Publications by Year: 2017

2017
Stavins, R. N., Robin Cross, and Andrew J. Plantinga. “Terroir in the New World Hedonic Estimation of Vineyard Sale Prices in California.” Journal of Wine Economics 12, no. 3 (2017): 282–301. Publisher's VersionAbstract
In the Old-World vineyards of Europe, a key concept that plays an important role in the production and appreciation of wines is terroir, which refers to the special characteristics of a place that impart unique qualities to the wine produced. We examine whether terroir matters in the New-World wines produced in California’s Napa and Sonoma Counties by conducting a hedonic price analysis of vineyard sales over the period 1991 to 2007 to determine the relative effects on vineyard sales prices of designated appellations versus biophysical site attributes commonly associated with terroir, such as slope, aspect, elevation, and climate. Because vineyards that are sold are not necessarily representative of the universe of vineyards, we employ Heckman’s two-stage econometric approach to control for possible sample-selection bias. We find that intrinsic site attributes and designated appellations influence vineyard prices, although our results are stronger and more consistent with regard to the influence of appellations. This finding indicates that terroir matters economically, even if the designated appellations have relatively less connection in reality with terroir. (JEL Classifications: C2, Q11)
122117_terroir-in-the-new-world-hedonic-estimation-of-vineyard-sale-prices-in-california.pdf
[A-91]
Gerarden, Todd D., R.G. Newell, and R. Stavins. “Assessing the Energy-Efficiency Gap.” Journal of Economic Literature 55, no. 4 (2017): 1486–1525.Abstract
Energy-efficient technologies offer considerable promise for reducing the financial costs and environmental damages associated with energy use, but it has long been observed that these technologies may not be adopted by individuals and firms to the degree that might be justified, even on a purely financial basis. We survey the relevant literature on this "energy-efficiency gap" by presenting two complementary frameworks. First, we divide potential explanations for the energy-efficiency gap into three categories: market failures, behavioral explanations, and model and measurement errors. Second, we organize previous research in terms of the fundamental elements of cost-minimizing energy-efficiency decisions. This provides a decomposition that organizes thinking around four questions. First, are product offerings and pricing economically efficient? Second, are energy operating costs inefficiently priced and/or understood? Third, are product choices cost minimizing in present value terms? Fourth, do other costs inhibit more energy-efficient decisions? We synthesize academic research on these questions, with an emphasis on recent empirical findings, and offer suggestions for future research.
121117_assessing_the_energy-efficiency_gap.pdf
[A-90]
Schmalensee, Richard, and Robert N. Stavins. “The Design of Environmental Markets: What Have We Learned From Experience With Cap and Trade?Oxford Review of Economic Policy 33, no. 4 (2017): 572-588.Abstract
This article reviews the design of environmental markets for pollution control over the past 30 years, and identifies key market-design lessons for future applications. The focus is on a subset of the cap-and-trade systems that have been implemented, planned, or proposed around the world. Three criteria led us to the selection of systems for review. First, among the broader class of tradable permit systems, our focus is exclusively on cap-and-trade mechanisms, thereby excluding emission-reduction-credit or offset programmes. Second, among cap-and-trade mechanisms, we examine only those that target pollution abatement, and so we do not include applications to natural resource management, such as individual transferable quota systems used to regulate fisheries. Third, we focus on the most prominent applications—those that are particularly important environmentally, economically, or both.
The Design of Environmental Markets: What Have We Learned From Experience With Cap and Trade?
[A-89]
Stavins, Robert N.What Have We Learned from 30 Years of Cap-and-Trade Programs?The Environmental Forum 34, no. 6 (2017): 15. What Have We Learned from 30 Years of Cap-and-Trade Programs?
D-158
Stavins, Robert N.Authority, Credibility, Influence: What U.S. Loses in Paris Pullout.” The Environmental Forum 34, no. 5 (2017): 17. column_80.pdf
D-157
Stavins, Robert N.The Economics (and Politics) of Trump's Paris Withdrawal.” PBS NewsHour (2017). Publisher's VersionAbstract
The announcement by President Trump that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement was based neither on real science nor sound economics.
D-156
Stavins, Robert N.Goodbye Paris, Hello Nicaragua: Why Trump’s Withdrawl From The Climate Accord Is Bad For America.” WGBH News (2017). Publisher's VersionAbstract
President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement was both confused and misguided, and his justifications were, for the most part, false.
D-153
Stavins, Robert N.Will the Trump Administration Realize the Many Benefits of Paris?The Environmental Forum 34, no. 4 (2017): 17. column_79.pdf
D-155
Stavins, Robert N.Why Trump Pulled the U.S. Out of the Paris Accord.” Foreign Affairs (2017). Publisher's VersionAbstract
Trump’s decision to withdraw the nation from the Paris climate agreement was not based on science or sound economics, but on a confused, misguided, and simply dishonest desire to score some short-term political points with his voters. What he sacrifices in the long term will be immensely more difficult for the country to win back at the ballot box: authority, credibility, and influence.
D-154
Stavins, Robert N.California’s Climate-Change Advances Could Be Jeopardized by Ill-Conceived Senate Bill.” The Sacramento Bee (2017). Publisher's Version

D-152

Stavins, Robert N.The Evolution of Environmental Economics: A View from the Inside.” The Singapore Economic Review 62, no. 2 (2017): 251–274. Publisher's VersionAbstract

This essay provides one economist’s perspective on the two-decade evolution of the field of environmental economics, by tracing it through personal reflections on the professional path that has led to my research and writing. Also, the article summarizes the highlights of some of my research and writing during this period.

stavins_singapore_economic_review.pdf

A-88

Ki-moon, Ban, and Robert N. Stavins. “Why the US Should Stay in the Paris Climate Agreement.” The Boston Globe (2017). Publisher's Version

D-151

Stavins, Robert N.Is President Trump’s Climate Policy an Oxymoron?The Environmental Forum 34, no. 3 (2017): 17. column_78.pdf

D-150

Schmalensee, Richard, and Robert N. Stavins. “Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Experience with Cap and Trade.” Review of Environmental Economics and Policy 11, no. 1 (2017): 59–79. Publisher's Version

A-87

Stavins, Robert N.California Steps Forward on Climate but Emphasizes a Poor Policy Choice.” The Environmental Forum 34, no. 2 (2017): 15. column_77.pdf

D-149

Stavins, Robert N.Onerous for Experts, IPCC Process in Danger of Becoming Politicized.” The Environmental Forum 34, no. 1 (2017): 15. column_76.pdf

D-148