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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Pascual, Unai; Garmendia, Eneko; Phelps, Jacob; Ojea, Elena |
| Abstract: | Forest loss and degradation remains a leading environmental problem. The long history of sustainable forest management has often failed to meet expectations.constrained by funding, governance, capacity and competing interests. Initiatives from the climate |
| Keywords: | sustainable forest management, foreign aid, official development assistance, climate change finance, REDD+, forestry sector governance |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2013-054&r=env |
| By: | Karine Constant (AMSE - Aix-Marseille School of Economics - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) - Ecole Centrale Marseille (ECM)); Marion Davin (AMSE - Aix-Marseille School of Economics - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) - Ecole Centrale Marseille (ECM)) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the relationship between environmental policy and growth when green preferences are endogenously determined by education and pollution. The government can implement a tax on pollution and recycle the revenue in public pollution abatement and/or education subsidy (influencing green behaviors). When agent's preferences for the environment are highly sensitive to environmental damages, the economy can converge to a balanced growth path equilibrium with damped oscillations. Therefore, we identify two objectives that environmental policy seeks to address: remove oscillations, source of intergenerational inequalities, and enhance the long-term growth rate. We show that a tighter tax allows to achieve both objectives when the tax revenue is well allocated between education and direct environmental protection. |
| Keywords: | environmental policy; endogenous growth; environmental awareness; education |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00964540&r=env |
| By: | Fortmannm Lea; Salas, Paula Cordero; Sohngen, Brent; Roe, Brian |
| Abstract: | Implementation arrangements for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation can be seen as contracts that could address some of the inherent problems with forest carbon credits that often lead to high transaction costs -- measuring, monitoring, and verification. Self-enforcing contracts, where it is in the best interest of the environmental service providers to comply with the contracts, may be one way to reduce these costs if providers have incentives to uphold their end of the contract. While the literature on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation is extensive, there is little information available to guide policy makers or investors on what form such contracts should take. After providing an overview of the current status of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and its role as a tool for reducing carbon emissions on an international scale, the paper describes key issues regarding implementation and reviews the literature on contracts from the related area of Payments for Ecosystem Services programs, which face similar challenges. The remainder of the paper reviews various contractual mechanisms from agricultural and forestry related projects that have been proposed or are being used in practice and discusses the various implications associated with their design and implementation. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Environmental Economics&Policies,Climate Change Economics,Debt Markets,Environment and Energy Efficiency |
| Date: | 2014–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6829&r=env |
| By: | Hwang, In Chang |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a stochastic Kaya model. The elasticity of carbon dioxide emissions with respect to population, per capita GDP, energy efficiency, and fossil fuel dependence is estimated using the panel data of 132 countries from 1960 to 2010. As an application of the stochastic Kaya model, we investigate the achievement of each nation to the stabilization of carbon emissions with economic development, using a method of index decomposition analysis. In addition, carbon emissions are projected by 2050 using the model. One of the main findings is that assuming the unit elasticity for each driving force underestimates the scale effect (population change and economic growth) and overestimates the counteracting technology effect. This results in significant differences in quantifying driving forces of the changes in carbon emissions and in future emissions projections. |
| Keywords: | Climate change policy; CO2 emissions; emissions scenarios; decomposition analysis |
| JEL: | Q54 Q56 Q57 |
| Date: | 2013–12–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:55099&r=env |
| By: | George Halkos; George Papageorgiou |
| Abstract: | In this paper, one of the basic assumptions is that the environment provides two different kinds of services. First, the environment may serve as an input to the production of conventional goods. For example, the exploitation of an oil source from which one firm extracts the oil which in turn is used as a fossil fuel for an industry. In the worst case, the use of the environment for industrial purposes will negatively affect the environment, e.g. the water quality of a paper mill along a river. Nevertheless, the possibility to pollute, i.e., to save abatement costs, lowers production costs. Hence, firms and consumers evaluate this service positively. Second, the environment itself-clean air, natural creeks and rivers instead of paper mills, hydro power plants, etc.-provides amenities and thus a second service that is different, because enjoying this service does not degrade environmental quality. As it is intuitively clear, the environment provides consumptive and non-consumptive uses. In renewable resources means, the environmental stock may be harvested and used as an input for conventional goods� production but provides simultaneously a positive externality. The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamics of pollution and the possibility of cycles and instability, while the major findings of this paper are the following: First, taking the simplest pollution model with one state and one control variables and extending it into two state variables, equilibrium may change from the fixed point into a limit cycle equilibrium, i.e. the optimal emissions rate may be cyclical. Second, taking the conflicting case as a differential game we found again the conditions under which the richer limit cycle equilibrium takes place. |
| Keywords: | Renewable resources; environmental economics; pollution management |
| JEL: | C61 C62 D43 H21 |
| Date: | 2014–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aue:wpaper:1404&r=env |
| By: | Yanai, Akiko |
| Abstract: | With the growing interest in environmental issues in the global community, recently concluded regional trade agreements (RTAs) have introduced environmental provisions. These RTAs will help achieve sustainable development at the intersection of trade liberalization and ever-increasing environmental concerns. However, environmental provisions are not incorporated into all RTAs. For example, Japanese RTAs often incorporate environmental issues only in the preamble or relevant articles. As the first step in examining the environmental provisions in RTAs, this paper focuses on the RTAs that Japan has concluded with developing countries. The main characteristic of environmental provisions in Japanese RTAs is that there are very few relevant provisions. All Japanese RTAs has neither environmental chapters nor side agreements. However, the attitude toward the environment in Japanese RTAs has gradually changed since the signing of the Japan-Chile EPA in 2007, in which a joint environmental statement was adopted. Although Japanese RTAs have environmental provisions, environmental problems originating from the RTAs may occur. One of the possible causes is a lack of environmental impact assessment. Japanese RTAs need to incorporate an environmental impact assessment system in order to identify environmental problems resulting from its RTAs, and to enable the country to take appropriate measures at the appropriate time. |
| Keywords: | Developing countries, Japan, Environmental protection, International trade, FTA, International agreements, Sustainable development, Regional trade agreement, Environmental provisions, Trade and the environment, RoHS, REACH |
| JEL: | F18 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper467&r=env |
| By: | Singh, Rajesh; Weninger, Quinn |
| Abstract: | We study equilibrium production and emission in a model where firms jointly produce a valued good and an environmental bad, pollution. Firms are ex ante identical but receive random productivity shocks. A regulator imposes a cap-and-trade policy to control pollution emissions. Trade in emission permits entails transactions costs which follow two specifications: constant per unit trading costs or fixed trading costs. Under proportional costs, the equilibrium outcome is independent of buyers' and sellers' costs and depends only on the total, buyers' plus sellers, per unit trading cost. Under fixed costs, both buyers' and sellers' costs matter. Under proportional costs trade always occurs, either fully or partially, as long as the total trading costs are below the market surplus obtained from the traded permit. With fixed costs, trade is either partial or non-existent. The implication is that production is efficient for a range of proportional trading costs, but always inefficient under fixed costs. In either case, trade is impeded most, even with small costs, when the emission permit market is thin, i.e., when the mass of buyers and sellers is small. We derive a non-monotonic relationship between the aggregate emissions cap and an upper bound for trading costs that obstruct or preclude trade. Further, we find that output loss due to emissions-permit-constrained unutilized capacity increases with productivity variance under ad valorem costs, the result is the opposite under fixed costs. |
| Keywords: | Cap-and-trade regulation; emissions permit trading; ad valorum and fixed transactions costs; capacity utilization. |
| JEL: | L5 Q5 |
| Date: | 2014–03–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:37453&r=env |
| By: | Gebreegziabher, Zenebe; Mekonnen, Alemu; Deribe, Rahel; Abera, Samuel; Kassahun, Meseret Molla |
| Abstract: | There have been few attempts to look into the economic impacts of climate change in the context of Ethiopia. Although mixed crop-livestock farming is a dominant farming style, most of the studies on climate change, at least in the context of Ethiopia, have emphasized only crop agriculture and disregarded the role of livestock. In this research, we analyze climate change and agricultural productivity in Ethiopia in its broader sense, inclusive of livestock production. We employ a Ricardian approach, estimating three modified versions of the Ricardian model. Results show that warmer temperature is beneficial to livestock agriculture, while it is harmful to the Ethiopian economy from the crop agriculture point of view. Moreover, increasing/decreasing rainfall associated with climate change is damaging to both agricultural activities. |
| Keywords: | crop-livestock inter-linkages, agriculture, climate change, Ricardian model, Ethiopia |
| JEL: | C31 Q1 Q24 Q54 |
| Date: | 2013–12–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-13-14-efd&r=env |
| By: | Voß, Achim |
| Abstract: | The public management of stock pollutants is an intertemporal problem; today's optimal choice takes the behavior of future governments into account. If a government expects a successor with different environmental preferences - for instance, if Conservatives expect green successors - it must choose strategically. I model this interaction in a two-period game in which the government of each period chooses consumption as a flow variable that adds to a stock of pollution. In this setting, I analyze how the prospect of losing political power changes the incumbent's policy choice. It is shown that both the prospect of a more conservative or of a greener successor reduce present consumption. This implies that losing power in the future makes a conservative government choose a compromise policy today - which may explain why in some countries, conservative governments seem to adopt green policies. By contrast, the expected loss of power makes a green government choose a policy that appears as a radicalization of their position. -- |
| Keywords: | Stock Pollution,Political Economy of Environmental Policy,Time Inconsistency,Strategic choice of stock variables,Sequential Game,Partisan Politicians,Ideological Preferences,Green Parties |
| JEL: | Q58 D72 C72 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cawmdp:66&r=env |
| By: | Junior Ruiz Garcia; José Eustáquio Ribeiro Vieira Filho |
| Abstract: | O estudo procura analisar a importância da política comercial agrícola do Brasil para o desenvolvimento econômico, discutindo questões como segurança alimentar, redução da pobreza e da desigualdade, geração de empregos, mitigação e adaptação às mudanças climáticas, bem como sustentabilidade ambiental. Busca-se questionar quais as contribuições da política agrícola do Brasil para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Como hipótese, entende-se que a política agrícola pode ser um importante instrumento para o desenvolvimento, redução das desigualdades e gestão dos recursos naturais no Brasil. The study seeks to analyze the importance of agricultural trade policy in Brazil for economic development, discussing issues such as food security, poverty reduction and inequality, employment creation, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and environmental sustainability. The problem aims to question the contributions of Brazil’s agricultural trade policy for sustainable development. The hypothesis is understood that agricultural trade policy can be an important tool for development, reducing inequalities and promoting sustainable management of natural resources in Brazil. |
| Date: | 2014–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipe:ipetds:1936&r=env |
| By: | Voß, Achim; Lingens, Jörg |
| Abstract: | Many environmental-policy problems are characterized by complexity and uncertainty. Government's choice concerning these policies commonly relies on information provided by a bureaucracy. Environmental bureaucrats often have a political motivation of their own, so they might be tempted to misreport environmental effects in order to influence policy. This transforms a problem of uncertainty into one of asymmetric information. We analyze the ensuing principal-agent relationship and derive the government's optimal contract, which conditions policy and rewards on reported environmental effects. We find that agents who are more environmentalist than the government are rewarded for admitting that the environmental impact is low (and vice versa). With higher uncertainty, the bureaucrat has a stronger influence on policy. For some values of the environmental impact, the bureau is permitted to set its own preferred policy (optimal delegation). -- |
| Keywords: | Environmental Policy,Political Economy,Delegation,Bureaucracy,Regulatory Agency,Mechanism Design,Type-dependent Participation Constraint,Pure State Constraints in Optimal Control |
| JEL: | D73 D82 C61 Q52 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cawmdp:67&r=env |
| By: | Matthew Cole; Robert Elliott; Eric Strobl |
| Abstract: | We examine Africa's increasing reliance on hydropower in light of climate change induced variations in rainfall and the potential power outages that may result. We use a continent wide riverflow material model and IPPC climate change scenarios and show that current plans for African dam building are fairly well matched with river-flow predictions so that fears that international donors and national governments are making a series of expensive and environmentally damaging investments may be overstated. However, predictions of an increase in extreme events and reduced rainfall for certain countries means there are still viabilty concerns for certain planned hydropower investments. |
| Keywords: | Hydropower, Climate Change, Africa Energy |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bir:birmec:14-03&r=env |
| By: | Heshmati, Almas (Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies (CESIS), & Department of Economics, Sogang University) |
| Abstract: | The unprecedented deterioration of our global environment has increased the necessity of relying upon Green Economic policies as critical and effective environmental management tools. The current situation has stimulated extensive research and debate among global interest groups. This has fostered an ever-growing volume of literature that provides a picture of the best measures affecting the establishment of the Green Economy – including its development and outcomes. This paper provides a survey of the green economy in self-contained form and accessible to the non-specialist readers. First, it reviews the recent developments in green economy: its theoretical foundation, political background and developmental strategies towards genuine, sustainable development. Second, the circular economy, networks, organizations, policies, infrastructure and measurable expected effects are discussed. Third, the theoretical and empirical results and findings regarding the green economy and its practice do lead to a number of conclusions regarding measurement of improvements, achievement of outcomes and identification of causal effects. Finally, summaries of current and possible future Green Development tendencies with a focus upon directions, policy, organizations, capacity, areas and interventions are provided and extensions that can serve as optimal directions for future research and policy are suggested. |
| Keywords: | green economy; development strategy; sustainable development; circular economy; green taxes; green jobs; green finances; green consumption; green trade |
| JEL: | D62 H23 K32 L72 O13 Q01 Q20 Q42 Q50 Q56 |
| Date: | 2014–03–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0356&r=env |
| By: | Sau Soon, Chen; Mohd Helan, Mohd Helme bin; Ujang, Zunairah; Michida, Etsuyo; Nabeshima, Kaoru |
| Abstract: | This paper examines how a country which has been successful in creating agglomeration of a manufacturing industry has faced various types of product-related environmental regulations. Then the paper shows how the government and testing laboratory have taken measures to adapt to PRERs overseas in response to the needs by firms affected by regulations. In reaction to the introductions of PRERs overseas, Malaysia also has introduced equivalent policies domestically, proving that PRERs have spread to Malaysia. |
| Keywords: | Malaysia, Environmental policy, Industrial standards, Manufacturing industries, International trade, Trade and the environment, Product-related environmental regulations (PRERs) |
| JEL: | F18 O2 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper452&r=env |
| By: | Adrien Vogt-Schilb (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement [CIRAD] : UMR56 - CNRS : UMR8568 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) - École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC) - AgroParisTech); Stéphane Hallegatte (World Bank - World Bank); Christophe De Gouvello (World Bank - World Bank) |
| Abstract: | Decision makers facing abatement targets need to decide which abatement measures to implement, and in which order. This paper investigates the ability of marginal abatement cost (MAC) curves to inform this decision, reanalysing a MAC curve developed by the World Bank on Brazil. Misinterpreting MAC curves and focusing on short-term targets (e.g., for 2020) would lead to under-invest in expensive, long-to-implement and large-potential options, such as clean transportation infrastructure. Meeting short-term targets with marginal energy-efficiency improvements would lead to carbon-intensive lock-ins that make longer-term targets (e.g., for 2030 and beyond) impossible or too expensive to reach. Improvements to existing MAC curves are proposed, based on (1) enhanced data collection and reporting; (2) a simple optimization tool that accounts for constraints on implementation speeds; and (3) new graphical representations of MAC curves. Climate mitigation policies can be designed through a pragmatic combination of two approaches. The synergy approach is based on MAC curves to identify the cheapest mitigation options and maximize co-benefits. The urgency approach considers the long-term objective (e.g., halving emissions by 2050) and works backward to identify actions that need to be implemented early, such as public support to clean infrastructure and zero-carbon technologies. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00966821&r=env |
| By: | Rogner, H-Holger |
| Abstract: | Foreign aid and technology transfer are an essential means, especially for the least developed countries, towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals as well as facilitating adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change. The deployment of technolo |
| Keywords: | official development assistance, foreign aid, climate change mitigation, renewables, good practices |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2013-055&r=env |
| By: | Michida, Etsuyo |
| Abstract: | This paper focuses on EU chemical regulations, RoHS and REACH, and shows these EU regulations have driven Asian countries to introduce regulations that are similar yet modified versions to the EU regulations. Asia as the world manufacturing center has extensive production networks where parts and components of a final good are traded across borders. We discuss how product-related environmental regulations could impact on firms' activities then show that if Asian countries with complex supply chains introduce different product related chemical regulations without coordinating with neighboring countries, it could work as trade barrier for manufacturing activities in the region. |
| Keywords: | Asia, Europe, Environmental protection, Manufacturing industries, Industrial standards, Environmental policy, International trade, Product-related environmental regulation, Trade, RoHS, REACH |
| JEL: | F18 O2 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper451&r=env |
| By: | Rick Van der Ploeg; Gerard van der Meijden; Cees Withagen |
| Abstract: | In partial equilibrium a rapidly rising carbon tax encourages oil producers to extract fossil fuels more quickly, giving rise to the Green Paradox. General equilibrium analysis for a closed economy shows that a rapidly rising carbon tax negatively affects the interest rate, which tends to weaken the Green Paradox. However, in a two-country world with an oil-importing and an oil-exporting region the Green Paradox may be amplified in general equilibrium if exporters are relatively patient. On the contrary, if oil exporters are relatively impatient, the Green Paradox might be reversed. Furthermore, general equilibrium effects tend to weaken the link between a capital asset tax and the time profile of resource extraction so that the capital asset tax becomes less useful as an instrument to offset the Green Paradox effect associated with the announcement of a future carbon tax. Taking exploration costs into account, we show that the effect of both policy instruments on cumulative extraction is of opposite sign as the effect on current extraction. Moreover, if the change in current extraction is amplified or reversed in general equilibrium, so will be the change in cumulative extraction. |
| Keywords: | Green Paradox, Hotelling rule, oil importers, oil producers, investment, capital markets, carbon tax, asset holding tax |
| JEL: | D81 H20 Q31 Q38 |
| Date: | 2014–01–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:wpaper:oxcarre-research-paper-130&r=env |
| By: | Mandell, Svante (KTH and VTI); Nilsson , Jan-Eric (VTI); Vierth , Inge (VTI) |
| Abstract: | The impact of policy instruments supposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road freight transports may seem smaller than expected. Using insights from economics and contract theory, the paper sorts out the (possible) instances of market failure in the freight transport market; operator market power, asymmetric information split incentives, and public goods. The primary limitations of standard policy instruments are demonstrated to be linked to unobservable information. Some of these may be reduced but not eliminated as information technologies develop, making it possible to observe, verify and provide contract-relevant information to the uninformed parties. There is little reason to believe that possible market failures present major limitations to the efficiency of economic instruments geared toward protecting the climate, other than possibly in the short run |
| Keywords: | Freight transport; Climate; Greenhouse gas; Policy instruments; Asymmetric information; Split incentives |
| JEL: | R40 |
| Date: | 2014–03–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ctswps:2014_005&r=env |
| By: | Michida, Etsuyo; Ueki, Yasushi; Nabeshima, Kaoru |
| Abstract: | This paper summarizes the main results of a unique firm survey conducted in Penang, Malaysia in 2012 on product-related environmental regulations. The results show that firms receiving foreign-direct investment have adapted well to regulations but faced more rejections. Several research questions are addressed and examined by using the survey data. Major findings are as follows. First, adaptation involves changes in input procurement and market diversification, which potentially changes the structure of supply chains. Second, belonging to global supply chains is a key factor in compliance, but this requires firms to meet tougher customer requirements. Third, there is much room for government policy to play a role in assisting firms. |
| Keywords: | Malaysia, Environmental protection, Environmental policy, Industrial standards, International trade, Global supply chain, FDI, PRERs (Product-related environmental regulations), REACH, RoHS |
| JEL: | F18 O14 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper457&r=env |
| By: | Francesco Vona (OFCE); Francesco Nicolli (Facoltà di Economia (Faculty of Economics)) |
| Abstract: | We analyse the impact of market liberalisation on renewable energy policies in OECD countries. To this end, we first develop an aggregated indicator of renewable energy policies using principal components analysis and then examine its determinants through panel datatechniques. Our resultsare consistent with the predictions of political-economy models of environmental policies, as brown lobbying, proxied by entry barriers in the energy sector, and citizens’ preferenceshave the expected effectson policy. Brown lobbying has a negative effect on the policy indicator, evenwhen accounting for endogeneity in its effects in a dynamic panel specification and using different policy indicators. Reducing income inequality, the ratification of the Kyoto protocol and stronger green parties all positively affect the approval of more ambitious policies but with less robust results. |
| Keywords: | Renewable Energy Policy; Energy Market Liberalisation; Political Economy |
| JEL: | Q42 Q48 O38 D72 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/f6h8764enu2lskk9p544jc8op&r=env |
| By: | Alem, Yonas; Colmer, Jonathan |
| Abstract: | Uncertainty about the future is an important determinant of well-being, especially in developing countries where financial markets and other market failures result in ineffective insurance mechanisms. However, separating the effects of future uncertainty from realised events, and then measuring the impact of uncertainty on utility, presents a number of empirical challenges. This paper aims to address these issues and provides supporting evidence to show that increased climate variability (a proxy for future income uncertainty) reduces farmers' subjective well-being, consistent with the theory of optimal expectations (Brunnermeier & Parker, 2005 AER), using panel data from rural Ethiopia and a new data set containing daily atmospheric parameters. The magnitude of our result indicates that a one standard deviation (7%) increase in climate variability has an equivalent effect on life satisfaction to a two standard deviation (1-2%) decrease in consumption. This effect is one of the largest determinants of life satisfaction in rural Ethiopia. |
| Keywords: | separated by commas |
| JEL: | C25 D60 I31 |
| Date: | 2014–03–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-14-03-efd&r=env |
| By: | Huang, Yongfu; Quibria, M. G. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines whether foreign aid, together with other economic, social and environmental factors, contributes to sustainable development. It starts with a theoretical model where sustainable development is modelled as a different kind of growth tha |
| Keywords: | sustainable development, aid effectiveness, post-2015 development agenda, economic growth, natural resource exploitations, energy intensity, factor-IV, factor-GMM |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2013-057&r=env |
| By: | Michida, Etsuyo; Ueki, Yasushi; Nabeshima, Kaoru |
| Abstract: | This paper sheds light on the important role played by global supply chains in the adaptation to product-related environmental regulations imposed by importing countries, with a focus on chemicals management. By utilizing a unique data collected in Penang, Malaysia, we depict the supply chain structures and how differences among firms in participation to global supply chain link to differences in chemical management. We found that firms belonging to a supply chain are in a better position to comply with these regulations because information and requirements are transmitted through global supply chains. In contrast, those firms that are neither exporters nor a part of a global supply chain lack the knowledge and information channels relevant to chemical management in a product. |
| Keywords: | Malaysia, Environmental protection, International trade, Industrial standards, Foreign investments, Global supply chain, FDI, Product-related environmental regulation, REACH, RoHS |
| JEL: | F18 O14 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper453&r=env |
| By: | Alain Bienaymé (LEDa - Laboratoire d'Economie de Dauphine - Université Paris IX - Paris Dauphine) |
| Abstract: | After a few centuries of speeding up, the distribution of GNP's growth rates has widely changed all round the world. Growth is slowing down in advanced countries and has accelerated in emerging countries. Moreover growth is questioned as a matter of principle. Considering the vast array of issues at stake, mainly the depletion of natural resources and the enduring waste of human resources caused by mass unemployment, growth has reached a new stage. Economics needs to be provided food for thought from social sciences as well as from geography, natural sciences and philosophy : growth is a field of research open to co - disciplinarity. History shows how important the intellectuel climate, the zeit geist has been and still is for economic performances. As regards the future of growth, we explore two feasible scenarios able to conciliate at least two of the following goals : better protection and maintenance of natural resources, satisfaction of human aspirations to get better life conditions, alternative activities to paid jobs and idleness entailed by the labour saving technologies and significative efforts of households to temper their consumption. |
| Keywords: | Co - disciplinarity; sustainable development; emergent economies; employment; labour; natural resources; rationality; risk |
| Date: | 2014–02–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00946602&r=env |
| By: | Michida, Etsuyo; Nabeshima, Kaoru; Ueki, Yasushi |
| Abstract: | This paper summarizes the main results of a unique firm survey conducted in Vietnam in 2011 on product-related environmental regulations (PRERs). The results of this survey are compared with the results of a corresponding survey of firms in Penang, Malaysia (Michida, et al. 2014b). The major findings are as follows. First, adaptation to PRERs involves changes in input procurement and results in market diversification, which potentially alters the structure of supply chains. This finding is consistent with the Malaysian survey result. Second, connections to global supply chains are key to compliance, but this requires firms to meet more stringent customer requirements. Third, government policy can play an important role in assisting firms to comply with PRERs. |
| Keywords: | Vietnam, Environmental protection, Industrial standards, Foreign investments, International trade, Statistics, Global supply chain, FDI, PRERs (Product-related environmental regulations), REACH, RoHS |
| JEL: | F18 O14 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper466&r=env |
| By: | Maaß, Frank; Chlosta, Simone; Icks, Annette; Welter, Friederike |
| Abstract: | Betriebliches Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement zielt auf einen verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit Ressourcen und auf die entsprechende Gestaltung der innerbetrieblichen Abläufe ab. Dabei nutzen Unternehmen, die nachhaltiges Wirtschaften mit strategischen Zielen verbinden und hierbei über das gesetzlich Geforderte und bloße Philanthropie hinausgehen, die Instrumente des Stakeholder Managements sowie der Corporate Compliance. Im Alltag werden diese Managementansätze von kleinen, mittleren wie auch großen Unternehmen gleichermaßen angewendet. Daneben existiert eine Vielzahl an weiteren Konzepten, die sich bei näherer Betrachtung jedoch als Varianten der beiden vorgenannten Nachhaltigkeitskonzeptionen erweisen. Während die Unternehmen die betriebswirtschaftlichen Effekte ihres Nachhaltigkeitsengagements durchaus einschätzen können (Ressourcenzugewinn, Signal-, Motivations- und Bindungswirkungen), sind die volkswirtschaftlichen Effekte kaum eindeutig messbar. -- Sustainability aims at a responsible use of natural resources and the environment as well as at shaping corporate relations and restructuring the constitution of the firm. As such, sustainability is commonly and successfully used by small, medium as well as large enterprises. Enterprises that turn sustainability into a strategic business goal, going beyond legal compliance and philanthropic generosity, can make use of a variety of instruments within the scope of Stakeholder Management and Corporate Compliance. Other existing management concepts turn out to be variants of the before mentioned strategic concepts. Enterprises recognise in resource gains as well as signal-, motivation- and binding-effects the main impacts of their sustainable involvement. The effects of enterprise sustainability on the national economy, however, can hardly be quantified. |
| Keywords: | Nachhaltigkeit,Unternehmerische Verantwortung,CSR,Stakeholder Management,Corporate Compliance,KMU,Deutschland,Sustainability,Corporate Social Responsibility,Stakeholder Management,Corporate Compliance,SME,Germany |
| JEL: | D22 L11 L25 M12 M14 Q01 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifmmat:227&r=env |
| By: | Eggert, Håkan; Greaker, Mads |
| Abstract: | The transport sector contributes almost a fifth of the current global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), and its share is likely to increase in the future. The US, Brazil, and a number of European and other countries worldwide have introduced various support schemes for biofuels. The advantage of biofuels is that they are easily integrated with the current fossil fuel–based transport sector. However, recent studies question whether the supply of feedstock is sufficient, and to what extent biofuels lead to GHG emission reductions. In addition, studies find that some first generation (1G) biofuels have had a significant impact on food commodity prices. 1G biofuels’ problems can be overcome by a transition to second generation (2G) biofuels. So far, 2G biofuels are much more costly to produce. We therefore ask to what extent targeted support to 2G biofuels is likely to bring costs down. Are current support schemes for biofuels well designed in order to promote the development of 2G biofuels? We find that ethanol made from cellulose using the biochemical conversion process is far from a ripe technology, with several cost-reducing opportunities yet to be developed. Hence, targeted support to cellulosic ethanol might induce a switch from 1G to 2G biofuels. However, we find little evidence that production and use of 1G biofuels will bridge the conversion to 2G biofuels. The production processes are so different that more use of 1G biofuels will have little impact on technological development in 2G biofuels. Hence, to the extent that private investment in the development of 2G biofuels is too low,current support schemes for 1G fuels may block 2G biofuels instead of promoting them. Classification-JEL: separated by commas |
| Keywords: | biofuels, ethanol, cellulose, second generation |
| Date: | 2013–12–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-13-18-efd&r=env |
| By: | Otsuki, Tsunehiro; Michida, Etsuyo; Nabeshima, Kaoru; Ueki, Yasushi |
| Abstract: | This paper uses firm-level data to examine the impact of chemical safety regulations imposed by importing countries such as RoHS and REACH on the production costs and export performance of firms in Malaysia and Vietnam. We find that in addition to the initial setup costs for compliance, EU RoHS and REACH implementation causes firms to incur additional variable production costs by requiring additional labor and capital expenditures of around 12% of the variable costs, respectively. We also find that compliance with RoHS and REACH significantly increases the probability of export. Furthermore, we find that compliance with EU RoHS and REACH helps firms to penetrate into a greater variety of countries. Also, we find that multinational enterprises and firms participating in global value chains generally exhibit better export performance and their costs rise less steeply. |
| Keywords: | Malaysia, Vietnam, Environmental protection, International trade, Environmental policy, Industrial standards, Costs, Trade, RoHS, REACH cost function, Market access |
| JEL: | F14 L15 O53 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper455&r=env |
| By: | Sébastien Houde |
| Abstract: | The ENERGY STAR certification is a voluntary labeling that favors the adoption of energy efficient products. In the US appliance market, the label is a coarse summary of otherwise readily accessible information. Using micro-data of the US refrigerator market, I develop a structural demand model and find that consumers respond to certification in different ways. Some consumers have a large willingness to pay for the label, well beyond the energy savings associated with certified products; others appear to pay attention to electricity costs, but not to the certification, and still others appear to be insensitive to both electricity costs and ENERGY STAR. The findings suggest that the certification acts as a substitute for more accurate, but complex energy information. Using the structural model, I find that the opportunity cost of having imperfectly informed consumers in the refrigerator market ranges from $12 to $17 per refrigerator sold. |
| JEL: | D12 D83 L15 Q41 Q50 |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20019&r=env |
| By: | Satoshi Myojo (Faculty of Economics, Hosei University); Hiroshi Ohashi (Faculty of Economics, the University of Tokyo) |
| Abstract: | 　　 This paper examines the e¤ectiveness of consumer subsidies to encourage the in- stallment of solar panels in Japan. Such subsidies can be justi…ed on the ground that the prices to consumers of the conventional energy alternative do not re‡ect their full social costs. The paper investigates two types of subsidies: buy-back rebates and feed-in tari¤s. Estimates reveals modest demand elasticity and small learning e¤ect. Simula- tions, based on structural demand and supply estimates, indicate that the subsidies can have either bene…cial or detrimental e¤ects on social welfare. The paper concludes that the impacts of the subsidies critically rely on the cost structure and the magnitude of external costs arising from greenhouse emissions. |
| Date: | 2014–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tky:fseres:2014cf925&r=env |
| By: | Waage Skjeflo, Sofie (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences); Bruvik Westberg, Nina (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences) |
| Abstract: | We use recent panel data on Tanzanian farm households to investigate how previous exposure to weather shocks affects the impact of a current shock. Specifically, we investigate the impact of droughts on agricultural outcomes and investments in children's health, measured by their short- and long-term nutritional status. As expected, we find that droughts negatively impact yields, and more so the more severe the drought is. We also find suggestive evidence that the more shocks a household has experienced in the past, the less crop yields are affected by a current shock. This suggests that households are able to learn from their past shock experience, and could imply that households are able to adapt to climate risk. Our results also suggest that the impact of a shock depends on when the household last experienced a shock. In terms of child health, our preliminary results are unable to uncover any clear shock impact on the short-term nutritional status of children, however long-term nutritional outcomes are negatively affected by past shocks. Further analyses using more recent weather data is necessary in order to conclude. |
| Keywords: | Climate risk; income shocks; adaptation; child health; Tanzania |
| JEL: | I12 I13 Q12 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–04–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nlsclt:2014_004&r=env |
| By: | Kaminski, Jonathan; Christiaensen, Luc |
| Abstract: | The 2007-2008 global food crisis has renewed interest in post-harvest loss, but estimates remain scarce, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper uses self-reported measures from nationally representative household surveys in Malawi, Uganda, and Tanzania. Overall, on-farm post-harvest loss adds to 1.4-5.9 percent of the national maize harvest, substantially lower than the Food and Agriculture Organization's post-harvest handling and storage loss estimate for cereals, which is 8 percent. Post-harvest loss is concentrated among less than a fifth of households. It increases with humidity and temperature and declines with better market access, post-primary education, higher seasonal price differences, and possibly improved storage practices. Wider use of nationally representative surveys in studying post-harvest loss is called for. |
| Keywords: | Markets and Market Access,Crops and Crop Management Systems,Food&Beverage Industry,Technology Industry,Environmental Economics&Policies |
| Date: | 2014–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6831&r=env |
| By: | Huang, Yongfu; Quibria, M. G. |
| Abstract: | What are the major determinants of green growth? What role can the government play to promote green growth? To address these questions, this paper develops a simple Green Solow model that sheds light on the role of finance and technology in the process of |
| Keywords: | green growth, convergence, neighbouring effects, political and economic structural reforms, political and economic shocks |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2013-056&r=env |
| By: | Sandra Camus; Lubica Hikkerova; Jean-Michel Sahut |
| Abstract: | Today, tourism is oriented towards new forms of development pertaining to an insight of “sustainable development” that aims at respecting, preserving, and sustainably highlighting the patrimonial resources (natural, cultural, and social) of a territory to the hosted tourists so as to reduce the negative impacts they may engender. Our modeling approach for the tourist sector as a complex social system, based on systemic approach may apprehend specific issues related to sustainable tourism and envisage innovative and lasting solutions on the long term. It equally shows that a sustainable tourist initiative can be part of a virtuous circle under the effect of learning and feedback loops. |
| Keywords: | tourism; sustainable development; systemic; stakeholders; learning |
| JEL: | Q56 L83 |
| Date: | 2014–02–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipg:wpaper:2014-193&r=env |
| By: | Anouk Bonnemains (EDYTEM - Environnements, Dynamiques et Territoires de la Montagne - CNRS : UMR5204 - Université de Savoie) |
| Abstract: | La France est l'une des premières nations pour les sports d'hiver avec les Etats Unis et l'Autriche. Le département de la Savoie rassemble 39,2 % de part de marché, 37% de la fréquentation touristique hivernale se regroupent dans 13 très grandes stations dont 8 se trouvent en Savoie . Au sein de ce même département la fréquentation est concentrée sur la Tarentaise . La Tarentaise a donc un poids important dans l'industrie des sports d'hiver, engendrant une quasi mono-économie sur le territoire. Il semble donc intéressant de questionner ces " très grandes stations " au regard des changements climatiques et de leur liens avec le territoire dans un contexte de construction territoriale. Certain élus locaux cherchent à renforcer leur légitimé à travers une politique climatique et la mise en place de politiques territoriales volontaire : Schéma de Cohérence Territoriale, Plan Climat Energie. Deux grandes questions souhaitent être traitées dans cet article : comment la spécialisation dans le tourisme hivernal, modèle performant économiquement, a entraîné une forte vulnérabilité du territoire face aux changements climatiques ? Et de fait, comment le système touristique est pris en charge dans les politiques climatiques territoriales ? Et comment celle-ci sont comprises dans des politiques territoriales plus large ? |
| Keywords: | Tourisme; Innovation; Changement global ; Labex ITEM ; Montagne; Tarentaise |
| Date: | 2014–01–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00966470&r=env |
| By: | Alin Halimatussadiah; Budy P. Resosudarmo; Diah Widyawati |
| Abstract: | Social capital is considered to be an important factor in economic development. It is argued that it generates a flow of (economic) benefits through collective action, by reducing free riding and increasing individual contribution. This study examines whether social capital increases individual contribution in a collective action situation. Using a classroom experiment, two games are played in a sequential manner: a trust game to measure level of trust–as a proxy for social capital–and a public goods game to measure individual contribution to collective action. In the public goods game, we apply some treatments to look at the impact of partial disclosure of a group member’s behaviour in the trust game on contributions in the public goods game. In general, the result shows that the level of social capital positively impacts individual contribution to collective action. However, we found no significant evidence to support the impact of partial disclosure of a group member's behaviour in the trust game on contributions in the public goods game. |
| Keywords: | Social Capital, Collective Action, Trust Game, Public Goods Game |
| JEL: | A14 C91 C92 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pas:papers:2014-03&r=env |