nep-lam 2025-06-30 papers

on Central and South America

Issue of 2025–06–30
two papers chosen by
Maximo Rossi, Universidad de la RepÃÃººblica

Women Political Leaders as Agents of Environmental Change By Berniell, Inés; Marchionni, Mariana; Pedrazzi, Julián; Viollaz, Mariana
The inequality (or the growth) we measure: data gaps and the distribution of incomes By Gonzalez Alvaredo, Facundo; De Rosa, Mauricio; Flores, Ignacio; Morgan, Marc

Women Political Leaders as Agents of Environmental Change

By:	Berniell, Inés (University of La Plata); Marchionni, Mariana (Universidad Nacional de la Plata); Pedrazzi, Julián (Universidad Nacional de la Plata); Viollaz, Mariana (CEDLAS-UNLP)
Abstract:	This paper explores how female political leaders impact environmental outcomes and climate change policy actions using data from mixed-gender mayoral races in Brazil. Using a Regression Discontinuity design, we find that, compared to male mayors, female mayors significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This effect is driven by a reduction in emissions intensity (CO2e/GDP) in the Land Use sector, without changes in municipal economic activity. Part of the reduction in emissions in the Land Use sector is attributable to a decline in deforestation. We examine potential mechanisms that could explain the positive environmental impact of narrowly electing a female mayor over a male counterpart and find that in Amazon municipalities, female elected mayors allocate more space to the environment in their government proposals and are more likely to invest in environmental initiatives. Differences in the enforcement of environmental regulations do not explain the results.
Keywords:	Brazil, Amazon, mayoral elections, climate change, gender, Latin America
JEL:	J16 D72 Q54 Q56 Q58
Date:	2025–05
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17920

The inequality (or the growth) we measure: data gaps and the distribution of incomes

By:	Gonzalez Alvaredo, Facundo; De Rosa, Mauricio; Flores, Ignacio; Morgan, Marc
Abstract:	Large gaps exist between income estimates from inequality studies and macroeconomic statistics, questioning our representation of flows and the relevance of economic growth. We take stock of these gaps by confronting multiple datasets in Latin America, finding that surveys account for around half of macroeconomic income over the past twenty years. Less than half of this gap is due to conceptual differences, the remainder coming from growing measurement issues, which mainly concern capital incomes. Top tails in administrative data and surveys present diverging averages, especially for non-wage incomes, and different shapes. We discuss implications for both inequality levels and trends.
Keywords:	surveys; national accounts; administrative data; data gaps; income distribution; Latin America
JEL:	D30 E01 N36 O54
Date:	2025–06
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:128509

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