About the Author
Robert N. Stavins is the Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, Director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program, and Chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Group.
Tag Archives: European Union
While International Climate Negotiations Continue, the World’s Ninth Largest Economy Takes an Important Step Forward
A little more than two weeks ago, while some 195 nations prepared to meet in Doha, Qatar, for the Eighteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-18) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in an ongoing effort to … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Economic Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Brazil, California, cap-and-trade, COP-18, cost-effectiveness, Doha, European Union, externalities, global climate policy, India, market-based environmental policies, Qatar
4 Comments
Two Notable Events Prompt Examination of an Important Property of Cap-and-Trade
In December of 2010, a group of economists and legal scholars gathered at the University of Chicago to celebrate two notable events. One was the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Ronald Coase’s “The Problem of Social Cost” (Coase 1960). … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Economic Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Arrow and Debreu, cap-and-trade, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Coase Theorem, cost-effectiveness, distributional analysis, distributional equity, efficiency, environmental politics, EU ETS, European Union, global climate policy, Independence Property, Journal of Law and Economics, Kyoto Protocol, market-based environmental policies, Montreal Protocol, Regional Clean Air Incentives Market, regulation, Robert Hahn, Ronald Coase, sulfur dioxide, University of Chicago, Waxman-Markey legislation
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Can Market Forces Really be Employed to Address Climate Change?
Debate continues in the United States, Europe, and throughout the world about whether the forces of the marketplace can be harnessed in the interest of environmental protection, in particular, to address the threat of global climate change. In an essay … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Economic Policy, Economic Stimulus Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged California, cap-and-trade, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, externalities, global climate policy, market failure, market-based environmental policies, Obama Administration, regulation
20 Comments
Low Prices a Problem? Making Sense of Misleading Talk about Cap-and-Trade in Europe and the USA
Some press accounts and various advocates have labeled the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as near “the brink of failure” because of the recent trend of very low auction prices. Likewise, commentators have recently characterized the European Union Emission Trading … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Economic Policy, Economic Stimulus Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged cap-and-trade, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, environmental politics, EU ETS, European Union, global climate policy, green jobs, RGGI
14 Comments
Economics of the Environment
The Sixth Edition of Economics of the Environment: Selected Readings has just been published by W. W. Norton & Company of New York and London. Through five previous editions, Economics of the Environment has served as a valuable supplement to … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Policy, Economic Stimulus Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Fisheries Policy, Forest Policy, Natural Resource Economics, Natural Resource Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy, Water Policy
Tagged Australia, benefit-cost analysis, Brazil, California, cap-and-trade, China, common property resources, cost-effectiveness, distributional analysis, distributional equity, economic valuation, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, externalities, free rider problem, global climate policy, import allowance requirement, India, information problems, Japan, Korea, Kyoto Protocol, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, market failure, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, Obama Administration, Office of Management and Budget, public goods, regulation, revenue-neutral taxes, sulfur dioxide
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Assessing the Climate Talks — Did Durban Succeed?
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP-17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adjourned on Sunday, a day and a half after its scheduled close, and in the process once again pulled a rabbit out of … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, Brazil, China, common property resources, COP-17, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, Durban, environmental politics, European Union, global climate policy, India, Japan, Korea, Kyoto Protocol, Mexico, New Zealand, Obama Administration, South Africa
14 Comments
Can the Durban Climate Negotiations Succeed?
Two weeks of international climate negotiations begin today in Durban, South Africa. These are the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP-17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The key challenge at this point is to maintain … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Annex I, Australia, Bali, baseball, Cancun, cap-and-trade, COP-15, COP-16, COP-17, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, Durban, environmental politics, European Union, g-20, global climate policy, India, Japan, Korea, Kyoto Protocol, law, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, Major Economies Forum, market-based environmental policies, New Zealand, Obama Administration, Poznan, regulation, South Africa, UNFCCC, United Nations
12 Comments
The Promise and Problems of Pricing Carbon
Friday, October 21st was a significant day for climate change policy worldwide and for the use of market-based approaches to environmental protection, but it went largely unnoticed across the country and around the world, outside, that is, of the State … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Economic Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Politics, Positive Political Economy
Tagged AB 32, Alberta, Australia, British Columbia, California, California Air Resources Board, cap-and-trade, carbon taxes, Clean Development, Clean Development Mechanism, Clean Energy Standards, collateral damage, common property resources, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, efficiency, emission reduction credits, environmental politics, EU ETS, European Union, externalities, fossil fuel subsidies, free rider problem, global climate policy, harmonized carbon taxes, Harvard Kennedy School, international carbon tax, international tradable permits, Japan, Joseph Aldy, Journal of Environment and Development, Kyoto Protocol, leaded gasoline, linkage, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, Maria Damon, market failure, market-based environmental policies, New York Review of Books, New Zealand, North American Climate Initiative, Obama Administration, offsets, Ontario, political polarization, public goods, Quebec, regulation, Resources for the Future, revenue-neutral taxes, sulfur dioxide, tarnishing of cap-and-trade, Thomas Sterner, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Waxman-Markey legislation, William Nordhaus
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Canada’s Step Away From the Kyoto Protocol Can Be a Constructive Step Forward
Canada confirmed this week that it will not take on a target under an extension of the Kyoto Protocol following the completion of the first commitment period, 2008-2012. Given that Canada is likely to miss by a wide margin its … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Annex I, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cancun, China, COP-15, COP-16, COP-17, Copenhagen Accord, distributional equity, Durban, environmental politics, European Union, free rider problem, global climate policy, India, Japan, Korea, Kyoto Protocol, Mexico, New Zealand, Obama Administration, Russia, South Africa
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A Wave of the Future: International Linkage of National Climate Change Policies
The latest rage in Washington policy discussions these days (that’s relevant to climate change) is renewed interest in renewable electricity standards, this time in the form of so-called “clean energy standards.” I’ve written about this policy approach recently at this … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, California, cap-and-trade, China, Clean Development Mechanism, Clean Energy Standards, COP-15, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, environmental politics, EPRI, European Union, global climate policy, IETA, India, Japan, Korea, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, market-based environmental policies, New Zealand, Obama Administration, regulation, renewable electricity standard, Renewable Portfolio Standard, revenue-neutral taxes, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Waxman-Markey legislation
4 Comments
Why Cancun Trumped Copenhagen
As we begin the year 2011, a look back at 2010 confirms that the greatest environmental achievement of the past year was the success that was achieved at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-16) of the United Nations Framework … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Brazil, Cancun Agreements, China, Christiana Figueres, COP-15, Copenhagen Accord, environmental politics, European Union, G20, global climate policy, Green Climate Fund, India, Korea, Major Economies Forum, Mexico, Patricia Espinosa, South Africa, United Nations, United States, World Bank
3 Comments
What Happened (and Why): An Assessment of the Cancun Agreements
The international climate negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, have concluded, and despite the gloom-and-doom predictions that dominated the weeks and months leading up to Cancun, the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-16) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Forest Policy, Natural Resource Policy
Tagged ALBA States, Australia, AWG-KP, AWG-LCA, Bolivia, Brazil, Cancun, CDM, China, Christiana Figueres, Climate Technology Center and Network, COP-15, COP-16, COP-17, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, Council on Foreign Relations, Cuba, D, Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen, distributional equity, Durban, environmental politics, European Union, free rider problem, G20, global climate policy, Green Climate Fund, India, Japan, Korea, Major Economies Forum, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, Michael Levi, Nicaragua, Obama Administration, Patricia Espinosa, Pew Center on Global Climate Change, REDD+, South Africa, Sudan, Turkey, Venezuela
20 Comments
Defining Success for Climate Negotiations in Cancun
International climate negotiations will continue in Cancun, Mexico, during the first two weeks of December, 2010. These will be the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-16) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The key challenge is … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, Brazil, Cancun, China, COP-15, COP-16, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, free rider problem, George W. Bush, global climate policy, India, Japan, Korea, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, Major Economies Forum, market failure, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, New Zealand, Obama Administration, South Africa, Waxman-Markey legislation
7 Comments
Who Killed Cap-and-Trade?
In a recent article in the New York Times, John Broder asks “Why did cap-and-trade die?” and responds that “it was done in by the weak economy, the Wall Street meltdown, determined industry opposition and its own complexity.” Mr. Broder’s … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy, Water Policy
Tagged Australia, CAFE standards, cap-and-trade, Clean Water Act, CLEAR Act, Climategate, cost-effectiveness, Cuyahoga River, endangerment finding, environmental politics, European Union, Gallup Organization, global climate policy, IPCC, Japan, Kerry-Graham-Lieberman, Love Canal, market-based environmental policies, Massachusetts v EPA, New York Times, New Zealand, Obama Administration, Pew Research Center, political economy, regulation, revenue-neutral taxes, Senator Cantwell, Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Susan Collins, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Waxman-Markey legislation
22 Comments
Another Copenhagen Outcome: Serious Questions About the Best Institutional Path Forward
Whether you like it or not, for the time being the most important product of the December meeting in Copenhagen of the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, Brazil, China, COP-15, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Accord, distributional equity, environmental politics, European Union, free rider problem, g-20, g-77, global climate policy, India, institutions, Japan, Korea, Major Economies Forum, Mexico, Obama Administration, South Africa, UNFCCC
9 Comments
What Hath Copenhagen Wrought? A Preliminary Assessment of the Copenhagen Accord
After years of preparation, the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commenced on December 7th, 2009, and adjourned some two weeks later on December 19th after a raucous all-night session. … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Forest Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Annex I, Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brazilian President da Silva, cap-and-trade, China, common but differentiated responsibilities, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Accord, cost-effectiveness, Cuba, distributional equity, environmental politics, European Union, finance, forestry, free rider problem, global climate policy, import allowance requirement, India, Indian Prime Minister Singh, Japan, Korea, Major Economies Forum, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, Nicaragua, Obama Administration, Portfolio Approach, Premier Wen Jiabo, South Africa, South African President Zuma, Sudan, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, UNFCCC, Venezuela, Waxman-Markey legislation
36 Comments
Chaos and Uncertainty in Copenhagen?
Earlier today, I was asked by the Financial Times, “who is responsible for the chaos and uncertainty” at COP-15 in Copenhagen? I’m not sure those are the words I would have chosen to characterize the situation at the climate negotiations … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, Bella Center, Brazil, Civil Society, common property resources, Copenhagen, cost-effectiveness, Denmark, distributional equity, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, Financial Times, free rider problem, global climate policy, India, Japan, market failure, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, New Zealand, Obama Administration, public goods, South Africa, United Nations
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Only Private Sector Can Meet Finance Demands of Developing Countries
Things are getting hot here in Copenhagen. It’s not the weather outside, but the debate taking place inside the Bella Center, home of the 15th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This afternoon, the … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Brazil, cap-and-trade, carbon finance, China, Copenhagen, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, global climate policy, India, Korea, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, Obama Administration, South Africa
1 Comment
Defining Success for Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen
The fact that President Obama has decided to attend the United Nations climate change negotiations in Copenhagen at the end of the two-week meetings on December 18th, rather than during the previous week on his way to Oslo to receive … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged Australia, Boston Globe, Brazil, cap-and-trade, capital stock, China, Copenhagen, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, endogeneity, environmental politics, European Union, Financial Times, global climate policy, India, institutions, Korea, Kyoto Protocol, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, Nobel Peace Prize, Obama Administration, path dependence, portfolio of domestic commitments, South Africa, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Waxman-Markey legislation
11 Comments
Approaching Copenhagen with a Portfolio of Domestic Commitments
As we approach the beginning of the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen in December, international negotiations are focused on developing a climate policy framework for the post-2012 period, … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Positive Political Economy
Tagged and verification (MRV), Annex I, Australia, Bali Action Plan, cap-and-trade, China, climate accession deals, common but differentiated responsibilities, Copenhagen, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, environmental politics, Europe, European Union, executive agreement, G8(+5), global climate policy, Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements, India, Japan, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, Major Economies Forum, market-based environmental policies, measurement, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), Obama Administration, regulation, reporting, revenue-neutral taxes, treaty law, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, UNFCCC, Waxman-Markey legislation
9 Comments
Cap-and-Trade versus the Alternatives for U.S. Climate Policy
Let’s credit Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for raising questions in the National Journal about the viability of cap-and-trade versus other approaches for the United States to employ in addressing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions linked with global climate change. Senator … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy
Tagged Australia, CAFE standards, Canada, cap-and-trade, carbon tax, cost-effectiveness, distributional analysis, distributional equity, efficiency, endangerment finding, environmental politics, European Union, global climate policy, Hamilton Project, Japan, leaded gasoline, market-based environmental policies, National Journal, New Source Review, New Zealand, Obama Administration, ozone depleting substances, RECLAIM program, regulation, sulfur dioxide, Supreme Court, technology innovation, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, vintage differentiated regulation, Waxman-Markey legislation
20 Comments
Can Countries Cut Carbon Emissions Without Hurting Economic Growth?
In the September 21st issue of the Wall Street Journal, the editors pose the following question: can countries cut carbon emissions without hurting economic growth? In his introductory essay, Michael Totty frames the issues as follows: “There’s little doubt: Cutting … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy
Tagged American Enterprise Institute, Australia, benefit-cost analysis, Brazil, cap-and-trade, carbon leakage, China, COP-15, Copenhagen, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, economic growth, environmental politics, European Union, global climate policy, India, Indonesia, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, Major Economies Forum, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, National Commission on Energy Policy, Obama Administration, revenue-neutral taxes, South Africa, South Korea, U.S. Climate Action Partnership, U.S. Congressional Budget Office, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. House of Representatives, UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Wall Street Journal, Waxman-Markey legislation
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Three Pillars of a New Climate Pact
THE climate change summit at the United Nations on Tuesday, September 22nd, is aimed to build momentum for the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December, where nations will continue … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy
Tagged Australia, Canada, cap-and-trade, carbon leakage, China, climate agreements, COP-15, cost-effectiveness, distributional equity, European Union, externalities, free rider problem, G20, global climate policy, growth targets, international climate policy architecture, Japan, Kyoto Protocol, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, market-based environmental policies, New Zealand, Obama Administration, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, United Nations, Waxman-Markey legislation
6 Comments
Worried About International Competitiveness? Another Look at the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Proposal
The potential impacts of proposed U.S. climate policies on the competitiveness of U.S. industries is a major political issue, and it was one of the key issues in the Energy and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives in the … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change Policy, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy
Tagged aluminum, Australia, Brazil, cap-and-trade, cement, China, comparative advantage, developing countries, efficiency, environmental politics, European Union, fossil fuels, free rider problem, glass, global climate policy, Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements, import allowance requirement, India, Indonesia, international climate agreement, international copetitiveness, International Reserve Allowance Program, iron, Japan, leakage, Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008, linkage of cap-and-trade systems, market-based environmental policies, Mexico, New Zealand, Obama Administration, output-based updating allocation, paper, revenue-neutral taxes, South Africa, steel, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Waxman-Markey legislation, World Trade Organization (WTO)
16 Comments