|
on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Ulaganathan Sankar (Honorary Professor, (Corresponding Author), Madras School of Economics, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chennai) |
| Abstract: | This paper classifies ecosystem services under 5 groups: at thresholds, provisioning, supporting, regulating and cultural; the first comes under Anthropocene and the last four from MEA. It considers issues raised by ecological economists on sustainable scale, use of marginal analysis, and distributional equity. It stresses the need for monetary valuation for resource allocation decisions and discusses problems in monetary valuation for services in each group. As the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” of governments in solving global environmental problems is not accepted by developed countries now, most developing countries face difficulties in implementing SDGs and enhancing provision of ecosystem services. This paper suggests that a decentralized approach involving local communities can enable eco restoration and achieve SDGs at lower cost to governments. |
| Keywords: | Anthropocene, ecosystems, ecological thresholds, strong sustainability, planetary boundaries, sustainable development |
| JEL: | Q51 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-257 |
| By: | Audun Botterud; Christopher R. Knittel; John Parsons; Juan Ramon Senga; Drew Story |
| Abstract: | The substantial decline in the cost of wind and solar generation over recent decades has significantly altered the energy landscape. With these technologies becoming economically viable, even without stringent decarbonization policies, the role of interregional transmission has become increasingly important. This study examines the value of interregional transmission to the U.S. grid under current policies and deep decarbonization scenarios. By utilizing the GenX capacity expansion model, we evaluate the proposed BIG WIRES Act, which mandates a minimum interregional transfer capability requirement. Our analysis focuses on four key areas: interregional transmission builds and grid characteristics, electricity system cost savings, grid reliability during extreme weather events, and climate benefits. Results show that the Act can lead to a 68% increase in interregional transfer capability under current policies, resulting in annual system cost savings of $487 million and a 43.33 Mmt reduction in CO2 emissions. The benefits are even greater under a 95% CO2 reduction mandate. The study underscores the importance of interregional transmission in optimizing renewable energy use, enhancing grid reliability, and achieving cost savings and emissions reductions. |
| JEL: | H23 L51 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32996 |
| By: | Ulaganathan Sankar (Honorary Professor, Madras School of Economics, Chennai) |
| Abstract: | The Forest Rights Act 2006 aimed at correcting the historic injustice done to scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers by giving usufruct rights on certain forest resources and associating them in forest management. This paper reviews implementation of the Act and other supportive measures taken by the government towards achieving the goals of carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and increase in livelihood opportunities of the dwellers. This paper argues that if the dwellers services are fully available as guardians of forests, they can generate many external benefits, some are at local level, some at regional level, and a few at global level. Hence, this paper suggests a few additional supportive measures for empowering and incentivizing STs and OTFDs to invest in forest ecosystem assets to achieve these multiple goals. |
| Keywords: | biodiversity, community forestry, eco restoration, forest rights, sustainable development |
| JEL: | Q01 Q23 Q56 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-262 |
| By: | Elvis K. Ofori (Zhengzhou, Henan, China); Simplice A. Asongu (Johannesburg, South Africa); Ernest B. Ali (Ekaterinburg, Russia); Bright A. Gyamfi (Istanbul, Turkey); Isaac Ahakwa (Hefei, China) |
| Abstract: | Since the industrial era, the selection of energy sources to facilitate economic advancement has been criticized because of the resulting ecological calamity. This has prompted the introduction of radical approaches such as ISO 14001, which tackles the drivers of pollution. Therefore, this study analyses the ISO 14001 - environment nexus from three distinct points of view BRICS, MINT, and G7 countries from 1999-2020. Also, our work fills an extant gap in assessing structural change and innovation's role in augmenting the relationship. The Driscoll and Kraay (DK) estimator is employed as an analytical tool for cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity, while the fixed effects approach provides sufficient robustness checks on the findings. While some outcomes vary per bloc, others are relatively similar across the three (3) blocs. That is: (1) ISO 14001 shows an abatement portfolio for only the G7 bloc, and the Full sample. (2) Structural change showed potential for abating carbon emissions in all blocs. (3) Technology led to an increase in Pollution in all blocs except for the MINT economy. (4) ICT in the form of mobile phones also help reduce carbon emissions in all three blocs except for their composite. (5) Renewable energy helps reduce carbon emission in all blocs except for G7. ISO 14001 shows the potential to encourage green growth. As a result, policymakers should work to enhance ISO 14001 certification, which might serve as a management tool to promote sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | ISO 14001, Sustainable development, Structural change, Technology, BRICSMINT, G7 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:exs:wpaper:24/014 |
| By: | Bright A. Gyamfi (Bhatewar- Udaipur, India); Divine Q. Agozie (University of Ghana, Ghana); Ernest B. Ali (University of Ghana, Ghana); Festus V. Bekun (, Istanbul, Turkey); Simplice A. Asongu (Johannesburg, South Africa) |
| Abstract: | As the environmental sustainability effectiveness of various political systems is taken into consideration, it is doubtful as to whether the presumption of the overall efficiency of democracy can be sustained in global governance architecture. The effectiveness of autocracies and democracies (i.e., governance indicators are compared in the present study) with reference to strengths and weaknesses in environmental objectives. This analysis explores the effect of autocracy, democracy, as well as the trend of globalization on CO2 emissions for open and closed economies from 1990 to 2020. Crucial indicators such as economic growth, renewable energy and non-renewable energy are controlled for while examining the roles of economic expansion on the disaggregated energy consumption portfolios for both open and closed economies. The empirical analysis revealed some insightful results. First, for the open economies, with the expectation of non-renewable energy which show a positive significant impact on emissions, all variables show a negative effect on emissions. Furthermore, the closed economies result indicate that, apart from renewable energy which has a negative relationship with emissions, all the variables including the interaction terms have a positive relation with emissions. However, an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis was validated for both economies. |
| Keywords: | Open economies, closed economies, democracy, autocracy, Environmental Kuznets Curve, globalization index, environmental sustainability |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:exs:wpaper:24/005 |
| By: | Roy, Tirthankar |
| Abstract: | The economic emergence of societies in arid and semi-arid tropical regions depended on their ability to extract and recycle water and manipulate the environment for this purpose. India is a prominent example of this process. This pathway to economic growth has significant political and environmental costs. In light of climate change, a key question for the future is: Is tropical development sustainable in this way? The paper answers by drawing on the economic history of the tropical arid regions and a recent literature on climate impact on water resources. |
| JEL: | N50 N55 O13 Q56 |
| Date: | 2024–10–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:wpaper:125641 |
| By: | Jose Garrido (Concordia University [Montreal], Chaire DIALog); Xavier Milhaud (AMU - Aix Marseille Université, Chaire DIALog); Anani Olympio (CNP Assurances, Chaire DIALog); Max Popp (EcoAct France) |
| Abstract: | This book presents an introduction for beginners to climate science from an insurance perspective. The focus is on the measurement of climate change and of its impact on policyholders and their insurers. Climate change presents several challenges for society, endangering food supply and water security, affecting human health, and threatening transportation systems (Dundon et al., 2016) as well as property (Warren-Myers et al., 2018; Miljkovic et al., 2018). It also affects the economy (Pryor, 2017). The consequences of this environmental change are expected to be deep and far-reaching, particularly in insurance sectors such as agriculture, property-casualty, health and life. As a result, climate change can threaten the sustainability of insurance programs, in different ways. First, because the increase in total losses may require hikes in premiums and solvency capital. A precise quantitative assessment of this increase is not yet determined, but it is clear that both recent and future costs are a serious threat; according to Munich Re (2024), losses caused by natural disasters in 2023 reached US250bn, withUS 95 bn of which being insured. Although no disasters of the magnitude of Hurricane Ian occurred in 2023, a fair share of the losses were associated with several severe storms occurred in the US and Europe. These related events are considered as evidence of the global warming trend, with a potential impact particularly on property and casualty insurance (Gupta and Venkataraman, 2024; Golnaraghi, 2021). In this particular insurance sector, Swiss Re (2021) forecasts increased frequency and severity of events due to climate change that will cost 30%-63% more in insured catastrophe losses by 2040. This cost increase could even reach 90%-120% in specific markets, such as China, the UK, France and Germany. Secondly, climate change puts into question some fundamental principles of insurance, such as risk insurability, pooling, diversification, and risk transfer. The literature discusses the possible outcomes and implications for the insurance industry (Charpentier, 2008; Thistlethwaite and Wood, 2018; Courbage and Golnaraghi, 2022). Other, more optimistic perspectives suggest that far from being the victim of climate change the insurance business could find in it an opportunity, through the development of new technical solutions (Rao and Li, 2023; Savitz and Dan Gavriletea, 2019; Wagner, 2022). For now, climate change already has forced the strategic withdrawal of insurers in certain markets in the USA (California, 2023). The general objective of this book is to present an actuarial perspective on the study of climate change and its impact on the insurance industry. Actuaries are experts at measuring and managing risks. The DIALog Research Chair team regroups several members, both from industry and academia, with ample actuarial expertise. Hence it was natural for the DIALog team to tackle this project and explore the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, more particularly in health and life insurance. This study starts by exploring the need for a standardized method to measure climate change. This is crucial in order to compare different regions and periods in a standardised analysis. In recent years the actuarial community has developed actuarial climate indices to measure climate change in an factual, objective and consistent way. First, Chapter 1 reviews the recent scientific literature on the few actuarial climate indices that have been defined so far and extends the existing methodology to calculate an actuarial index for climate data in France. Then Chapter 2 describes how climate science can be used to link a physical climate risk to insurance costs. In particular it focuses on the impact of heat waves on excess mortality. A deterministic and a stochastic model are proposed to link the Heat Index to excess mortality. The chapter includes a frank discussion of the advantages and difficulties with the approach. Finally Chapter 3 further explores the link between extreme temperatures and excess mortality in France. A more technical exposure is used, in order to propose a new mortality forecasting model that includes explanatory terms capturing the correlation between temperature and mortality, as well as the effect of high temperature anomalies. |
| Abstract: | Ce livre présente une introduction pour non-initiés à la science du climat du point de vue de l'assurance. L'accent est mis sur la mesure du changement climatique et de son impact sur les assurés et leurs assureurs. Le changement climatique présente plusieurs défis pour la société, menaçant l'approvisionnement alimentaire et la sécurité de l'eau, affectant la santé humaine, et menaçant les systèmes de transport (Dundon et al., 2016) ainsi que les biens immobiliers (Warren-Myers et al., 2018; Miljkovic et al., 2018). Il affecte également l'économie (Pryor, 2017). Les conséquences de ce changement environnemental devraient être profondes et étendues, en particulier dans les secteurs de l'assurance tels que l'agriculture, les biens et responsabilités, la santé et la vie. Le changement climatique représente une menace pour la durabilité de certains programmes d'assurance, de différentes façons. Premièrement, parce que l'augmentation des pertes totales peut nécessiter des hausses de primes et de capital de solvabilité. Une évaluation quantitative précise de cette augmentation n'a pas encore été déterminée, mais il est clair que les coûts récents et futurs représentent une menace sérieuse ; selon Munich Re (2024), les pertes causées par des catastrophes naturelles en 2023 ont atteint 250 milliards de dollars, dont 95 milliards de dollars étaient assurés. Bien qu'aucune catastrophe de l'ampleur de l'ouragan Ian ne se soit pas produite en 2023, une part importante des pertes était associée à plusieurs tempêtes sévères survenues aux États-Unis et en Europe. Ces événements connexes sont considérés comme des preuves de la tendance au réchauffement climatique, avec un impact potentiel notamment sur l'assurance des biens et des responsabilités (Gupta and Venkataraman, 2024; Golnaraghi, 2021). Dans ce secteur particulier de l'assurance, Swiss Re (2021) prévoit une augmentation de la fréquence et de la gravité des événements due au changement climatique, qui coûterait 30% à 63% de plus en pertes assurées par catastrophes d'ici 2040. Cette augmentation des coûts pourrait même atteindre 90% à 120% dans certains marchés, tels que la Chine, le Royaume-Uni, la France et l'Allemagne. Deuxièmement, le changement climatique remet en question certains principes fondamentaux de l'assurance, tels que l'assurabilité des risques, la mutualisation, la diversification et le transfert des risques. La littérature discute des résultats et implications possibles pour l'industrie de l'assurance (Charpentier, 2008; Thistlethwaite and Wood, 2018; Courbage and Golnaraghi, 2022). D'autres perspectives, plus optimistes, suggèrent que loin d'être victime du changement climatique, le secteur de l'assurance pourrait y trouver une opportunité, grâce au développement de nouvelles solutions techniques (Rao and Li, 2023; Savitz and Dan Gavriletea, 2019; Wagner, 2022). Pour l'instant, le changement climatique a déjà forcé le retrait stratégique des assureurs de certains marchés aux États-Unis (California, 2023). L'objectif général de ce livre est de présenter une perspective actuarielle sur l'étude du changement climatique et son impact sur l'industrie de l'assurance. Les actuaires sont des experts dans la mesure et la gestion des risques. L'équipe de la Chaire de recherche DIALog regroupe plusieurs membres, à la fois de l'industrie et du milieu universitaire, possédant une expertise actuarielle. Il était donc naturel pour l'équipe DIALog de s'attaquer à ce projet et d'explorer l'impact du changement climatique sur l'industrie de l'assurance, plus particulièrement en assurance santé et en assurance vie. Cette étude commence par explorer la nécessité d'une méthode standardisée pour mesurer le changement climatique. Cela est crucial pour comparer différentes régions et périodes dans une analyse commune. Ces dernières années, la communauté actuarielle a développé des indices climatiques actuariels pour mesurer le changement climatique de manière factuelle, objective et cohérente. D'abord, le chapitre 1 passe en revue la littérature scientifique récente sur les quelques indices climatiques actuariels qui ont été définis jusqu'à présent, et étend la méthodologie existante pour calculer un indice actuariel basé sur les données climatiques en France. Ensuite, le chapitre 2 décrit comment la science du climat peut être utilisée pour lier un risque climatique physique aux coûts de l'assurance. En particulier, il se concentre sur l'impact des vagues de chaleur sur l'excès de mortalité. Un modèle déterministe et un modèle stochastique sont proposés pour lier l'indice de chaleur à la surmortalité. Le chapitre inclut une discussion des avantages et des difficultés de l'approche. Enfin, le chapitre 3 explore plus en détail le lien entre les températures extrêmes et la surmortalité en France. Une présentation plus technique est utilisée, afin de proposer un nouveau modèle de prévision de la mortalité incluant des termes explicatifs qui puissent capturer la corrélation entre la température et la mortalité, ainsi que l'effet des anomalies de température élevée. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Actuaries Climate Index™, European actuarial climate indices, Physical climate risk, Geographical grid, Heat waves, Excess mortality |
| Date: | 2024–07–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04684634 |
| By: | Naspolini, Giovanna; Libra, Jesse Madden; Cunial, Santiago; Pérez Urdiales, María |
| Abstract: | Water is not only vital for human life but also is a critical economic input. Climate change will likely exacerbate conflicts over the multiple uses of water in Latin America. Adopting a south-south perspective approach, this study compares direct water requirement patterns over time among Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica, applying an environmental-extended Structural Decomposition Analysis between 2013 and 2017. While all countries experienced increased water consumption during the period, Brazils and Colombias results suggest gains in water productivity at the national level and for Agriculture. Results also indicate that Exports are the main water consumption driver of Agriculture in Brazil and Costa Rica. The Water and sanitation sector in Colombia experienced a decrease in direct water requirements, which is illustrated by a strong negative intensity effect. In contrast, an expressive positive intensity effect in Costa Rica resulted from a sectoral GDP fall. The findings of this study offer support to sectoral climate adaptation plans in all countries as well as water conservation and sustainable development policies. |
| Keywords: | water;Sanitation;environment;Development;Water footprint;input-output tables |
| JEL: | Q25 Q56 R15 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:13733 |
| By: | Vashold, Lukas; Pirich, Gustav; Heinze, Maximilian; Kuschnig, Nikolas |
| Abstract: | Minerals are essential to fuel the green transition, can foster local employment and facilitate economic development. However, their extraction is linked to several negative social and environmental externalities. These are particularly poorly understood in a development context, undermining efforts to address and internalize them. In this paper, we exploit the discontinuous locations of mines along rivers and their basins to identify causal effects on agricultural yields in Africa. We find considerable impacts on vegetation and yields downstream, which are mediated by water pollution and only dissipate slowly with distance. Our findings suggest that pollution from mines may play a role in the limited adoption of intensive agriculture. They underscore an urgent need for domestic regulations and international governance to limit negative externalities from mining in vulnerable regions. |
| Keywords: | pollution; agriculture; river basin; mining; earth observation |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus005:67404185 |
| By: | Moscona, Jacob; Sastry, Karthik |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:i4rdps:159 |
| By: | Álvaro Carbonell Rodríguez; Jean Fouré; Elisa Lanzi |
| Abstract: | To meet the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, Spain will need to take further climate action in the years ahead. Enhanced policy measures, such as taxes, subsidies and standards, will have implications for the public budget and for the economy. This paper quantifies these implications by comparing two scenarios developed with the ENV-Linkages model: a baseline with current policies, and a net-zero scenario in which more ambitious climate policy measures are implemented to reduce CO2 emissions. The analysis shows that ambitious climate action and economic growth can go hand-in-hand. While the consequences for the public budget will be strongly influenced by the chosen climate policy instruments, the findings illustrate that the changes in net fiscal revenues induced by additional climate policy can be small compared to the overall size of government revenues in 2050. |
| Keywords: | climate change mitigation, computable general equilibrium models, net-zero, public budget |
| JEL: | C68 H20 H61 Q43 Q54 H23 |
| Date: | 2024–10–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envaaa:250-en |
| By: | Rousseau, Lola; Næss, Jan Sandstad; Carrer, Fabio; Amini, Sara; Brattebø, Helge; Hertwich, Edgar (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) |
| Abstract: | Resource efficiency strategies are key to reduce material use and help limit global warming to below 2°C in 2100. Understanding the role of such strategies at municipal-level requires a localized approach. Here we evaluate a ramp-up of resource efficiency strategies and their associated effects on vehicle usage and climate benefits towards 2050 for 19 individual sub-regions within the Greater Oslo region in Norway. In our scenarios, material stocks increase from 344 megatonnes (Mt) in 2022 to 349-367 Mt in 2050 driven by population growth, with low-end estimate relying on a sufficiency scenario limiting floor area per capita and banning new single-family houses. The sufficiency (SUF) scenario reduces total material consumption until 2050 (48 Mt) with 28% relative to a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario (66.3 Mt) with continuation of ongoing trends, thereby reducing GHG emissions from material production by 17% (BAU: 12.44 MtCO2-eq, SUF: 10.36 MtCO2-eq). If resource efficiency strategies are combined with rapid material production decarbonization in-line with a 2°C scenario, a 30% reduction in emissions is achievable (8.67 MtCO2-eq). Car ownership rates and traveled distance per capita decrease in the sufficiency scenario compared to 2022 with 6.4%. Assuming the current relationship between settlement characteristics and transport demand, total driving distance fails to decline due to population growth. Limiting the floor-area per capita in residential buildings significantly decreases material demand. Resource efficiency strategies including densification need to be complemented with a rapid decarbonization of material supply and stronger incentives to move away from car driving to maximize climate change mitigation. |
| Date: | 2024–09–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:9ek48 |
| By: | Birthal, Pratap S.; Hazrana, Jaweriah; Roy, Devesh; Satyasai, KJS |
| Abstract: | Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to sustainable development of agriculture, and consequently to the livelihood of farming communities, and the governments’ efforts to improve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty, especially in countries more exposed to climate risks and dominated by small-scale producers who often lack finance for investment in risk management. During the past two decades, climate finance for agriculture has attracted considerable attention in policy debates, yet agriculture’s share in the total climate finance has remained minimal. Empirical evidence presented in this paper distinctly highlight the role of finance in building resilience of agriculture. These provide a basis for a change in policy stance to emphasize climate finance in investment and credit planning in agriculture, and the need for innovative approaches to deliver finance that is climate sensitive. Climate risks are predicted to be severe in plausible future climate scenarios; hence, the need for climate finance for agriculture cannot be understated. Current level of climate finance for agriculture is not commensurate with its requirement. Today’s investments in climate actions will shape future trajectory of agricultural growth, and its economic and social outcomes. I hope this paper will be useful for policymakers, financial institutions and other stakeholders to take informed decisions on financing agriculture for risk management. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Climate Change, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Risk and Uncertainty, Sustainability |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:icar24:344992 |
| By: | Boonpanya, Ornicha |
| Abstract: | With the advancement of information and communications technology (ICT), we are exposed to environmental knowledge from various sources and can witness the impacts of environmental crises in real time. Consequently, the rise of global environmental concerns has led to campaigns and initiatives from both the public and private sectors to address these issues. The question remains: Why are sustainable ways of living still far from being achieved, despite industries' efforts to transition to greener pathways and public sector attempts to promote policies that encourage behavioral changes? While environmental awareness is linked to behavior, translating this knowledge into consistent action at the individual level remains an ongoing challenge. Apart from systematic obstacles such as the lack of supportive infrastructure and economic factors, irrational behaviors and ingrained habits often deter individuals from making sustaible choices. Digital nudging harnesses the power of technology to counteract these barriers by influencing more sustainable decisions with various strategies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how digital nudges with informational provisions influence green purchase intentions. |
| Keywords: | Digital nudges, Green claims, Social norms, Green purchase intentions, Greenwashing |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb24:302500 |
| By: | Pablo Garcia; Pascal Jacquinot; ÄŒrt LenarÄ iÄ; Kostas Mavromatis; Niki Papadopoulou; Niki Papadopoulou |
| Abstract: | We analyze the economic impact of the green transition in the euro area by extending the Euro Area and Global Economy (EAGLE) model with green and brown energy sectors. Energy goods are consumed as final goods by households and as inputs by intermediate goods firms. A carbon tax manifests itself as an adverse cost-push shock. Without subsidies to green energy firms, the green transition is limited to household expenditure switching towards green energy goods. When authorities direct subsidies to green energy firms a strong supply effect in the market for green energy is triggered lowering its price and boosting the intermediate good sector’s demand for green energy inputs. When carbon taxes are raised globally, the recession in the euro area deepens while inflationary pressures amplify, triggered partly by a weakening of the euro. Taxes on brown capital investment are also contractionary but lead to a decline in inflation. In this case, subsidies to investment in green capital can mitigate the recession and are essential to trigger a switch towards green energy consumption goods and inputs. |
| Keywords: | climate policy; Carbon Taxation; Monetary Policy; Fiscal Policy; Euro Area; DSGE modeling |
| JEL: | C53 E32 E52 F45 H30 Q48 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dnb:dnbwpp:816 |
| By: | Lakhan, Calvin |
| Abstract: | Abstract This study conducts a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness, economic costs, and long-term sustainability of deposit return systems (DRS) for beverage containers across various countries. DRS are recognized as a critical strategy to enhance recycling rates, reduce environmental waste, and support the transition toward a circular economy. While empirical evidence from countries like Germany, Norway, and Lithuania indicates that DRS can achieve recycling rates exceeding 90%, challenges such as high setup costs, stakeholder resistance, policy inconsistency, and adaptability to market changes complicate their implementation and sustainability. The analysis synthesizes data from diverse geographic contexts, highlighting the factors that contribute to the success or failure of DRS, including public engagement, policy stability, technological adaptation, and effective stakeholder collaboration. The findings suggest that while DRS can provide substantial environmental and economic benefits, their long-term success is contingent upon sustained public participation, consistent policies, adaptability to market shifts, and robust stakeholder engagement. This study offers critical insights for policymakers, environmental advocates, and industry stakeholders seeking to optimize DRS as a tool for sustainable waste management. |
| Date: | 2024–09–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:zj2v5 |
| By: | Rozendaal, Rik (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management); Vollebergh, Herman (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management) |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tiu:tiutis:ccec3fbf-d177-4a0d-ac6c-d87205fa57ba |
| By: | Marshall Burke; Mustafa Zahid; Mariana C. M. Martins; Christopher W. Callahan; Richard Lee; Tumenkhusel Avirmed; Sam Heft-Neal; Mathew Kiang; Solomon M. Hsiang; David Lobell |
| Abstract: | We study whether the sensitivity of economic, health, and livelihood outcomes to climate extremes has declined over the last half century, consistent with adaptation. Understanding whether such adaptation is already occurring is central to anticipating future climate damages, to calibrating the level of ambition needed for emissions mitigation efforts, and to understanding additional investments in adaptation that could be required to avoid additional damages. Using comprehensive panel data across diverse geographies and outcomes, including data on mortality, agricultural productivity, crime, conflict, economic output, and damages from flooding and tropical cyclones, we find limited systematic evidence of adaptation to date. Across 21 outcomes we study, six show a statistically significant declining sensitivity to a changing climate, five show an increasing sensitivity, and the remainder show no statistically significant change. Our results do not imply that specific documented adaptation efforts are ineffective or certain locations have not adapted, but instead that the net effects of existing actions have largely not been successful in meaningfully reducing climate impacts in aggregate. To avoid ongoing and future damages from warming, our results suggest a need to identify promising adaptation strategies and understand how they can be scaled. |
| JEL: | O13 Q5 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32985 |
| By: | Riku Watanabe (Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University) |
| Abstract: | This study examines how corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices by oligopolistic firms impact pollution levels in a steady state. I develop a dynamic game model for polluting firms that adopt CSR. The analysis reveals that a firm’s CSR awareness drives its production strategy to align with the socially optimal level in both open-loop Nash equilibrium and Markov perfect Nash equilibrium. Achieving this social optimum is possible if firms are fully committed to CSR. The study explores two scenarios: excess pollution or underproduction, which depend on the pollutant’s impact on utility. Notably, when the pollutant’s damage to utility is significant, even a modest commitment to CSR can effectively reduce excessive pollution. These findings offer valuable insights for government policy, suggesting that stringent environmental regulations might be less necessary if firms are attentive to CSR. |
| Keywords: | Corporate social responsibility; Pollution; Oligopoly; Differential games |
| JEL: | H41 L13 Q20 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osk:wpaper:2410 |
| By: | Gilles Paché (CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon) |
| Abstract: | The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar sparked significant societal and ecological controversy, particularly concerning the exploitation and deaths associated with stadium construction and the tournament's overall environmental impact. Despite global criticisms and calls for boycotts, the event's ecological footprint was largely ignored as FIFA moved forward with plans for future tournaments. The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promises an even greater logistical and environmental challenge with 48 teams across 16 venues, spanning multiple time zones and involving substantial air travel. This paper examines FIFA's persistent disregard for ecological concerns despite mounting evidence and criticism, drawing parallels with past events and exploring the lack of a regulatory counterbalance to FIFA's practices. The analysis highlights a troubling trend where profit and logistics consistently overshadow environmental sustainability in elite football, suggesting that systemic change remains elusive. |
| Keywords: | Controversy, Ecology, Environment, FIFA World Cup, Logistics |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04696526 |
| By: | Saumitra Bhaduri (Professor, Madras School of Economics, Chennai); Ekta Selarka ((corresponding author) Professor at Madras School of Economics, Chennai) |
| Abstract: | Socially responsible investing gains attention following the perception of Covid-19 pandemic as the “sustainability” crisis. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) characteristics emerge as essential factors for the assessment of sustainability and social impact of an investment leading investor focus in ESG-focused investment for meeting non-financial, societal values with investment objectives. This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on impact of ESG investing on firm value in the Indian context by analysing the risk-adjusted performance of the two ESGfocused indices – Nifty ESG100 and Nifty100 Enhanced - over a sample period of July 2018 to Dec 2022. The paper also examines whether ESG strategies of firms can reduce the downside risk sensitivity during crisis periods by testing the hypothesis that the socially responsible firms suffered less during the Coronavirus pandemic. |
| Keywords: | ESG, India, Risk-adjusted Performance, Pandemic, Crash risk |
| JEL: | G30 |
| Date: | 2024–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-263 |
| By: | Pierre Levasseur (SADAPT - Sciences pour l'Action et le Développement : Activités, Produits, Territoires - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Séa Rouly; Suneha Seetahul (The University of Sydney) |
| Abstract: | Pacific Islands face challenges of low water accessibility and increasing climate threats posing risks to populations. These challenges are compounded by public health concerns related to poor nutritional outcomes and obesity. Using household survey data from Kiribati, this study contributes to the literature by analyzing the relationship between access to safe drinking water and risky behaviors leading to obesity. The findings reveal a significant negative association between access to a piped water system and purchases of soft and sweet beverages (SSB). Compared to households with a piped water system, those relying on groundwater and rainwater purchase 381 and 406 extra grams of SSB per week, respectively. Thus, improving access to safe water can be a relevant public policy to prevent hazardous beverage consumption and obesity, along with the already documented positive outcomes such policies can have for human health and economic development. |
| Keywords: | water accessibility, nutrition transition, soft drinks, obesity, Small Island Developing States (SIDS). |
| Date: | 2024–04–26 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04693637 |
| By: | Ufuk Can; Oguzhan Cepni; Abdullah Kazdal; Muhammed Hasan Yilmaz |
| Abstract: | This study examines the impact of climate anomalies on inflation and its subcomponents in Turkiye. Using a dataset spanning January 2003 to February 2024, we employ local projections methods to examine the short- and medium-term impacts of various climate anomalies on inflation indicators, such as headline CPI, food CPI, unprocessed food prices, rent, and producer prices. Our findings reveal that climate shocks significantly influence headline inflation, food prices, particularly unprocessed food prices, and producer prices in the short term, while also affecting rent prices. However, these effects often reverse or diminish in the medium term. We also uncover distinct responses to cold winters versus hot summers, highlighting the asymmetric impact of temperature anomalies. Cold winters tend to create inflationary pressures, particularly on food and producer prices, while hot summers can induce deflationary effects. Additionally, we observe that the impact of wind anomalies on prices is muted, while precipitation shocks primarily affect unprocessed food prices. These results underscore the complex and multifaceted relationship between climate change and inflation, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of these dynamics. |
| Keywords: | Climate anomalies, Inflation, Local projections |
| JEL: | E31 Q54 C22 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tcb:wpaper:2412 |
| By: | Richard S. J. Tol |
| Abstract: | An updated and extended meta-analysis confirms that the central estimate of the social cost of carbon is around $200/tC with a large, right-skewed uncertainty and trending up. The pure rate of time preference and the inverse of the elasticity of intertemporal substitution are key assumptions, the total impact of 2.5K warming less so. The social cost of carbon is much higher if climate change is assumed to affect economic growth rather than the level of output and welfare. The literature is dominated by a relatively small network of authors, based in a few countries. Publication and citation bias have pushed the social cost of carbon up. |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2409.08158 |
| By: | Sophie Giordano-Spring (MRM - Montpellier Research in Management - UM1 - Université Montpellier 1 - UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 - UM2 - Université Montpellier 2 - Sciences et Techniques - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier (GSCM) - Montpellier Business School); Carlos Larrinaga (Universidad de Burgos); Géraldine Rivière-Giordano (MRM - Montpellier Research in Management - UM1 - Université Montpellier 1 - UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 - UM2 - Université Montpellier 2 - Sciences et Techniques - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier (GSCM) - Montpellier Business School) |
| Abstract: | Purpose Since the withdrawal of IFRIC 3 in 2005, there has been a regulatory freeze in accounting for emission rights that contrasts with the international momentum of climate-related financial disclosures. This paper explores how different narratives and institutional dynamics explain the failure to produce guidance on accounting for emission rights. Design/methodology/approach This paper mobilises the notion of field-configuring events to examine a sequence of six events between 2003 and 2016, including four public consultations and two dialogues between standard setters. The paper presents a qualitative analysis of documents produced in this space that investigates how different practices and narratives configured the field's positions, agenda, and meaning systems. Findings Accounting for emission rights was gradually decoupled from climate change and carbon markets, relegated to the research pipeline, and forgotten. The obstacles that the IASB and EFRAG found in presenting themselves as central in the recurring events, the excess of representations, and the increasingly technical and abstract debates eroded the 2003 momentum for regulation, making the different initiatives to revitalise the project vulnerable and open to scrutiny. Lukes (2021) refers to nondecision-making to express that some issues are suffocated before they are expressed. Originality/value The regulation of accounting for emission rights, an area that has received scant attention in the literature, provides some insights into the different narrative mechanisms that, materialising in specific times and spaces, draw regulatory attention to particular accounting issues, which are problematised and, eventually, forgotten. This study also illustrates that identifying interests is problematic as actors shift from alternative positions over a long period. The case examined also raises some doubts about the previous effectiveness of international standard setters in dealing with matters of connectivity between the environment and finance, as is the case for accounting for emissions rights. |
| Keywords: | Emission rights Accounting regulation IASB Field-configuring events Carbon Paper type Research, Emission rights, Accounting regulation, IASB, Field-configuring events, Carbon Paper type Research |
| Date: | 2024–07–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04686904 |
| By: | Yashodhan Ghorpade |
| Abstract: | I study the effect of the 2019-21 desert locust outbreak on the intention to migrate among rural households and individuals in Yemen, as an illustration of the human mobility impacts of climate change-related shocks in a complex emergency setting. Using the first systematic household survey conducted in southern Yemen since the beginning of the ongoing conflict, I find that a one standard-deviation increase in exposure to desert locusts increases the individual willingness to migrate (internally or abroad) by 12 percentage points among rural residents. |
| Keywords: | Migration, Climate change, Yemen, Natural disasters, Shocks |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2024-51 |
| By: | Johannes Sauer; Philipp Mennig; Will Chancellor; Jesús Antón |
| Abstract: | The resilience of farms in a world of increasing climate uncertainties is a growing policy concern on a global scale. Resilience means finding a balance between ensuring adequate preparation to confront shocks, the ability to absorb its immediate impact, and, as part of the recovery phase, adapting and transforming farm practices to a new environment. A dynamic framework developed by OECD to measure these resilience capacities is applied to three case studies: crop farms affected by drought in Australia, and livestock farms impacted by disease outbreaks in France and Estonia. It was found that most farms performed well in only two of the four resilience capacities. Productivity, investment, and technical change are found to be key drivers of most resilience capacities in Australia, while in Estonia marketing contracts facilitated the successful adaptation and transformation of pig farms during the recovery phase. Future research should focus on finding how to better balance the four resilience capacities, prioritising the analysis of policy drivers. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, Climate adaptation, Livestock diseases, Transformation |
| JEL: | Q1 Q12 Q18 Q5 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–10–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:211-en |
| By: | Gilles Paché (CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon) |
| Abstract: | Since February 2022, two major geopolitical crises have shaken the world. First, Russia attacked Ukrainian territory as part of a "special military operation" to demilitarize it and defend Russian-speaking regions. In turn, in October 2023, the Middle East has experienced a new dramatic episode in its history, with an Israeli-Palestinian war in the Gaza Strip. In both cases, the violent fighting is causing humanitarian crises. While this is an essential issue, it should not conceal the reality of major environmental crises. |
| Keywords: | Armed conflicts, Biodiversity, Ecocide, Environmental impact, Pollution |
| Date: | 2024–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04696550 |
| By: | Congressional Budget Office |
| Abstract: | The federal government provides funds for flood adaptations—projects aimed at preventing damage from flooding. Those projects include constructing dams and levees, restoring beaches, and elevating or buying out individual properties. In this report, CBO finds that future damage could be reduced by an average of $2 to $3 for each dollar spent for flood adaptations. |
| JEL: | H84 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–09–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cbo:report:59971 |
| By: | Kapatamoyo, Musonda |
| Abstract: | This paper explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) 's transformative role in digital transformation and its implications for Africa's socio-economic development. We examine how AI's advanced analytics, machine learning algorithms, and predictive modeling capabilities reshape operational strategies. Case studies elucidate the diverse applications of AI in Africa, including natural resource management such as mining, wildlife conservation, precision agriculture, and water resource management. Examples such as copper deposit discovery in Zambia (Mitimingi & Hill, 2024) and AI-powered wildlife monitoring in Burkina Faso (Vermeulen et al., 2013) illustrate its potential to drive growth, competitiveness, and sustainability across the continent. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb24:302527 |
| By: | Silvio Sticher; Hannes Wallimann; Noah Balthasar |
| Abstract: | We investigate the impact of a gamified experiment designed to promote sustainable mobility among students and staff members of a Swiss higher-education institution. Despite transportation being a major contributor to domestic CO2 emissions, achieving behavioral change remains challenging. In our two-month mobility competition, structured as a randomized controlled trial with a 3x3 factorial design, neither monetary incentives nor norm-based nudging significantly influences mobility behavior. Our (null) results suggest that there is no "gamified quick fix" for making mobility substantially more sustainable. Also, we provide some lessons learned on how not to incentivize sustainable mobility by addressing potential shortcomings of our mobility competition. |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2409.11142 |
| By: | Chukwunonso Ekesiobi (Anambra State, Nigeria); Stephen Obinozie Ogwu (Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria); Joshua Chukwuma Onwe (Enugu State, Nigeria); Ogonna Ifebi (Anambra State, Nigeria); Precious Muhammed Emmanuel (University of Ibadan, Nigeria); Kingsley Nze Ashibogwu (Ozoro, Delta) |
| Abstract: | Our study assesses financial development and debt status impact on energy efficiency in Nigeria as a developing economy. We combined the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), FMOLS, and CCR analytical methods to estimate the parameters for energy efficiency policy recommendations. Secondary data between 1990 and 2020 were used for the analysis. The result confirms the long-run nexus between energy efficiency, financial development and total debt stock. Furthermore, the ARDL estimates for our key variables show that financial development promotes energy efficiency in the short run but hinders long-run energy efficiency. Total debt stock limits energy efficiency in Nigeria in short and long-run periods. The environmental consequences of energy intensity are being felt globally, with the developing countries most vulnerable. The cheapest way to curb these consequences is to promote energy efficiency to reduce the disastrous effect. Driving energy efficiency requires investment in energy-efficient technology, but the challenge for developing economies i.e. Nigeria's funding, remains challenging amid a blotted debt profile. This becomes crucial to investigate how financial sector development and debt management can accelerate energy-efficient investments in Nigeria. The financial sector must ensure the availability of long-term credit facilities to clean energy investors. The government must maintain a sustainable debt profile to pave the way for capital expenditure on clean energy projects that promote energy efficiency. The limitation of this study is that the scope is limited to Nigeria as a developing economy. The need to support energy efficiency projects is a global call requiring cross-country analysis. Despite our study focusing on Nigeria, it provides useful insights that can guide energy efficiency policy through the financial sector and debt management. |
| Keywords: | Financial Development, Public Debt, Energy Efficiency, Environment, Nigeria |
| JEL: | E22 E44 E62 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:exs:wpaper:24/016 |
| By: | Leonelli, Giulia Claudia; Clora, Francesco |
| Abstract: | The US Inflation Reduction Act (‘IRA’) has heralded the advent of a new era of industrial policy within and beyond the US. As the net-zero economy transition unfolds and national economic security paradigms entrench, industrial policy is here to stay. Net-zero subsidies are employed as multi-purpose policy tools to promote domestic manufacturing, de-risk from China, and boost the net-zero transition. This new scenario prompts a fresh look at old questions surrounding environmental subsidies and their justification, actionability and countervailability. This article makes three contributions. First, it articulates a conceptual framework to assess questions surrounding the justification of net-zero subsidies. It advocates a direct focus on their environmental effectiveness, drawing a distinction between justifiable trade-distorting effects and unjustifiable protective or discriminatory application associated with the pursuit of reshoring or geopolitical goals. Second, it employs a careful analysis of different IRA tax credits to operationalize the article’s framework and test its robustness. Third, it draws on legal and economic insights to shed some light on the environmental effects of different groups of net-zero subsidies. On these grounds, it advances a streamlined threefold categorization and demarcates the boundaries within which different subsidies should be justifiable, non-actionable and non-countervailable. |
| JEL: | Q58 H23 K32 N50 |
| Date: | 2024–09–14 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:124604 |
| By: | Akinsete, Ebun; Velias, Alina; Koundouri, Phoebe |
| Abstract: | The ultimate goal of water resource management is the efficient allocation of increasingly scarce water resources. One of the most crucial and often obscure aspects of water resource management pertains to the behavioural particularities of the societal relationship with water; how people value the resource, how utility companies price the resource, and how policy makers derive financial instruments to address social dilemmas associated with common pool resources and public goods. This chapter explores the use of two complimentary approaches to derive both quantitative and qualitative data within an iterative process to provide evidence-based decision support in the sustainable management of water resources. Within this integrated approach, participatory Living Labs use small focus group settings to collect qualitative data about key phenomena. This qualitative evidence provides foundation for theoretical models that produce testable suggestions for economic experiments. The economic and behavioural experiments focus on gathering quantitative data to test a prediction, subsequently raising further questions – such as heterogeneity of behaviour, causal relationships between factors - that can be explored deeper by living labs qualitative angle. The Living Labs and Experimental Economics approaches have an iterative relationship, examples of which will be highlighted in this article. |
| Keywords: | Water, Living Labs, Experimental Economics, Stakeholder Engagement, Participatory Approaches |
| JEL: | P2 Z1 |
| Date: | 2023–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122043 |
| By: | B. Ajay Krishna (Ph.D. Scholar, Madras School of Economics, Chennai); K.S. Kavi Kumar ((Corresponding Author) Director, Professor, Madras School of Economics, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chennai) |
| Abstract: | The sustainability of urban transportation has emerged as a significant area of research, particularly in urban centres of developing countries due to its notable economic, social, and environmental implications. This paper presents an indicator-based approach to evaluate the sustainability of urban road transit systems in Indian metropolitan cities. A set of 24 indicators is identified and analysed across five metropolitan cities under the sustainability framework, and an index – Sustainable Urban Road Transport Index (SURTI) – is constructed to rank these cities. Further, to allow for comparisons across both space and time, SURTI is constructed for 2010 and 2020 to analyse the decadal variations in relative performance of the metropolitan cities. The study also attempts to illustrate how alternative approaches in Index calculation could influence relative ranking-based outcomes. The study's findings indicate that Mumbai and Kolkata appear to consistently perform better across time and location. Meanwhile, Bangalore has improved substantially during the last decade, whereas Chennai's poor performance has resulted in a rapid decrease in SURTI scores and rankings. The study highlights key transport metrics where cities can potentially improve. The study's findings could prove relevant to policymakers and mobility planners in their attempts to build a sustainable road transport system and address inefficiencies in the key performance areas highlighted in this study |
| Keywords: | Composite index; Principal component analysis; Sustainability indicators; Transport indicators; Urban road transport. |
| JEL: | C38 C43 Q01 R40 R49 |
| Date: | 2024–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-261 |
| By: | Fitzgerald, Jack |
| Abstract: | Moscona & Sastry (2023, Quarterly Journal of Economics) - henceforth MS23 - find that cropland values are significantly less damaged by extreme heat exposure (EHE) when crops are more exposed to technological innovation. However, MS23's 'innovation exposure' variable does not measure innovation, instead proxying innovation using a measure of crops' national heat exposure. A re-examination of MS23's replication data - which permits a close but inexact reproduction of MS23's published findings - shows that this proxy moderates EHE impacts for reasons unrelated to innovation. The proxy is practically identical to local EHE, so MS23's models examining interaction effects between their proxy and local EHE effectively interact local EHE with itself. I document extensive evidence that MS23's findings on 'innovation exposure' are simply artefacts of nonlinear impacts in local EHE, and uncover robustness issues for other key findings. I then construct direct measures of innovation exposure from MS23's crop variety and patenting data. Replacing MS23's proxy with these direct innovation measures decreases MS23's moderating effect estimates by at least 99.8% in standardized units; none of these new estimates are statistically significantly different from zero. Similar results arise from an instrumental variables strategy that instruments my direct innovation measures with MS23's heat proxy. These results cast doubt on the general capacity for market innovations to mitigate agricultural damage from climate change. |
| JEL: | O31 Q10 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:i4rdps:158 |
| By: | Oldenburg, Derk |
| Abstract: | According to the January 2024 WEF Global Risks Report, concerns about the risks related to cyber insecurity, misinformation and adverse outcomes of AI are at the top of minds in the coming two years, followed by extreme weather events and societal polarization. In the coming decade, the effects of climate change are projected to have an even more serious impact. What these risk trends mean to network operators / digital connectivity providers and how they can achieve a better level of resilience, is the object of important and timely studies. A broad range of vulnerabilities have to be addressed in the coming years. But how about the other side of the coin? Are there opportunities for digital infrastructure providers in the rather bleak future the WEF report (and others) sketches? This policy article aims to stimulate a process of creative thinking, looking for opportunities related to five specific risk trends. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb24:302502 |
| By: | Don Fullerton; Thomas C. Kinnaman |
| Abstract: | We summarize the economics of recycling municipal solid waste. OECD data suggest that aggregate recycling rates in member countries have plateaued in recent decades. United States recycling rates for some materials remain low, even after decades of learning and participation. Major new policies may be required to increase recycling rates. Aggregate recycling targets are common in the US and OECD but may no longer be effective. We discuss many sources of recycling heterogeneity often ignored. First, recyclable materials are very different from each other. Economies and natural environments differ across space, and technologies change over time. Recycling policies that ignore heterogeneity are likely not set appropriately. If policy costs are low enough to set a unique recycling policy for each material in each locality, then a surgical recycling strategy may better serve society. Specific recycling policies for automobile batteries differ greatly from policies for yard waste, because these two materials are different. A surgical recycling policy could extend this practice, so that rules for aluminum cans differ from plastic jugs or glass bottles. Reaching future recycling targets could be frustrated by ignoring these heterogeneities across materials, locations, and time. |
| JEL: | H23 Q38 Q52 Q53 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32981 |
| By: | Hugo Lauret (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | L'objectif de cette communication est d'identifier la nature des tensions organisationnelles qui émergent du paradoxe entre la transition numérique et la transition écologique dans les organisations culturelles, et d'examiner la manière dont les acteurs agissent face à ces tensions afin de les résoudre (ou a minima de les gérer). Ainsi, pour identifier ces tensions, nous avons réalisé une étude de cas approfondie sur un centre de création des arts et des cultures numériques qui diffuse des œuvres numériques et encourage les formes artistiques qui recourent aux nouvelles technologies. Ce travail de recherche permet d'apporter un éclairage précieux sur les enjeux du secteur culturel face aux attentes sociétales pour que les arts et la culture continuent d'être des agents de changement pertinents dans l'action climatique à travers leurs capacités à façonner les imaginaires et les valeurs. |
| Keywords: | Arts numériques, transition numérique, transition écologique, gestion des paradoxes, changement organisationnel, industries culturelles et créatives |
| Date: | 2024–07–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04693573 |
| By: | Kandpal, Ankita; Birthal, Pratap S.; Mishra, Shruti |
| Abstract: | Research in and for agriculture has significant potential to address the current and future challenges to transforming agri-food production systems as more productive, efficient, and sustainable. In India, most research in agriculture and allied activities is carried out in public-sector institutions. Agricultural R&D, however, remains underinvested. In 2020-21, the country spent about 0.54% of agricultural gross domestic product on research and 0.11% on extension, much less than their corresponding global levels. Nevertheless, there is a strong justification for more investment in agricultural R&D. Every rupee spent on research pays back Rs 13.85, and on extension, Rs 7.40. Hence, by 2030, investment in R&D should be raised to at least one percent of the agricultural gross domestic product. Importantly, it should be accompanied by revamping of the research agenda, considering the likely demand for different food and non-food commodities, the current and future challenges, and opportunities. This study suggests more resources for research on livestock, fisheries, natural resource management, and climate adaptation and mitigation, and bridging the regional R&D gaps. The past is the guide to the future. Investment in R&D made today will decide the future course of agricultural development. The evidence presented in this study are of significant importance to research administrators and policymakers in taking informed decisions regarding investment in agricultural R&D and its prioritization for the smooth transformation of agri-food systems. |
| Keywords: | Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods |
| Date: | 2024–04–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:icar24:344995 |
| By: | Zhang, Xin (Beijing Normal University); Wang, Yixuan (Ohio State University); Hu, Xingyi (Ohio State University); Chen, Xi (Yale University) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of fetal exposure to air pollution on low-stakes test performance across a broad age range, with a focus on gender-specific parental responses to this negative shock. Using data from a nationally representative survey in China, we find that fetal PM2.5 exposure significantly reduce cognitive ability in women, particularly those with brothers. Gender-biased human capital investment by families tends to amplify the harmful effects for girls, while diminishing these effects for boys. Specifically, when exposed to the same level of fetal PM2.5, females receive less homework assistance from their families and attain lower levels of education. |
| Keywords: | air pollution, cognitive ability, fetal exposure, gender bias, parental investment |
| JEL: | Q53 I24 D13 J16 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17288 |
| By: | Laudenbach, Christine; Malmendier, Ulrike; Niessen-Ruenzi, Alexandra |
| Abstract: | We show that exposure to anti-capitalist ideology can exert a lasting influence on attitudes towards capital markets and stock-market participation. Utilizing novel survey, bank, and broker data, we document that, decades after Germany's reunification, East Germans invest significantly less in stocks and hold more negative views on capital markets. Effects vary by personal experience under communism. Results are strongest for individuals remembering life in the German Democratic Republic positively, e. g., because of local Olympic champions or living in a "showcase city". Results reverse for those with negative experiences like religious oppression, environmental pollution, or lack of Western TV entertainment. |
| Keywords: | Capital markets, Anti-capitalist Ideology, Life-time Experiences, Stockmarket Participation |
| JEL: | D14 D83 D91 G41 P10 P26 P34 P36 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:safewp:303039 |
| By: | Cyrille Grumbach (ETH Zürich); Didier Sornette (Risks-X, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech); Swiss Finance Institute) |
| Abstract: | Bitcoin's substantial carbon footprint is widely acknowledged, though debates persist regarding its true scale. In this study, we present a novel methodology to quantify Bitcoin's carbon footprint, demonstrating a dramatic increase from 0.02 MtCOe in 2011 to 89 MtCO 2 e in 2023. By leveraging large language models to analyze Bitcoin Forum data, we accurately identify miners' hardware configurations, addressing the limitations of prior research that lacked empirical data. Our findings also highlight that Bitcoin mining is approaching cost-price parity, positioning it as a potentially enduring financial instrument. |
| Keywords: | Bitcoin, blockchain technology, Carbon footprint, Cryptocurrency mining, mining hardware |
| JEL: | C19 C80 Q01 Q56 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2451 |
| By: | Masayasu Asai; Jesús Antón |
| Abstract: | Ensuring the well-being of farmers, their families, farmworkers, and that of their communities is high on the agenda of governments and policy makers in OECD countries. The quality of agricultural jobs (e.g. working conditions) and quality of life aspects such as environmental quality, health, depopulation of rural areas, isolation, crime, discrimination, and access to knowledge together determine the well-being of those active in the agricultural sector. Relevant policy design has tended to be hampered by serious data gaps. By focusing on different dimensions of well-being, this paper proposes a framework for social issues in agriculture to identify cross-cutting challenges. Seven policy examples, covering diverse social issues such as mental health, developing social connections in isolated rural areas, and inclusiveness of Indigenous Peoples and those with disabilities, confirm the need to look beyond traditional sectoral policies and to address social issues from a broader policy perspective. Only a multipronged approach can successfully remove the barriers that hinder opportunities for all farmers and their communities. |
| Keywords: | Data gaps, Inclusiveness, Rural development, Social sustainability, Well-being |
| JEL: | H7 I13 J81 Q13 Q18 R2 |
| Date: | 2024–10–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:212-en |
| By: | Luckeneder, Sebastian; Giljum, Stefan; Maus, Victor; Sonter, Laura J.; Lenzen, Manfred |
| Abstract: | The integration of metals and minerals into global supply chains leads to mining impacts that manifest far from the location of final consumption. To address these distant impacts, new legal frameworks are emerging that require companies to exercise due diligence across their entire supply chains. However, accurately quantifying local mining impacts and tracing them from production to consumption remains challenging. This study examines global flows of forest loss within mine sites from 2001 to 2019, with a focus on final demand in the European Union. By integrating satellite imagery with a multi-region input-output framework, we find that 12% of global forest loss caused by mining is linked to EU consumption, with 89% of these impacts occurring outside EU borders. The study identifies variations in impact intensities across global mining areas, commodities, and European industry sectors, offering actionable strategies and highlighting challenges for responsible material sourcing in consumer and producer regions. |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus045:67247598 |
| By: | Pierre Levasseur (SADAPT - Sciences pour l'Action et le Développement : Activités, Produits, Territoires - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Claire Cambriels (CSGA - Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation [Dijon] - UB - Université de Bourgogne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Dijon - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement); Molly Magnier; Olga Davidenko (PNCA (UMR 0914) - Physiologie de la Nutrition et du Comportement Alimentaire - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement) |
| Abstract: | La régulation de la consommation de viande apparaît comme une politique publique pertinente pour limiter les émissions de gaz à effet de serre liées à l'alimentation. Cependant, l'impact réel d'une telle politique sur la santé humaine et la nutrition reste incertain, en particulier pour les strates de la population les plus défavorisées. Il est probable que ces sous-populations à risque tendent à augmenter leur consommation de produits riches en gras et en sucres lorsque la viande devient moins accessible, augmentant les risques de prise de poids, de surpoids et d'obésité. Pour tester cette hypothèse et étudier l'hétérogénéité sociale dans les choix de substitution à la viande, une expérimentation a été mise en place dans 4 restaurants universitaires parisiens dans lesquelles des journées 100% végétariennes ont été organisées. Des données d'enquête (questionnaire) et de plateau-repas (photos) ont été collectées auprès de 770 participants avant (contrefactuel) et pendant l'intervention végétarienne. En comparant les repas consommés les jours ordinaires où la viande est disponible et les jours 100% végétariens, nos premiers résultats indiquent des différences significatives dans la composition de repas allégées en viande en fonction du statut socioéconomique des étudiants (mesuré par l'échelon boursier et le niveau d'étude des parents), allant dans le sens de nos hypothèses. |
| Keywords: | Repas végétarien, viande, transition protéique, inégalités nutritionnelles, substitutions à risque |
| Date: | 2024–06–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04693654 |
| By: | Zimmer, Reingard |
| Abstract: | [Introduction:] As is well known, globalisation has led to increased outsourcing of production, with goods being purchased in far-flung corners of the world, not least because of lower wages, weaker labour and environmental regulations and fewer controls. Such an environment is difficult for trade unions to operate and union density therefore is rather low. As a result, working conditions in the countries of the Global South (and East) are predominantly catastrophic. Due to outsourcing, companies' profit margins have increased significantly, but they are not prosecuted for labour and environmental violations in other countries (along the supply chain). In order to improve compliance with key internationally recognised human, labour and environmental rights along the value chain, the legislator has established "requirements for responsible management of supply chains for companies - above a certain size" with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz - LkSG), the Act was passed by the German Bundestag on 11 June 2021. The aim of the legislator is to ensure that companies based in Germany fulfil their responsibility in the supply chain with regard to respect for internationally recognised human and labour rights by implementing core elements of human rights due diligence in their business activities. (...) |
| Keywords: | Lieferkette, Due Diligence, Globale Wertschöpfungskette, Wirtschaftsrecht, Interessenpolitik, Gewerkschaft, Deutschland |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:hsiwps:303148 |
| By: | De Miguel, Carlos J.; Lorenzo, Santiago; Alatorre, José Eduardo; Gómez, José Javier; Ferrer, Jimy; Rezza, Lucía; Fernández Sepúlveda, Ignacio |
| Abstract: | Los países de América Latina y el Caribe han establecido sus compromisos de acción climática en sus contribuciones determinadas a nivel nacional. Para cumplir con los objetivos climáticos planteados, es necesario realizar inversiones en sectores prioritarios. En este documento se presentan estimaciones de los requerimientos de inversión para algunos de estos sectores. Se establece que la inversión anual necesaria para lograr los compromisos climáticos en la región se sitúa entre el 3, 7% y el 4, 9% del PIB regional hasta 2030, es decir, alcanza a un flujo anual de entre 215.000 y 284.000 millones de dólares. Las inversiones que promueven la transición hacia economías más sostenibles, neutrales en carbono y resilientes al clima tienen el potencial de acelerar el cambio estructural con inclusión social. Por ejemplo, las inversiones en energías renovables o electromovilidad para el transporte público exhiben importantes efectos multiplicadores de producción y empleo y, si se enmarcan en una política de desarrollo productivo adecuado, permiten mejorar la inserción en las cadenas de valor, reducir los requerimientos de importaciones y maximizar la creación de empleo interno. |
| Date: | 2024–09–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:80661 |
| By: | Ibadoghlu, Gubad |
| Abstract: | Azerbaijan's economy is at a critical juncture, with the decreasing reliance on resource-based income signaling an imminent transition. The nation's strategic focus on economic diversification offers substantial prospects for growth in non-oil sectors. However, the pressing question remains: Is Azerbaijan sufficiently prepared for the post-oil era? This paper aims to rigorously assess the key performance indicators outlined in the nation's state programs and strategic roadmaps, particularly in the context of diversifying the economy. By providing an in-depth analysis of both retrospective and prospective GDP growth, this study highlights the challenges and opportunities Azerbaijan faces in cultivating a more diverse and resilient economic landscape. The findings suggest that while there are significant hurdles to overcome, there is considerable potential for the country to transition towards a more sustainable, diversified economy that is less dependent on oil revenues. This evaluation not only underscores the necessity for continued reforms but also identifies key areas where strategic investments and policy shifts could yield long-term benefits for Azerbaijan's economic future. |
| Keywords: | Azerbaijan, national economy, GDP growth, COP29, fossil fuel, post-oil era, diversification, non-oil and gas exports, Strategic Roadmaps, State Programs |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:303481 |
| By: | BATISTA E SILVA Filipe (European Commission - JRC); DIJKSTRA Lewis (European Commission - JRC); AUTERI Davide (European Commission - JRC); CURTALE Riccardo (European Commission - JRC); DORATI Chiara (European Commission - JRC); HORMIGOS FELIU Clara (European Commission - JRC); JACOBS-CRISIONI Chris; KOMPIL Mert; PERPIÑA CASTILLO Carolina; PIGAIANI Cristian (European Commission - JRC); RIBEIRO BARRANCO Ricardo; SCHIAVONE Matteo; SULIS Patrizia (European Commission - JRC) |
| Abstract: | This report assembles a series of separate scientific contributions to the European Commission’s Ninth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion. The report includes seven short research papers providing background and insight under three broad topics with relevance to European regional and urban policy: Urbanisation and regional economic trends; Transport and digital accessibility; and Sectoral analyses (renewable energy and tourism). Each short paper documents a novel research or analysis based on the most recent data available, thus providing up-to-date and timely evidence on issues with a strong territorial dimension. Although covering a very diverse range of topics, the contributions articulate interrelated challenges and opportunities to promote territorial cohesion in Europe. These are related to, for example, the increasing urbanisation and implications for transport and mobility, population decline in rural areas, regional economic convergence/divergence trends, the improving access to broadband in the EU, the potential role of rural areas for the green transition and tourism as a heterogeneous but overall resilient industry contributing to many EU regional economies. An efficient Cohesion Policy should envisage targeted, place-based investments that consider these and other challenges and opportunities. |
| Date: | 2024–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc138304 |
| By: | PIERRI Erika (European Commission - JRC); EGLE Lukas (European Commission - JRC); FOSTER Gillian (European Commission - JRC); ANTONOPOULOS Ioannis; ALBIZZATI Paola Federica (European Commission - JRC); TONINI Davide (European Commission - JRC); CRISTOBAL GARCIA Jorge (European Commission - JRC); MARSCHINSKI Robert (European Commission - JRC); GAUDILLAT Pierre (European Commission - JRC) |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study is to develop a proposal for an operational framework for a harmonised quality management system at EU level, with respect to the collection, reporting and publication of waste data as well as monitoring. To this end, a screening of the current situation in the EU-27 has been carried out, focusing particularly on data collection and reporting practices. This proposal builds upon the reporting obligations laid down in the Waste Framework Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the Waste Statistics Regulation. Member States have the obligation to demonstrate compliance with EU recycling targets and are encouraged to establish a system for quality control and traceability of waste. The implementation of a harmonised quality management system can help Member States to track the progress of municipalities towards the attainment of the targets and to assess the impact of specific measures. It can facilitate comparability of data across Member States and better monitoring of the performance of waste management in the EU-27 and beyond. The availability of reliable and consistent waste data can ultimately support the development of new policy options under EU waste legislation. |
| Date: | 2024–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc136898 |
| By: | Avila-Uribe, Antonio; Bierl, Konrad; Schulze, David |
| Abstract: | Liu, Shamdasani, and Taraz (2023) examine, among other things, the effect of temperature and precipitation in India during the growing season (June-February) on the agricultural and non-agricultural worker share in Indian districts in the medium run (decades) and in the long run (30 years). In their preferred analytical specification, they find that a 1°C increase in temperature leads to a 17% increase in the agricultural labor share (corresponding to a logarithmic coefficient of 0.157) and an 8.2% decrease in the nonagricultural labor share (corresponding to a logarithmic coefficient of -0.086) in the medium term. The effects are significant at the 5% and 1% level (5% and 5% with Conley standard errors), respectively. For precipitation, they do not find effects significantly different from 0. First, we rerun the code with neither execution nor coding errors. Second, we reproduced the main tables in a different software language and did find the same results. Lastly, we tested the robustness by weighting the districts with the population size. Here, we find that the effects in the medium run become significantly smaller and not statistically significant anymore. However, the effects in the long run stay roughly the same. By splitting the sample in low and highly populated districts we find that the medium run effects are only present in low populated districts with no effect on highly populated ones. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:i4rdps:162 |
| By: | Ekström, Mathias (Dept. of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration); Sjåstad, Hallgeir (Dept. of Strategy and Management, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration); Bjorvatn, Kjetil (Dept. of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration) |
| Abstract: | To mitigate global warming, collective behavior change is needed. But which tools should policymakers prioritize: economic incentives, nudges, or a combination? Current evidence from social science provides little direct advice, as it either lacks credible identification of causality or objective long-term behavioral data. Addressing both limitations, we present causal evidence from a two-year field experiment, comparing how a small price incentive and a social norm-nudge affect the recycling behavior of more than 2, 000 households. The results show a large, immediate, and persistent positive effect of incentives on both the quantity and quality of recycling, but no effect of the norm-nudge. However, the price incentive reduced customer satisfaction, unless it was combined with the norm-nudge, suggesting that appealing to norms can make climate incentives more acceptable. |
| Keywords: | economic incentives; nudges; behavior change; norm-nudge |
| JEL: | J01 J12 |
| Date: | 2024–09–26 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nhheco:2024_015 |
| By: | Ferrer, Jimy; Castro Salazar, Mauricio |
| Date: | 2024–09–13 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col022:80701 |
| By: | Willem THORBECKE |
| Abstract: | Oil prices have been high and volatile. This paper investigates how oil prices affect Indonesian and South Korean stocks. Using Hamilton’s (2014) method to decompose oil prices into portions driven by shocks to aggregate demand and to oil supply, the results indicate that demand-driven oil price increases benefit sectors such as coal, iron and steel, and shipbuilding that compete in global markets. They harm sectors such as food and consumer goods that use oil for production and depend on consumer purchasing power. Supply-driven oil price increases benefit the resource sector in Indonesia and harm the airlines, electricity, and industrial transport sectors in Korea. The finding that several sectors benefit from oil price increases indicates that blanket fuel subsidies are suboptimal. The finding that many sectors suffer from oil price increases indicates that Indonesia and Korea should reduce their exposure to oil by switching to sustainable energy sources. |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:24070 |
| By: | Hazrana, Jaweriah; Mishra, Ashok K. |
| Abstract: | This study examines the impact of droughts on intra-household food consumption, diet diversity, and nutrition. The study provides a unique and nuanced understanding of how droughts affect the food consumption and nutrition of men, women, and children within a household. We use panel data from a nationally representative survey in Bangladesh. Findings show that after a drought, individuals spend 4.6% less on food and consume 3.4% fewer calories, 3.3% less protein, and 4.7% less fat. However, the effect is not homogeneous across all household members. Women and children, the most vulnerable groups, experience a greater shortfall in food consumption and nutrients than men. Furthermore, droughts lead to a less balanced household diet, characterized by reduced consumption of nutrient-rich animal-source and plant-based foods and increased reliance on cereals. Policymakers could support targeted interventions for vulnerable individuals to access adequate nutrition during climatic stress. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety |
| Date: | 2024–07–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea22:345099 |
| By: | Ramadoss, Trisha; Davis, Adam; Tal, Gil |
| Abstract: | The path to transportation decarbonization will rely heavily on electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. EV diffusion forecasting tools are necessary to predict the impacts of EVs on local energy demand and environmental quality. Few EV adoption models operate at a fine spatial scale and those that do still rely on aggregated demographic information. This adoption model is one of the first attempts to employ a synthetic population to examine EV distribution at a fine spatial and demographic scale. Using a synthetic population at the Census-Tract-level, enriched with household fleet body types and home-charging access, the researchers consider the effect of vehicle body type on EV spatial distribution and home-charging access in California. The project examines two EV body type mixes in a high electrification scenario where 8 million EVs are distributed across 6 million households in California: a “Small Vehicles” scenario where 6 million EVs are passenger cars and 2 million EVs are trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), or vans and a “Large Vehicles” scenario with 4 million of each category. The authors find that an electrification scenario with more electric trucks and SUVs serves to distribute electrified households more evenly throughout the state, shifting them from urban to rural counties, while there is little impact on home-charging access. View the NCST Project Webpage |
| Keywords: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Electric vehicles, synthetic population, EV adoption, electric vehicle market |
| Date: | 2024–08–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt2b05w8pk |
| By: | Ganguly, Sujata; Nikolova, Elena |
| Abstract: | This chapter argues that gender equality and economic development are tightly intertwined, and that gender aspects should be an essential consideration for economic development. The chapter starts by developing a conceptual framework explaining how gender equality and economic development influence each other. In particular, the framework emphasizes the interaction between SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 4 (quality education). It then applies the developed framework to discuss how gender affects economic development in four broad domains with reference to the green economy. First, the chapter discusses the links between gender and economic development in employment and social protection, followed by unpaid work and the care economy. Second, the chapter discusses how we can bridge the gap between the green economy and gender inequality. Finally, the chapter points out that the post-COVID-19 recovery can be exploited as a window of opportunity to initiate a development model that encompasses gender inclusiveness and the green economy. The chapter concludes with recommendations for gender-sensitive programmes and policies that can be used by governments to fast-track economic development and growth, and to build inclusive and resilient societies. |
| Keywords: | Green economy, Gender equality, Economic development, Employment, Social protection, Unpaid work, Care economy, COVID-19 |
| JEL: | J16 O12 O13 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1497 |
| By: | Thiemo Fetzer (University of Warwick & University of Bonn); Christina Palmou (Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK); Jakob Schneebacher (Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), UK & King’s College London) |
| Abstract: | We study how businesses adjust to significant rises in energy costs. This matters for both the current energy crisis and the longer-term shift towards Net Zero. Using firm-level real-time survey and administrative data backed by a pre-registered analysis plan, we examine how firms respond to the energy price shock triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine along output, price, input, process and survival margins. We find that, on average, firms pass on some cost increases, build up cash reserves, and face higher debt, but do not yet see layoffs or bankruptcies. However, effects are highly heterogeneous by size and industry: for instance, small firms tend to increase cash reserves and prices, while large firms invest more in capital. We estimate separate elasticities for many small industry cells and subsequently use k-means clustering techniques on the estimated effects to identify high-dimensional firm-adaptation archetypes. These estimates can help tailor firm support in the energy transition both in the short and the long term. More generally, the machinery developed in this paper enables policymakers to evaluate and adjust economic policy in near-real time. |
| Keywords: | Energy price shock, firm dynamics, climate change, high-dimensional analysis |
| JEL: | D22 D24 H23 L11 O30 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:337 |
| By: | Naudé, Wim (RWTH Aachen University) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses four dimensions of the economics of AI that are neglected in business school and university teaching and research. First, students are not being taught that there is no 4th Industrial Revolution; on the contrary, the narrative of the inevitability and wonders of the 4IR is a vital staple of the curricula. Second, students are rarely told that we do not live in a technologically disruptive era; on the contrary, the mantra of "disrupt or else be disrupted" in a world of ceaseless innovation is drummed into students. Third, little is discussed about AI's scaling problem - it faces ecological constraints due to being an energy and water guzzler. Fourthly, business schools largely fail to create awareness that AI has essentially become a project of platform capitalism (techfeudalism) and that the last extraction zone it is being applied to is the Military Industrial Complex (MIC), in furtherance of the Permanent War Economy. Implications for AI governance and business school teaching and research are drawn from this big picture. |
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, capitalism, economic growth, climate change, war |
| JEL: | P18 P17 N40 Q55 O33 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17306 |
| By: | Cheng, John; Mitomo, Hitoshi |
| Abstract: | This study examines whether news media can effectively counter a disinformation campaign. It uses disinformation against the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan as a case study from the perspective of media studies. Based on psychological inoculation theory and multivariate statistical analysis of survey data collected in Feb 2024, it is found that warnings about a disinformation attack from the news media can reduce people's beliefs in actual disinformation. However, the results also reveal that news media reports on debunked disinformation can have the opposite effect unless they also educate people with tropes used in the debunked disinformation. |
| Keywords: | Disinformation campaign, inoculation theory, media literacy |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsb24:302465 |
| By: | C. Rangarajan (Chairman, Professor, Madras School of Economics, chennai); K.R. Shanmugam ((Corresponding Author) Director, Professor, Madras School of Economics, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Chennai) |
| Abstract: | This is a short overview of the Tamil Nadu economy in 2023-24. This covers some of the broad features of the Tamil Nadu economy including trends in growth, sectoral performance, social parameters, climate change issues and growth prospects. Tamil Nadu’s economy is strong on many dimensions. Tamil Nadu’s rate of growth has been higher than India’s overall growth rate between 2005-06 and 2022-23. While all India economy grew at an annual rate of 6.71 percent, Tamil Nadu economy grew at 7.8 percent during this period. This trend needs to be maintained in order to reach a level of 1 trillion-dollar economy as early as possible. Also, Tamil Nadu like India must adapt itself to the far reaching changes in technology that are occurring. Details given in the study may help the readers to gain an understanding of the strengths and challenges of the Tamil Nadu economy |
| Keywords: | Tamil Nadu economy, Growth prospects, Social indicators, Climate change |
| JEL: | H63 D72 H72 C22 E32 |
| Date: | 2024–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mad:wpaper:2024-260 |
| By: | Opono, Samuel; Ahimbisibwe, Frank |
| Abstract: | This policy brief, based on a research project funded by VLIR-UOS, focuses on sustainable refugee integration in Uganda, the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. The project highlights the vulnerabilities and resilience of elderly refugees, aiming to improve their integration into host communities and inform policy interventions through engagement with policymakers. |
| Keywords: | Uganda, South Sudan, refugees |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iob:apbrfs:2024007 |