Pub Date : 2019-08-13DOI: 10.1177/1070496519867435
M. Fulton, A. Nurse, A. Plater
Small and medium enterprises and research institutes engaged on eco-innovative research projects are often required to account for environmental benefits of new products, processes, or services. This article describes an environmental assessment methodology for calculating auditable environmental benefits, highlighting case studies as examples. It addresses the challenges involved in conducting assessments of products that have yet to be commercialized by taking into account the quality and confidence of the data and enabling nonexperts to engage with the process to a well-informed level. The method draws on the most pertinent and accessible information to develop a reliable overview of the reportable outputs while minimizing the resource and expertise required by measuring only the change in circumstance. The process is flexible enough to cater to projects from a range of sectors, with different expertise levels, but in-depth enough to be considered an acceptable quantification of environmental outputs by rigid external reporting requirements.
{"title":"A Simplified Environmental Assessment Methodology for Research Projects as an Alternative to Life-Cycle Assessment","authors":"M. Fulton, A. Nurse, A. Plater","doi":"10.1177/1070496519867435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519867435","url":null,"abstract":"Small and medium enterprises and research institutes engaged on eco-innovative research projects are often required to account for environmental benefits of new products, processes, or services. This article describes an environmental assessment methodology for calculating auditable environmental benefits, highlighting case studies as examples. It addresses the challenges involved in conducting assessments of products that have yet to be commercialized by taking into account the quality and confidence of the data and enabling nonexperts to engage with the process to a well-informed level. The method draws on the most pertinent and accessible information to develop a reliable overview of the reportable outputs while minimizing the resource and expertise required by measuring only the change in circumstance. The process is flexible enough to cater to projects from a range of sectors, with different expertise levels, but in-depth enough to be considered an acceptable quantification of environmental outputs by rigid external reporting requirements.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"339 - 365"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519867435","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45206174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-07-12DOI: 10.1177/1070496519859680
Mehmet Altingoz, Saleem H. Ali
Due to historical grievances, Armenia and Turkey experience severe international conflicts and do not maintain diplomatic ties. Yet, as a vestige of the Soviet period, when Armenia was not an independent country, both nations share the Arpacay/Akhuryan Dam, and riparian cooperation exists at the local level. We observed that local cross-border water institutions are authorized to manage the dam and do so via polycentric management principles. We suggest that such a devolved model of governance facilitates this unique cooperation. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between private management of water resources in such areas and the ability to sustain cooperation. However, so far, the positive impacts of this cooperation on improving international relations have been little, if any. We suggest that what makes cooperation possible in this context also inhibits its expansion to broader peacebuilding. We also suggest that increased localization of management, coincident with improved relations, maximizes cooperation potential.
{"title":"Environmental Cooperation in Conflict Zones: Riparian Infrastructure at the Armenian–Turkish Border","authors":"Mehmet Altingoz, Saleem H. Ali","doi":"10.1177/1070496519859680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519859680","url":null,"abstract":"Due to historical grievances, Armenia and Turkey experience severe international conflicts and do not maintain diplomatic ties. Yet, as a vestige of the Soviet period, when Armenia was not an independent country, both nations share the Arpacay/Akhuryan Dam, and riparian cooperation exists at the local level. We observed that local cross-border water institutions are authorized to manage the dam and do so via polycentric management principles. We suggest that such a devolved model of governance facilitates this unique cooperation. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between private management of water resources in such areas and the ability to sustain cooperation. However, so far, the positive impacts of this cooperation on improving international relations have been little, if any. We suggest that what makes cooperation possible in this context also inhibits its expansion to broader peacebuilding. We also suggest that increased localization of management, coincident with improved relations, maximizes cooperation potential.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"309 - 335"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519859680","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43913845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-26DOI: 10.1177/1070496519857776
K. Mkutu, Tessa Mkutu, M. Marani, Augustine Lokwang Ekitela
Recent discoveries of oil and gas in eastern Africa often happen in marginalized and underdeveloped areas, such as Turkana, Kenya, an arid county inhabited predominantly by pastoralists. As a result of low political participation and weak governance frameworks for the emerging hydrocarbon industry, the pastoralists face displacement from land, exposure to environmental hazards, and exclusion from decision-making and benefit-sharing arrangements. Their interests are further sidelined by elite capture and a strong national development agenda supported by international actors. Community members have aired their grievances against both the investor and the state through protests, disrupting company operations. This work argues that two of the pillars of environmental justice, participation and recognition, are lacking in the county and that authentic participation should be pursued to avoid destruction of community capabilities and conflict. Because there is historical opposition to the state and its allies, the county government should consider working closely with trusted providers in the county, namely, faith-based organizations and their civil society counterparts, to bring about more authentic participation, community empowerment, and ultimately better governance for just distribution of benefits and harms.
{"title":"New Oil Developments in a Remote Area: Environmental Justice and Participation in Turkana, Kenya","authors":"K. Mkutu, Tessa Mkutu, M. Marani, Augustine Lokwang Ekitela","doi":"10.1177/1070496519857776","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519857776","url":null,"abstract":"Recent discoveries of oil and gas in eastern Africa often happen in marginalized and underdeveloped areas, such as Turkana, Kenya, an arid county inhabited predominantly by pastoralists. As a result of low political participation and weak governance frameworks for the emerging hydrocarbon industry, the pastoralists face displacement from land, exposure to environmental hazards, and exclusion from decision-making and benefit-sharing arrangements. Their interests are further sidelined by elite capture and a strong national development agenda supported by international actors. Community members have aired their grievances against both the investor and the state through protests, disrupting company operations. This work argues that two of the pillars of environmental justice, participation and recognition, are lacking in the county and that authentic participation should be pursued to avoid destruction of community capabilities and conflict. Because there is historical opposition to the state and its allies, the county government should consider working closely with trusted providers in the county, namely, faith-based organizations and their civil society counterparts, to bring about more authentic participation, community empowerment, and ultimately better governance for just distribution of benefits and harms.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"223 - 252"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519857776","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47664894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-25DOI: 10.1177/1070496519854505
S. Hutabarat, M. Slingerland, L. Dries
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, and its smallholder oil palm plantations involve more than 2.3 million farmers. The rapid expansion of the oil palm area, and resulting negative environmental and social impacts, has increased the demand for sustainability certification for palm oil products. This study investigates whether different types of smallholders face different barriers in complying with certification standards. The study uses survey data from 829 smallholders in Riau, Sumatra. First, an assessment is made of the gap between current management practices and practices required by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standards for different types of smallholders. Second, the article explores explanations for the gap between current and required practices. Finally, an investigation is made of the different starting points of different types of smallholders. Results indicate that the diversity between smallholders affects their prospects for certification. To date, this diversity in smallholders has not been taken into account in the application of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standards. This can help to explain the limited success of smallholder certifications in Indonesia.
{"title":"Explaining the “Certification Gap” for Different Types of Oil Palm Smallholders in Riau Province, Indonesia","authors":"S. Hutabarat, M. Slingerland, L. Dries","doi":"10.1177/1070496519854505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519854505","url":null,"abstract":"Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, and its smallholder oil palm plantations involve more than 2.3 million farmers. The rapid expansion of the oil palm area, and resulting negative environmental and social impacts, has increased the demand for sustainability certification for palm oil products. This study investigates whether different types of smallholders face different barriers in complying with certification standards. The study uses survey data from 829 smallholders in Riau, Sumatra. First, an assessment is made of the gap between current management practices and practices required by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standards for different types of smallholders. Second, the article explores explanations for the gap between current and required practices. Finally, an investigation is made of the different starting points of different types of smallholders. Results indicate that the diversity between smallholders affects their prospects for certification. To date, this diversity in smallholders has not been taken into account in the application of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standards. This can help to explain the limited success of smallholder certifications in Indonesia.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"253 - 281"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519854505","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42751470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-06-03DOI: 10.1177/1070496519852992
Jeasurk Yang, Victor Owusu, Edo Andriesse, Austin Dziwornu Ablo
Coastal fisheries communities in sub-Saharan Africa are under high socioeconomic vulnerability in the face of environmental pressures. This article contributes to the current adaptation debate by revisiting the benefits of in-situ adaptation. We assess possible in-situ adaptation strategies amid ongoing vulnerabilities by comparing Ghana and Tanzania. A total of 441 household surveys were conducted in four study sites. The major findings of the study are as follows: First, the three major in-situ adaptation strategies are regular changes of nondestructive fisheries techniques, alternative occupations, and collective action. Second, all three strategies have a significant relationship with income change. Finally, the communities in Tanzania utilized all three strategies more and performed better economically than those in Ghana. On the basis of these insights, we suggest implications of in-situ adaptation for future coastal development in sub-Saharan Africa.
{"title":"In-Situ Adaptation and Coastal Vulnerabilities in Ghana and Tanzania","authors":"Jeasurk Yang, Victor Owusu, Edo Andriesse, Austin Dziwornu Ablo","doi":"10.1177/1070496519852992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519852992","url":null,"abstract":"Coastal fisheries communities in sub-Saharan Africa are under high socioeconomic vulnerability in the face of environmental pressures. This article contributes to the current adaptation debate by revisiting the benefits of in-situ adaptation. We assess possible in-situ adaptation strategies amid ongoing vulnerabilities by comparing Ghana and Tanzania. A total of 441 household surveys were conducted in four study sites. The major findings of the study are as follows: First, the three major in-situ adaptation strategies are regular changes of nondestructive fisheries techniques, alternative occupations, and collective action. Second, all three strategies have a significant relationship with income change. Finally, the communities in Tanzania utilized all three strategies more and performed better economically than those in Ghana. On the basis of these insights, we suggest implications of in-situ adaptation for future coastal development in sub-Saharan Africa.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"282 - 308"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519852992","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43921498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-03-18DOI: 10.1177/1070496519836146
E. Papyrakis, L. Tasciotti
The rise in international trade in recent decades has been accompanied by an increase in the movement of wood packaging materials (WPMs). Recognizing the associated threat of cross-border pest movement, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention, adopted the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15; guidelines for regulating WPM in international trade) for the treatment of WPMs. The objective of this article is to raise awareness on the challenges four sub-Saharan countries—Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and Mozambique—are facing when it comes to implementation. During extensive fieldwork, we conducted interviews with key stakeholders to understand their role in the setup and implementation of the standard as well as their perceptions on relevant challenges. Addressing these challenges is vital for achieving compliance and removing associated institutional and economic barriers. The article can assist policy-makers and academics to design future policies that tackle implementation problems, especially in the context of developing countries.
{"title":"A Policy Study on the Implementation Challenges of Phytosanitary Standards: The Case of ISPM 15 in Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and Mozambique","authors":"E. Papyrakis, L. Tasciotti","doi":"10.1177/1070496519836146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519836146","url":null,"abstract":"The rise in international trade in recent decades has been accompanied by an increase in the movement of wood packaging materials (WPMs). Recognizing the associated threat of cross-border pest movement, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention, adopted the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15; guidelines for regulating WPM in international trade) for the treatment of WPMs. The objective of this article is to raise awareness on the challenges four sub-Saharan countries—Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and Mozambique—are facing when it comes to implementation. During extensive fieldwork, we conducted interviews with key stakeholders to understand their role in the setup and implementation of the standard as well as their perceptions on relevant challenges. Addressing these challenges is vital for achieving compliance and removing associated institutional and economic barriers. The article can assist policy-makers and academics to design future policies that tackle implementation problems, especially in the context of developing countries.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"142 - 172"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519836146","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44291143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-03-16DOI: 10.1177/1070496519835895
Carola Klöck, P. Nunn
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share a common vulnerability to climate change. Adaptation to climate change and variability is urgently needed yet, while some is already occurring in SIDS, research on the nature and efficacy of adaptation across SIDS is fragmentary. In this article, we systematically review academic literature to identify where adaptation in SIDS is documented; what type of adaptation strategies are taken, and in response to which climate change impacts; and the extent to which this adaptation has been judged as successful. Our analysis indicates that much adaptation research is concentrated on the Pacific, on independent island states, and on core areas within SIDS. Research documents a wide array of adaptation strategies across SIDS, notably structural or physical and behavioral changes. Yet, evaluation of concrete adaptation interventions is lacking; it thus remains unclear to what extent documented adaptation effectively and sustainably reduces SIDS’ vulnerability and increases their resilience.
{"title":"Adaptation to Climate Change in Small Island Developing States: A Systematic Literature Review of Academic Research","authors":"Carola Klöck, P. Nunn","doi":"10.1177/1070496519835895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496519835895","url":null,"abstract":"Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share a common vulnerability to climate change. Adaptation to climate change and variability is urgently needed yet, while some is already occurring in SIDS, research on the nature and efficacy of adaptation across SIDS is fragmentary. In this article, we systematically review academic literature to identify where adaptation in SIDS is documented; what type of adaptation strategies are taken, and in response to which climate change impacts; and the extent to which this adaptation has been judged as successful. Our analysis indicates that much adaptation research is concentrated on the Pacific, on independent island states, and on core areas within SIDS. Research documents a wide array of adaptation strategies across SIDS, notably structural or physical and behavioral changes. Yet, evaluation of concrete adaptation interventions is lacking; it thus remains unclear to what extent documented adaptation effectively and sustainably reduces SIDS’ vulnerability and increases their resilience.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"196 - 218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496519835895","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48115267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-03-01DOI: 10.1177/1070496518819121
T. Hickmann, Fee Stehle
Numerous scholars have lately highlighted the importance of cities in the global response to climate change. However, we still have little systematic knowledge on the evolution of urban climate politics in the Global South. In particular, we lack empirical studies that examine how local climate actions arise in political-administrative systems of developing and emerging economies. Therefore, this article adopts a multilevel governance perspective to explore the climate mitigation responses of three major cities in South Africa by looking at their vertical and horizontal integration in the wider governance framework. In the absence of a coherent national climate policy, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have developed distinct climate actions within their jurisdictions. In their effort to address climate change, transnational city networks have provided considerable technical support to these cities. Yet, substantial domestic political-economic obstacles hinder the three cities to develop a more ambitious stance on climate change.
{"title":"The Embeddedness of Urban Climate Politics in Multilevel Governance: A Case Study of South Africa’s Major Cities","authors":"T. Hickmann, Fee Stehle","doi":"10.1177/1070496518819121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496518819121","url":null,"abstract":"Numerous scholars have lately highlighted the importance of cities in the global response to climate change. However, we still have little systematic knowledge on the evolution of urban climate politics in the Global South. In particular, we lack empirical studies that examine how local climate actions arise in political-administrative systems of developing and emerging economies. Therefore, this article adopts a multilevel governance perspective to explore the climate mitigation responses of three major cities in South Africa by looking at their vertical and horizontal integration in the wider governance framework. In the absence of a coherent national climate policy, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have developed distinct climate actions within their jurisdictions. In their effort to address climate change, transnational city networks have provided considerable technical support to these cities. Yet, substantial domestic political-economic obstacles hinder the three cities to develop a more ambitious stance on climate change.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"54 - 77"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496518819121","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48353644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-02-07DOI: 10.1177/1070496518825282
J. Gellers, Christopher Jeffords
To what extent are decisions regarding Chinese investment in Africa motivated by environmental factors? A considerable body of work has examined the determinants of foreign aid among traditional donors, producing useful debates about the relative significance of recipient need or merit and donor interest. But far less scholarly effort has focused on the motivations of emerging donors and the role of environmental factors in influencing aid allocation. In an attempt to fill these gaps, this article uses statistical techniques to test the hypothesis that China deliberately invests in African countries with poor environmental performance for reasons related to recipient need or donor interest. Drawing upon project-level data regarding investments made by China in Africa from 2002 to 2012, the analysis suggests that Chinese development assistance grows commensurate with a country’s environmental performance, but only to a point. After a state achieves a certain level of environmental quality, Chinese investments decline.
{"title":"Environmental Determinants of Chinese Development Finance in Africa","authors":"J. Gellers, Christopher Jeffords","doi":"10.1177/1070496518825282","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496518825282","url":null,"abstract":"To what extent are decisions regarding Chinese investment in Africa motivated by environmental factors? A considerable body of work has examined the determinants of foreign aid among traditional donors, producing useful debates about the relative significance of recipient need or merit and donor interest. But far less scholarly effort has focused on the motivations of emerging donors and the role of environmental factors in influencing aid allocation. In an attempt to fill these gaps, this article uses statistical techniques to test the hypothesis that China deliberately invests in African countries with poor environmental performance for reasons related to recipient need or donor interest. Drawing upon project-level data regarding investments made by China in Africa from 2002 to 2012, the analysis suggests that Chinese development assistance grows commensurate with a country’s environmental performance, but only to a point. After a state achieves a certain level of environmental quality, Chinese investments decline.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"111 - 141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496518825282","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48602442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-15DOI: 10.1177/1070496518821152
S. Geroe
This article considers design features of a low-cost, high-impact carbon tax in terms of emissions reductions, drawing on international implementation experience. Costs can be reduced by offsetting carbon taxes with reductions in other taxes, using carbon tax revenue to compensate stakeholders, and incremental implementation. Impacts can be augmented by investing revenue in emissions reduction activity and complementary tax incentives for low-emissions technologies. Jurisdictions that have implemented such carbon taxes have continued to experience strong economic growth. While revenue and distributionally neutral carbon taxes that do not increase the overall tax take or change the distribution of wealth have been effectively introduced in many jurisdictions, this has not been the only approach. The more fundamental conclusion is that carbon taxes are being designed to maximize political acceptability and minimize economic disruption in their implementation context. This evidence of convergence toward low-cost, high-impact carbon tax design elements is establishing a viable pathway for international cooperation on carbon pricing at levels adequate to address climate change. Conversely, recent French experience indicates that carbon tax increases not based on substantial revenue and distributional neutrality may not be viable.
{"title":"Addressing Climate Change Through a Low-Cost, High-Impact Carbon Tax","authors":"S. Geroe","doi":"10.1177/1070496518821152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496518821152","url":null,"abstract":"This article considers design features of a low-cost, high-impact carbon tax in terms of emissions reductions, drawing on international implementation experience. Costs can be reduced by offsetting carbon taxes with reductions in other taxes, using carbon tax revenue to compensate stakeholders, and incremental implementation. Impacts can be augmented by investing revenue in emissions reduction activity and complementary tax incentives for low-emissions technologies. Jurisdictions that have implemented such carbon taxes have continued to experience strong economic growth. While revenue and distributionally neutral carbon taxes that do not increase the overall tax take or change the distribution of wealth have been effectively introduced in many jurisdictions, this has not been the only approach. The more fundamental conclusion is that carbon taxes are being designed to maximize political acceptability and minimize economic disruption in their implementation context. This evidence of convergence toward low-cost, high-impact carbon tax design elements is establishing a viable pathway for international cooperation on carbon pricing at levels adequate to address climate change. Conversely, recent French experience indicates that carbon tax increases not based on substantial revenue and distributional neutrality may not be viable.","PeriodicalId":47090,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environment & Development","volume":"28 1","pages":"27 - 3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2019-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1070496518821152","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47907191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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