Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name:  Alan Manne 
Author-Name:  Richard Richels
Title:  The Greenhouse Debate: Econonmic Efficiency, Burden Sharing and Hedging Strategies
Classification-JEL: F0
Pages:  1-38
Volume:  Volume16
Issue:  Number 4
Year:  1995
Abstract:  We address the issue of economic efficiency as it relates to climate change. We begin with a classical cost-benefit perspective. Mat is, we focus on emission trajectories which maximize net benefits. We then examine the consequences of adopting alternative decision making paradigms-for example, those based on limiting atmospheric concentrations so as to achieve an "ample margin of safety." We also consider the regional distribution of costs and benefits under alternative burden sharing schemes. Although the climate issue is often viewed from a global perspective, international negotiators will be acutely interested in how damages and mitigation costs might be distributed among individual regions. Finally, we address the issue of decision making under uncertainty. The challenge confronting today's policy makers is to identify it sensible hedging strategy-one that balances the risks of waiting against those of premature action.
Handle: RePEc:aen:journl:1995v16-04-a01
File-URL: http://www.iaee.org/en/publications/ejarticle.aspx?id=1208
File-Format: text/html
File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to IAEE members and subscribers.