|
on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Dietz, Simon |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165831&r=env |
| By: | Rolfe, John |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165872&r=env |
| By: | Ghisetti, Claudia; Quatraro, Francesco (University of Turin) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides empirical investigation of the effects of environmental innovations (EIs)on environmental performances, as proxied by the environmental productivity (EP) measure. We focused on sectoral environmental productivity of Italian Regions by exploiting the Regional Accounting Matrix including Environmental Accounts (Regional NAMEA). Patent applications have been extracted by the Patstat Database and assigned to the environmental domain by adopting three international classifications of green technologies:the WIPO IPC green inventory, the European Patent Office climate change mitigation technologies classification (Y02) and the OECD ENV-Tech indicators. Econometric results outline that regions -sectors characterized by higher levels of green technologies (GTs) are actually those facing better environmental performance. These positive effects directlys tem from the introduction of GT in the same sector, as well as from the introduction of GT in vertically related sectors. |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uto:labeco:201404&r=env |
| By: | Baker, Rick; Ruting, Brad |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165810&r=env |
| By: | Dietz, Simon; Matei, Anca N. |
| Abstract: | Economic evaluation of climate policy is notoriously dependent on assumptions about time and risk preferences, since reducing greenhouse gas emissions today has a highly uncertain payoff, far into the future. These assumptions have always been much debated. Rather than occupy a position in this debate, we take a non-parametric approach here, based on the concept of Time-Stochastic Dominance. Using an integrated assessment model, we apply Time-Stochastic Dominance analysis to climate change, asking are there global emissions abatement targets that everyone who shares a broad class of time and risk preferences would agree to prefer? Overall we find that even tough emissions targets would be chosen by almost everyone, barring those with arguably `extreme' preferences. |
| Keywords: | almost stochastic dominance, climate change, discounting, integrated assessment, risk aversion, stochastic dominance, time dominance, time-stochastic dominance, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q54, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165822&r=env |
| By: | Daigneault, Adam; Brown, Pike |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165827&r=env |
| By: | Olson, Carolyn |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao14:168662&r=env |
| By: | Ma, Chunbo; Burton, Michael |
| Abstract: | Green electricity products are increasingly made available to consumers in many countries in an effort to address a number of environmental and social concerns. Most of the existing literature on this green electricity market focuses on consumer's characteristics and product attributes that could affect participation. However, the contribution of this environmental consumerism to the overall environmental good does not depend on participation alone. The real impact made relies on market penetration for green consumers (the proportion of green consumers) combined with the level of green consumption intensity-the commitment levels, or proportion of consumption that is green. We design an online interface that closely mimics the real market environment for electricity consumers in Western Australia and use an error component model to analyze consumers' choice of green electricity products is much more strongly influenced by consumer characteristics than product attributes. When green products are selected, the vast majority select the minimum commitment possible, and this is insensitive to the premium being charged on green power, suggesting that we are largely observing a "warm glow" for carbon mitigation. |
| Keywords: | Green Electricity, Choice Modeling, Error Components Model, Warm Glow, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, D11, Q42, Q51, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165858&r=env |
| By: | Sebastián J. Miller; Sebastián Galiani; Omar O. Chisari |
| Abstract: | This paper compares the optimal dynamic choices between policies of mitigation and adaptation for three economies: Brazil, Chile and the United States. The focus is on the optimal role of mitigation and adaptation for "environmentally small economies", i. e. , economies that are witnessing an exogenous increase in emissions to which they are contributing very little. The simulations lead to three main conclusions. First, small economies should concentrate their environmental efforts, if any, on adaptation. This is not a recommendation that such economies indulge in free-riding. Instead, it is based on considerations of cost effectiveness, ceteris paribus. Second, small economies that are unable to spend enough on adaptation may end up spending less on mitigation owing to their impoverishment as a result of negative climate shocks. Third, higher mitigation expenditures may arise not only as a result of greater optimal adaptation expenditures, but also because of increased adaptation to the incentives for mitigation provided by richer countries. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change, adaptation policies, IDB-WP-417 |
| Date: | 2013–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:83017&r=env |
| By: | A. Denny Ellerman |
| Abstract: | Incentives for the development of renewable energy have increasingly become an instrument of climate policy, that is, as a means to reduce GHG emissions. This research analyzes the German experience in promoting renewable energy over the past decade to identify the ex-post cost of reducing CO2 emissions in the power sector through the promotion of renewable energy, specifically, wind and solar. A carbon surcharge and an implicit carbon price due to the renewable energy incentives for the years 2006-2010 are calculated. The carbon surcharge is the ratio of the net cost of the renewable energy over the CO2 emission reductions resulting from actual renewable energy injections. The net cost is the sum of the costs and cost savings due to these injections into the electric power system. The implicit carbon price is the sum of the carbon surcharge and the EUA price and it can be seen as a measure of the CO2 abatement efficiency of the renewable energy incentives. Results show that both the carbon surcharge and he implicit carbon price of wind are relatively low, on the order of tens of euro per tonne of O2, while the same measures for solar are very high, on the order of hundreds of euro per tonne of CO2. |
| Date: | 2014–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erp:euirsc:p0376&r=env |
| By: | Zhu, Liangxu |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165892&r=env |
| By: | Sjak Smulders; Michael Toman; Cees Withagen |
| Abstract: | The relatively new and still amorphous concept of "Green Growth" can be understood as a call for balancing longer-term investments in sustaining environmental wealth with nearer-term income growth to reduce poverty. We draw on a large body of economic theory available for providing insights on such balancing of income growth and environmental sustainability. We show that there is a no a priori assurance of substantial positive spillovers from environmental policies to income growth, or for a monotonic transition to a "green steady state" along an optimal path. The greenness of an optimal growth path can depend heavily on initial conditions, with a variety of different adjustments occurring concurrently along an optiaml path. Factor-augmenting technical change targeting at offsetting resource depletion is critical to sustaining long-term growth within natural limits on the availability of natural resources and environmental services. |
| Keywords: | growth, environment, natural resources, innovatoin, R&D spillovers, sustainable development, natural capital |
| JEL: | O1 O3 O4 Q2 Q3 Q4 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:135&r=env |
| By: | Anjum, Zeba; Burke, Paul J.; Gerlagh, Reyer; Stern, David I. |
| Abstract: | The long-run average growth rates of per capita carbon dioxide emissions and GDP per capita are positively correlated, though the rate of emissions intensity reduction varies widely across countries. The conventional approach to investigating these relationships involves panel regression models of the levels of the variables, which are plagued by unit root and cointegration issues as well as the difficulty of identifying time effects. In this paper, we adopt a new representation of the data in terms of long-run growth rates, which allows us to test multiple hypotheses about the drivers of per capita emissions of pollutants in a single framework. It avoids the econometric issues associated with previous approaches and allows us to exploit the differences in growth performance across countries. We also apply our new approach to sulfur emissions. The results show that scale, environmental Kuznets, convergence, and, for sulfur, time effects are important in explaining emissions growth. Though the elasticity of emissions with respect to income declines with increased income, for carbon the effect of growth is monotonic. For sulfur, most of our specifications find an in sample turning point, but for our preferred specification the turning point is three times mean income. We also found that the Green Solow Model convergence effect is more important than GDP growth or the EKC effect in explaining sulfur emissions but that the latter is true for carbon emissions. |
| Keywords: | Economic growth, environmental Kuznets curve, decoupling, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q56, O44, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165876&r=env |
| By: | Regnier Camille; Sophie Legras |
| Abstract: | The objective of this paper is to analyze policy design for air pollution management in the spatial context of urban development. We base our analysis on the paper of Ogawa and Fujita (1982), which offers a proper theoretical framework of non-monocentric urban land use using static microeconomic theory where the city structure is endogenous. First, we show that when households internalize industrial pollution in their residential location choice, spatialization within the city is reinforced. This impacts directly the emissions of greenhouse gases from commuting. Then, we analyze policy instruments in order to achieve optimal land use pattern when the policy maker has to manage both industrial and commuting related polluting emissions, that interact through the land market. |
| Keywords: | Environmental externalities, Land use pattern, Air pollution |
| JEL: | Q53 D62 R14 |
| Date: | 2014–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ceo:wpaper:48&r=env |
| By: | Capalbo, Susan; Wu, JunJie; Olen, Beau |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014–02–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao14:168325&r=env |
| By: | Wei, Wenjie |
| Abstract: | A two-country, three-good general equilibrium model is developed to examine the welfare and environmental effects for countries (North and South) of demand subsidies (a feed-in tariff) to renewable energy equipment, as well as tariffs on renewable energy equipment imports. Both North and South renewable energy equipment producers engage in Cournot duopoly competition with a homogeneous product in both countries. Both countries also produce polluting fossilfuel- generated electricity and a numeraire good. We show, inter alia, that an endogenous Northern import tariff is increasing in (independent of) a Northern (Southern) feed-in tariff premium, even if the North government does not internalize any pollution harm. A Northern feed-in tariff premium may hurt domestic environment due to a rebound effect and it may also hurt Southern welfare.1 |
| Keywords: | Renewable energy equipment, Environmental goods, Environmental subsidies, Trade and environment, Feed-in tariff, Pollution, North-South Trade , International Relations/Trade, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, F12, F18, H23, Q58, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165887&r=env |
| By: | Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline; Sebastien Roussel |
| Abstract: | According to several studies, agricultural carbon sequestration could be a relatively low cost opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas concentrations. However the potential for storing additional carbon quantities in agricultural soils is critical, and depends on the past behavior of agricultural firms with regards to land heterogeneity. In this paper, we set incentive mechanisms to enhance carbon sequestration as a principalagent relationship between a regulator and agricultural firms. The potential for additional carbon sequestration is treated as an exhaustible resource, under the assumption that the sequestration costs increase with the amount of carbon already stored. We specify contracts in order to induce truthful revelation by firms regarding the characteristics of their intrinsic behaviour towards carbon sequestration, while analytically characterizing the optimal path to sequestering carbon as an exhaustable resource. Firstly, we take into account the impact of the co-effects on the sequestration path, due to carbon sequestering practices. Secondly, we show that incomplete information slows the sequestration process and increases the unexploited potential of carbon sequestration. Thirdly, our paper provides a sound basis for differentiated per-hectare subsidies, dynamically defined for the entire duration of the contract. A type-dependent participation constraint acknowledges the previous efforts of the farmers who have previously accepted policy to incur some sequestration costs, and this constraint prevents them from deciding to switch back to less sequestering practices. The proposed contract has the advantage of avoiding the inefficiency of per-hectare subsidies, as well as the excess costs of a uniform per-tonne subsidy. In addition, it does not penalize early adopters of practices with more intensive sequestration. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, Carbon Sequestration, Hidden Information, Incentives, Land-use, Payment for Environmental Services (PES) |
| JEL: | D62 D82 H23 Q15 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–04–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eus:ce3swp:0114&r=env |
| By: | Paul Collier; Anthony J Venables |
| Abstract: | Climate policy requires that much of the world’s reserves of fossil fuels remain unburned. This paper makes the case for implementing this directly through policy to close the global coal industry. Coal is singled out because of its high emissions intensity, low rents per unit value, local environmental costs and sheer scale. Direct supply policy – such as the sequenced closure of countries’ coal mines – may lead to less policy leakage (across countries and time) than other policies based on demand or price management. It also has the advantage of involving relatively few players and leading to clear-cut and observable outcomes. It is therefore better able to create the moral force needed to mobilize the collective international action that is required. |
| Keywords: | climate change, coal, cap and trade, supply policy |
| JEL: | Q3 Q4 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:132&r=env |
| By: | Hohenstein, William |
| Keywords: | Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao14:168401&r=env |
| By: | Paula C. Pereda; Tatiane A. de Menezes; Denisard Alves |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to identify the climatic effect on birth outcomes in Brazil and, thus, to predict the potential impact of climate change. Panel data models indicate that excess and lack of rainfall have the most important harmful effects on newborns' health; temperature stresses and low relative humidity also have effects. The use of climate change forecasts for Brazil suggests a possible increase of 305 neonatal deaths annually and, for families in the Primary Care Program, three thousand additional low-weight births each year. The paper further examines public policy's role in minimizing the effects of extreme weather. Mothers' education, sanitation access and health care assistance to pregnant women represent the main instruments for addressing neonatal health problems. |
| Keywords: | Health Care, Environmental economics, Health Policy, Climate Change, Low humidity, Extreme weather events, High humidity, Neonatal mortality rate, Low birthweight, Heat stress, Change impacts, Birth outcomes, Neonatal mortality, IDB-WP-495 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:84775&r=env |
| By: | Fike, John |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao14:168336&r=env |
| By: | Ahdi Noomen Ajmi; Ghassen El Montasser; Duc Khuong Nguyen |
| Abstract: | This article revisits the C02 emissions-GDF causal relationships in the Middle East |
| Keywords: | income, CO2 emissions, robust causality. |
| Date: | 2014–05–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipg:wpaper:2014-296&r=env |
| By: | Yang, Wei |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165890&r=env |
| By: | Philip D. Adams; Brian R. Parmenter; George Verikios |
| Abstract: | Computable general equilibrium modelling in Australia is oriented towards providing inputs to the policy-formation process, a process that requires detail. We explain how the necessary level of detail can be provided using analysis of the potential economic impacts of a carbon price on the Australian economy that operates as part of a global emissions trading scheme. The global scheme sets the price and allocation of permits across countries. We find that domestic abatement falls well short of targeted abatement, Australia's GDP is 1.1% lower relative to the basecase, and some industries and regions are vulnerable to employment losses. |
| Keywords: | carbon pricing, computable general equilibrium modelling, emissions trading |
| JEL: | C68 Q52 Q58 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cop:wpaper:g-243&r=env |
| By: | Sahbi Farhani; Sana Mrizak; Anissa Chaibi; Christophe Rault |
| Abstract: | In recent years, sustainability has represented one of the most important policy goals explored in the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) literature. But related hypotheses, performance measures and results continue to present a challenge. The present paper contributes to this ongoing literature by studying two different EKC specifications for 10 Middle East and North African (MENA) countries over the period 1990–2010 using panel data methods. For the first specification, namely EKC, we show that there is an inverted U- shape relationship between environmental degradation and income; while for the second specification, namely modified EKC (MEKC), we show that there is an inverted U-shape relationship between sustainability and human development (HD). The relationships are shaped by other factors such as energy, trade, manufacture added value and the role of law. More interestingly, findings from the estimation show that EKC hypothesis, HD and sustainability are crucial to build effective environmental policies. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Kuznets Curve; Sustainability; Panel data analysis. |
| Date: | 2014–05–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipg:wpaper:2014-300&r=env |
| By: | Sebastián J. Miller; Mauricio A. Vela |
| Abstract: | In addition to the morbidity and mortality concerns of outdoor air pollution, studies have shown that air pollution also generates problems for children`s cognitive performance and human capital formation. High concentrations of pollutants can affect children`s learning process by exacerbating respiratory illnesses, fatigue, absenteeism and attention problems. The purpose of this work is to analyze the possible contemporary effects of PM10 and other different air pollutants on standardized test scores in Chile. It examines results for 3,880 schools in the Metropolitan, Valparaiso and O'Higgins regions for children in fourth, eight and tenth grades between 1997 and 2012. Data for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2. 5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and ozone (O3) were interpolated at school level using a kriging methodology. The results suggest that higher annual P M10 and O3 levels are clearly associated with a reduction in test scores. Nonetheless, as of 2012 many municipalities in these Chilean regions are still exceeding the annual P M10 international standard quality norm (50 micrograms per cubic meter) by 15 micrograms per cubic meter on average. Efforts to reduce pollution below this norm in the most polluted municipalities would account for improvements in reading and math test scores of 3.5 percent and 3.1 percent of a standard deviation, respectively. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Policy, Pollution, Educational Assessment |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:83094&r=env |
| By: | Johnston, Marie |
| Abstract: | Contingent valuation methods (CVM) are integral in valuating non-market environmental issues. Numerous mechanisms have been proposed and analysed, as well as numerous studies on willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) discrepancies. Despite the concentrated and persistent focus on achieving efficient mechanisms, controversies and limitations remain. This paper applies an open-ended approach to the referendum (majority voting) method for contingent valuation as advised by Green et al. (1998). This is undertaken via economic experiments with induced values, and by comparison of two novel majority voting mechanisms and one widely accredited voluntary contribution mechanism. The preliminary findings show the majority voting mechanism induce more incentive compatible values and reduce WTP WTA discrepancy compared to the voluntary contribution method. Thus, given promising results, this paper recommends further investigation into the novel open-ended referendum method, termed the undisclosed cost voting mechanism (UCVM). |
| Keywords: | Willingness-To-Pay, Willingness-To-Accept, Provision Point Mechanism, Undisclosed Cost Voting Mechanism, Random Price Voting Mechanism, Environmental Economics and Policy, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165843&r=env |
| By: | Nathalie Mathieu-Bolh (University of Vermont - University of Vermont); Xavier Pautrel (LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique - Université de Nantes : EA4272) |
| Abstract: | We build a model that takes into consideration the evolution of health over the life cycle and its consequences on individual optimal choices. In this framework, the effects of environmental taxation are not limited to the traditional negative crowding-out and positive productivity effects. We show that environmental taxation generates new general equilibrium effects ignored by previous contributions. Indeed, as the environmental tax improves the health profile over the life-cycle, it influences saving, labor supply, and retirement. We also show that whether those general equilibrium effects are positive or negative for the economy crucially depends on the degree of substitutability between young and old labor. Our numerical examples suggest that ignoring those new effects may result in large overstatement of the negative effect of an increase in environmental taxation on output, and understatement of the positive effect on welfare. ∗ |
| Keywords: | Health ; environmental policy ; economic growth |
| Date: | 2014–05–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00990256&r=env |
| By: | Geraldine Henningsen (Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark); Arne Henningsen (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen); Sascha T. Schröder (Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark); Simon Bolwig (Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark) |
| Abstract: | The Danish “Klima 2020” plan sets an ambitious target for the complete phasing-out of fossil fuels by 2050. The Danish energy sector currently accounts for 40% of national CO2 emissions. Based on an extended Farrell input distance function that accounts for CO2 as an undesirable output, we estimate the environmental productivity of individual generator units based on a panel data set for the period 1998 to 2011 that includes virtually all fuel-fired generator units in Denmark. We further decompose total productivity into technical efficiency, best practice ratio, and scale efficiency and use a global Malmquist index to calculate the yearly changes. By applying time series clustering, we can identify high, middle, and low performance groups of generator units in a dynamic setting. Our results indicate that the sectoral productivity only slightly increased over the fourteen years. Furthermore, we find that there is no overall high achiever group, but that the ranking, although time consistent, varies between the different productivity measures. However, we identify steam turbines and combustion engines for combined heat and power production as potential high performers, while combustion engines that only produce electricity are clearly low performers. |
| Keywords: | Environmental productivity, energy sector, productivity analysis, CO2 mitigation, renewable energy, transition |
| JEL: | C50 D22 D24 O30 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:foi:wpaper:2014_04&r=env |
| By: | Radoslaw Stefanski |
| Abstract: | I develop a unique database of international fossil-fuel subsidies by examining country-specific patterns in carbon emission-to-GDP ratios, known as emission-intensities. For most - but not all - countries, intensities tend to be hump-shaped with income. I construct a model of structural-transformation that generates this hump-shaped intensity and then show that deviations from this pattern must be driven by distortions to sectoral-productivity and/or fossil-fuel prices. Finally, I use the calibrated model to measure these distortions for 170 countries for 1980-2010. This methodology reveals that fossil-fuel price-distortions are large, increasing and often hidden. Furthermore, they are major contributors to higher carbon-emissions and lower GDP |
| Keywords: | fossil-fuel, hump-shaped, carbon-emissions, GDP, international fossil-fuel subsidies, |
| JEL: | O13 O4 Q4 Q5 H2 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:134&r=env |
| By: | Halkos, George; Paizanos, Epameinondas |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the effect of economic growth and government spending on the environment using a panel of 71 countries for the time period 1970-2008. In particular, we test the hypothesis of the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic performance and pollution, as well as the hypothesis of a negative direct relationship between fiscal spending and pollution. To take into account that environmental degradation may respond to changes in income and government spending with a time lag, due to technological and institutional reasons, we apply appropriate dynamic econometric methods. We report the estimates for both the short-run and long-run effects on two different air pollutants, namely SO2 and CO2, distinguishing the results for different levels of economic development. Policy implications range depending on the level of income of the considered countries. |
| Keywords: | Government expenditure; economic growth; environment; dynamics. |
| JEL: | E60 H50 Q53 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:56084&r=env |
| By: | Ruohong Cai (Princeton University); Shuaizhang Feng (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, , Chinese University of Hong Kong); Mariola Pytliková (VSB-Technical University Ostrava, KORA, The Danish Institute of Local Governmental Research); Michael Oppenheimer (Princeton University) |
| Abstract: | While there is considerable interest in understanding the climate-migration relationship, particularly in the context of concerns about global climatic change, little is known about underlying mechanisms. We analyze a unique and extensive set of panel data characterizing annual bilateral international migration flows from 163 origin countries to 42 OECD destination countries covering the last three decades. We find a positive and statistically significant relationship between temperature and international outmigration only in the most agriculture-dependent countries, consistent with the widely-documented adverse impact of temperature on agricultural productivity. In addition, migration flows to current major destinations are especially temperature-sensitive. Policies to address issues related to climate-induced international migration would be more effective if focused on the agriculture-dependent countries and especially people in those countries whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. |
| Keywords: | International migration, Climate variability, Agricultural productivity |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crm:wpaper:1418&r=env |
| By: | Mauricio A. Vela; Sebastián J. Miller |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the allocation of total disaster risk reduction public spending among regions in Peru. The main objective of this work is to identify the main determinants of the distribution of these resources, and for this purpose an index of historical physical impacts of natural disasters, social vulnerability, and institutional capacity was created. It is found that historical impacts of climatological disasters are positively correlated with the per capita amount received by region in order to prevent future natural disasters. Impacts of geological disaster, on the other hand, affect the amount of executed and budgeted resources used to cope with the effects of past disasters. The prevention expenditure is mainly driven by climatological effects on the agriculture sector. Additionally, results confirm that higher social vulnerability is a main determinant of the distribution of prevention spending but conditioned on being affected by climatological disasters. Institutional capacity seems to define only the amount of recovery expenditure, positively for regions more seriously affected by geological disasters and negatively for regions devastated by climatological disasters. |
| Keywords: | Public expenditure, Disasters, Climate Change, Pollution, Potable water supply, Environmental management, Risk management, Prevention expenditure, Natural disasters, Recovery expenditure, Climatological disasters, Social vulnerability, Recovery expenditures, Institutional capacity, IDB-WP-500 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:84713&r=env |
| By: | Gerard van der Meijden; Frederick van der Ploeg; 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 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:130&r=env |
| By: | MAYULA CHAIKUMBUNG; HELEN SCARBOROUGH; CHRIS DOUCOULIAGOS |
| Abstract: | This paper reports the findings of a choice modelling study designed to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for improvement of the ecosystem services of Bung Khong Long wetland in Thailand. The findings indicate that the cultural values associated with the wetland are significant suggesting that incorporating culture preferences may be a key factor in supporting wetland conservation. Attitudinal characteristics of respondents are important factors influencing WTP, implying community preferences are important in the effectiveness of environmental conservation efforts for this community. |
| Keywords: | Wetland valuation, Cultural values, Choice modelling |
| Date: | 2014–04–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dkn:econwp:eco_2014_3&r=env |
| By: | Dmitry Nechiporuk |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to study the current state and the prospects of ecological collaboration activities to protect the Baltic Sea including both the EU and Russia. The researchers, studying the EU environmental policy in the Baltic Sea region often ignore Russia since this country has separate environmental policy concerning the Baltic Sea area. However, Russia is a member of Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) a supranational body which was established forty years ago to safeguard the marine environment of the Baltic Sea strengthening interstate cooperation. The main focus is the investigation of new patterns of interaction on environmental issues that influence the allocation of space and meaning of societal time in the Baltic Sea region. Relying on multi-level governance theory, three dimensions of space (natural, national and trans-boundary) and five levels of societal time (regional, EU, national, municipal, cross-border) are analyzed. While space is regarded as a politico-social object, which should be subjected to transformation, the societal time is used to plan required environmental changeovers. Both aspects encompass not only area of the EU littoral members in the Baltic Sea region but all states of the Baltic Sea catchment area (Belarus, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovak Republic and the Ukraine). |
| Keywords: | multilevel governance |
| Date: | 2014–02–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erp:euirsc:p0373&r=env |
| By: | Joschka Gerigk (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zurich); Ian A. MacKenzie (School of Economics, The University of Queensland); Markus Ohndorf (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zurich) |
| Abstract: | The conventional economic argument favors the use of market-based instruments over ‘command-and-control’ regulation. This viewpoint, however, is often limited in the description and characteristics of the latter; namely, environmental standards are often portrayed as lacking structured abatement incentives. Yet contemporary forms of command-and-control regulation, such as standards stipulated via benchmarking, have the potential to be efficient. We provide a first formal analysis of environmental standards based on performance benchmarks. We show, in a variety of contexts, that standards can provide efficient incentives to improve environmental performance. |
| Date: | 2014–05–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qld:uq2004:519&r=env |
| By: | Buchholz, Matthias; Musshoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | Restrictive irrigation water policies established due to e.g. environmental concerns or water scarcity appear to result in declining farm income and arising risk exposure in terms of yield uncertainty. With this in mind, we investigate the potential of index-based weather insurance, which is also known as weather derivatives, to cope with the economic disadvantages for farmers resulting from a reduction in water quotas and increased water prices. By means of a whole-farm risk programming approach, we systematically compare crop portfolios without and with the possibility of purchasing standardized weather derivatives based on precipitation and temperature indices. In doing so, we allow for crop diversification as well as water reallocation between crops. Thus, overcoming some of the shortcomings inherent to previous studies in this strand of research. In an application to a representative cash crop farm in northern Germany, we found that the use of weather derivatives offsets the loss in the farmer’s certainty equivalent resulting from moderate reductions in water quotas and water price increases. Our results also indicate that weather derivatives have the potential to substantially alter farm plans and the optimal irrigation water demand. Far reaching environmental implications might be the consequence which require further attention and careful consideration by policymakers. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation, index-based weather insurance, whole-farm risk programming, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165812&r=env |
| By: | Kwok Ping Tsang; Gregory S. Amacher; Olli-Pekka Kuuselaa |
| Abstract: | Tradable permit markets for carbon dioxide (C02) emissions respond to short-run fluctuations in economic activity. To provide stability, both price and quantity interventions have been proposed. This paper focuses on the relative performance of fixed versus intensity allowances in the presence of both productivity and energy price uncertainty. Both instruments achieve the same steady-state emissions reduction target of 20 percent, which is similar to the current policy proposals, and the regulator then chooses the allowance policy that has the lowest expected abatement cost. A standard real business cycle (RBC) model is used to solve for the expected abatement cost under both policies. Expected cost outcomes are compared using data from the U. S. economy as the baseline scenario. Unlike previous studies, this paper's results show that, under a reasonable model calibration, fixed allowances outperform intensity allowances by a cost difference of as much as 30 percent. |
| Keywords: | Climate Finance, Productivity, IDB-WP-450 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:83016&r=env |
| By: | Gonand, Frédéric |
| Abstract: | A rising share of renewables in the energy mix push es up the average price of energy - and so does a carbon tax. However the former bolsters the accumulation of capital whereas the latter, if fully recycled, does not. Thus, in general equilibrium, the effects on growth and intertemporal welfare of these two environmental po licies differ. The present article assesses and compares these effects. It relies on a computable general equilibrium model with overlapping generations, an energy module and a pub lic finance module. The main result is that an increasing share of renewables in the energy mix and a fully recycled carbon tax have opposite (though limited) impacts on activity and i ndividuals’ intertemporal welfare in the long run. The recycling of a carbon tax fosters consumption and labour supply, and thus growth and welfare, whereas an increasing share of renewables does not. Results also suggest that a higher share of renewables and a recycled carbon tax trigger intergenerational redistributive effects, with the former being relat ively detrimental for young generations and the latter being pro-youth. The policy implication is that a social planner seeking to modify the structure of the energy mix while achieving some ne utrality as concerns the GDP and triggering some proyouth intergenerational equity, could usefully contemplate the joint implementation of higher quantitative targets for the future development of renewables and a carbon tax fully recycled through lower proportional taxes. |
| Keywords: | Energy transition; intergenerational redistribution; overlapping generations; carbon tax; general equilibrium; |
| JEL: | D58 D63 E62 L7 Q28 Q43 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dau:papers:123456789/13361&r=env |
| By: | Marsh, Dan; Tucker, Steve; Doole, Graeme |
| Abstract: | Regional councils throughout New Zealand are in the process of drawing up plans to enable them to meet the requirements of the Resource Management Act and the National Policy Statement on freshwater. Some councils are working on targets for nutrient leaching at the catchment level and are considering alternative approaches to ensuring these targets are achieved. In this paper we investigate the farm level effects of agricultural policies by employing the methods of experimental economics to investigate alternative mechanisms for farm and catchment level regulations aimed at improving water quality. Results are presented for four cap and trade system designs in order to assess the effect of alternative approaches to allocation of nutrient discharge allowances and rules governing trade or exchange of these allowances. The objective of this study is to assess the utility of cap and trade systems through experimental economics, with a focus on the efficiency and equity of these mechanisms. Cap and trade systems are promoted as one of the major achievements of environmental economics. However, the move from theory to field implementation is a difficult transition, particularly due to the prevalence of uncertainty and the bounded cognitive ability of real agents. Data from the experiments enables comparison of the results of nutrient trading with the outcomes that would be expected based on economic theory. This assessment of the relative performance of cap and trade systems highlights important findings for environmental regulation. First, catchment profit is around 10% lower than predicted by theory. Second, the distribution of profit among farmers has little in common with that predicted by theory. Third, the trading behaviour of farmers bears little resemblance to theoretical predictions. Overall, these findings highlight the need to carefully assess the efficiency, equity and overall benefits of cap and trade systems for environmental regulation. |
| Keywords: | Cap and trade, environmental regulation, economic experiments, dairy farming, water quality, New Zealand, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:167195&r=env |
| By: | Malina, Christiane; Fischer, Frauke |
| Abstract: | A common policy for reducing particulate matter concentrations in the European Union is the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which may only be entered by vehicles meeting predefined emission standards. This paper examines the effectiveness of LEZs for reducing PM10 levels in urban areas in Germany and quantifies the associated health impacts from reduced air pollution within the zones. We employ a fixed effects panel data model for daily observations of PM10 concentrations from 2000 to 2009 and control, inter alia, for local meteorological conditions and traffic volume. We apply the regression outputs to a concentration response function derived from the epidemiological literature to calculate associated health impacts of the introduction of LEZs in 25 German cities with a population of 3.96 Mio. Associated uncertainties are accounted for in Monte-Carlo simulations. It is found that the introduction of LEZs has significantly reduced inner city PM10 levels. We estimate the total mean health impact from reduced air pollution in 2010 due to the introduction of stage 1 zones to be ~700 Mio. EUR in the 25 LEZ-cities in the sample, whereas total mean health benefits are ~2.4 Billion EUR for the more stringent stage 2 zones when applied to the same cities. -- |
| Keywords: | Environmental policy,Germany,low emission zones,road transport,particulate matter,health effects |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cawmdp:68&r=env |
| By: | Fabio Donato; Anahita Lohrasbi |
| Abstract: | This paper is aimed at studying the potentials of cultural heritage in the discourse of development in rural cultural landscapes. It studies the attributes of the integrated cultural landscape management in order to maintain sustainability of the cultural landscape as a holistic system of entangled cultural and natural elements. This management approach is investigated through participative activities as well as considering cultural heritage as a resource for local sustainable development in all dimensions. While going through chronological review of policy documents in the area of sustainable development and cultural integration, academic literature review was made to come up with defining the interfaces of valorization of cultural heritage and the dimensions of sustainable development. The relevant challenges regarding the rural cultural landscapes were studied through a questionnaire survey in the case of a World Heritage Site in Iran, namely Throne of Solomon (Takht-e Soleyman). The findings of the empirical research show that the area is suffering from the lack of symmetrical exploitation of the resources not adequately resulting in economic development, environmental protection and social cohesion. On the other hand, at local level there is a positive trend for the participative activities for valorization of cultural heritage as a potential resource for development which acknowledges global recognition of culture as the forth pillar of sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | Cultural landscape management; sustainable development; cultural heritage; participation; valorization |
| JEL: | Z10 |
| Date: | 2014–05–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:udf:wpaper:2014073&r=env |
| By: | Windle, Jill; Rolfe, John |
| Abstract: | Evaluating land use change in economic frameworks often requires non-market values to be assessed. However non-market valuation experiments can be sensitive to the way the trade offs are framed. The aim of the research reported in this paper was to examine the influence of varying the valuation scope and combination of attributes in a split sample choice experiment focused on assessing the impacts of increased mining activity (coal and coal seam gas) in the Surat Basin in southern Queensland, Australia. The region had traditionally been dominated by the agricultural sector. The survey was designed to assess the largely, but not exclusively, non-use values of a distant population (Brisbane (capital city) residents) for tradeoffs between positive and negative impacts, which incorporated economic, social and environmental issues. Four impact attributes were identified: A)local jobs in the mining sector; B) house prices in the non-mining sector; C) wage rates in the non-mining sector and, D) inspections and independent monitoring activity at coal seam gas mining sites (a proxy to address environmental concerns). The results indicate that varying the combination of attributes had a significant influence on preferences and welfare estimates, which varied across attributes and valuation formats, |
| Keywords: | Choice experiment, valuation scope, choice attributes, mining, impact assessment, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165888&r=env |
| By: | Kerr, Geoffrey N.; Abell, Walt |
| Abstract: | Introduced ungulate game animals are managed as pests on New Zealand public lands. Open access recreational hunting and commercial harvests have resulted in negative externalities as individuals and groups with competing interests have sought to maximise their own benefits. The revocation of pest status for these species in the Game Animal Council Act 2013 and the possibility of managing herds of special interest have brought into focus the lack of information on recreational hunter motivations, resource use, harvests and satisfactions. Recreational hunters were surveyed each month for a year about these matters, and participated in a choice experiment to identify characteristics of preferred hunts for Sika deer. The choice experiment used travel distance as the numeraire of value to overcome resistance to the commodification of recreational hunting, using an adaptive pivot design to address the wide variance in distances travelled. The study identified significant non-market benefits of recreational hunting. Hunters were highly heterogeneous, both in their hunting behaviours and preferences, which has important implications for management. Spatial and temporal separation of different types of hunters, as well as management of harvest and activity levels provide opportunities for significantly enhancing the value of recreational hunting. |
| Keywords: | Choice experiment, Sika deer, recreation, hunting, management, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165845&r=env |
| By: | Halkos, George; Kevork, Ilias |
| Abstract: | Percentiles estimation plays an important role at the stage of making decisions in many scientific fields. However, the up-to-now research on developing estimation methods for percentiles has been based on the assumption that the data in the sample are formed independently. In the current paper we suppress this restrictive assumption by assuming that the values of the variable under study are formed according to the general linear process. After deriving the asymptotic distribution of the Maximum Likelihood estimator for the 100×Pth percentile, we give the general form of the corresponding asymptotic confidence interval. Then, the performance of the estimated asymptotic confidence interval is evaluated in finite samples from the stationary AR(1) and ARMA(1,1) through Monte-Carlo simulations by computing two statistical criteria: (a) the actual confidence level, (b) the expected half-length as percentage of the true value of the percentile. Simulation results show that the validity of the estimated asymptotic confidence interval depends upon the sample size, the size of the 1st order theoretical autocorrelation coefficient, and the true cumulative probability P related to the percentile. Finally, an application example is given using the series of the CO2 annual emissions intensity in Greece (kg per kg of oil equivalent energy use) for the period 1961-2010. Confidence intervals for percentiles are constructed on this series and discussion about the validity of the estimation procedure follows according to the findings from the simulation experiments regarding the values of the aforementioned criteria. |
| Keywords: | Percentiles; environmental data; time series models; confidence intervals. |
| JEL: | C13 C22 C53 Q50 Q54 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:56134&r=env |
| By: | Schilizzi, Steven; Latacz-Lohmann, Uwe |
| Abstract: | In order to maximize efficiency, should conversation contracts include incentive payments and also be put up for tender? This work uses laboratory experiments to investigate this question. We find that there exists an optimal share of performance payment which yields maximum total stewardship effort and expected environmental outcome. While cost-effectiveness is maximized with the totality of payments linked to outcomes, it comes at the cost of reduced participation. Tendering such contracts yields additional benefits in terms of effort extraction and cost-effectiveness, but these benefits rapidly decline with the share of performance payment. Combining high shares of performance payments with tendering runs the risk of falling far short of the environmental target. |
| Keywords: | Conservation tenders, auctions, incentive contracts, agricultural policy, market-based instruments, experimental economics, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, C92, D44, D82, D86, H57, Q24, Q28, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165873&r=env |
| By: | Natacha Fauvet (GREThA); Jean-Christophe Pereau (GREThA) |
| Abstract: | The buffering function of wetlands is one of the most efficient mechanisms for regulating agricultural runoffs and water pollution. The aim of this paper is to show how farmers could use wetland abatement as a way to achieve pollution targets set by a regulator in a nutrient allowance market. The introduction of allowances into farmers’ maximisation programs creates an incentive to either reduce fertilizer use per hectare of crops, or to restore wetlands on agricultural land. Comparative statics results express a negative correlation between the quantity of allowances per farmer and the fertilizer use. Furthermore, the quantity of allowances per farmer is negatively correlated to the wetland surface area. |
| Keywords: | Nutrients, Wetlands, Agriculture, Permit market, Regulation, Allowances, Runoffs |
| JEL: | Q15 Q28 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fae:wpaper:2014.06&r=env |
| By: | Mathilde MAUREL (Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne CNRS - Université Paris 1); Zaneta KUBIK (FERDI) |
| Abstract: | We analyze whether Tanzanian households engage in internal migration as a response to weather-related shocks. Our findings confirm that climate shocks lead to a higher probability of migration by reducing agricultural yields, which in turn induces households to send their members away in order to spatially diversify their income. This effect is, however, low, since a 1% reduction in agricultural income induced by weather shock increases the probability of migration by 3% for an average household. What is more, such mechanism is valid only for households whose income is highly dependent on agriculture, but is not significant for diversified livelihoods. |
| JEL: | O13 Q54 R23 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:1593&r=env |
| By: | Mohajan, Haradhan |
| Abstract: | During the last 30 years Chinese economy has increased rapidly. The pollution of air in many Chinese cities exceeds both national and international standards due to rapid urbanization, industrialization and increased energy consumption. At present China becomes the highest sulphur dioxide emitter in the world due to its reliance on coal for energy generation. The Government of China has taken different steps to reduce sulphur dioxide and succeeded from the 11th Five-Year Plan. Breathing in sulphur dioxide can irritate the nose, throat and the lungs, causing phlegm, coughing, shortness of breath, development of bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, as well as aggravation of existing cardiovascular disease. Long-term contact to sulphur dioxide at lower concentrations can cause temporary loss of smell, headache, nausea and dizziness. In this paper an attempt has been taken to discuss sulphur dioxide emissions of China and stresses on desulphurization processes. |
| Keywords: | SO2 control policy, Human health, Acid rain, Desulphurization. |
| JEL: | I15 |
| Date: | 2014–03–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:55953&r=env |
| By: | François-Gaël Lataste; Aurélie Trouvé; Marielle Berriet-Solliec; Janet Dwyer |
| Abstract: | - De nombreux débats ont mis en lumière l'ambiguïté de la notion de « biens publics ». Nous proposons d'éclairer ces débats à partir du cas de la Politique agricole commune (PAC). Nous faisons l'hypothèse que l'utilisation de la notion de « biens publics » dans le débat sur la PAC, tout en mettant l'accent sur les effets environnementaux, conforte la remise en cause de la PAC en tant que politique commune de régulation des marchés qui concerne des objectifs multiples. Pour tester cette hypothèse, nous nous appuyons sur une revue de la littérature économique, ainsi que sur une analyse des prises de position d'acteurs institutionnels (rencontrés à Bruxelles et au Royaume-Uni). - Numerous debates reveal the ambiguity surrounding the concept of "public goods". We seek to examine and clarify these in the particular case of Europe's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Our hypothesis is that the use of the concept of ?public goods' in the debate on the CAP and its role, whilst emphasizing environmental issues, actually calls into question the notion of the CAP as a common policy with multiple objectives also embracing market regulation, cohesion and quality of life. To test this hypothesis, we review the economic literature and make an analysis of the perspectives and stand-points of institutional actors in Brussels and the United Kingdom. |
| Keywords: | bien public, politique agricole, régulation, multifonctionnalité de l'agriculture, Royaume-Uni / public goods, agricultural policy, regulation, multifunctionality, United Kingdom |
| JEL: | Q18 H50 R58 |
| Date: | 2014–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ceo:wpaper:47&r=env |
| By: | Espiner, Stephen; Stewart, Emma; Dalziel, Paul; Saunders, Caroline |
| Abstract: | New Zealand’s total land area is approximately 26.8 million hectares, of which 8.5 million hectares are administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). DOC recognises that it needs to partner with others to achieve its outcome statement. The purpose of this paper is to present three case studies where DOC is partnering with community groups so that the local community can gain environmental, social and economic benefits in line with the Department’s outcome statement. The authors had previous knowledge of the three case studies and received a small amount of funding from DOC to allow some follow-up interviews with key stakeholders in each of the case studies. The paper is presented in four main parts. Part 1 describes the research questions asked in the stakeholder interviews and explains their purpose. Parts 2, 3 and 4 present the three case studies: The Oparara Valley Project Trust; The Otago Central Rail Trail; and the Kiwi Ranger programme. The paper finishes with a summary of the major common themes revealed through these case studies. |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165817&r=env |
| By: | West, Gale E.; Cisse, Ismaelh Ahmed |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to determine the socioeconomic factors that influence the behavior of adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by Quebec grain farmers. Using an econometric model of discrete choice, ordered logit model, the results show that majority of Quebec grain producers are practicing IPM. Seven explanatory variables, such as amount of IPM information received, lack of weed control knowledge, level of environmental concern, perception that IPM is an organic production, need for monetary incentives to adopt, numbers of years as a producer, education level appear to be the determinants of the producers' decision process. Nevertheless, there was a gap between those who believe they are practicing IPM and those who actually do. IPM is quite misunderstood; producers often equated it with organic production practices. Increased information campaigns are needed to teach appropriate IPM pest identification practices. In fact, producer organizations appear to be an ideal structure for increasing IPM information dissemination because of the level of trust shared among producers. Most producers worried that IPM practice might reduce yields; therefore, 75% believe that financial assistance is needed before they would more widely adopt IPM. Level of agricultural training plays a significant role in IPM adoption. The foundations of IPM practices should be taught as early as possible in existing agricultural education programs. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aajs14:166088&r=env |
| By: | Morgan Kelly (University College Dublin); Cormac Ó Gráda (University College Dublin) |
| Abstract: | This paper replies to commentaries by Sam White and by Ulf Büntgen and Lena Hellmann on our ‘The Waning of the Little Ice Age: Climate Change in Early Modern Europe’. White and Büntgen/Hellmann seek to prove that Europe experienced the kind of sustained falls in temperature between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries that can justify the notion of a Little Ice Age. Neither of them adequately addresses the cogency of the anecdotal or statistical evidence presented in our article, especially with regard to the spurious peaks and troughs created by the smoothing of temperature series--the so-called Slutsky Effect. |
| Keywords: | Little Ice Age, Climate Change, Economic History |
| Date: | 2014–03–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucn:wpaper:201406&r=env |
| By: | Jorge M. Agüero |
| Abstract: | This paper uses year-to-year variation in temperature to estimate the long-term effects of climate change on health outcomes in Mexico. Combining temperature data at the district level and three rounds of nationally representative household surveys, an individual's health as an adult is matched with the history of heat waves from birth to adulthood. A flexible econometric model is used to identify critical health periods with respect to temperature. It is shown that exposure to higher temperatures early in life has negative consequences on adult height. Most importantly, the effects are concentrated at the times where children experience growth spurts: infancy and adolescence. The robustness of these findings is confirmed when using health outcomes derived from accidents, which are uncorrelated with early exposure to high temperatures. |
| Keywords: | Human health, Climate Change |
| Date: | 2014–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:83877&r=env |
| By: | Andreas C. Drichoutis (Department of Agricultural Economics,, Agricultural University of Athens); Jayson L. Lusk (Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University); Valentina Pappa (Department of Economics, University of Ioannina) |
| Abstract: | We conduct a field valuation experiment where we vary the valuation method (contingent valuation vs. inferred valuation) as well as the payment format (dichotomous choice vs. payment card). Willingness-to-accept and willingness-to-pay valuations are elicited in a within-subjects design for foods with climate neutral labels. We find a similar gap for valuations elicited with the contingent or the inferred valuation method. However, we also find that the gap can be muted by using a payment card elicitation format. |
| Keywords: | willingness to pay; willingness to accept; contingent valuation; inferred valuation; payment card; single bounded |
| JEL: | D12 C93 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aua:wpaper:2014-2&r=env |
| By: | Leroux, Anke D; Martin, Vance |
| Abstract: | Cities have been investing heavily in recent years to augment their water supply, focusing on either stormwater harvesting or desalination. A more optimal strategy is to consider all sources of water jointly, thereby allowing for hedging of supply risks. A portfolio model of urban water supply is derived, consisting of reservoirs, stormwater harvesting and de- salination, which takes into account the uncertainties of water ows and rainfall as well as the relative costs of associated with the three types of water sources. Calibrating the model to Melbournes existing water sup- ply system, a signi cant result is that optimal contributions are dependent on current water stocks, thereby providing insights into the appropiate- ness of historical water augmentation decisions. It is found that, with the exception of reservoirs, observed contributions deviate from optimal contributions for stormwater harvesting and desalination with the results suggesting a need for future investments to target stormwater harvest- ing ahead of desalination technology. Moreover, the optimal portfolio is found to vary throughout the year with desalination being the preferred supplementary supply source to reservoirs during summer months, while harvested stormwater is the preferred choice during winter. This result has implications for augmentation investments to mitigate seasonal water supply shortages. |
| Keywords: | urban water supply, portfolio choice, stormwater harvest- ing, desalination, reservoir, Environmental Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165857&r=env |
| By: | Hackbarth, André (E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN)); Madlener, Reinhard (E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN)) |
| Abstract: | In the light of European energy efficiency and clean air legislations, as well as an ambitious electric mobility goal of the German government, we examine consumer preferences for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), based on a Germany-wide discrete choice experiment among 711 potential car buyers. We estimate consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) and contingent variation (CV) for improvements in vehicle purchase price, fuel cost, driving range, refueling infrastructure, CO2 emissions and governmental monetary and non-monetary incentives, hereby accounting for diminishing marginal returns for some of the attributes and taking taste differences in the population into account by applying a latent class model with 6 distinct consumer segments. Our results indicate that almost 36% of the consumers are open-minded towards at least one AFV option, with 15% being AFV-affine insomuch that they show a high probability of choosing AFVs despite their current shortcomings. Our results suggest that German car buyers’ WTP for improvements of the various vehicle attributes varies considerably across consumer segments and that the vehicle features have to meet some minimum requirements so that AFVs are shortlisted. Furthermore, the CV values show that decision-makers in the administration and industry should focus on the most promising consumer group of ‘AFV aficionados’ and their needs, that some vehicle attribute improvements could increase AFV demand rather cost-effectively, and that consumers would accept surcharges for some vehicle attributes at a level, which could enable their economic provision and operation (e.g. fast-charging infrastructure), while others might need governmental subsidies to substitute the insufficient consumer WTP (e.g. battery capacity). |
| Keywords: | Discrete choice; Stated preferences; Latent class model; Alternative fuel vehicles; Germany; Electric mobility; Willingness-to-pay; Contingent variation |
| JEL: | C25 D12 M38 Q58 R48 |
| Date: | 2013–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:fcnwpa:2013_020&r=env |
| By: | Ian A. MacKenzie (School of Economics, The University of Queensland); Markus Ohndorf (Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich) |
| Abstract: | Coasean arguments against the Pigouvian perspective are well established. A central tenet in this criticism argues that a Pigouvian tax may be a source of inefficiency: if parties were to bargain in the presence of a Pigouvian tax, (allocative) inefficiencies would occur-the so-called Buchanan-Stubblebine-Turvey Theorem. By analyzing a Coasean environment where the appropriation of property rights is costly, we show-in contrast to the Buchanan-Stubblebine-Turvey Theorem-that Coasean bargaining in the presence of a pre-existing (Pigouvian) tax is Pareto improving. This has implications for policy where dual regulatory environments exist, such as regulation at the state and federal level, as well as environmental liability and litigation. |
| Date: | 2014–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qld:uq2004:515&r=env |
| By: | Xavier Timbeau (OFCE) |
| Abstract: | To exit the Great Recession and initiate the transition towards a low carbon economy, we propose a public-private investment plan in the energetic transition of about 2 points per year of European GDP. The key concept of this plan is the opportunity to reconsider the criteria for public finances using, as the goal of stability a concept of public debt net of created public assets (in percent of GDP), instead of gross public debt. An impartial body (eg the European Commission) could assess ex post and ex ante the value of investments, creating the incentives for coherent and effective public expenditure policies. |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/5lelsdjsae9ofriup3buk8puru&r=env |
| By: | Jennings, Mark |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2014–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao14:168417&r=env |
| By: | Agneta Forslund; Alexandre Gohin; Chantal Le Mouël; Fabrice Levert |
| Abstract: | Available estimates of biofuel-induced land use change (LUC) and corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions vary on a wide range while estimations obtained from each model are highly sensitive to certain assumptions and key parameter values. Available studies often suggest that biodiesel and ethanol and/or EU and US biofuels would lead to different LUC and GHG emissions but they don’t agree on the type and/or the origin of the biofuel which would induce the least LUC and GHG emissions. In this paper we investigate the reasons behind this feature. We show that the Armington modeling of trade flows, which is currently used in models, contributes to this pattern. Using both observed data and the partial equilibrium model MATSIM-LUCA, we show that LUC stemming from the development of biofuels is highly dependent on assumptions made on trade: the Integrated World Market (IWM) approach, which relies on the homogenous product assumption, tends to erase differences in estimates of induced LUC from biodiesel and ethanol and from EU and US biofuels as compared to the Armington approach, that postulates that product are differentiated according to their origin and thus less substitutable. |
| Keywords: | biofuel, LUC, model, Armington |
| JEL: | Q11 Q15 Q17 Q48 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rae:wpaper:201404&r=env |
| By: | Sebastián J. Miller; Paulo Bastos |
| Abstract: | The increased occurrence of extreme weather conditions leading to drought is a key development challenge. This paper studies how these extreme events interact with the political process at the local level using rich administrative data for drought declarations and mayoral elections in Brazil. While accounting for current and historical rainfall patterns, the paper finds that that: i) municipalities led by a mayor affiliated with the President¿s party are more likely to receive formal drought declarations prior to the municipal election; and ii) receiving a drought declaration reinforces the electoral advantage of incumbent mayors running for reelection. These results are robust to the inclusion of a rich set of controls for municipal attributes. |
| Keywords: | Elections, Disasters, Climate Change, IDB-WP-455 |
| Date: | 2013–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:83014&r=env |
| By: | Zahur, Nahim Bin |
| Abstract: | How do coalitions form in games with externalities? This is important for understanding whether full cooperation be sustained in tackling problems such as climate change. In traditional coalition formation games, each player makes a binary decision on whether or not to cooperate. But what if players within coalitions choose not to cooperate fully with each other? This study looks at the coalition formation process |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165807&r=env |
| By: | Federico Guerrero |
| Abstract: | Using data for all 2,454 municipalities of Mexico for the period 1980-2010, this paper analyzes the relationship between exposure to extreme temperatures and precipitation and death, as well as the relationship between severe weather and agricultural income and crop production in the country. It is found that extreme heat increases mortality, while the health effect of extreme cold is generally trivial. Precipitation extremes seem to affect the agricultural system, but their impact on mortality is ambiguous. More specifically, exchanging one day with a temperature of 16-18 °C for one day with temperatures higher than 30 °C increases the crude mortality rate by 0. 15 percentage points, a result robust to several model specifications. It is also found that the extreme heat effect on death is significantly more acute in rural regions, leading to increases of up to 0. 2 percentage points vis-à-vis a 0.07-point increase in urban areas. The timing of climate extremes is relevant: if a weather shock takes place during the agricultural growing season, the effects on mortality and agricultural output, productivity, prices, and crop yields are large and significant, but not so if such shocks occur during the non-growing season. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Agricultural research & extension, IDB-WP-391 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:80690&r=env |
| By: | Islam, Nazrul; Xayavong, Vilaphonh; Anderton, Lucy; Feldman, David |
| Abstract: | Since the mid-1970s the south-west of Australia has displayed a warming and drying trend in its climate. Using parametric and non-parametric methods this paper provides a decadal assessment of the profitability, productivity and productivity components of over 250 farms in the region. The farm panel data are detailed descriptions of the physical and financial characteristics of each farm business from 2002/3 to 2011/12, a period of challenging weather-years. This study yields insights about farm characteristics and management strategies that have weakened or strengthened farm viability over the decade. In spite of the climate challenges experienced in the region during that decade, a majority of farm businesses improved their productivity and profitability. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, Climate change, Productivity, Profitability, Farm management, Financial Economics, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165842&r=env |
| By: | Amélie Bohas (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713); Laïd Bouzidi (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713); Yves Chappoz (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Lyon - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713) |
| Abstract: | Confrontées aux enjeux du développement durable, les organisations publiques et privées doivent s'impliquer dans une démarche éco-responsable. Face à ces nouvelles exigences et aux défis posés par le développement durable, les technologies de l'information et de la communication et plus largement les systèmes d'information ont une contribution à apporter. Cette contribution pose directement la question de l'éco-responsabilité des systèmes d'information et de son évaluation au sein des organisations. Nous présentons ici une expérimentation visant à tester un outil méthodologique permettant d'évaluer la " durabilité " ou l'éco-responsabilité des systèmes d'information. Ce papier présente ainsi les résultats de la deuxième phase d'une recherche plus large visant à évaluer l'informatique éco-responsable ou Green IT par l'élaboration d'un outil de gestion, dans le cadre d'une recherche ingénierique. Menée auprès d'un Conseil Régional, cette étude empirique montre que les pratiques mises en œuvre dans ce domaine sont peu matures, traduisant une gouvernance éco-responsable des SI encore embryonnaire. En outre, elle révèle, pour notre terrain d'étude, des tensions entre les finalités de l'action publique et les moyens alloués. Ainsi, les moyens conditionnent les fins (en termes de limites) mais ils justifient également celles-ci : en effet c'est dans la perspective d'atteindre un but économique et écologique (éco-efficacité) ou de réduire les moyens utilisés pour produire un service (éco-efficience) que se mettent en œuvre des initiatives Green IT. |
| Keywords: | Balanced Scorecard; Management public ; systèmes d'information ; écoresponsabilité ; recherche ingénierique ; Green IT |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00990803&r=env |
| By: | Dorothée Boccanfuso (Département d'Économique, Université de Sherbrooke); Luc Savard (Département d'Économique, Université de Sherbrooke); Jonathan Goyette (Département d'Économique, Université de Sherbrooke); Véronique Gosselin (GREDI, Université de Sherbrooke); Clovis Tanekou Mangoua (GREDI, Université de Sherbrooke) |
| Abstract: | Les forêts québécoises représentent 20 % des forêts canadiennes et 2 % des forêts mondiales. Elles remplissent de nombreux rôles essentiels tels que servir d’habitat à de nombreuses espèces, fournir des biens et des services, engendrer des retombées socioéconomiques ainsi qu’offrir un mode et un milieu de vie pour les Québécois. Qu’il s’agisse des périodes de sécheresse, des étés plus chauds, des hivers moins froids ou de phénomènes plus spécifiques comme la crise du dendroctrone du pin depuis le début des années 2000 en Colombie Britannique, de nombreux phénomènes démontrent la vulnérabilité de la forêt canadienne et québécoise aux changements climatiques (CC). Notre étude compte deux objectifs. Le premier est d’analyser l’impact potentiel des changements climatiques sur l’industrie forestière au Québec et l’économie québécoise. Le second objectif consiste à étudier les effets des programmes et/ou des politiques d’adaptation aux changements climatiques qui pourraient être mis en oeuvre par les décideurs publics. Une analyse d’impact distributive a aussi été réalisée. Un cadre d’analyse macro-micro dynamique a été utilisé pour les fins de l’analyse. Les éléments de dynamique ont été intégrés dans un modèle d’équilibre général calculable (EGC) avec dynamique séquentielle et aussi dans un modèle de micro-simulation. Les modèles, qui ont été résolus sur un horizon de 40 années, ont permis d’illustrer les mécanismes de transmission entre les CC et les programmes d’adaptation sur l’économie en général et sur la variation de mesure de pauvreté. Nos résultats montrent que les impacts des changements climatiques sur la foresterie ont très peu d’effet sur les variables macro-économiques même si les branches de l’industrie forestière subissent elles des effets plus importants. Pour l’analyse distributive, les effets courts termes (20 ans) indiquent des effets faibles mais négatifs dans le cas d’un choc de productivité ou d’offre, augmentant la pauvreté en comparaison à la situation du BAU (Business as Usual). Nos résultats de long terme (2050) convergent vers une baisse de la pauvreté dans ses trois dimensions, quelles que soit la simulation et les zones d’habitation. Ceci est également vrai dans le cas de l’analyse de l’inégalité. |
| Keywords: | Analyse distributive, modèle d’équilibre général calculable dynamique, modèle microsimulation, changements climatiques, politiques d’adaptation |
| JEL: | C68 D58 I32 O13 Q54 Q56 |
| Date: | 2014–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:shr:wpaper:14-03&r=env |
| By: | Michel Damian (PACTE - Politiques publiques, ACtion politique, TErritoires - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Grenoble - CNRS : UMR5194 - Université Pierre-Mendès-France - Grenoble II - Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble I) |
| Abstract: | Le climat ne semble pas au plus haut de l'agenda du gouvernement français et de sa diplomatie. C'est pourtant le Président François Hollande qui a proposé, en septembre 2012, que la réunion censée conclure un nouvel accord global sur le climat se tienne à Paris en décembre 2015. Les Etats-Unis, eux, ont déjà soumis - premier pays à l'avoir fait - leurs propositions clés pour la conférence. Tout reste à négocier. Les grandes orientations de l'accord qui devrait être signé à Paris sont cependant déjà connues : 1) pas d'accord international contraignant, mais seulement des " politiques nationales ", 2) pas d'engagement des Etats, mais seulement des " contributions " et, 3) fin de l'approche à deux vitesses ("bifurcated approach", selon les termes de la proposition américaine) de feu le Protocole de Kyoto, où seuls les pays développés s'étaient engagés, avec les résultats que l'on sait, à réduire leurs émissions. Cette fois, des contributions volontaires, de nature variable, sont attendues de la plupart des pays, y compris émergents et en développement. Mais les objectifs concrets de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre que l'on peut déjà anticiper ne produiront pas, hélas, de miracle en matière de stabilisation des émissions. Pour qu'un compromis soit acceptable par le plus grand nombre, et sauvegarde la solidarité avec les pays et communautés les plus vulnérables, il y faudrait au minimum une diplomatie active bien en amont de décembre 2015. |
| Keywords: | CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE ; ACCORD INTERNATIONAL ; COP21 |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00990907&r=env |
| By: | Greiner, Romy |
| Abstract: | This paper reports results from a choice experiment conducted with pastoralists and graziers across Australia’s tropical savannas in 2013 (n=104). The experiment is designed to inform the question under what conditions are north Australian pastoralists and graziers willing to sign up to voluntary on-farm biodiversity conservation contracts? Results are presented of random parameter logit models of best-worst responses and first preferences, revealing the importance of and trade-offs between contract attributes, and preference heterogeneity. An extended latent class model is also presented to further explore heterogeneity of respondents’ preferences further. Discussion of the results in the context of the international literature is provided and policy implications are proposed. |
| Keywords: | Choice experiment, response format, efficient design, willingness to accept, farmers, on-farm biodiversity conservation, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare14:165839&r=env |
| By: | Alberto CARDONA LÓPEZ |
| Abstract: | Al ocuparse de las compensaciones fiscales a municipios que tienen áreas de conservación en su territorio, se presentará el caso del IVA "ecológico" (ICMS-E) que se aplica en algunos estados de la unión brasilera. Este fue el primer instrumento económico para remunerar los servicios prestados por los bosques en pie de Brasil. Se busca con la presentación ambientar la discusión sobre su adaptabilidad y adoptabilidad para el caso de Colombia, país donde se hace cada vez más evidente la necesidad y conveniencia de contar con instrumentos similares. Para validar la aplicación del instrumento en Brasil se presenta la situación en tres momentos diferentes del tiempo que lleva de estarse aplicando a través de sendos estudios: …antes y hasta 2000: los planteamientos, la explicación, los alcances y el potencial; y las dificultades que encontraba el instrumento para su puesta en marcha. La fuente principal: May, Vega, Denardes y Loreiro (2002); la mirada desde la CEPAL (Jorge Jatobá) en 2005 el ICMS en general y el ICMS-E en particular, la aplicación del instrumento y lo que se veía venir ante la inminencia de una reforma tributaria de orden federal en Brasil, y sobre cómo se lee la situación en 2012 según el trabajo presentado en la 12th Conferencia bienal de la Sociedad internacional de economía ecológica: El ICMS-E en Brasil y su efectividad en la conservación estatal de la biodiversidad, un análisis comparativo de May, Guevara, Conti y Rodrigues (2012). Al final se incluyen algunas conclusiones y recomendaciones. |
| Keywords: | Compensaciones fiscales; Pago por servicios ecosistémicos; Agenda ambiental municipal; Áreas de conservación; Política fiscal y gestión ambiental |
| JEL: | Q27 Q28 Q33 Y Q57 |
| Date: | 2013–07–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000118:011198&r=env |