Support to renewable energy sources and carbon capture and sequestration: comparison of alternative green tax reforms

We compare the economic and environmental effects of several specifications of a green tax reform (GTR) where tax revenues are used to support renewable energy sources (RESs) and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) activities. With this aim, we propose an equilibrium model where final-goods production uses labour and energy, and energy production uses nonpolluting RES and polluting fossil fuels. The comparison is based on three key indicators: output per worker, energy intensity and the ratio of renewables over nonrenewables. We test five variations of the GTR in addition to the no-policy case. Results show that a GTR as the one we propose here never provides a double dividend. There are environmental benefits but at the expense of the economy. Additionally, for lower tax levels, prioritizing RES support has lower economic costs and potential environmental benefits. For higher tax levels, CCS support becomes more competitive.     

要素市场扭曲抑制了绿色创新效率提升吗——高技术产业集聚的调节效应

中共十九大报告指出,要素市场化配置是经济体制改革的重点。利用2003—2019年中国省际面板数据,采用面板固定效应模型和门槛回归方法,实证研究要素市场扭曲、绿色创新效率与高技术产业集聚之间的关系。结果表明,要素市场扭曲会阻碍绿色创新效率提升,高技术产业集聚能够显著促进绿色创新效率提升,并削弱要素市场扭曲对绿色创新效率提升的抑制作用。门槛效应表明,在高技术产业集聚程度较高的情况下,要素市场扭曲对绿色创新效率的抑制作用会被扭转。以上结果均表现出显著的区域异质性。     

绿色增长视角下不可再生能源效率测度模型的构建及实证分析

系统整合MFA方法、DEA方法和生态效率评价法,构建了绿色增长视角下的全要素不可再生能源效率测度模型。定义了全要素不可再生能源效率测度指标体系,其中投入指标包括不可再生能源、人力资源、资本资源、科技资源以及不可再生能源的隐藏流,产出指标包括经济价值和环境正影响。对1953—2012年中国的全要素不可再生能源效率以及不可再生能源的经济效率、环境效率和生态效率进行了测算和分析。研究结果表明:所构建的全要素不可再生能源效率测度模型不仅可用于测算全要素不可再生能源效率,而且可用于测算不可再生能源在开发和利用过程中的经济价值、环境影响和生态代价,是一个符合绿色增长理念的、较科学而全面的不可再生能源效率测度模型。     

Cleaner Production and OrganizationalLearning

The paper is concerned with organizational learning around cleaner production as a response to environmental pressures, and presents an analysis of the character, strengths and limitations of organizational learning as stimulated by four key drivers: regulation, green market pressures, quality and technical efficiency considerations, and the culture and values of those within organizations. The analysis is supported by a number of case study examples in manufacturing industry based on field work conducted between 1993-1996. The theoretical approach draws particularly on the innovation and inward technology transfer literature, which uses the concepts of 'receptivity' and 'absorptive capacity' to explain the ability of organizations to assimilate new knowledge, but is also sensitized to the contested and sometimes conflictual nature of change processes. Particular emphasis is given to (a) the importance of good linkages with external sources of knowledge, including regulators, and (b) the extent to which the organizational culture encourages a pluralistic and participative approach. The case studies suggest that weaknesses with respect to the enforcement of the current regulatory framework and the lack of sufficient financial incentives (i.e. ecological tax reform) are liable to continue to give rise to selective approaches which do not fully address the cleaner production agenda. In conclusion, the analysis of the limitations of firm-based organizational learning, particularly with respect to the need to change consumption patterns, indicates the continuing need for a wider process of social learning.     

城市群扩容对区域绿色经济效率的影响研究——以长三角城市群扩容为例

本文基于我国2006-2016年城市面板数据,以长三角城市群扩容为例,使用双重差分法实证研究了城市群扩容对绿色经济效率的影响。研究发现：城市群扩容对城市群原有城市的绿色经济效率有显著提升作用,对新进城市的绿色经济效率无显著作用,稳健性检验表明该结论是可靠的。机制检验表明：扩容未影响原有城市的技术效率,但通过提高市场一体化水平来促进原有城市技术进步,进而提升原有城市绿色经济效率;扩容通过降低功能专业化水平来提高新进城市技术效率,通过提高市场一体化水平来促进新进城市技术进步并降低其技术效率,由于技术进步效应和技术效率降低效应相互抵消,扩容未影响到新进城市的绿色经济效率。此外,扩容对原有城市中的大城市、高创新能力以及高经济发展水平城市的绿色经济效率有更大提升作用。     

广东省绿色发展能否优化能源消费结构

以1988—2017年广东省的资源消耗、环境治理、经济增长和生态保护4个方面15个指标的数据为样本,采用熵权法计算绿色发展水平。将广东省清洁能源结构占比与计算得出的绿色发展水平进行平稳性检验、格兰杰因果检验、内生性检验并构建向量自回归模型,并运用脉冲响应函数和方差分解方法研究绿色发展水平对广东省能源消费结构的动态影响。结果表明,绿色发展会促进清洁能源消费比例增加,进一步优化能源消费结构。最后,基于广东省绿色发展对能源消费做出一定的建议。     

投资清洁能源技术 促进经济绿色增长

当前,全球同时面临两个重大挑战：尽快走出经济危机和应对能源供应和气候变化安全,实现向低碳的过渡。全球向低碳的过渡将催生能源技术革命。为促进经济恢复,世界主要经济体都实施了经济刺激计划。清洁能源技术是刺激计划投资的重点之一。本文在已有公开文献的基础上,总结了能源技术革命的主要内容、清洁能源技术对促进经济绿色增长的作用和主要经济体刺激计划对清洁能源投资的重点。分析了金融和经济危机对清洁能源技术发展的影响,提出实施综合技术政策,以能源技术革命促经济绿色增长。试图回答如何将迎接能源技术革命和促进经济恢复结合起来的问题。     

人工智能对绿色经济增长的作用机制与赋能效果——产业结构优化视角

人工智能作为新一轮科技革命和产业变革的重要抓手,深刻影响着中国绿色发展的路径选择偏向。结合非连续性技术创新理论与中国现实情景,从产业结构优化视角构建人工智能技术赋能绿色增长的逻辑框架,并利用2010—2020年中国省级面板数据检验人工智能的绿色增长效应。结果表明,人工智能通过技术红利效应直接推动绿色经济增长,引入地区高校平均科技产出和《中国制造2025》政策冲击作为工具变量进行内生性修正后,人工智能的绿色增长效应仍显著存在。机制识别揭示,人工智能通过产业结构高级化和合理化驱动绿色经济增长,二者在人工智能绿色增长效应中的相对贡献分别为20.33%和8.35%。异质性分析发现,中国转型经济背景下,人工智能的结构红利在要素市场扭曲程度更低、创新人力资本水平更高、制度环境更完善的地区表现得更为明显,从而可以更充分释放其对绿色增长的赋能效果。拓展性分析发现,人工智能对绿色经济增长具有显著正向空间溢出效应,本地人工智能发展对空间关联地区的绿色发展绩效存在辐射带动作用。聚焦产业结构升级与绿色发展双重视角,可为塑造以人工智能为核心的技术竞争优势、实现经济高质量发展提供理论支撑和经验证据。     

Agricultural productivity and economic development: the contribution of clover to structural transformation in Denmark

This paper contributes to the debate on the impact of agricultural productivity on long run economic development. It presents evidence that widespread adoption of clover contributed to local economic development based on a panel of 56 Danish market towns. We adopt a differences-in-differences approach augmented by an instrumental variable and find that the adoption of clover accounts for about 8 percent of the growth in market town population from 1672 to 1901. The analysis suggests that the effect of the adoption of clover on the process of development was mediated by its impact on human capital formation.     

The purpose and effectiveness of technology transfer to small businesses by government-sponsored innovation centres

The Dutch government instituted regional innovation centres (ICs) for the stimulationof technology transfer to small business. In the context of an evaluation of these ICs, technology transfer is analysed on the basis of the adoption process according to Rogers. Attention is given to problems of bounded rationality, in particular tacit knowledge that arise especially among small business. Rogers criteria for adpoption are extended and supplemented with criteria for product innovation. The purpose of ICs is reconstructed as the guidance of firms in the adoption process, on the basis of the criteria. The analysis develops into a market segmentation of firms as a basis for a marketing plan for ICs. The segmentation corresponds with the taxonomy of firms in the context of diffusion that was developed by Pavitt on the basis of an innovation data base. Effectiveness of ICs is defined as the setting of proper priorities with respect to market segmentation, and a guidance of firms in the adoption process which enters and leaves the adoption process neither too late nor too early with approaches adopted to the market segments.     

Do German renewable energy resources affect prices and mitigate market power in the French electricity market ?

Several empirical studies show that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, typically supplied at low marginal cost, can cause electricity market prices to fall. Recent theoretical research and simulations also highlight the link between the integration of renewable energy and market performance in an oligopolistic energy market. This article looks at these dynamics in the context of cross-border effects between two highly interconnected electricity markets, France and Germany. Using a rich panel dataset for hourly data from November 2009 to July 2015, I estimate the impact of German wind and solar power production on both prices and market power in the French wholesale market. The findings highlight the importance of coordinating energy policies via joint renewable energy support schemes among interconnected European electricity markets.     

Making the energy transition in rural east Africa: Is leapfrogging an alternative?

There is renewed optimism about the potential for leapfrogging in the rural energy sector of East Africa. By adopting highly efficient and renewable technologies many believe the region can rapidly bypass the conventional path of energy development and skip directly into the use of more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. This study explores the potential for energy leapfrogging by examining three technological approaches targeted at rural households in East Africa: conventional grid expansion, renewable energy technologies supplying electricity, and improved cookstoves. The study identifies economic, social, political, and cultural factors limiting the ability of rural people to rapidly switch into using and/or supplying these technologies. The potential for leapfrogging may be overstated by planners and experts who focus on the technical and economic viability of the technologies while insufficiently considering the social conditions and economic realities of daily life in the region. Moreover, energy leapfrogging itself is considered a misconception. Energy transitions in rural areas are incremental processes—not leaps—dependent upon household and regional accumulations of technological capabilities. These capabilities have technical, organizational, and institutional components and are manifest in individuals' capacity to adapt to new technologies, their ability to take economic risks, and in their desire to modify their behavior. In designing technology dissemination or energy supply projects, planners must thoroughly account for the capabilities existing in rural areas.     

The impact of the corporate income tax: evidence from state organizational form data

By taxing the income of corporate firms at a different rate than non-corporate firms, taxes can play an important role in a firm's choice of organizational form. The sensitivity of the organizational form decision to tax rates provides a key indicator of the distortion created by the corporate income tax. This paper uses new cross-sectional data on organizational form choices across states compiled in the Census of Retail Trade to estimate this sensitivity. The results document a significant impact of the relative taxation of corporate to personal income on the share of real economic activity that is done by corporations and that the impact is many times larger than has been found in the previous empirical literature based on time-series data. The results show little impact, however, on the actual operations of firms such as their labor intensity, wages and the like. They do indicate that firms are able to exploit the progressivity of the corporate income tax system by dividing into numerous firms.     

新能源发电绩效评价研究综述——基于多指标评价方法

基于多指标决策方法在新能源发电绩效评价领域应用的广泛性,本文分别从评价指标、指标权重及评价方法三个方面对现有新能源发电绩效评价相关文献作了回顾与总结。在评价指标上,分别从技术、经济、环境和社会方面总结了常用的新能源发电绩效评价指标;在指标权重上,分别从主观权重、客观权重和混合权重三个方面对权重设置进行了分析;在评价方法上,分别对AHP、TOPSIS和PROMETHEE等方法在新能源发电绩效评价中的应用进行了分析。同时,本文还指出了现有新能源发电绩效评价研究的不足及可进一步拓展的研究方向。     

Estimating statistical properties of political economic decisions

Revelation of criteria implicit in setting policy is addressed in a political economic framework that includes identification and estimation of unknown parameters in the presence of multiple sources of uncertainty. Policy formation is viewed as an optimization process under which the government maximizes a criterion function subject to market constraints. A method for estimating political criterion function weights and their associated standard errors over multiple time periods is presented. The approach is illustrated with an empirical example from Japanese rice and wheat trade policy.     

生态文明建设目标行动导向下的现代化经济体系研究

党的十九大报告首次提出“建设现代化经济体系”,把建立健全绿色低碳循环发展作为重点任务之一。作为中国特色社会主义“五位一体”总体战略布局的重要组成部分,生态文明建设是现代化经济体系建设的行动指引,要求破解资源环境约束,提升绿色竞争力,与全球绿色低碳可持续发展目标契合。论文建立了生态文明目标行动导向下的现代化经济体系建设的逻辑分析框架,提出了实践路径。具体来说,就是以生态安全为底线,以新旧动能转换为目标,以绿色低碳循环发展为特征,以生态与产业融合、制造业转型升级、清洁能源体系、绿色消费模式为核心内容,以绿色金融、考核评估和绿色技术创新为驱动力,以生态环境治理体系和治理能力现代化为保障。     

Employment impacts of a ‘green’ energy transition in China

Before the US financial crisis that began in 2008, China was the ‘factory’ of the world, utilizing energy intensively for such processes as steelmaking, papermaking and concrete production. As such, energy emissions in China increased dramatically until 2007, with much of the energy being provided by the labor-intensive coal industry. Under the 11th five-year plan, China resolved to increase its energy efficiency, setting out to reduce energy consumption while continuing to increase economic growth, and to increase the usage of ‘green’ technologies to 15% of all energy used by 2020. The Renewable Energy Law of 2007 set a guideline for China's energy reduction goals, to quadruple the national GDP while only doubling the country's electricity usage by the year 2020. Currently, there are virtually no studies on the employment effects of a ‘green’ transition to explore what impact the current energy goals, or potentially ‘greener’ energy goals, would have on China's labor force. This paper seeks to analyze the effects on employment of a ‘green’ transition.     

The innovation impact of the EU Emission Trading System — Findings of company case studies in the German power sector

This paper provides a detailed analysis of how the European Emission Trading System (EU ETS) as the core climate policy instrument of the European Union has impacted innovation. Towards this end, we investigate the impact of the EU ETS on research, development and demonstration (RD&D), adoption, and organizational change. In doing so, we pay particular attention to the relative influences of context factors (policy mix, market factors and public acceptance) and firm characteristics (value chain position, technology portfolio, size and vision). Empirically, our qualitative analysis is based on multiple case studies with 19 power generators, technology providers and project developers in the German power sector which were conducted in 2008/09. We find that the innovation impact of the EU ETS has remained limited so far because of the scheme's initial lack of stringency and predictability and the relatively greater importance of context factors. Additionally, the impact varies significantly across technologies, firms, and innovation dimensions and is most pronounced for RD&D on carbon capture technologies and organizational changes. Our analysis suggests that the EU ETS on its own may not provide sufficient incentives for fundamental changes in corporate innovation activities at a level which ensures political long-term targets can be achieved.     

Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the U.S. Economy: A Structural Decomposition Analysis

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the impact of various influences on carbon dioxide emissions. It incorporates methodological refinements of input-output structural decomposition analysis, which is the examination of economic change by means of a set of comparative static variations in key parameters of I-O tables. The analysis is performed using a two-tiered KLEM model, which allows for estimation of substitution and technological change effects within and between input aggregates. The model is used to decompose the sources of change in CO₂ emissions in the U.S. over the 1972–82 timeframe using hybrid energy/value tables for the initial and terminal years. Results show the significant effect of substitution within the energy sector and between energy and other inputs as the leading causes of the decline in carbon dioxide emissions.     

试论农民合作经济组织的法人地位

农民合作经济组织是在中国市场经济环境中发育起来的一种独立的经济组织形式。它是小农家庭进入市场的桥梁和纽带;是提高农民社会经济地位的主要途径。但这些组织存在法人地位不明确问题,该问题严重制约了农民合作经济组织的发展。因此,中国应尽快确立农民合作经济组织的法人地位。