Une analyse de la consommation éthique. Le rôle de l’information et de l’accessibilité

Cet article explore l’évolution d’une consommation éthique (biens issus du commerce équitable et de l’agriculture biologique) sous l’influence des variations de l’information et de l’accessibilité, qui touche une population segmentée où les consommateurs partagent leur budget entre une consommation de biens éthiques et de biens classiques. Après la proposition d’un cadre théorique, les schémas de diffusion d’une opinion éthique dans la population sont explorés à l’aide d’un modèle multi-agents.This paper explores ethical consumption evolving (consumption of organic product and fair trade product) with information and accessibility variations. These variations affect a segmented population where consumers share their budget between a consumption of ethical goods and conventional goods. After the theoretical framework presentation, we explore, using an agent-based model, the diffusion pattern of ethical opinion in this population

Un indicateur de développement humain soutenable pour les Petits espaces insulaires en développement

L’objectif de cette étude est de construire un indicateur synthétique de la mesure du développement durable pour les petites économies insulaires. Pour ce faire, nous proposons une méthodologie permettant d’adapter un outil largement accepté en économie du développement, en l’occurrence l’Indicateur de développement humain, au cadre très particulier des économies insulaires. Cela nous amène à mettre en avant les notions de vulnérabilité économique et de soutenabilité environnementale dans le cadre d’un développement humain durable. Ensuite, l’évaluation de ces notions, et leur introduction dans le calcul de l’IDH classique, nous permettent de déduire un Indicateur de développement humain soutenable pour un ensemble large de pays en voie de développement dont une vingtaine de petites économies insulaires.This study aims at measuring the sustainable development in the context of insularity. To this regard, we develop a modified human development index adapted to the small island developing countries. So, the standard human development indicator of the PNUD is augmented by integrating the impact of both economic and environmental vulnerabilities. Then, our main finding displays that the small island developing economies must be considered a special case among the developing world when one focuses on human development sustainability

An assessment of energy vulnerability in Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) suffer from several structural characteristics that jeopardize their ability to achieve a sustainable energy future. Their reliance on imported fossil fuels exacerbates their exposure to external threats on international energy markets. Their energy systems are also exposed to internal disturbances that disrupt the proper production, transmission and distribution of energy. The aim of this paper is to investigate the extent to which island energy systems are vulnerable to shocks and internal dysfunctions over which they have no control. For this purpose, we build a composite index of energy vulnerability using the Multi-Layer Benefit-of-the-Doubt approach. Such an approach enables the identification of economic, environmental and social dimensions that play an important role in the relative energy vulnerability of SIDS. Ultimately, we shed light on the priority areas requiring immediate attention in order to mitigate energy vulnerability in SIDS

Exercices de prospective à long terme du système électrique réunionnais

International audienceReunion Island, a French overseas region located in the Indian Ocean, is facing a three-fold challenge combining demographics, the environment and energy. To limit its heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, Reunion Island aims to achieve energy autonomy by 2030 based on greater energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives. The objective of this study is to analyze different scenarios to reach energy autonomy and, at the same time, consider the wide-scale integration of renewable energy in the island’s power system using the bottom-up optimization energy model TIMES-Reunion. Despite the tremendous potential of renewable energy sources present on the island, the transition to 100% renewable energy needs to be supported by incentives or constraints. Strong energy policies can both direct the choice of renewable resources and accelerate the renewable transition. The development of biomass on Reunion Island is economically interesting. The transition scenarios show that by 2030, electricity from biomass advantageously replaces electricity from coal and represents slightly more than 50% of electricity generation. Solar and wave/ocean energies are not the most cost effective option, but wind energy tends to disappear in the face of these energies more politically supported. A network regulation rule benefits biomass and is more detrimental to solar than to wave energy

Exploring sustainable energy future in Reunion Island

International audienceTo cope with dependency of imported fossil fuels, high shares of renewable energy sources are expected to expand in electricity production in Small Islands. The case of Reunion Island that aims at having an electricity generation based to 100% on renewable energies by 2030 is analyzed using a bottom-up cost-optimization TIMES model. Future production mixes are providing according to different scenarios focusing on alternatives renewable energy sources. The case of Reunion Island provides a good example for the definition of an energy policy fostering renewable technologies to supply electricity and highlighting the crucial role of incentives policies

A macroeconomic evaluation of a carbon tax in overseas territories: A CGE model for Reunion Island

International audienceReunion Island, similar to most insular regions, is ruled by a carbon-based economy that is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. In recent years, the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy has become the watchword of this French overseas region, with the objective of a 100% renewable energy mix by 2030. Reducing fossil fuel use while maintaining economic growth is an important issue for all countries but is even more important for island territories with structural and geographical handicaps. Energy transition and drastic greenhouse gas emission reductions represent costs and opportunities that need to be quantified. This research paper assesses the environmental and macroeconomic effects of the carbon price policy introduced in France to meet the target of the Paris Agreement. The acceptability of the tax significantly depends on the possibility of recycling tax revenues. Different schemes for recycling tax revenues are considered in simulations. The methodology used is a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for Reunion Island (GetRun-NRJ) that takes into account all island specificities. The results show that the carbon tax enables substitutions between fossil and renewable energy production and reduces CO 2 emissions. However, the tax has negative effects on the aggregate economy. The implemented tax revenue recycling compensation mechanisms mitigate the negative impacts, but the results differ significantly, as the recycling schemes do not support the same economic actors

The decisive role of the carbon storage potential in the deployment of the CCS option

International audienceOver the past decade and while in May 2013 CO2 concentration in the atmosphere reached record high of 400 ppm, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has increasingly been dealt as a possible, not to say an expected, solution to achieve CO2 emissions mitigation objectives. Indeed, despite of persistent controversies, in terms of i) a significant and uncertain costs that this technology requires, ii) a too low level of investment and progress as regards a plausible large scale deployment of the technology but also of infrastructures (i.e. transport, shared platform, for example), iii) support of incentives by comparison with other options, as renewables, or iv) the risks of storage for environment and human health that question the social acceptability and the appropriate place of CCS within the portfolio of GHG abatement strategies, CCS technologies are still presented as a solution to reach ambitious climate target. Moreover, in the 2DS of IEA, CCS contributes for 22% of CO2 emissions reductio

Reunion Island energy autonomy objective by 2030

International audienceDeclared in 2010 as a UNESCO world heritage site, the overseas French Region of La Reunion – Reunion Island – has adopted a strategy for sustainable development which aims to attain energy autonomy by 2030. With currently half of the island’s power generated by coal-fired power plants, this unique European territory in the Indian Ocean has large potential for renewable energy generation (solar, marine, wind and biomass) and so largely bases the achieving of this goal on the development of these renewable energy sources. Since 2007, La Réunion has implemented the GERRI project, Green Energy Revolution, where all low carbon innovations are promoted in order to be integrated into the society by 2030; this includes transport, energy production, storage and use, town planning and construction. This also includes tourism, La Reunion aiming to develop an ecological tourism sector with the objective of welcoming 600,000 tourists by 2020. The Reunion’s plan for making its electricity system 100% renewable involves a multi-fold process. The French Minister of Ecology already mandated in April 2009 that all new constructions in overseas departments to install solar hot water heating on all new construction. Additionally, biomass will increasingly substitute coal, which will entail the development of more fibrous sources of sugarcane, supported by an increase in cane farms that also produce solar power. Increased hydropower and geothermal energy will also enter the mix, along with experimenting with tidal power. These measures will also help the island achieve its goal to meeting all heating and cooling needs with renewable resources. The aim of this study is to discuss the large integration of renewable energy in the Reunion power system through the bottom-up energy model TIMES-Reunion (Drouineau, 2011; Bouckaert, 2013). This research is developed with TIMES-Reunion, a bottom-up model describing the small and isolated energy system in great detail of current and future technologies (Drouineau, 2011). This technological model is drived by an exogeneous energy demand and aims at minimize the global discounted cost of the energy system. The time horizon range from 2008 to 2030. We investigate different scenarios binding the target of 100% renewables sources in power generation by 2030 and specifying potentials for renewable energy sources. Moreover we implement sensitivity analysis especialy based on solar, ocean energy, geothermal and sugarcane. We analyse the changes of the current production patterns to move toward a system capable of meeting the energy challenge. In the business as usual, the Reunion electricity production doubles from 2008 to 2030, in particular based on the development of coal. The oil becomes missing in 2015, coal being more profitable, and the share of renewables stabilizes around 35% by 2030. Despite tremendous potential of renewable present on the island, a transition to a 100% renewable energy needs being supported by incitations or constraints. We analyse the impact on the electricity mix of changes in the level of renewables potentials. Particularly, we discuss the level of development of solar and wave/ocean energies. We also explore the impact on the system of strong political choices on 1) the development of geothermal through the authorization to exploit geothermal energy in a protected natural area and 2) the exploitation of 100% energy-sugarcane. Then, in respect with the large development of renewables as solar and wind, we investigate scenarios dealing with the management of intermittent energy including exploitation rule in line with the decision of the network operator (rule of 30% of intermittent energy)