Five charges against the precautionary principle

We defend the precautionary principle against five common charges, namely that it is ill-defined, absolutist, and a value judgement, increases risk-taking, and marginalizes science. We argue, first, that the precautionary principle is, in principle, no more vague or ill-defined than other decision principles and like them it can be made precise through elaboration and practice. Second, the precautionary principle need not be absolutist in the way that has been claimed. A way to avoid this is through combining the precautionary principle with a specification of the degree of scientific evidence required to trigger precaution, and/or with some version of the de minimis rule. Third, the precautionary principle does not lead to increased risk-taking, unless the framing is too narrow, and then the same problem applies to other decision rules as well. Fourth, the precautionary principle is indeed value-based, but only to the same extent as other decision rules. Fifth and last, the precautionary principle is not unscientific other than in the weak sense of not being exclusively based on science. In that sense all decision rules are unscientific.     

The adoption of photovoltaic systems in Wiesbaden,Germany

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that determine the adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Our case study of the city of Wiesbaden, Germany, is based on a geocoded data set of the grid-connected PV systems set up through 2009. We aim to determine whether the decision to install can be explained by peer effects measured by preexisting installations in the vicinity, i.e. the installed base which is determined for each decision-maker individually. We employ a binary panel logit model and control for spatial variations in buying power and population density. Our analysis reveals a significantly positive influence of previously installed systems located nearby on the decision to install a PV system.     

Kostentr?ger- und Ergebnisrechnung in der Stromwirtschaft

Der Strommarkt befindet sich nach der Markt?ffnung im Jahr 1998 in einem dramatischen Wandel.     

Drivers of long haul flight supply at secondary airports in Europe

Intercontinental air traffic is unevenly distributed between secondary European airports. While a few airports offer a remarkable number of long haul services, most non-hubs struggle to attract such flights. We discuss and test factors influencing secondary airport choice of long haul carriers. Results indicate that the economic power of the airport region has a significantly positive influence on long haul flight supply, while a sufficient runway length is only a condition sine qua non. Consequently, long runways at many secondary airports are underutilized and thus not economically viable.