Articles tagged with Environmental Economics
A Stanford-led study suggests that burning 500,000 acres of California conifer forests each year with prescribed fire could cut deadly pollution from wildfire smoke by roughly 10% over a decade. The risk of very severe fires immediately drops 92% in areas burned in low-severity fires, with risks remaining lower for up to a decade and e...
An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Minnesota analyzed 146 countries and found large potential gains in biodiversity, climate, and economic development from improved land use and management. The analysis showed that simultaneous gains in environment and economy are possible, with potential to increase climate miti...
A new study suggests that balancing wetland conservation with economic development is possible through a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes. The study estimates that this approach would retain two-thirds of private gains from trade while preventing about $1.6 billion in flood damage.
A study reveals that farmers' moral motivations are equally important as financial interests when adopting organic practices. The research found a strong balance between utilitarian and moral dimensions, highlighting the need for tailored policies to promote sustainable farming practices in Andalusia.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers links multinational activity to greater deforestation and biodiversity loss in Africa. Multinational firms are found to have a much larger environmental impact than domestic firms, driven by factors such as sector concentration and the 'pollution haven' effect.
University of Oklahoma economist Georgia Kosmopoulou will study the environmental and economic impacts of industries like agriculture and mining in Peru. Her research aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and bring economics into existing partnerships.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
China's national ETS is plagued by weak liquidity, unstable price signals, and slow sectoral expansion. Introducing carbon derivatives and strengthening policy stability are key to making the market work. Japan and South Korea offer valuable insights into how carbon markets can evolve.
A new study reveals that the Global North has drained over 900 million tonnes of materials, 4 million km2 of land, and 53 billion hours of labor from Latin America through international trade. This unequal exchange reinforces the existing power imbalance in the global economy.
A new tool has been developed to fund wetland conservation and restoration projects through verifiable Coastal Resilience Assets. This approach uses engineering methods to quantify the impacts of conservation and restoration projects on property value protected from flooding, providing a clear and tangible use case for asset buyers.
The study found that regulated facilities in Saitama reduced heavy oil use, but increased electricity consumption. Despite concerns over negative impacts on employment, the research discovered a statistically significant positive effect of 5.67% employee growth in the second compliance period.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
A new study reveals that natural disasters lead to a 69% spike in public protests across Latin America. Smaller communities tend to face the longest economic recoveries, with damage persisting for up to four months.
Hong Kong Climate Week 2026 aims to harness the city's strengths as an international financial centre and global connectivity hub. The event focuses on bridging global consensus and local implementation, highlighting the need for adaptation and innovation in addressing climate change.
A new Stanford University study puts a dollar value on the harm done by carbon dioxide emitted over time, estimating $10 trillion in global economic damages since 1990. The research highlights the critical timing of deploying technologies to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to mitigate damage.
A new study by Beijing University of Chemical Technology proves that feeding methane to bacteria outperforms traditional soy and fish meal in both ecological savings and financial returns. The bacterial alternative eliminates the need for arable land and fresh water, effectively halting deforestation and marine depletion.
A new study by Nirma University reveals that policy synchronization is key to reducing pollution costs in Mediterranean nations. The research found that when a country's environmental taxes, green protection spending, and renewable energy adoption move in perfect synchronization, the overarching cost of pollution drops significantly.
A spatial analysis of 259 Chinese cities shows that digital transformation drives environmental progress by optimizing broader industrial structures. Governments should focus on upgrading entire industrial ecosystems rather than waiting for isolated technological miracles to solve the carbon crisis.
Aging silicon-rich biochar reduces cadmium uptake in leafy vegetables, improving plant resistance to heavy metal stress. The material reshapes soil microbial communities, contributing to reduced cadmium availability.
A coalition of experts warns that carbon markets may be penalizing First Nations' long-term stewardship due to their 'additionality' requirements. The definition of 'additionality' often rewards restoration on degraded land, excluding protected ecosystems and traditional owners' custodianship.
A new study found that specific management practices, such as no-till and cover crops, can strengthen plant defenses against pests by enhancing soil microbiome functions. The researchers linked these practices with improved pest-suppressing abilities in pea plants.
A new report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) emphasizes the critical role of businesses in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Businesses can either drive transformative change or risk extinction, as they rely on and impact nature. The report provides methods and 100+ actions for bu...
A new study finds that ESG rating providers play a crucial role in building and repairing trust in sustainable finance. By comparing EU and UK regulatory approaches, researchers show that 'enhanced self-regulation' combining public oversight with industry-led rules can support a credible market-led green transition.
A new study by RMIT University found that protections in place in Europe can help phase out harmful electricity disconnections without destabilizing power markets. The research highlights the need for evidence-led action to extend disconnection prohibitions and strengthen safeguards for vulnerable consumers.
The K-ETS has matured into a stable policy instrument with robust institutional infrastructure. Market trading volume expanded significantly, but price stability remains a challenge. Policy reforms aim to strengthen price stability and align the emissions cap with Korea's NDC.
A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.
A study by Binghamton University reveals that most renters in the US are unable to access energy efficiency improvements, leading to higher heating costs and poorer health. The 'split incentive' issue, where landlords prioritize profits over upgrades, is a major barrier to change.
A new global modeling study introduces a differentiated carbon pricing mechanism to coordinate regional carbon prices with cost-fairness. This approach helps raise climate ambition by reducing trade and welfare imbalances, particularly for energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries.
Scientists developed a cost-effective method to produce 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid (3-HP), an industrial chemical used in disposable diapers, microplastics, and acrylic paint. The new process using engineered microbes to ferment plant sugars into 3-HP has been validated for commercial potential.
A global study of 2,636 firms across 31 countries found that stronger ESG disclosure and performance correspond to higher intrinsic value. This aligns with theoretical analysis and signaling theory, highlighting the need for companies to communicate substantive progress honestly.
A new UConn study reveals how political donations from large landowners in the Amazon contribute to soybean farming and deforestation. The research found that campaign donations to winning politicians lead to increased development of soybean production, but also exacerbates land inequality in the region.
A new study reveals that contrails contribute substantially to aviation's climate impact, accounting for 15% of global emissions. Optimizing flight routes can reduce contrail formation and associated climate costs, providing airlines and policymakers with tools for climate optimization.
Researchers found that fossil fuel firms experience significant spikes in informed trading during COP meetings, with investors trading ahead of market. The study estimates that informed traders could have earned up to $25 billion across the COP meetings and 87 firms studied.
A Montana State University economist's research found that wetland restoration through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program can reduce ammonia and nitrogen concentrations in local waterways, resulting in decreased costs for communities. This can lead to tangible savings of up to $17,000 per year in smaller rural towns.
A framework has been developed to calculate fair distribution of the remaining greenhouse gas budget among European regions. The 'Equal Transition Opportunity Production-Based Allocation' (ETOPA) mechanism takes into account regional economic structures and risks in the transition to a climate-neutral economy.
A new study visualizes three decades of income inequality data, revealing worsening trends for half the world's population but also 'bright spots' where policy is closing the gap. Regional efforts in countries like India, China, and Brazil show promise in addressing disparities.
A comprehensive investigation reveals significant public support for degrowth's key ideas across the UK and US. The study challenges the notion that such policies lack popular backing. Majority support was found for the full proposal with or without labels, while the 'degrowth' label alone received lower support due to low awareness.
A recent study finds that artificial intelligence has a negligible effect on global greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers' analysis of US energy consumption and AI use across industries revealed that the energy usage from AI in the US equals the energy consumption for all of Iceland, but not noticeable on a global scale.
A study analyzing US birth records found that a cap-and-trade initiative to reduce ozone pollution significantly improved infant health outcomes, including higher birth weight and lower rates of low birth weight and very preterm birth.
Researchers developed a new model to simulate and project China's agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, identifying priority regions and subsectors for mitigation. The study found that current mitigation efforts achieve only 26-45% of the total technical potential, with significant room for improvement.
A new study finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. The researchers show that restoring these wetlands can lead to significant savings for local drinking water treatment facilities, with potential annual benefits of $200 million.
A new study published by Yonsei University reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to workplace accidents, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities by 2.6 times when PM2.5 concentrations double. The study estimates economic losses of up to $10 billion annually.
A food tax shift could reduce premature deaths and disease by 700 annually and 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in Sweden. The study shows that selective taxes on unhealthy foods can lead to healthier diets without increasing the average price of groceries.
A new study offers a risk management approach to assess carbon removal portfolios and their potential to limit global warming over centuries. The framework suggests combining nature-based carbon storage like forestry with technology-based solutions like Direct Air Capture can provide long-term temperature stabilization.
The research emphasizes the importance of coordinating China's multi-level carbon markets in the context of global carbon pricing. Local pilot markets are seen as experimental fields for innovation, covering small enterprises and promoting regulatory experimentation.
Experts recommend climate policies that combine environmental effectiveness with economic efficiency and fairness, depending on a country's level of economic development. The study suggests CO2 tax over quota trading in high-income countries, but quota trading is preferred in low-income countries.
A major new study proves that hydropower is a leading force in cutting carbon emissions, with the potential to reshape sustainable development in Southeast Asia. The study found that as hydropower consumption increases, CO2 emissions drop significantly, while reliance on fossil fuels drives emissions upward.
A comprehensive study by UC Riverside's School of Public Policy found that agricultural conservation programs saved water at a low cost per acre-foot, while new supply efforts were more expensive. The analysis showed that 80% of the Colorado River's water is consumed by agriculture, and incentive programs can deliver meaningful savings.
A new gas-solid separation method promises cleaner and cheaper recycling of critical elements. The technique uses flash Joule heating to extract REEs in seconds without water or acids, achieving over 90% purity and yield for REE recovery.
Economist Andrea Titton's models show that acting cautiously on climate change is cheaper than taking the gamble of hitting a tipping point. Preparing for climate disasters can disrupt supply chains and cost trillions annually, but investing in green energy now may be more cost-effective.
Researchers found little evidence of disproportionate siting in Black counties, but a growing share of the Black population over time. Long-term demographic shifts after power plant openings led to higher Black population shares, with an average rise of 4% in 50-70 years.
A study by Utrecht University researchers found that previous fairness and ambition assessments were biased, rewarding high emitters at the expense of vulnerable ones. The proposed method avoids delaying emission reduction obligations and calculates immediate ambition gaps that can be filled by climate measures and international finance.
Methane emissions from global trade have risen by 30% since 1990, driven by rapid industrialization and population growth in Asia and the developing Pacific region. The study calls for targeted sectoral strategies to reduce emissions, including advanced leak detection and improved livestock feed formulations.
Researchers analyzed interplay between environment and income inequality, identifying theoretical mechanisms and empirical evidence. The study suggests that good climate policy can promote social balance by increasing labour productivity and wages.
A study by University of Birmingham researchers found that corporate net-zero pledges often lack the substance needed to drive real change. Many companies use vague language and focus on direct emissions, omitting substantial indirect emissions generated by their products.