“the Green Paradox Phenomenon: A European Union Empirical Application”

The green paradox describes an undesirable and socially inefficient phenomenon caused by the expansionary reactions of the Supply as a response to the various mechanisms that combat climate change. This article seeks to understand and aggregate the different drivers of this phenomenon portrayed in the literature, as well the empirical evidence associated and the proposed solutions. For this purpose, compilation and systematization of the various scientific contributions up to date in this context have been elaborated, which led to the identification of five major drivers of the paradox: (i) Environmental Taxes, (ii) Green Supports, (iii) Uncertain Property Rights, (iv) Temporal Lag and (v) Emission limits (Cap). Moreover, we evaluate its effective impact on the European scenario in the last two decades, and we have obtained evidences that the hiatus in the implementation of the European emission cap mechanism has generated a strong green paradox. Moreover, a robust reflection regarding the economic and environmental adequacy of green supports should be considered due to its questionable net benefits. Lastly, we offer some recommendations of public environmental policies that escape the paradoxical phenomenon, through the enunciation of the conditionalities of these provocateurs.

An Endogenous Emissions Cap Produces a Green Paradox

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is complemented by a Market Stability Reserve (MSR). After a major revision of the EU ETS in 2018, the MSR effectively makes the supply of allowances responsive to demand. In this paper, we show that a cap-and-trade scheme with an endogenous cap such as the EU ETS produces a Green Paradox. Abatement policies announced early but realized in the future are counter-effective because of the MSR: they increase cumulative emissions. We present the mechanisms in a two-period model, and then provide quantitative evidence of our result for an annual model disciplined on the price rise in the EU ETS that followed the introduction of the MSR. Our results point to the need for better coordination between different policies, such as the ‘European Green Deal’. We conclude with suggestions to improve the workings of an endogenous cap, ahead of the MSR review scheduled for 2021.

Carbon Leakage Along with the Green Paradox Against Carbon Abatement? A Review Based on Carbon Tax

Research background: Insufficient global cooperation in carbon pricing against global warming has the risk of global carbon emissions rise because of carbon leakage. The effect of a carbon tax on the present supply of fossil fuels is also valuable in regard to global carbon emissions.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain more insights into the effects of carbon leakage along with the green paradox on global carbon emissions by reviewing the relevant literature.Research methodology: We provide the problem linked to carbon leakage and the green paradox in the introduction. Then, the effects of carbon leakage and the green paradox on global carbon emissions are elaborated separately. Finally the mutual effects of carbon leakage and the green paradox are reviewed comprehensively.Results: It is seen that various factors like interest rates, fossil fuel extraction costs, the fossil fuel reserves to be discovered in the future and carbon tax incidence are equally important determinants in regard to global carbon emissions.Novelty: This study provides an insight into the mutual effects of carbon leakage and the green paradox on global carbon emissions by reviewing the primary literature in the field.