions from alternative/heterodox schools. Behavioral economics develops the idea of "nudge" policies – such as encouraging „green" behavior, stimulating energy efficiency and recycling, promoting savings by giving automatic defaults and pre-commitment systems, and using social influence in the educational environment. This paper aims to examine the possibility of applying a potential set of such policies in the conditions of overlapping crises in Bulgaria. Keywords: JEL: D23, D91, E71, G41, H39, F12 |
| Keywords: | Nudge, Behavior economics |
| Date: | 2022–11–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04383724&r=env |
| By: | John C. Whitehead |
| Abstract: | Desvousges, Mathews and Train (2020) point out a mistake in my comment on their 2015 paper. When this mistake is corrected the conclusions drawn in my comment are unchanged. In addition, the authors claim that I make another 11 “mistakes”. In this paper I argue that these “mistakes” are mostly fairly standard practice in the contingent valuation method. Desvousges, Mathews and Train misread and distort this literature. In addition, I place the comments and reply in the context of a larger debate over using the Contingent Valuation Method for Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Key Words: |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:apl:wpaper:24-04&r=env |
| By: | Herv\'e Bercegol; Paul E. Brockway |
| Abstract: | The Ward et al. (2016) Plos-One paper is an important, heavily-cited paper in the decoupling literature. The authors present evidence of 1990-2015 growth in material and energy consumption and GDP at a world level, and for selected countries. They find only relative decoupling has occurred, leading to their central claim that future absolute decoupling is implausible. However, the authors have made two key errors in their collected data: GDP data is in current prices which includes inflation, and their global material use data is the total mass of fossil energy materials. Strictly, GDP data should be in constant prices to allow for its comparison over time, and material inputs to an economy should be the sum of mineral raw materials. Amending for these errors, we find much smaller levels of energy-GDP relative decoupling, and no materials-GDP decoupling at all at a global level. We check these new results by adding data for 1900-1990 to provide a longer time series, and find consistently low (and even no) levels of global relative decoupling of material use. The central claim for materials over the implausibility of future absolute decoupling therefore not only remains valid but is reinforced by the corrected datasets. |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.12100&r=env |
| By: | Catherine Hausman |
| Abstract: | Economists, energy experts, and policymakers have called for accelerating investment in the U.S. electricity transmission network. Additional transmission lines could better integrate markets, reducing the total cost of electricity generation. They could also allow for the better integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, located in areas that traditionally did not have much generation capacity and that are far away from centers of demand. In this paper, I document the magnitude of static allocative inefficiencies induced by transmission congestion in two major U.S. electricity markets. I show that the allocative inefficiencies are rising over time, totaling more than $2 billion in 2022. Moreover, I document an important political economy dimension not yet explored in the literature: the magnitudes of gains and losses from this market integration at some individual firms is surprisingly large: four firms would have experienced a collective $1.6 billion drop in operating profits in 2022 had the market been integrated. I then tie some of these firms to reports of transmission hold-up in these markets. I argue that understanding firm-level gains and losses is just as important as understanding overall inefficiencies, particularly in an environment where incumbents may have the power to block new lines. |
| JEL: | L94 P18 Q41 Q42 Q48 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32091&r=env |
| By: | Meens-Eriksson, Sef (Department of Economics, Umeå University) |
| Abstract: | General features of waste treatment markets include comprehensive regulations and high fixed capital costs. Hence, firms operating in them have substantial local market power, which is used to mark up prices through spatial price discrimination (Granlund and Meens-Eriksson, 2023). This paper examines effects of waste treatment firms’ spatial price discrimination on Swedish municipalities’ welfare and costs of waste disposal, as well as the associated distributional implications. Results show that the Equivalent Variation is 3.3% of a municipality’s cost for residual waste disposal, on average. Further, the welfare loss disproportionately affects a small number of municipalities, with 10% accounting for 62% of consumer welfare loss. Nearly the entire loss in consumer welfare is redistributed to firms. Considering political ambitions to transform the waste management sector, an alternative scenario is simulated, involving closure of the smallest 20% of waste incineration plants. This would increase the disposal cost for about a quarter of municipalities, and the negative welfare effect within this group would be 12% of their cost of waste disposal. |
| Keywords: | Spatial price discrimination; welfare effects; equivalent variation; waste economics |
| JEL: | D43 D60 L11 L13 Q53 |
| Date: | 2024–02–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:umnees:1021&r=env |
| By: | Bertrand Valiorgue (EM - emlyon business school) |
| Abstract: | Food and agriculture are old subjects for all human societies. At first glance, the questions they raise seem uninteresting and anachronistic in the light of certain contemporary challenges such as the conquest of space, artificial intelligence, blockchain, energy and the extension of life expectancy... Yet the future of our species is at stake when it comes to our food. The foundations of the agricultural and food crisis we are experiencing today and which will worsen tomorrow stem from a metabolic breakdown. This metabolic breakdown is based on a simple observation that has been masked by several centuries of civilisation: some of the nutrients taken from the soil to produce our food do not return to the soil because of a disconnection between the places where our food is produced and the places where it is consumed and excreted. The soils in the countryside that produce our food are irreparably impoverished because they do not recover the macronutrients contained in human excreta, which are discharged into the sewers and treatment plants of towns and cities. In these conditions, only artificial fertilisers can maintain their fertility. This artificial looping of the nutrient cycle through synthetic fertilisers means a huge energy outlay and huge greenhouse gas emissions. A more logical and much less impactful solution would be to complete the nutrient cycle using a circular economy of human excreta. |
| Abstract: | L'alimentation et l'agriculture sont des vieux sujets pour toutes les sociétés humaines. Les questions qu'elles posent semblent en première lecture peu intéressantes et anachroniques au regard de certains défis contemporains comme la conquête spatiale, l'intelligence artificielle, la blockchain, l'énergie, l'allongement de la vie… C'est pourtant l'avenir de notre espèce qui se joue autour de ce que nous mangeons. La production de notre alimentation est directement à l'origine de nombreuses nuisances sur le système Terre qui nous font basculer dans l'ère de l'Anthropocène (Michel, Saleilles & Valiorgue, 2023). Le contenu de nos assiettes participe directement et massivement à l'émission de gaz à effet de serre, à l'extinction des espèces et aux dépassements des limites planétaires (Valiorgue, 2020b; Willett et al., 2019). Cette participation active de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation à la destruction du système Terre tel que les sociétés humaines le connaissent depuis 10 000 ans provient d'une rupture métabolique dans le cycle des nutriments. Les fondements de la crise agricole et alimentaire que nous connaissons aujourd'hui et qui va s'aggraver demain proviennent de cette rupture métabolique. Cette rupture métabolique repose sur un constat simple mais masqué par plusieurs siècles de civilisation : une partie des nutriments prélevés dans les sols pour produire notre nourriture ne retourne pas dans ces sols du fait d'une déconnexion entre les lieux de production de notre nourriture et les lieux de consommation et de déjection. Les sols de la campagne qui produisent notre alimentation s'appauvrissent irrémédiablement car ils ne récupèrent pas les macronutriments contenus dans les excréta humains qui sont rejetés dans les égouts et les stations d'épuration des villes. Dans ces conditions, seul un apport de fertilisants artificiels peut maintenir leur fertilité. Ce bouclage artificiel du cycle des nutriments à travers des engrais de synthèse entraine une débauche énergétique et une émission gigantesque de gaz à effet de serre. Une solution plus logique et beaucoup moins impactante consisterait à boucler ce cycle des nutriments à partir d'une économie circulaire des excréta humains. C'est la thèse que nous soutenons dans ce chapitre. Nous proposons dans un premier temps de revenir sur la notion de rupture métabolique en étudiant ses origines conceptuelles dans les travaux de Karl Marx qui est le premier à avoir mis en évidence l'ampleur du phénomène au sein de son économie politique. Le détour par les travaux de Marx permet par ailleurs de positionner la rupture métabolique dans la dynamique plus large des économies capitalistes qui se généralisent à l'échelle planétaire. Dans un second temps, nous revenons sur les dimensions contemporaines de la rupture métabolique. Nous montrons que cette dernière est désormais globale et qu'elle est directement à l'origine de la grande bascule dans l'Anthropocène. Nous terminons le chapitre en évoquant la nécessité d'une économie circulaire des excréta humains pour boucler le cycle des nutriments de manière naturel et se faisant atténuer l'ampleur des transformations du système Terre auxquelles les sociétés humaines vont être confrontés. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04404785&r=env |
| By: | Jeoffrey Dehez (UR ETTIS - Environnement, territoires en transition, infrastructures, sociétés - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Sandrine Lyser (UR ETTIS - Environnement, territoires en transition, infrastructures, sociétés - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement) |
| Abstract: | Beaches are highly attractive environments providing a wealth of recreational services. However, many people drown unintentionally on beaches worldwide. In the face of these dangers, the establishment of supervised swimming areas remains one of the most effective preventive measures. Despite the risk of drowning, many beachgoers choose to recreate outside supervised areas or at unpatrolled beaches. Based on a representative survey of 240 beachgoers living in the southwest of France, we combine variable clustering method and logistic regressions to predict risky location choices. Surfers, anglers and beachgoers who practice beach sports are more likely to go outside the lifeguard supervised areas at patrolled beaches than those who do not. Collecting shells or having a picnic also encourages people to go to unsafe places more often. Individuals who do not like facilities are more likely to go to unpatrolled beaches. Neither gender nor the distance travelled to recreate at the beach has any significant statistical influence in the models. Two types of information seeking behaviours can be identified. Individuals who like waves and collect marine and weather information before going to the beach are more likely than others to bath outside of patrolled areas. In comparison, those who do not like waves do not necessarily seek to improve their knowledge base on the subject, but instead look for more detailed information on supervision/lifesaving patrols. These results highlight the need for a broader beach safety perspective with stronger interactions between lifeguards, beachgoers, and designers of recreational facilities. Management implications: In this study, we demonstrated how preferences regarding outdoor recreation and beach recreational quality indirectly cause beachgoers to expose themselves to danger. It's therefore necessary to design recreational facilities that encourage people to remain in supervised, patrolled areas. It is also important to build a comprehensive beach safety perspective that includes lifeguards', recreational facilities designers' as well as beachgoers' representations and practices. On unpatrolled beaches, the time needed for rescuers to arrive may be delayed. Surfers and anglers who go to unpatrolled beaches more often than others could act as by stander rescuers if properly trained. The results underline the need to rethink widespread communication and prevention policy design. The findings show that people who declared themselves informed about marine weather conditions before coming to the beach are more likely than others to bathe outside supervised areas. |
| Keywords: | Beach safety, Risk, Outdoor recreation |
| Date: | 2024–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04384330&r=env |
| By: | Amanda Agan; Bo Cowgill; Laura Gee |
| Abstract: | Correspondence audit studies have sent almost one-hundred-thousand resumes without informing subjects they are in a study - increasing realism, but without being fully transparent. We study the potential trade-offs of this lack of transparency by running a hiring field experiment with recruiters in a natural setting. One group of recruiters is told they are screening for an employer, and another is told they are part of an academic study. Job applicants' gender is randomly assigned. When subjects are told they are in an experiment, callback rates and willingness-to-pay for male candidates decline relative to female candidates (with no detectable change for female candidates). This suggests that telling subjects they are in an experiment would underestimate gender inequality. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:feb:natura:00781&r=env |
| By: | Hannes Wallimann |
| Abstract: | Measures to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions are of great importance to policy-makers. A recent example is the nationwide KlimaTicket in Austria, a country with a relatively high share of transport-related emissions. The cheap yearly season ticket introduced in October 2021 allows unlimited access to Austria's public transport network. Using the synthetic control and synthetic difference-in-differences methods, I assess the causal effect of this policy on public transport demand by constructing a data-driven counterfactual out of European railway companies to mimic the number of passengers of the Austrian Federal Railways without the KlimaTicket. The results indicate public transport demand grew slightly faster in Austria, i.e., 3.3 or 6.8 percentage points, depending on the method, than it would have in the absence of the KlimaTicket. However, the growth effect after the COVID-19 pandemic appears only statistically significant when applying the synthetic control method, and the positive effect on public transport demand growth disappears in 2022. |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2401.06835&r=env |
| By: | Quick, Reiner; Münch, M.; Mayer, J. H. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dar:wpaper:142481&r=env |
| By: | Manuel Landajo; Mar\'ia Jos\'e Presno |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses the problem of testing for persistence in the effects of the shocks affecting the prices of renewable commodities, which have potential implications on stabilization policies and economic forecasting, among other areas. A robust methodology is employed that enables the determination of the potential presence and number of instant/gradual structural changes in the series, stationarity testing conditional on the number of changes detected, and the detection of change points. This procedure is applied to the annual real prices of eighteen renewable commodities over the period of 1900-2018. Results indicate that most of the series display non-linear features, including quadratic patterns and regime transitions that often coincide with well-known political and economic episodes. The conclusions of stationarity testing suggest that roughly half of the series are integrated. Stationarity fails to be rejected for grains, whereas most livestock and textile commodities do reject stationarity. Evidence is mixed in all soft commodities and tropical crops, where stationarity can be rejected in approximately half of the cases. The implication would be that for these commodities, stabilization schemes would not be recommended. |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2402.01005&r=env |
| By: | International Monetary Fund |
| Abstract: | The Kenyan economy remains resilient amid a confluence of global, regional, environmental, and domestic political risks. These factors, including costly and uncertain international bond market access for frontier market economies in an environment of “higher for longer” global interest rates, are adding to Kenya’s balance of payments and fiscal financing needs despite policy efforts to sustain domestic and external balances. The authorities’ EFF/ECF-supported program, approved in April 2021 and extended by 10 months in July 2023 to April 2025, continues to evolve to address the emerging challenges, including to restore market confidence while incorporating additional policy actions to reduce debt vulnerabilities, a key objective of the program. The program also endeavors to bolster Kenya’s medium-term prospects by enhancing fiscal risk management, strengthening external buffers, and improving the governance framework. |
| Date: | 2024–01–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:2024/013&r=env |
| By: | Nathalie Greenan (CEET - Centre d'études de l'emploi et du travail - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université - M.E.N.E.S.R. - Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche - Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Santé, LIRSA - Laboratoire interdisciplinaire de recherche en sciences de l'action - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université, CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université, TEPP - Théorie et évaluation des politiques publiques - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Silvia Napolitano (CEET - Centre d'études de l'emploi et du travail - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université - M.E.N.E.S.R. - Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche - Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Santé, LIRSA - Laboratoire interdisciplinaire de recherche en sciences de l'action - CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université, CNAM - Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université, TEPP - Théorie et évaluation des politiques publiques - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | La capacité d'apprentissage de l'organisation est un facteur d'innovation identifié dans la littérature économique et de gestion mais la plupart du temps non mesuré et donc absent des études empiriques sur la transformation technologique. Pourtant, ce facteur semble essentiel à la réussite de la double transition digitale et écologique. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04404184&r=env |
| By: | Mikko Myrskylä (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany); Julia Hellstrand (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany); Sampo Lappo; Angelo Lorenti (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany); Jessica Nisén (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany); Ziwei Rao; Heikki Tikanmäki |
| Abstract: | Future fertility is a key input when charting the sustainability of social security systems, and declining fertility is often expected to put pressure on economic indicators such as pension burden. Such expectations are based on a narrow view of the impact of fertility on the economy, focusing on age structure. Dynamic impacts – for instance, the potential for increased human capital of smaller cohorts – are mostly ignored. We use a dynamic longitudinal microsimulation model to explore to what extent investments in human capital could offset the adverse economic impact of low fertility. We implement our model in the Finnish context, which is a particularly interesting case as Finland is the fastest-ageing European country and experienced dramatic fertility declines and stagnant education levels in the 2020s. We find that an ambitious but simple human capital investment strategy that keeps the total investment constant despite declining cohort size, thereby increasing per-capita investment, can offset the negative impact of a smaller labor force on pension burden. Human capital investment not only reduces pension burden, but also increases working years, pension income, retirement years, and longevity. Policies focusing on human capital investment are likely to be a viable strategy to maintain economic sustainability. Keywords: low fertility, human capital investment, economic sustainability, Finland, dynamic longitudinal microsimulation model |
| JEL: | J1 Z0 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dem:wpaper:wp-2024-002&r=env |