Does the EU ETS cause carbon leakage in European manufacturing?

Carbon leakage is of interest in both academic and policy debates about the effectiveness of unilateral climate policy, especially in Europe, where the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) affects many traded sectors. We review how the literature identifies leakage and the pollution haven effect. We then evaluate whether EU ETS emission costs caused carbon leakage in European manufacturing, using trade flows in embodied carbon and value from the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). We find no evidence that the EU ETS caused carbon leakage.     

Pollution Haven and Corruption Paradise

In this paper, we present a simple theoretical extension from the Economic Geography literature to characterize the main features of pollution havens (lax environmental regulation, good market access to high-income countries and corruption opportunities). Using structural and reduced-form estimations, we find that pollution havens are not a “popular myth” for European firms, laxer environmental standards significantly explain the location choice of polluting affiliates. We analyze in depth the role of trade costs (using various bilateral and multilateral measures), a 1% increase in access to the European market from a pollution haven fosters relocation there by 0.1%. We also find that corruption lowers environmental standards, which strongly attract polluting firms: a 1% increase of corruption fuels relocation by 0.28%. We test the economic significance of these empirical findings via simulations. The protection of the European market (e.g., a carbon tax on imports) to stop relocations to pollution havens must be high (a decrease of the European market for Morocco and Tunisia equivalent to 13%) not to say prohibitive (31% for China).     

Emissions trading of global and local pollutants, pollution havens and free riding

In the presence of local (sulfur) and global (carbon) pollutants, we examine the pollution haven hypothesis and free riding behavior. Under domestic emissions trading, poorer Southern countries become pollution havens when free trade opens up whenever sulfur damage functions are linear or when sulfur levels in equilibrium are not higher in the South. With global trading of carbon permits, the pollution haven effect emerges in equilibrium whenever the convex sulfur damage functions are nonlinear. Countries that do not participate in a Global Protocol designed to reduce carbon emissions enjoy double benefits, stemming from free riding and cleaner local environments.     

Trade and Transboundary Pollution: Spatial Separation Reconsidered

Copeland and Taylor (1999, J. Int. Econ.47, 137–168) show that trade allows the spatial separation of two incompatible industries. Concentrating the polluting industry in one country eliminates its degenerative effects in the other. This paper extends the analysis by allowing for transboundary pollution. Thus specialization has indirect repercussions on the level of pollution in the other country. We show (i) how cross-national differences in exposure to pollution emissions can generate comparative advantage and (ii) under what condition the resulting trading pattern combined with transboundary pollution can increase pollution exposure with negative effects on productivity and welfare in both countries.     

Intra-industry trade in intermediate products, pollution and internationally increasing returns

This paper examines the relationship between intra-industry trade in intermediate products, pollution and increasing returns. We develop a two-country model in which production occurs in two stages, final and intermediate good production. Intermediate goods are produced under monopolistic competition and final good production exhibits increasing returns with respect to the number of varieties of intermediates. Pollution occurs in the production of the final good when polluting intermediates are used. We analyze the effects of international trade in intermediate products on pollution, output and welfare under an endogenous tax scenario and with two types of pollution functions. The results show that, because of increasing returns, international trade either leads to lower total pollution in each country or lower pollution per unit of output in at least one country. In addition, intra-industry trade causes countries to import the environmental quality of their trading partners.     

Intra-industry trade in intermediate products,pollution and internationally increasing returns

This paper examines the relationship between intra-industry trade in intermediate products, pollution and increasing returns. We develop a two-country model in which production occurs in two stages, final and intermediate good production. Intermediate goods are produced under monopolistic competition and final good production exhibits increasing returns with respect to the number of varieties of intermediates. Pollution occurs in the production of the final good when polluting intermediates are used. We analyze the effects of international trade in intermediate products on pollution, output and welfare under an endogenous tax scenario and with two types of pollution functions. The results show that, because of increasing returns, international trade either leads to lower total pollution in each country or lower pollution per unit of output in at least one country. In addition, intra-industry trade causes countries to import the environmental quality of their trading partners.     

Environmental regulation as a double-edged sword for housing markets: Evidence from the NOx Budget Trading Program

We investigate the effects of environmental regulations on housing markets using a quasi-experimental setting—the NO_x Budget Trading Program (NBP). Hedonic theory predicts that house prices should rise as pollution levels decrease. However, environmental regulations may also affect labor markets, and thus housing demand. Employing a difference-in-differences framework, we find that house prices shifted up in the regulated areas with low manufacturing intensity, whereas in the areas with high manufacturing intensity, housing markets were weakened. We also find that in high-manufacturing-intensity areas, loan application volume declined, rejection rate augmented, and the probability of loan default increased.     

基于模式生物秀丽隐杆线虫的环境污染物生殖毒性研究进展

由于人类社会的发展,环境污染也越来越严重,研究环境污染物对生态及人类健康的影响极为重要。生殖系统是人和动物繁衍后代的重要系统,常见环境污染物对生殖系统的影响正引起研究人员的广泛关注。秀丽隐杆线虫具有身体透明、品系丰富和遗传背景清楚等优点,为生殖毒理学研究提供了一个便利的平台。以秀丽隐杆线虫为模型已对多种环境污染物的生殖毒性进行了评价。本文重点叙述了重金属、纳米材料、有机物等化学污染,辐射、磁场等物理污染,以及病毒等生物污染对秀丽线虫生殖系统的影响,并归纳讨论了环境污染物造成生殖功能障碍的几种主要机制,如氧化应激、DNA损伤、内质网应激以及神经损伤等,但不同类型污染物的毒性效应与其自身的物化性质紧密相关。环境污染物诱导的生殖毒性中不同响应机制之间的关联性、不同发育阶段的敏感性差异、污染物的传代效应以及有效的缓解方式的筛选等都有待进一步的开展。     

Do voluntary pollution reduction programs (VPRs) spur or deter environmental innovation? Evidence from 33/50

We study whether a government-sponsored voluntary pollution reduction program (VPR) promotes or deters the development of new environmental technologies that yield future emission reduction benefits. Using a panel of 127 U.S. manufacturing industries defined by 3-digit SIC classifications over the 1989–2004 period, we estimate impacts of industry-level participation in the 33/50 program, a VPR initiated by government regulators in 1991, on industry-level rates of environmental patenting. We find that higher rates of 33/50 program participation are associated with significant reductions in the number of successful environmental patent applications five to nine years after the program ended.     

Spillover effect of environmental investment: evidence from panel data at provincial level in China

This paper considers pollution density as a function of environmental investment. The higher environmental investment, the lower pollution density. The lower the pollution density is the higher production technology becomes. This is called the spillover effect. We collected China's panel data at the provincial level from 2005 to 2009, and tested the spillover effect of environmental investment. This paper finds that the environmental investment influenced production technology positively. There is a significant positive relation between government expenditure and spillover effect.     

Effect of audits on the extent of compliance with wastewater discharge limits

This study explores the effect of environmental self-audits (“audits”), which represent an important type of environmental management system practice, on the extent of facilities’ compliance with wastewater discharge limits. Theoretically, audits may (1) improve compliance by enhancing the effectiveness of treatment technologies and pollution prevention methods, (2) undermine compliance by distracting facilities’ personnel with audit-related administrative burdens, or (3) not influence compliance because these effects neutralize each other. By examining the extent of compliance, our study’s results reflect both improvement toward and beyond compliance. By assessing compliance with multiple pollutants separately, our study examines whether audits influence the control of different pollutants uniformly. Lastly, we employ a dynamic panel estimator, which allows us to explore whether facilities adjust their discharges dynamically, while controlling for any inertia in facilities’ pollution control systems. Our study empirically examines the U.S. chemical manufacturing sector between 1999 and 2001 using survey and publicly available EPA data.     

Trends of environmental accidents and impact factors in China

An overview of the spatial and temporal variations of the environmental accidents in China in recent years was presented in this paper using available data. The results showed that the frequency of pollution accidents was significantly decreased, from 3462 in 1990 to 462 in 2007. The water and air pollution accidents were found to be the dominant types, accounting for more than 80% of the total accidents. Considering the classification of environmental accidents at 4 scales, the general environmental accident, i.e., the least serious type, was the most frequent event, taking up 58.98% of the total pollution accidents. In addition, the distribution of environmental accidents was generally in accordance with the industrial layout in the country during the past decade. It is very important to note that the extraordinarily severe environmental accidents showed an increasing trend in underdeveloped regions, which was caused by the transfer and the development of heavy polluted industry in these areas. As to the losses of environmental accidents, the casualties presented an obvious reduction tendency, while the direct economic loss per accident tended to climb up. Furthermore, some key factors that affect the spatial and temporal tendencies of environmental accidents in China were discussed and some suggestions were put forward, hoping to shed light on environmental risk management and emergency plans making associated with environmental accidents in China.     

Development and application of some renovated technologies for municipal wastewater treatment in China

China has been experiencing fast economic development in recent decades at the cost of serious environmental deterioration. Wastewater discharge, especially municipal wastewater discharge, and non-point pollution sources are becoming the major water pollution source and research focus. Great efforts have been made on water pollution control and a number of renovated technologies and processes for municipal wastewater treatment and reclamation as well as non-point pollution control have been developed and applied in China. This paper discusses the development and application of the appropriate technologies, including natural treatment systems, anaerobic biological treatment, biofilm reactors and wastewater reclamation technologies, for water pollution control in the country.     

Histology of Sculpin spp. in east Greenland. I. Histological measures

There is inadequate morphological nomenclature and definition of organ pathology when using wild fish in biomonitoring of environmental pollution. The aim of this investigation was to provide a guide that assesses histology of Shorthorn (Myoxocephalus scorpius) and Fourhorn (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) sculpins obtained from a study using these two fish species as bioindicator organisms to evaluate environmental impact attributed to a dumpsite located in East Greenland. Specific histopathological lesions were quantified on the basis of Bernet et al. and all lesions were photomicrographed, evaluated, and placed into specific categories of five reaction patterns. These were circulatory disturbances, regressive changes, progressive alterations, inflammation, and tumors based on anatomical location, type, and severity. This method is postulated to enable an objective assessment of the histological integrity of fish gills and liver; thus, making it possible to compare sculpin pathology and reaction patterns at different locations. Data suggest that this updated histological guide might be used for identification and quantification of histological lesions when applying sculpins in biomonitoring programs in Greenland and other Arctic regions.     

Development of environmental policy,objectives, and targets

This paper describes a process to develop and establish an environmental policy and its associated environmental targets, objectives, and management programmes. The environmental policy is defined in a statement which addresses the company expectations for programmes that are important to assure adequate environmental protection and define its future commitment towards preventing pollution and continuously improving the effectiveness of its environmental protection programmes. A set of environmental objectives, derived from the policy, define the overall goals which will ensure that the company's environmental performance will remain consistent with the commitment identified in its policy when its environmental management system (EMS) is implemented, Environmental targets reflect the requirements and standards that the company must strive to achieve each objective and minimize any harmful environmental impacts from its production and manufacturing processes or other activities. In addition to defining specific targets, environmental management programmes are also used to guide EMS implementation. These programmes, however, must provide the company with the necessary flexibility to select the most appropriate technologies to enhance its own processes and prudently allocate its available financial resources in areas that return the greatest overall environmental benefit.Though they are expected to allow some discretion in the allocation of resources targeted towards environmental protection, EMS programmes must also provide assurance that the corporation environmental policy, objectives, targets, and management programmes do not result in a facility failure to adhere to all of its certification requirements. The principle and factors described in this article should be considered to the extent that they are necessary and practical.     

North–south trade in reusable goods: Green design meets illegal shipments of waste

In a stylized model of international trade, firms in the North indirectly export second-hand products to a representative firm in the South to be reused as intermediate goods, with potential trade gains. The level of reusability of waste products – or green design – is a crucial choice variable in the North. This is because, in the presence of imperfect international monitoring, non-reusable waste can be illegally mixed with reusable waste. I explore the driving forces for illegal waste movement, with a particular focus on local waste regulations such as the EU׳s Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Under mild conditions, it is shown that increasingly stringent regulations in the North can induce Northern firms to reduce product reusability. Consequently, the flow of non-reusable waste to the South increases, magnifying the pollution haven effect.     

超滤技术在环境工程中的应用现状

本文对国内外超滤技术在环境工程中的应用，主要是废水处理中的应用现状进行了综述。涉及的废水包括纺织工业，机械制造工业，石油化工工业，食品加工工业及其它工业污水，也包括部分生活污水，在这些污水治理过程中，不仅可消除或减轻污水对环境的污染，同时也可以回收有价值的物质，使水部分或全部回用。     

Evaluation of the use of bioaccumulation and biological effects tools in caged mussels,within the European Water Framework Directive

Bioaccumulation and biological effects of pollution were assessed in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) caged for one month at three sites in the Oiartzun estuary (south-eastern Bay of Biscay, Spain) with the aim of evaluating their usefulness within the investigative monitoring defined in the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). The highest concentrations of organic contaminants determined in mussels' tissue were detected towards the inner part of the estuary but no gradient pattern was found for metal bioaccumulation. Population fitness responses measured as condition index, stress on stress and gonad index were similar in all caged mussels and did not follow the organic pollution gradient. However, biomarkers determined at tissue, cell and protein level (histopathology, micronuclei frequency, malondialdehyde levels and vitellogenin-like protein levels) revealed a higher stress syndrome at the inner part of the estuary showing signs of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and endocrine disruption. Overall, the integrated chemical–biological approach in connection with mussel caging technique proved to be a useful tool to assess environmental pollution, allowing a better understanding of the cause–effect relationship within the investigative monitoring defined in the WFD.     

Distribution of Pb,Cr, Cu and Zn in the marine-coastal region of Zanzibar (Tanzanian archipelago,East Africa)

In Tanzania, a large amount of domestic and industrial wastes are daily released to the aquatic environment without prior treatment. The present paper establishes the status of distribution and environmental implications of heavy metals in water, sediment, suspended particulate matter and biota (Anadara antiquata) from two marine coasts in Zanzibar, Tanzania. These metals are derived from the industrial areas through rivers and storm water outflows. Heavy metal concentrations in the collected samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Concentrations were significantly higher in the Malindi compared to the Fumba coast (ANOVA, p?=?.001). Calculation of metal partition coefficients shows that the relative importance of the particulate and the water phases varies in response to water parameters and suspended solid content, but that most elements achieve a conditional equilibrium in these coasts. Higher metal concentrations found in Malindi suggest a pollution effect related to anthropogenic activities. Mean metal burdens in the tissues of A. antiquata from both Malindi and Fumba coasts were significantly higher than in other compartments analysed (ANOVA, p?<.05). Maximum values of contamination factor and contamination degree for metals were noticed for sediments from both Malindi and Fumba coasts. It is imperative to understand that metal concentrations of coastal environments depend not only on industrial and household waste inputs but also on the geochemical composition of the area.     

恩诺沙星与Cu复合污染对白菜和西红柿根及芽伸长的抑制作用

抗生素恩诺沙星和重金属Cu是当今我国土壤中较常见的污染物。本研究考察了恩诺沙星与Cu复合污染对砖红壤中白菜和西红柿种子的根及芽伸长的影响,以评估恩诺沙星和Cu复合污染潜在的生态风险。结果表明,加入不同浓度的Cu时,土壤中的恩诺沙星浓度与2种作物的根伸长和芽伸长的抑制率均显著相关(P0.05);白菜的敏感性均大于西红柿;白菜和西红柿的根伸长对复合污染的生态毒性的敏感性均较芽伸长更高;与单一恩诺沙星胁迫相比,在恩诺沙星与Cu(100 mg·kg~(-1))或Cu(300 mg·kg~(-1))复合污染下,二者对白菜和西红柿的根及芽伸长抑制效应均表现为协同作用。试验结果在揭示恩诺沙星与Cu复合污染的生态毒性效应的同时,也为重金属和抗生素复合污染的生态风险评价提供科学依据。