THE ROLE OF USER FEES AND CONGESTION TOLLS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INLAND WATERWAYS1

ABSTRACT In this paper, we discuss how user fees and congestion tolls can be used to improve the efficiency and equity with which the inland waterway system is managed. The advantages and disadvantages of various types of user fees (fuel taxes, segment tolls, and license fees) are presented. The rationale for the employment of congestion tolls on congested waterways is discussed. A segment toll that is equated to average variable cost is recommended for uncongested existing waterwyas. When existing waterways are congested, congestion tolls, in addition to the segment tolls, are recommended, A two-part tariff, consisting of segment tolls and an annual license fee, is recommended for “new” uncongested waterways. A three-part tariff, consisting of the first two parts plus congestion tolls, is recommended for “new” congested waterways.     

NON-EFFICIENCY OBJECTIVES AND DECISION-MAKING IN WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS1

ABSTRACT: In spite of the rather large volume of literature suggesting that non-efficiency objectives ought to be incorporated into water resource planning frameworks, little has been done to date. A partial explanation is that when goals are in conflict we have no “objective” criteria upon which to make the trade-offs. Also, there are problems of measuring the degree to which various policy actions lead to achievement of various goals. Nevertheless, this paper argues that given the magnitude of the possible gains from incorporating these considerations, considerable effort to overcome these problems is justified. Accordingly, we outline some procedures for making these trade-offs and suggest an alternative (practical) planning framework.     

DISTRIBUTIONAL IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: FEDERAL GRANTS FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL1

ABSTRACT: The income redistribution effects of waste water treatment grants are estimated for each state participating in five federal programs. Both gross and net effects per state and per capita are discussed. The impact of the tax structure used to finance such grants and the grant formulae are investigated.     

The Gandhian approach to swadeshi or appropriate technology: A conceptualization in terms of basic needs and equity

This is an examination of the significance of Gandhi's social philosophy for development. It is argued that, when seen in light of Gandhi's social philosophy, the concepts of appropriate technology (A.T.) and basic needs take on new meaning. The Gandhian approach can be identified with theoriginal "basic needs" strategy for international development (Emmerij, 1981). Gandhi's approach helps to provide greater equity, or "distributive justice," by promoting technology that is appropriate to "basic needs" (food, clothing, shelter, health and basic education). Gandhi's social philosophy (Erikson, 1968; Roy, 1985) has been neglected by most development specialists, with only a few exceptions (e.g., Chambers, 1983; Charles, 1983). This analysis attempts to draw out some aspects of M.K. Gandhi's background and his thinking aboutswadeshi (i.e. local self-reliance and use of local knowledge and abilities) andswaraj (i.e. independent development that leads to equity and justice). Gandhi's ideas, which emerged out of an "Indic" meta-cultural background, are based on an emphasis on equity. Gandhi's syncretic Indic background includes a belief in what Bateson (1972), writing about Bali, Indonesia, has called the "steady state." Development activities should be carried out in a phased manner that does not disturb the beneficial aspects of dynamic equilibrium, but that does promote "positive development." A.T. is particularly useful within the context of a basic needs approach to international development because use of A.T. is probably more likely to lead to equitable growth. The "economic growth" strategy, utilizing "advanced technology" (or even "high tech") exclusively, has caused unemployment and has not led to effective "trickle down," much less "high mass consumption." In many developing countries the poorest 20% of the population are worse off in 1990 than they were in 1980. By making use of the "advantage of backwardness" (Veblen, 1966) and viewing development in terms of long-term impacts, a basic needs approach using A.T. is more likely to lead to a positive impact on third world food systems than a pure "economic growth" strategy.Paper presented at the Guelph Ethics & Technology Conference: Workshop on Technology and Ethical Choice in the Food Systems: Agriculture Workshop on The Impact of Agricultural Technology on Third World Food Systems. October 27, 1989, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.     

Pollution perception: A challenge for intergenerational equity

In this article we extend the recent literature on overlapping generations and pollution by allowing generations to perceive the level of pollution differently than the actual level of pollution. We call this pollution perception. Pollution perception can visualize itself as either a concern for the flow of pollution only, or for the stock, or a combination of both. We derive this extension based on empirical evidence from recent advances in behavioural economics.Pollution perception has not only significant consequences for the steady state levels of pollution and capital, but we also find a qualitative change in the dynamics from similar models without pollution perception [A. John, R. Pecchenino, An overlapping generations model of growth and the environment, Econ. J. 104 (1994) 1393–1410]. Specifically, we derive optimal non-linear dynamics through complex eigenvalues and Hopf or Flip bifurcations for a large set of parameters. This leads to violations of two standard criteria of sustainability, suggesting that pollution perception can be another source of intergenerational inequity.     

基于环境基尼系数的控制单元水污染负荷分配优化研究

将基尼系数这一福利经济学概念引入松花江流域水污染物负荷分配过程,综合考虑水循环的社会-经济-资源-环境因素,从社会经济发展、科技进步水平、水污染治理水平和资源禀赋差异角度出发,遴选出人均GDP、重污染行业总产值比重、人均水污染物产生强度、工业水污染物去除率、生活水污染物去除率、单位国土面积水资源量、国控劣Ⅴ类断面占比7项指标,以COD及NH_3-N负荷为控制因子,辅以贡献系数这一表征外部不公平性参数,构建了以基尼系数为度量标准的流域水污染负荷优化分配模型,并据此制订了松花江流域33个控制单元基于公平性的水污染负荷分配方案。研究表明,2012年松花江流域基于7项指标的基尼系数值均大于0.4,超过了基尼系数合理警戒线,说明流域控制单元间COD及NH_3-N排放在社会经济和资源环境方面存在不公平现象,其中松花江干流和第二松花江流域是不公平性特征最为突出的两个流域。在Lingo模型优化分配得到的2020年流域各单元COD削减方案中,单元21的年削减量最大,为1.82万t/a,单元10的年均削减率最高,达8%;在相应NH_3-N削减方案中,单元21的年削减量及削减率均为最大,分别达到0.08万t/a及8%。     

Intergenerational equity and discounting

A standard framework is presented as an underlying model for the discounting debate. Views and proposals for the techniques and rates of discounting are assessed. Alternative modeling frameworks for studying intergenerational equity issues are evaluated with the result that the basic insights they provide do not differ very much. Results from model experiments involving different discount rate proposals show that fudging the discount rate does not lead to efficient climate policy. Three major clusters of opinions are identified regarding the applicability of cost-benefit analysis to the climate change problem and the appropriate discount rate to use. It is concluded that under some very special circumstances the cost-benefit rule should be abandoned and cost-effective strategies implying standard discount rates should be sought to reach clearly defined and justified environmental targets. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

成本效益分析与代际公平:新代际折现思路

成本效益分析在评价涉及长期资源环境影响的项目和政策时因损害代际公平面颇受批评,因此如何修正成本效益分析使其能够用于这类项目和政策的评价是研究的焦点.本文从可持续发展理论出发,首先比较分析经验代际折现率、零社会折现率、单一环境折现率和双重社会折现率四种当前具有代表性的代际折现率的提出背景、计算方法和运用范围,然后构建基于多重社会折现率的新代际折现思路,最后以水土保持项目为例,利用数字模拟方法验证了新代际折现思路的具体运用.结果表明:其一,与四种当翦代表性的代际折现率相比,多重社会折现率在评价具有复杂环境影响的项目和政策上更其优势;其二,基于多重社会折现率的新代际折现思路能够为涉及长期资源环境影响的项目和政策评价提供系统的拆现率选择指导;其三,多重社会折现率下的环境折现率遵循随着时间推移递减,随着人造资本与资源环境间替代难度的增大而递减的原则.最后文章从构建多领域专家参与平台和编制折现率查询表两个方面提供政策建议.     

基于委托代理模型的我国矿产资源优化配置研究

矿产资源对经济社会的发展起到举足轻重的作用,对矿产资源的产权管理是解决目前供需缺口的主要方向。本文以信息经济学中的委托代理模型为基础,通过对矿产资源产权的明确界定,以及目前我国矿产资源产权管理存在的问题进行分析,通过建立多重委托代理模型,即政府垄断产权的委托代理一体化,政府所有、经营产权与企业使用产权的委托代理关系,以及引入资产经营管理公司后的双重委托代理关系,逐个分析各个模型中委托人和代理人的行为选择所带来的收益和潜在问题,探讨哪种产权配置更有效率。模型分析结果表明:构建政府、资产经营管理公司和矿业企业的三级矿产资源产权安排是最优的,能同时满足政府部门收益最大化和企业利润最大化目标。本文的结论致力于为有效解决矿产资源资产化管理中的产权配置问题提供了改革和创新思路。     

Green jobs for the disadvantaged: an analysis of government policies in British Columbia

This study explores the potential for societies to create more green jobs for the disadvantaged. The research questions are related to how policy instruments can support green jobs and how green jobs can support the disadvantaged. These questions are asked in the context of the province of British Columbia in Canada, with implications for the global economy. Findings indicate that green jobs policies have direct and indirect effects on the growth of sustainable industries at a municipal level. Furthermore, in BC policy, green jobs are unmistakably connected to the government perception of green growth. Finally, the preferred pathway for policy implementation appears to involve local municipalities that apply for funding for projects that can potentially connect local actors and include the disadvantaged. Several policies accomplish the inclusion of the disadvantaged. The first section of this paper provides the BC provincial context on green jobs. The second section describes and analyzes a sample of thirteen BC policy instruments, as well as concurrent labor market policy activities for their inclusion of the disadvantaged. The third section posits a provisional policy framework for training and hiring more inclusively for green jobs. The fourth section offers six recommendations to bolster green jobs for all at a national and international level.