The Determinants of Individuals’ Attitudes Towards Preventing Environmental Damage

This paper investigates empirically the determinants of individuals’ attitudes towards preventing environmental damage in Spain using data from the World Values Survey and European Values Survey for the periods 1990, 1995 and 1999/2000. Compared to many previous studies, we present a richer set of independent variables and found that strongly neglected variables such as political interest and social capital have a strong impact on individuals’ preferences to prevent environmental damage. An interesting aspect in our study is the ability to investigate environmental preferences over time. The results show strong differences over time. Finally, using disaggregated data for Spanish regions, we also find significant regional differences.Environment, Regional and time preferences, Political interest, Social capital

Evaluation of alternative institutional arrangements in public utilities

Since the early 2000s a policy of attracting private operators to public utilities, which should help to increase productivity, reduce costs, and as a result, reduce utility prices, takes place in Russia. The aim of the study is to identify the relationship between institutional arrangements and pricing of water and sanitation services. Statistical and cluster analysis was applied to empirical data on water utilities in the 13 largest cities. There were the differences in the level and dynamics of prices for water supply and sanitation in the group of public utilities and public private water utilities

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change : UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

Peer reviewe

What level of decentralization is better in an environmental context? An application to water policies

Fiscal federalism, Environmental policies, Water resources, H77, Q25, Q28,

PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: POLITICAL INTEREST AND STATE CAPACITY

The literature on volunteering has strongly increased in the last few years. However, there is still a lack of substantial empirical evidence about the determinants of environmental participation. This empirical study analyses a cross-section of individuals using micro-data of the World Values Survey wave III (1995-1997), covering 38 countries, to investigate this question. The results suggest that not only socio-demographic and socio-economic factors have an impact on individuals ’ active participation in environmental organizations, but also political attitudes. Furthermore, we observe regional differences. Interestingly, there is the tendency that environmental participation is a stronger channel for action in developing countries, where weak and dysfunctional states lead people to pursue their goals through non-governmental sector activities. We also find that a higher level of perceived corruption leads to a stronger participation in environmental organizations, which shows that individuals take action when they perceive that the government is corrupt

Nudges in sustainable water management practices: Implementation, key findings and research agenda

International audienceNudging has emerged as an alternative policy for managing water demand in the residential sector. Indeed, numerous field studies have been recently published to assess the impact of nudges on water consumption. In parallel, a substantial body of literature has developed in the field of behavioral economics, including laboratory experiments to evaluate the effects of nudge-type or boost treatments on individual behavior. However, the corresponding results are frequently overlooked in field studies. In this context, focusing on the residential water sector, the aim of this survey paper are, first, to review field experiments and address key issues in behavioral economics; and second, to present results obtained from laboratory experiments that could enhance nudging policies. We conclude by discussing additional unexplored areas and their policy implications

La integración de la formación no cognitiva en una evaluación global del servicio educativo

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónLa formación no cognitiva es reconocida como un objetivo escolar tan importante como la educación en conocimientos específicos y sin embargo, ha sido excluida de forma sistemática de todas las investigaciones relativas al análisis de eficiencia del sector educativo, centradas todas ellas en el componente cognitivo de los resultados educativos. El objetivo consiste en realizar, por primera vez en la literatura económica, una evaluación de la producción educativa global, que incluya tanto los resultados cognitivos como los no cognitivos, de los jóvenes de una muestra de 40 países. La técnica seleccionada es el Análisis Envolvente de Datos, metodología habitual en los estudios de evaluación de la eficiencia productiva aplicados al sector educativo. Entre los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento, se puede destacar el vínculo detectado entre la magnitud del gasto educativo y los resultados en formación afectiva, resultado que sin embargo no está claro en la literatura respecto a la formación cognitiva, así como los buenos resultados comparados obtenidos por los jóvenes españoles en relación al gasto educativo en nuestro país.NavarraUniversidad de Navarra. Biblioteca; 31080 Pamplona; +34948425600; +3494817731080; [email protected]

Nondiscretionary residential water use: the impact of habits and water-efficient technologies

Several studies published in the last few decades have demonstrated a low priceelasticity for residential water use. In particular, it has been shown that there is a quantity of water demanded that remains constant regardless of prices and other economic factors. In this research, we characterise residential water demand based on a Stone-Geary utility function. This specification is not only theory-compatible but can also explicitly model a minimum level of consumption not dependent on prices or income. This is described as minimum threshold or nondiscretionary water use. Additionally, the Stone-Geary framework is used to model the subsistence level of water consumption that is dependent on the temporal evolution of consumer habits and stock of physical capital. The main aim of this study is to analyse the impact of water-saving habits and water-efficient technologies on residential water demand, while additionally focusing attention on nondiscretionary uses. This is informed by an empirical application using data from a survey conducted among residents of Brisbane City Council, Australia. The results will be especially useful in the design of water tariffs and other water-saving policies