Optimal Institutional Arrangements for Transboundary Pollutants in a Second-Best World: Evidence from a Differential Game with Asymmetric Players

This paper uses a dynamic model with asymmetric players to explore the question: In a second-best world, should environmental regulations for transboundary pollutants be carried out locally or centrally? We find that combined payoffs are larger with decentralized control if payoffs are sufficiently heterogeneous and initial pollution stocks are sufficiently small. This result is obtained because the central authority applies one shadow price to pollution (i.e., it uses uniform standards), whereas local authorities use different shadow prices, and therefore different standards.     

浏阳河长沙段污染控制分解协调

本文采用非线性分解协调方法,建立了具有区域环境管理机构一污水集中处理厂一污染源三级结构的水污染控制决策模型,将排污费、限期治理方案与规划方案、规划目标紧密结合,从而为当地的环境管理提供了科学依据.     

Intertemporal environmental management with a storable pollutant

A model is developed which allows decisions on generation and emission of an environmental pollutant to be separated in time. After deducing and discussing the necessary conditions for the socially optimal time pattern of generation and emission the possibility of using pollution taxation to motivate this optimal solution is investigated. The principle finding is that there exists no time pattern of fixed per-unit pollution taxes that will result in optimality. In particular, this demonstrates the failure of that pattern of fixed per-unit taxes which reflects the optimal marginal social cost of emission at each point in time.     

Voluntary corporate environmental initiatives and shareholder wealth

Researchers debate whether environmental investments reduce firm value or actually improve financial performance. We provide some compelling evidence on shareholder wealth effects of membership in voluntary environmental programs (VEPs). Companies announcing membership in EPA's Climate Leaders, a program targeting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, experience significantly negative abnormal stock returns. The price decline is larger in firms with poor corporate governance structures, and for high market-to-book (i.e., high growth) firms. However, firms joining Ceres, a program involving more general environmental commitments, have insignificant announcement returns, as do portfolios of industry rivals. Overall, corporate commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions appear to conflict with firm value maximization. This has important implications for policies that rely on voluntary initiatives to address climate change. Further, we find that firms facing climate-related shareholder resolutions or firms with weak corporate governance standards – giving managers the discretion to make such voluntary environmentally responsible investment decisions – are more likely to join Climate Leaders; decisions that may result in lower firm value.     

The role of primary and secondary air pollutants in atmospheric pollution: Athens urban area as a case study

The question to what extent primary and secondary air pollutants are relevant to atmospheric pollution and their effects on human health and the quality of the environment can be answered in a straight-forward manner: atmospheric processes, including oxidation procedures, particle formation and equilibria, determine the fate of primary emissions and, in most cases, the secondary products of these processes are the more important ones concerning their effects on human health and the quality of the environment. The formation of secondary products represents the critical property determining the establishment of certain air standards, rather than the actually emitted substance, although there are notable exceptions. In this paper, a review concerning transformation of primary pollutants as studied in the atmosphere of Athens is used to enlighten matters that may need further attention by the responsible authorities and stakeholders for the control and reduction of atmospheric pollution.     

Voluntary corporate environmental initiatives and shareholder wealth

Researchers debate whether environmental investments reduce firm value or actually improve financial performance. We provide some compelling evidence on shareholder wealth effects of membership in voluntary environmental programs (VEPs). Companies announcing membership in EPA's Climate Leaders, a program targeting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, experience significantly negative abnormal stock returns. The price decline is larger in firms with poor corporate governance structures, and for high market-to-book (i.e., high growth) firms. However, firms joining Ceres, a program involving more general environmental commitments, have insignificant announcement returns, as do portfolios of industry rivals. Overall, corporate commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions appear to conflict with firm value maximization. This has important implications for policies that rely on voluntary initiatives to address climate change. Further, we find that firms facing climate-related shareholder resolutions or firms with weak corporate governance standards – giving managers the discretion to make such voluntary environmentally responsible investment decisions – are more likely to join Climate Leaders; decisions that may result in lower firm value.     

Balancing Emotion and Cognition: a Case for Decision Aiding in Conservation Efforts

Abstract: Despite advances in the quality of participatory decision making for conservation, many current efforts still suffer from an inability to bridge the gap between science and policy. Judgment and decision‐making research suggests this gap may result from a person's reliance on affect‐based shortcuts in complex decision contexts. I examined the results from 3 experiments that demonstrate how affect (i.e., the instantaneous reaction one has to a stimulus) influences individual judgments in these contexts and identified techniques from the decision‐aiding literature that help encourage a balance between affect‐based emotion and cognition in complex decision processes. In the first study, subjects displayed a lack of focus on their stated conservation objectives and made decisions that reflected their initial affective impressions. Value‐focused approaches may help individuals incorporate all the decision‐relevant objectives by making the technical and value‐based objectives more salient. In the second study, subjects displayed a lack of focus on statistical risk and again made affect‐based decisions. Trade‐off techniques may help individuals incorporate relevant technical data, even when it conflicts with their initial affective impressions or other value‐based objectives. In the third study, subjects displayed a lack of trust in decision‐making authorities when the decision involved a negatively affect‐rich outcome (i.e., a loss). Identifying shared salient values and increasing procedural fairness may help build social trust in both decision‐making authorities and the decision process.     

试论我国工业污染防治的政策取向

为解决工业污染问题,我国早有“把污染消除在生产过程之中”的提法,在有关法规中也已有明文,但是防止污染的思想并没有成为有组织的社会行动,污染处理(控制)的管理思想仍然占据着环境管理的主导地位.由此而引发的把末端处理处置作为追求目标的控制污染的社会行为不能不引起忧虑.本文从对我国现行污染控制政策评述出发,剖析了环境管理实践中现行污染控制政策遇到的障碍,提出了我国工业污染防治政策的调整方向和行动计划的建议.     

Bewertung von Umweltwirkungen gentechnisch veränderter Organismen (GVO)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can have effects on the environment in a variety of ways. The Genetic Engineering Act (Gen TG) stipulates that, before a GMO may be used, its characteristics have to be assessed and its behaviour in the environment has to be estimated and evaluated. The Federal Environmental Agency is the first and hitherto only authority involved in the implementation of the Genetic Engineering Act to have presented a risk assessment concept, in order to ensure that consent decisions taken in the enforcement of the Act are comprehensible and comparable. This concept is presented, as are proposals for the envisaged revision which results from changes in the legal framework, notably the adoption of the Biosafety Protocol, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the new EU Deliberate Release Directive 2001/18/EC. In addition, the contribution discusses the role of the precautionary principle and possible implications for decision-making by the authorities. The precautionary principle demands that environmental risks and damage should be avoided as far as possible, or prevented from arising at the outset. A particular challenge when refining assessment concepts is the integration of nature conservation principles. These have been given insufficient attention to date. The contribution presents the results of a workshop on this subject, which was jointly organised by the Federal Environmental Agency and the Federal Nature Conservation Agency. Those participating in the workshop identified aspects which go beyond the scope of the Genetic Engineering Act and are derivee from the specific objective of biotope and species protection. Furthermore, the contribution addresses the provisions of the new Deliberate Release Directive 2001/18/EC on environmental risk assessment (e.r.a.). The aim of e.r.a., on a case-by-case basis is, to identify and evaluate potential adverse effects of the GMO, either direct and indirect, immediate or delayed, on human health and the environment, which the deliberate release or the placement of GMOs on the market may have. There exists a link to the definition of goals for a sustainable agriculture which have to be considered when assessing the impact of GMOs.     

Economic and Social Dimensions of Environmental Behavior: Balancing Conservation and Development in Bhutan

Abstract: One of the primary approaches to environmental conservation emphasizes economic development. This conservation‐and‐development approach often ignores how development affects sociocultural characteristics that may motivate environmental behaviors (actions that actively benefit or limit one's negative impacts on the environment). Evolutionary anthropologists espouse a theoretical perspective that supports the conservation‐and‐development approach. Others believe sociocultural factors are the foundation of environmental behavior and worry that development will erode the values and norms that may shape such behavior. My research assistants and I surveyed 170 individuals from eight villages in two communities in Bhutan to explore whether economic (wealth, market integration) or social (religious behaviors, environmental values, social capital) factors are better indicators of environmental behavior. I used multilevel modeling to analyze use of fuelwood, use of agricultural chemicals, and tree planting, and to determine whether social norms were associated with these behaviors. Although economic factors were more often associated with these behaviors than social factors, local conditions and control variables were the best indicators of behaviors. Furthermore, economic factors were not always associated with positive environmental outcomes. Instead, farmers attempted to make the best economic decisions given their circumstances rather than seeking to conserve resources. Although religion was not a strong predictor of any of the behaviors I examined, I found evidence that the understanding of Buddhist philosophy is growing, which suggests that social factors may play a more prominent role as Bhutan's development progresses. My results highlight the need for conservation planners to be aware of local conditions when planning and implementing policies aimed at motivating environmental behaviors and that economic and social motivations for conservation may not be mutually exclusive.     

Environmentally Sensitive Productivity Analysis of the Canadian Pulp and Paper Industry, 1959-1994: An Input Distance Function Approach

This study employs a parametric input distance function that incorporates both desirable and undesirable outputs to provide a more complete representation of the production technology from which environmentally sensitive productivity and efficiency measures can be generated. This framework also generates pollution abatement cost estimates that are useful for policy making. An input-based Malmquist index of productivity growth that appropriately credits the producer not only for increases in marketable or desirable outputs but also for the production of improved environmental quality through pollution abatement activities is derived from the input distance function. The method was applied to time series data from the Canadian pulp and paper industry. Our shadow price estimates indicate that the marginal cost to producers of pollution control has been rising. The main conclusion of this study is that productivity improvement, from the social viewpoint, has been stronger than conventional measures would suggest.     

Public perception of environmental issues across socioeconomic characteristics: A survey study inWujin,China

In developing countries, there is controversy over the correct perception regarding environmental and developmental issues. Few studies have examined the perception of low-income nationals in regards to social and environmental issues. This paper looks at the relationship between socio-demographic factors and the groups’ perceived priority regarding environmental and social issues in Wujin County. The results indicated that most residents, specifically the young, government employed and the urban community consider environmental issues to be serious, especially in relation to air pollution and water pollution. Furthermore, many residents feel it is important to rank environmental problems that are related to other social and economic issues, and that environmental protection must be set as a priority in Wujin County. Compared to social issues, environmental concern was greater among the young, government employed, and the urban community, because of their higher education and affluence. In addition, 66.2% of residents consider environmental protection to be more important than economic development. Thus, environmental protection must be set as a high priority in Wujin County, in order to face the many social and environmental challenges inherent in development.     

建立南京、镇江、扬州三市大气污染联防联控机制探讨

随着城市规模的快速扩张,区域内城市连片开发和建设,受大气环流及大气化学的双重作用,城市之间大气污染物交叉流动、相互传输,使相邻几个城市的大气污染相互影响,区域性大气污染问题越来越严重.该文以南京、镇江、扬州三市为例,通过分析区域性大气污染问题及其成因,认为建立宁、镇、扬大气污染联防联控机制十分必要,对于改善区域大气环境质量,促进区域经济社会可持续发展有重要意义.     

兽药类环境内分泌干扰效应及评价研究进展

兽药在保障动物健康、提高畜禽产品质量尤其在畜牧业集约化发展等方面起着至关重要的作用,然而兽药和饲料添加剂的大量使用成为生态环境污染和人体健康损害的一个重要因素。研究表明许多抗生素类和激素类兽药是典型的环境内分泌干扰物,通过多种方式干扰生物体雄激素、雌激素、甲状腺激素等内分泌过程,产生内分泌干扰效应。本文介绍了典型兽药的污染现状及其内分泌干扰效应研究最新进展;以环境内分泌干扰物的最新研究方法为基础,较全面地评述了可用于兽药类内分泌干扰物的快速筛选、检测及评价方法,并对该领域未来研究提出了展望和建议,以期为环境和农业等管理部门制定兽药的使用、排放、管理政策提供科学依据。     

兽药类环境内分泌干扰效应及评价研究进展

兽药在保障动物健康、提高畜禽产品质量尤其在畜牧业集约化发展等方面起着至关重要的作用,然而兽药和饲料添加剂的大量使用成为生态环境污染和人体健康损害的一个重要因素。研究表明许多抗生素类和激素类兽药是典型的环境内分泌干扰物,通过多种方式干扰生物体雄激素、雌激素、甲状腺激素等内分泌过程,产生内分泌干扰效应。本文介绍了典型兽药的污染现状及其内分泌干扰效应研究最新进展;以环境内分泌干扰物的最新研究方法为基础,较全面地评述了可用于兽药类内分泌干扰物的快速筛选、检测及评价方法,并对该领域未来研究提出了展望和建议,以期为环境和农业等管理部门制定兽药的使用、排放、管理政策提供科学依据。     

A review on environmental distributions and risk management of phenols pertaining to the endocrine disrupting chemicals in Taiwan

Some phenols, including pentachlorophenol, dichlorophenol, alkylphenols (nonylphenol & octylphenol) and bisphenol-A, have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These phenolic EDCs are extensively used in a wide range of household products, thus posing potential health risks for humans exposed to them. From the viewpoints of ecotoxicology, human health and regulations, it is urgent to restrict the emissions and releases of these estrogenic chemicals from the industrial processes and commercial products. This review article first focused on the physicochemical properties of phenolic EDCs and their industrial/commercial uses. Furthermore, their environmental distributions and regulatory frameworks for integrated risk management of these chemicals in Taiwan were conducted as a case study. Emphasis was thus put on the cross-ministerial joint venture (i.e., environment, health, agriculture, labor, and industry authorities), and the government policy on the risk management of EDCs. Finally, some recommendations for pollution prevention and toxicity reduction of phenolic EDCs were also addressed and analyzed to progress towards a sustainable society in Taiwan.     

Environmental solutions sparked by environmental history

Environmental solutions require a decision-making process that is ultimately political, in that they involve decisions with uncertain outcomes and stakeholders with conflicting viewpoints. If this process seeks broad alignment between the government and public, then reconciling conflicting viewpoints is a key to the legitimacy of these decisions. We show that ecological baselines can be particularly powerful tools for creating a common understanding for public support (legitimacy) and conformity to new rules or regulations (legality) that enable the solution. They are powerful because they move the discussion of solutions from the abstract to the concrete by providing a conceptual model for a common expectation (e.g., restoring habitat). They provide narratives of the past (ecological histories) that readjust the future expectations of individuals on how to perceive and respond to new policy. While ecological baselines offer scientists benchmarks for reinstating ecological functions, they also normalize public and government discussion of solutions. This social normalization of public issues may assist government policy and influence social views, practices, and behaviors that adopt the policy. For science to more effectively inform conservation, we encourage interdisciplinary thinking (science- and human-centered) because it can provide public support and government legitimacy for investing in environmental solutions.     

Mapping social–ecological vulnerability to inform local decision making

An overarching challenge of natural resource management and biodiversity conservation is that relationships between people and nature are difficult to integrate into tools that can effectively guide decision making. Social–ecological vulnerability offers a valuable framework for identifying and understanding important social–ecological linkages, and the implications of dependencies and other feedback loops in the system. Unfortunately, its implementation at local scales has hitherto been limited due at least in part to the lack of operational tools for spatial representation of social–ecological vulnerability. We developed a method to map social–ecological vulnerability based on information on human–nature dependencies and ecosystem services at local scales. We applied our method to the small‐scale fishery of Moorea, French Polynesia, by combining spatially explicit indicators of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of both the resource (i.e., vulnerability of reef fish assemblages to fishing) and resource users (i.e., vulnerability of fishing households to the loss of fishing opportunity). Our results revealed that both social and ecological vulnerabilities varied considerably through space and highlighted areas where sources of vulnerability were high for both social and ecological subsystems (i.e., social–ecological vulnerability hotspots) and thus of high priority for management intervention. Our approach can be used to inform decisions about where biodiversity conservation strategies are likely to be more effective and how social impacts from policy decisions can be minimized. It provides a new perspective on human–nature linkages that can help guide sustainability management at local scales; delivers insights distinct from those provided by emphasis on a single vulnerability component (e.g., exposure); and demonstrates the feasibility and value of operationalizing the social–ecological vulnerability framework for policy, planning, and participatory management decisions.     

A relatively optimistic analysis of growth and pollution in a neoclassical framework

A series of neoclassical growth models, allowing for the fact that the production process results in pollution creation as well as useful output, is constructed and analyzed, placing particular emphasis on the role of technical progress. It is seen that firms not subject to pollution control are motivated to create an ever more polluting technology, but with control adequate technical progress allows exponential growth of per capita income with constant (or improving) environmental quality. If both limiting emissions and augmenting the absorptive capacity of the environment are available for pollution control, the marginal productivities of the two methods should be equalized.