Climate Change Mitigation Options and Directed Technical Change: A Decentralized Equilibrium Analysis

The paper considers a climate change growth model with three R&D sectors dedicated to energy, backstop and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) efficiency. First, we characterize the set of decentralized equilibria: A particular equilibrium is associated to each vector of public tools which includes a carbon tax and a subsidy to each R&D sector. Moreover, we show that it is possible to compute any equilibrium as the solution of a maximization program. Second, we solve the first-best optimum problem and we implement it by computing the vector of optimal tools. Finally, we illustrate the theoretical model using some calibrated functional specifications. In particular, we investigate the effects of various combinations of public policies (including the optimal ones) by determining the deviation of each corresponding equilibrium from the "laisser-faire" benchmark.climate change, energy, CCS, directed technical change, carbon tax, R&D subsidies

Tradable pollution permits in dynamic general equilibrium: can optimality and acceptability be reconciled?

In this paper we study the optimal growth path and its decentralization in a two-sector overlapping- generations model with pollution. One sector (power generation) is polluting and the other (final good) is not. Pollution is regulated by tradable emission permits. The issue is whether the optimal growth path can be replicated in equilibrium with pollution permits, given that some permits must be issued free of charge for the sake of political acceptability. We provide a policy rule that allows optimality and acceptability to be reconciled.general equilibrium, optimal growth, pollution, tradable emission permits, acceptability