Christoph Böhringer - Böcker

Global warming is widely considered to be one of the most serious environmental problems for current and future generations. Moreover, the apparent failure of the Kyoto Protocol to effect a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has increased the importance of economic research into new ways to control global warming. In this exhaustive study, the authors break new ground by integrating cutting edge insights on global warming from three different perspectives: game theory, cost-effectiveness analysis and public choice. For each perspective the authors provide an overview of important results, discuss the theoretical consistency of the models and assumptions, highlight the practical problems which are not yet captured by theory and explore the different applications to the various problems encountered in global warming. They demonstrate how each perspective has its own merits and weaknesses, and advocate an integrated approach as the best way forward. They also propose a research agenda for the future which encompasses the three methods to create a powerful tool for the analysis and resolution of global pollution problems. Surveying a large amount of literature and providing plentiful examples of potential applications, this extensive book combines three branches of economic research on global warming into one accessible volume. It will be widely read by students and scholars in environmental courses, environmental and resource economists, and those working in governmental and non-governmental organisations concerned with international environmental problems.

The papers presented in this volume address a wide range of policy themes in the context of environmental regulation. Investigated issues include the interaction between environmental regulation and economic growth, international competitiveness, structural change, pollution leakage, technological innovation, tax systems, as well as implications for intergenerational and intragenerational burden sharing. The contributors mostly employ econometric approaches or computable general equilibrium analysis. Professionals and academics working in the field of environmental policy analysis will consider this book as a valuable source of information.

This book contains a synthesis of the results of the project "Climate Change Policy and Global Trade" financed by the European Commission under the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development programme within the Fifth Framework Programme (Contract N EVK2-CT-2000-00093). The project aimed at providing quantitative insights into the impacts of two important international policy initiatives: (i) multilateral agreements on climate protection strategies, and (ii) trade agreements towards global trade liberalisation. Research in this project involved several institutions: Zentrum fur Europaische Wirtschaftsforschung, Mannheim (ZEW - Centre for European Economic Research, coordinator), ICCS of National Technical University of Athens (ICCSINTUA), Tinbergen Institute, Erasmus University Rotterdam (TI), Middlesex University Business School, London (MUBS), University of Rostock (UROS), and Metroeconomica Limited, Bath (MET). Nikolaos Christoforides (European Commission, DG Research) supervised the project and provided valuable input. We would like to thank him as well as Pierre Valette (DG Research) and Katri Kosonen (DG Taxation) for their helpful comments.The views expressed in this volume are those of the authors and do neither reflect the opinion ofthe Conunission nor ofits officials. Weare obliged to Frauke Eckermann for diligent and dedicative management assistance throughout the project. Furthermore, we would like to thank Andreas Pfeiff, Elisabeth Baier, Patrick Jochem, and Christoph Skupnik for assistance in putting together this book.

European environmental and energy policies are currently challenged by two mutually dependent issues: CO2 abatement and the completion of the Internal Market for energy. Both will lead to substantial structural changes in the energy supply industry and in the wider economy. The purpose of this book is to analyze the interaction between CO2 abatement, economic structural change and the completion of the European Internal Market. This involves not only significant general equilibrium effects, but also technological changes, especially in the electricity supply sector. The simulation results indicate that the effects of measures to reduce European CO2 emissions depend considerably on the structure of the electricity supply system.