Carbon Taxes and Joint Implementation. An Applied General Equilibrium Analysis for Germany and India

Germany has committed itself toreducing its carbon emissions by 25 percent in2005 as compared to 1990 emission levels. Toachieve this goal, the government has recentlylaunched an environmental tax reform whichentails a continuous increase in energy taxesin conjunction with a revenue-neutral cut innon-wage labor costs. This policy is supposedto yield a double dividend, reducing both, theproblem of global warming and high unemploymentrates. In addition to domestic actions,international treaties on climate protectionallow for the supplementary use of flexibleinstruments to exploit cheaper emissionreduction possibilities elsewhere. One concreteoption for Germany would be to enter jointimplementation (JI) with developing countriessuch as India where Germany pays emissionreduction abroad rather than meeting itsreduction target solely by domestic action. Inthis paper, we investigate whether anenvironmental tax reform cum JI providesemployment and overall efficiency gains ascompared to an environmental tax reformstand-alone. We address this question in theframework of a large-scale general equilibriummodel for Germany and India where Germany mayundertake JI with the Indian electricitysector. Our main finding is that JI offsetslargely the adverse effects of carbon emissionconstraints on the German economy. JIsignificantly lowers the level of carbon taxesand thus reduces the total costs of abatementas well as negative effects on labor demand. Inaddition, JI triggers direct investment demandfor energy efficient power plants produced inGermany. This provides positive employmenteffects and additional income for Germany. ForIndia, joint implementation equips itselectricity industry with scarce capital goodsleading to a more efficient power productionwith lower electricity prices for the economyand substantial welfare gains.     

Optimization of Harvesting Return from Age-Structured Population

Synopsis Maximization of the net profit from harvesting in a one-species age-structured population is analyzed. One of the control functions is the age of harvested individuals. The constructed mathematical model is similar to vintage capital models used in economics for optimal capital replacement. The optimization technique developed by authors for the capital replacement is disseminated to the formulated problem. A qualitative analysis of the problem is provided and the interpretation of results is given. Such economic topics as a zero-investment period, optimal balanced growth, and turnpike properties are discussed.     

Structural Decomposition Analysis of Physical Flows in the Economy

Many environmental problems can be attributedto the extraction and emissions of physicalsubstances. Increasing our understanding of theeconomic and technological driving forcesbehind these physical flows can contribute tosolving the environmental problems related tothem. The input-output framework is a usefulsetting in which to integrate detailedinformation about economic structure andphysical flows. In this article a specificmethod in input-output analysis is reviewed,namely Structural Decomposition Analysis (SDA).It is based on comparative static analysis,which decomposes historical changes of a policyvariable into determinant effects. SDA has beenapplied, for example, to analyze the demand andtechnological driving forces of energy use,CO₂-emissions and various other pollutantsand resources. This article examines thetheoretical aspects of structuraldecomposition, in particular those concerningphysical flows and environmental issues.Furthermore, the article includes an extensivesurvey of empirical studies.     

我国生物能源产业的发展前景与对策

生物能源产业是一个正在兴起并富有巨大前途的新型产业。发展生物能源产业有利于解决能源危机，有利于环境保护，有利于促进农村经济的发展。与国外相比，我国生物能源产业的发展还相对比较落后，为加快我国生物能源产业的发展，应尽快制定生物能源产业发展的产业政策，加大对生物质能产业的扶持力度，加强生物质能开发研究。     

徐州市生态经济系统的能值分析

本文应用能值理论．对徐州地区生态经济系统进行了分析．主要涉及能值投入率、能值使用强度（能值密度）、人均能值使用量、人口承载力、电力能值使用量比、能值一货币比、环境负荷率、净能值产出率、可持续发展指数等9个指标及其发展趋势，并与其他国家和地区的有关指标进行了比较研究。结论表明，徐州市是资源输出型的生态经济区域，经济发展仍处于欠发达阶段．还有较大的经济发展潜力。     

Economic Potential of Biomass Based Fuels for Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation

Use of biofuels diminishes fossil fuelcombustion thereby also reducing net greenhousegas emissions. However, subsidies are neededto make agricultural biofuel productioneconomically feasible. To explore the economicpotential of biofuels in a greenhouse gasmitigation market, we incorporate data onproduction and biofuel processing for thedesignated energy crops switchgrass, hybridpoplar, and willow in an U.S. AgriculturalSector Model along with data on traditionalcrop-livestock production and processing, andafforestation of cropland. Net emissioncoefficients on all included agriculturalpractices are estimated through crop growthsimulation models or taken from the literature. Potential emission mitigation policies ormarkets are simulated via hypothetical carbonprices. At each carbon price level, theAgricultural Sector Model computes the newmarket equilibrium, revealing agriculturalcommodity prices, regionally specificproduction, input use, and welfare levels,environmental impacts, and adoption ofalternative management practices such asbiofuel production. Results indicate no rolefor biofuels below carbon prices of $40 perton of carbon equivalent. At these incentivelevels, emission reductions via reduced soiltillage and afforestation are more costefficient. For carbon prices above $70,biofuels dominate all other agriculturalmitigation strategies.     

基于能值分析的江苏生态经济系统发展态势及持续发展对策

能值分析方法可同时定量研究生态经济系统中环境资源与经济活动的真实价值，因而对合理评估区域经济发展水平、制订正确的社会经济发展对策具有十分重要的意义。文章运用能值分析方法对江苏生态经济系统的发展现状及近20年来的发展态势进行了定量分析，并提出实现江苏生态经济系统持续发展的对策建议。     

基于循环经济理论的建筑节能研究

建筑节能是贯彻国家可持续发展战略的重要组成部分,循环经济理论将为我国建筑节能政策提供良好的思路.文章在分析循环经济理论基本内涵的基础上,分析循环经济理论对我国建筑节能工作的指导意义,并结合当前我国建筑节能现状及其存在的问题,根据“十一五“规划目标,提出新时期我国建筑节能对策.     

民用建筑循环冷却水系统设计的探讨

文章对多年来在民用建筑循环冷却水系统设计、运行中碰到的一些问题,提出在设计时应注意的事项及所需要采取的措施。     

油价上涨对世界经济的影响及中国能源政策选择

油价上涨给世界经济带来很大影响,引发了经济危机、加重了西方国家的财政负担和生产成本、加大了非产油国家的进口成本。高油价也给航空、速递等一些运输行业造成沉重负担,油价上涨的最终承担者是消费者。油价不断上涨促使各国调整能源结构,高油价给石油输出国带来丰厚收益的同时也带来一些负面影响,如腐败、暴力冲突、战争等。油价上涨要求中国大幅提高能源利用率,采用多元化能源战略,尽快建立国家石油战略储备,加强能源领域国际合作。