Pollution externalities in a Schumpeterian growth model

This paper extends a standard Schumpeterian growth model to include an environmental dimension. Thereby, it explicitly links the pollution intensity of economic activity to technological progress. In a second step, it investigates the effect of pollution on economic growth under the assumption that pollution intensities are related to technological progress. Several conclusions emerge from the model. In equilibrium, the economy follows a balanced growth path. The effect of pollution on the economic growth rate vitally depends on the households' degree of pollution aversion and on the link between pollution intensity and the technology level. The decentralized solution does not meet the social optimum, though the social optimum can be implemented through the introduction of subsidies and pollution permits. Expectedly, the introduction of a pollution threshold stalls growth if pollution is not decoupled from economic growth and the possibility of pollution abatement allows the economy to grow at a higher rate. --economic growth,endogenous pollution intensity,Schumpeter

Pollution externalities in a Schumpeterian growth model

This paper extends a standard Schumpeterian growth model to include an environmental dimension. Thereby, it explicitly links the pollution intensity of economic activity to technological progress. In a second step, it investigates the effect of pollution on economic growth under the assumption that pollution intensities are related to technological progress. Several conclusions emerge from the model. In equilibrium, the economy follows a balanced growth path. The effect of pollution on the economic growth rate vitally depends on the households' degree of pollution aversion and on the link between pollution intensity and the technology level. The decentralized solution does not meet the social optimum, though the social optimum can be implemented through the introduction of subsidies and pollution permits. Expectedly, the introduction of a pollution threshold stalls growth if pollution is not decoupled from economic growth and the possibility of pollution abatement allows the economy to grow at a higher rate

Catching the rebound : economy-wide implications of an efficiency shock in the provision of transport services by households

We investigate the rebound effect of a 10% energy efficiency improvement in the provision of private transport services by German households. In the process, we take into account that household behaviour may be in uenced by habits, build on a detailed representation of the provision of private transport services, and disentangle the direct and indirect rebound effect. Our analysis shows that rebound has the potential to significantly reduce the expected energy savings of an energy efficiency improvement at households. In particular if households have a exible demand structure, rebound can erode large parts of efficiency increases. Household habits have an initial detrimental effect on rebound. They limit the ability of households to adapt to changes in the prevailing price and income system and therewith temporally block parts of the channels that lead to rebound. In the long run, however, if habits are formed on the basis of historic consumption, habits do not affect rebound. In isolation, the direct and indirect rebound effect of the efficiency shock are positive, but direct rebound is much stronger

Specifying parameters in computable general equilibrium models using optimal fingerprint detection methods

The specification of parameters is a crucial task in the development of economic models. The objective of this paper is to improve the standard parameter specification of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. On that account, we illustrate how Optimal Fingerprint Detection Methods (OFDM) can be used to identify appropriate values for various parameters. This method originates from climate science and combines a simple model validation exercise with a structured sensitivity analysis. The new approach has three main benefits: 1) It uses a structured optimisation procedure and does not revert to ad-hoc model improvements. 2) It allows to account for uncertainty in parameter estimates by using information on the distribution of parameter estimates from the literature. 3) It can be applied for the specification of a range of parameters required in CGE models, for example for the definition of elasticities or productivity growth rates

Substitution elasticities in a CES production framework : an empirical analysis on the basis of Non-Linear least squares estimations

Effectiveness, cost-efficiency and distribution issues are crucial for any form of future regulation. This results in the need for reliable instruments to assess regulations ex ante. Elasticities are key parameters for such instruments. We consistently estimate substitution elasticities for a three level nested CES KLEM production structure on the basis of non-linear least squares estimation procedures. Thereby we take advantage of the new World-Input- Output Database. This allows us for the first time to use one consistent dataset for the estimation process and gives us the opportunity to derive elasticities from the same data which researchers can use to calibrate their simulations. Our results show that compared to standard linear estimations using Kmenta approximations, non-linear estimation techniques perform significantly better. Moreover, during the time period we consider, no significant change in input substitutability takes place over time. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the common practice of using Cobb-Douglas or Leontief production functions in economic models must be rejected for the majority of sectors. In response to this result, we provide a comprehensive set of consistently estimated substitution elasticities covering 35 sectors

The basic WIOD CGE model : a computable general equilibrium model based on the World Input-Output Database

This report presents the Basic WIOD CGE model. The model represents the first implementation of the World Input-Output Database (WIOD) into the CGE framework and is tailored to provide a maximum fit with WIOD data. The model is specifically designed such that it can serve as the basis for research in fields like environmental, climate and trade policy. It incorporates key features of WIOD such as bilateral and bisectoral trade ows, satellite accounts for energy consumption, greenhouse gas as well as other emissions to air on a sectoral level. As all WIOD data is available in the form of a consistent time series ranging from 1995 to 2009, the model can be calibrated to any year within this time period. The model relies on substitution elasticities which are consistently estimated from the same dataset the model itself is calibrated to. Moreover, the data preparation facilities and model are designed deliberately as exible as possible in order to allow researchers to use them as a basis for various applications. This enables researchers to secure the numerous advantages of the WIOD dataset when using CGE models for future research

International spillover and rebound effects from increased energy efficiency in Germany

The pollution/energy leakage literature raises the concern that policies implemented in one country, such as a carbon tax or tight energy restrictions, might simply result in the reallocation of energy use to other countries. This paper addresses these concerns in the context of policies to increase energy efficiency, rather than direct action to reduce energy use. Using a global CGE simulation model, we extend the analyses of ‘economy-wide’ rebound from the national focus of previous studies to incorporate international spill-over effects from trade in goods and services. Our focus is to investigate whether these effects have the potential to increase or reduce the overall (global) rebound of local energy efficiency improvements. In the case we consider, increased energy efficiency in German production generates changes in comparative advantage that produce negative leakage effects, thereby actually rendering global rebound less than national rebound

Capped steam ahead : a case study among ship operators on a maritime ETS

International shipping is an important emitter of greenhouse gases. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is discussing different approaches to reduce maritime CO2 emissions, in particular market-based mechanisms. In this paper, we assess potential implications of a maritime emission trading scheme (ETS) on the organisation and operations of shipping companies, primarily on the basis of a case study involving ship operators. Our results suggest that there is no knock-out criterion why a cap-andtrade approach should not work in the shipping sector in practice. A maritime ETS has the potential to engage this sector into cost-efficient emission reduction if designed to account for the special characteristics of the international shipping industry

On the effects of unilateral environmental policy on offshoring in multi-stage production processes

In the last decades supply chains emerged that stretch across many countries. This has been explained with decreasing trade and communication costs. We extend the literature by analyzing if and how unilateral environmental regulation induces offshoring to unregulated jurisdictions. We first apply an analytical partial-equilibrium model of a two-stage production process that can be distributed between two countries and investigate unilateral emission pricing and its supplementation with border carbon taxes. To get a more comprehensive picture, we subsequently apply a computable general equilibrium model that includes a better representation of international supply chains. We find heterogeneous, but mostly positive effects of a unilateral carbon emission reduction by the European Union on the degree of vertical specialisation of European industries and explain these differences by heterogeneity in the emission-intensity and pre-policy vertical specialisation of sectors. Border taxes are successful in protecting upstream industries, but with negative side effects for downstream industries