Hardback
Environmental Policy and Technical Change
A Comparison of the Technological Impact of Policy Instruments
9781858985060 Edward Elgar Publishing
Environmental Policy and Technical Change assesses the impact of environmental policy on technical change in cleaner technology. It focuses in particular on the possibility of inducing radical change in technology – a topic that is likely to move to the centre of the policy debate as people discover that incremental changes are not enough to achieve environmental sustainability.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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Environmental Policy and Technical Change assesses the impact of environmental policy on technical change in cleaner technology. It focuses in particular on the possibility of inducing radical change in technology – a topic that is likely to move to the centre of the policy debate as people discover that incremental changes are not enough to achieve environmental sustainability.
This innovative book sheds new light on the relationship between clean technology and environmental policy. It adopts an approach which combines a balance of both theoretical models of innovation and diffusion with empirical case studies. Dr Kemp examines policies such as subsidies, tradeable quotas, pollution taxes and emission standards in how they affect technical choices. Suggestions are offered on how environmental policies may be (re)designed towards the efficient conservation of environmental qualities by encouraging innovation in environmental benign technology.
This important book will be essential reading for both researchers and environmental economists concerned with environmental policy and technical innovation.
This innovative book sheds new light on the relationship between clean technology and environmental policy. It adopts an approach which combines a balance of both theoretical models of innovation and diffusion with empirical case studies. Dr Kemp examines policies such as subsidies, tradeable quotas, pollution taxes and emission standards in how they affect technical choices. Suggestions are offered on how environmental policies may be (re)designed towards the efficient conservation of environmental qualities by encouraging innovation in environmental benign technology.
This important book will be essential reading for both researchers and environmental economists concerned with environmental policy and technical innovation.
Critical Acclaim
‘This book is worth reading (and understanding) for economists, politicians and students who are interested in learning about economics and the way it tries to contribute solutions to environmental conflicts. I found this a splendid approach for dealing with complex systems, which crosses scientific barriers and should make some of that science understandable to decision-makers.’
– Jörg Köhn, Environmental Values
‘The book’s coverage of its topic is comprehensive, ranging from the development of formal models of the response of rational actors to new technological opportunities, to neo-Schumpeterian speculations about the course of technological dynamism and whether environmental policy is likely to stimulate it or damp it down. . . . Kemp then applies the general insights of the book’s early chapters specifically to environmentally beneficial technological innovations. . . . Much of the discussion of these chapters is illuminating.’
– Paul Ekins, The Manchester School
‘René Kemp has, in my view, written an innovative and necessary book, addressing the relationship between environmental policy and the whole process behind technical change – development, innovation, diffusion, regime shift – in a clear and comprehensible manner with illustrative empirical examples.’
– Marie Gaarder, Journal of Energy Literature
‘Dr Kemp has provided a useful, thought-provoking work for students of energy, economic, and environmental technology development and diffusion policy.’
– Arnold B. Baker, Journal of Energy and Development
‘. . . of great value to researchers and environmental economists interested in issues of technical change. Technological development is a critical component of any strategy towards environmental sustainability, and this text provides well-constructed insights and guidance for creating effective public policies towards that end.’
– Marc E. Norman, Environmental Conservation
‘This is an important book not only for students of environmental economics. Those already critical of their discipline’s neglect of technological innovation will be attracted, others may want to discover how one branch of economic theory deals with issues of technical change and social learning.’
– Sonja Boehmer-Christiansen, Environmental Politics
‘René Kemp’s book is very important because it is one of the few attempts to engage in original empirical research [on the topic of environmental policy instruments and technical change]. The results are fascinating. . . . a stimulating and excellent contribution to a neglected issue in the literature on regulation and the environment.’
– David Pearce, The Economic Journal
‘ . . . this book focusses on issues that are interesting and important. Further, the book does contain some useful ideas on the design of economic policies which will stimulate innovation and which will encourage the diffusion of environment friendly technologies.’
– Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Kyklos
– Jörg Köhn, Environmental Values
‘The book’s coverage of its topic is comprehensive, ranging from the development of formal models of the response of rational actors to new technological opportunities, to neo-Schumpeterian speculations about the course of technological dynamism and whether environmental policy is likely to stimulate it or damp it down. . . . Kemp then applies the general insights of the book’s early chapters specifically to environmentally beneficial technological innovations. . . . Much of the discussion of these chapters is illuminating.’
– Paul Ekins, The Manchester School
‘René Kemp has, in my view, written an innovative and necessary book, addressing the relationship between environmental policy and the whole process behind technical change – development, innovation, diffusion, regime shift – in a clear and comprehensible manner with illustrative empirical examples.’
– Marie Gaarder, Journal of Energy Literature
‘Dr Kemp has provided a useful, thought-provoking work for students of energy, economic, and environmental technology development and diffusion policy.’
– Arnold B. Baker, Journal of Energy and Development
‘. . . of great value to researchers and environmental economists interested in issues of technical change. Technological development is a critical component of any strategy towards environmental sustainability, and this text provides well-constructed insights and guidance for creating effective public policies towards that end.’
– Marc E. Norman, Environmental Conservation
‘This is an important book not only for students of environmental economics. Those already critical of their discipline’s neglect of technological innovation will be attracted, others may want to discover how one branch of economic theory deals with issues of technical change and social learning.’
– Sonja Boehmer-Christiansen, Environmental Politics
‘René Kemp’s book is very important because it is one of the few attempts to engage in original empirical research [on the topic of environmental policy instruments and technical change]. The results are fascinating. . . . a stimulating and excellent contribution to a neglected issue in the literature on regulation and the environment.’
– David Pearce, The Economic Journal
‘ . . . this book focusses on issues that are interesting and important. Further, the book does contain some useful ideas on the design of economic policies which will stimulate innovation and which will encourage the diffusion of environment friendly technologies.’
– Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Kyklos
Contents
Contents: 1. Introduction Part I: Theoretical Models of Innovation and Diffusion 2. A Critical Survey of Innovation Models in Pollution Control 3. New Models of Innovation in Pollution Control 4. An Interpretative Survey of Technological Diffusion Models 5. The Diffusion of Environmentally Beneficial Technological Innovations Part II: Empirical Studies of Environmentally Beneficial Technologies 6. The Diffusion of Biological Waste-Water Treatment Plants in the Dutch Food and Beverage Industry 7. The Diffusion of Thermal Home Insulation in the Netherlands 8. Case Studies of Cleaner Technologies 9. Technology Effects of Past Environmental Policies: An Overview Part III: The Problem of Technological Regime Shifts 10. Continuity and Change in Technological Regimes 11. Understanding Technological Regime Shifts 12. The Transition from Hydrocarbons 13. Conclusions References Index
