Does environmental quality reflect on national competitiveness? The evidence from EU-15

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saša Obradović ◽  
Nemanja Lojanica
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
National Competitiveness ◽  
Harmful Emissions ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
Two Parameters

The European Union has set the target that by 2020 harmful emissions and energy consumption should be reduced by 20% compared to the 1990s. This paper examines the impacts of environmental quality on two parameters of national competitiveness (exports and GDP per capita). The study focuses on the EU-15 countries and covers the period from 1960 to 2013. Even though the analyzed economies are developed countries which are the leaders in environment protection, they are still also the leading emitters of greenhouse gases. The paper uses traditional econometric techniques to test the relations between energy use, CO2 emissions, exports and GDP. The results show that the variables are co-integrated. In addition, energy-led growth hypothesis is valid in most of the analyzed economies. The results have also shown that increased CO2 emissions reduce economic activity and export performance. Finally, we will conclude that there are two tasks for future policy makers: first, to strengthen renewable-energy goals, and second, to adjust the economic structure towards less harmful emissions. In such circumstances, we could expect the economies to further develop clean technologies and to obtain their benefits for national competitiveness.

scholarly journals Stan i prognoza rozwoju systemu gospodarki odpadami w Europie i USA

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-123
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Biernat ◽  
Paulina Luiza Dziołak ◽  
Izabela Samson-Bręk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The World

This article presents waste management in the world and in some highly developed countries in the European Union such as Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden. The article presented also waste management systems in these countries, with special attention to the processes of energy use of waste (Waste to Energy - WTE) in existing plants.

Making Sense of Public Policy on Refugee Integration

2020 ◽  
Vol 690 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-224
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Ferris
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Immigrant Integration ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Political Debates ◽  
Refugee Integration ◽  
Local Initiatives ◽  
Level I

While immigrant integration is increasingly important for policy-makers, governments of countries approach the challenge of integration differently. In this article, I frame the issue of migrant/refugee integration in the larger context of political debates and policies about the entry of refugees and migrants. I then go on to analytic comparison of refugee integration policies in eleven developed countries, focusing on the interrelated domains of citizenship, language acquisition, and employment. These three domains are interrelated: acquiring language skills facilitates employment and (for most countries) is required for citizenship. I find considerable variation across these countries, which reflects their different historical contexts, but also the different policy choices that have been made in the countries. Even within the European Union, there is considerable variation between Member States in the emphasis they place, for example, on employment of refugees. While the study focuses primarily on policies developed at the national level, I conclude by stressing the importance of local initiatives to support refugee integration.

Public policy makers

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Sraha
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Foreign Markets ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Export Assistance

Purpose – Although there is great deal of research on export assistance programmes in developed countries, studies on developing countries in Africa has received scant attention in the literature. Lack of detailed information in many developing African countries makes it difficult to assess the effect of export promotion programmes (EPPs) on the firm’s export performance in foreign markets. The purpose of this paper is to explore entrepreneurial development in the value-added export sector of Ghana and screen EPPs provided by public policy makers to examine the impact of these programmes on export performance of Ghanaian firms in foreign markets. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual/exploratory paper is developed with discussion. Findings – The paper suggests that the ability of exporters to enhance their performance is driven by the usage of outside market access, export development/training and information related export assistance programmes offered by public policy makers. Utilisation of EPPs builds experiential knowledge which serves as a source of competitive advantage for exporters to implement effective marketing mix strategies to enhance performance. Practical implications – The study underscores the specific EPPs export managers can utilise to enhance performance and improve their international marketing strategy in foreign markets. Public policy makers need to work together with exporters to incorporate and develop programmes to suit the idiosyncrasies of foreign markets and boost the growth of value-added exports. Originality/value – The study explores past literature to screen and evaluate the effect of EPPs and entrepreneurial development to boost export growth in Ghana – Sub-Sahara Africa.

Use of Scenario-Building Transportation Model for Developing Countries

1996 ◽  
Vol 1563 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Khisty ◽  
P. S. Sriraj
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Value Of Time ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Scenario Building ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Building Model ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Perceived Costs

Scenario building is a technique used to evaluate a set of alternatives and give policy makers a quick tool for identifying which are politically viable. The transportation system hierarchy prevailing in a large metropolitan area in a developing country is examined using a scenario-building model. The model is bidimensional with two parameters: distance traveled and the value of time of persons using the transportation system. It is applied to metropolitan Madras (population 6 million) in India. Two scenarios are developed: first, using the perceived costs of various modes available in Madras, and second, using costs reflecting the changes that could arise as a result of policy changes. Results suggest that policy needs to be oriented toward promoting the use of non-motorized modes, motorized two-wheelers, and public transit instead of emulating that of developed countries. This model and its results will be useful to decision makers in examining scenarios of their choice.

The effects of population growth, environmental quality and trade openness on economic growth

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mafizur Rahman ◽  
Kais Saidi ◽  
Mounir Ben Mbarek
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of population growth (PG), environmental quality and trade openness on economic growth of major developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used the panel unit root and panel co-integration tests over the period 1960-2013. Granger causality test is used to find out the direction of causality between the variables. Findings There is a bi-directional relationship between economic growth and trade openness, and a unidirectional relation, running from trade openness to CO2 emissions in the three developed countries. PG has a positive effect on economic growth in three developing countries and there exists a bidirectional relationships between CO2 emissions and PG and a unidirectional relationship from PG to economic growth and from trade openness to economic growth. Furthermore, there is a unidirectional relationship from PG to economic growth and bidirectional relationships between trade openness and economic growth for the six selected countries. Originality/value This is the first comprehensive research that combined the selected three major developed and three major emerging countries of the world to explore the effects of three important variables on economic growth. The authors’ findings will help the policy makers as well as the people of these six countries. this study has shown the aggregate and disaggregate results, so a comparison between the groups of countries is possible. Therefore, this research has significant contributions.

Sub-State Diplomacy Today

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 199-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Van den Brande
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
European Union ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Its Regions ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
The Eu

In an increasingly interdependent world, Europe will need its regions to tackle the challenges of globalization effectively, and to remain a leading partner on the international scene. Regions should therefore reorient their administrations towards the European Union (EU), focus more on the EU’s rolling political agenda, and dare to better steer the EU’s decision-making process. On the flipside, the EU itself should be based upon a model of multi-level governance, allowing the EU to work in partnership with its regional and local authorities. Having experienced politics himself at all levels of governance during his career, Dr Luc Van den Brande gives his practitioner’s view to future policy-makers.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Framework for Standardising System Boundary Definition in Life Cycle Energy Assessments

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Hossein Omrany ◽  
Veronica Soebarto ◽  
Jian Zuo ◽  
Ruidong Chang
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Building Energy Efficiency ◽  
System Boundary ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Energy Assessment ◽  
Boundary Definition ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

This paper aims to propose a comprehensive framework for a clear description of system boundary conditions in life cycle energy assessment (LCEA) analysis in order to promote the incorporation of embodied energy impacts into building energy-efficiency regulations (BEERs). The proposed framework was developed based on an extensive review of 66 studies representing 243 case studies in over 15 countries. The framework consists of six distinctive dimensions, i.e., temporal, physical, methodological, hypothetical, spatial, and functional. These dimensions encapsulate 15 components collectively. The proposed framework possesses two key characteristics; first, its application facilitates defining the conditions of a system boundary within a transparent context. This consequently leads to increasing reliability of obtained LCEA results for decision-making purposes since any particular conditions (e.g., truncation or assumption) considered in establishing the boundaries of a system under study can be revealed. Second, the use of a framework can also provide a meaningful basis for cross comparing cases within a global context. This characteristic can further result in identifying best practices for the design of buildings with low life cycle energy use performance. Furthermore, this paper applies the proposed framework to analyse the LCEA performance of a case study in Adelaide, Australia. Thereafter, the framework is utilised to cross compare the achieved LCEA results with a case study retrieved from literature in order to demonstrate the framework’s capacity for cross comparison. The results indicate the capability of the framework for maintaining transparency in establishing a system boundary in an LCEA analysis, as well as a standardised basis for cross comparing cases. This study also offers recommendations for policy makers in the building sector to incorporate embodied energy into BEERs.

scholarly journals CO2 Intensities and Primary Energy Factors in the Future European Electricity System

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2165
Author(s):  
Sam Hamels
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Conversion Factor ◽  
Unit Commitment ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Energy Factors ◽  
Electrical Loads

The European Union strives for sharp reductions in both CO2 emissions as well as primary energy use. Electricity consuming technologies are becoming increasingly important in this context, due to the ongoing electrification of transport and heating services. To correctly evaluate these technologies, conversion factors are needed—namely CO2 intensities and primary energy factors (PEFs). However, this evaluation is hindered by the unavailability of a high-quality database of conversion factor values. Ideally, such a database has a broad geographical scope, a high temporal resolution and considers cross-country exchanges of electricity as well as future evolutions in the electricity mix. In this paper, a state-of-the-art unit commitment economic dispatch model of the European electricity system is developed and a flow-tracing technique is innovatively applied to future scenarios (2025–2040)—to generate such a database and make it publicly available. Important dynamics are revealed, including an overall decrease in conversion factor values as well as considerable temporal variability at both the seasonal and hourly level. Furthermore, the importance of taking into account imports and carefully considering the calculation methodology for PEFs are both confirmed. Future estimates of the CO2 emissions and primary energy use associated with individual electrical loads can be meaningfully improved by taking into account these dynamics.

scholarly journals Environmental Production Efficiency in the European Union Countries as a Tool for the Implementation of Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4593
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Cheba ◽  
Iwona Bąk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
The European Union ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Taxonomic Methods ◽  
Development Levels ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Eu

The main purpose of the paper is to present a proposal to measure the relationships between Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and one of the areas considered in the green growth concept: environmental production efficiency. Both of these areas illustrate the relationship between the natural environment and the economy, emphasizing transformations in the field of energy use. Selected taxonomic methods, TOPSIS, and multicriteria taxonomy, were applied to study the relationships between the two areas. The results of the EU countries classification showed a variety of countries’ development pathways within a single economic community. Despite continued attempts to equalize the development levels between European Union countries in many strategic areas, they remain highly diversified. That is also true for the areas analyzed in the paper, which is a disturbing situation, indicating that both strategies might not correlate in all respects. Further research into the relationships linking the remaining dimensions of both strategies is required.

scholarly journals New Plant Breeding Technologies: An Assessment of the Political Economy of the Regulatory Environment and Implications for Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3687
Author(s):  
Vincent Smith ◽  
Justus H. H. Wesseler ◽  
David Zilberman
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
International Policies ◽  
Modern Biotechnology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

This perspective discusses the impact of political economy on the regulation of modern biotechnology. Modern biotechnology has contributed to sustainable development, but its potential has been underexplored and underutilized. We highlight the importance of the impacts of regulations for investments in modern biotechnology and argue that improvements are possible via international harmonization of approval processes. This development is urgently needed for improving sustainable development. Policy makers in the European Union (EU) in particular are challenged to rethink their approach to regulating modern biotechnology as their decisions have far ranging consequences beyond the boundaries of the EU and they have the power to influence international policies.

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