|
|
Comparison of coherent demand systems: The case of meat demand in the Czech Republic
Dlasková, Karolína ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Mikolášek, Jakub (referee)
There are many models used to estimate demand elasticities. We present a complex review of these studies in our thesis. Our empirical goal is to compare LES, Translog and QUAIDS demand systems according to their performance. In parallel, we estimate the elasticities of meat demand in the Czech Republic for the period 2010 - 2015 using the data of the household budget survey. Comparing the systems by the Akaike and Schwarz criterion, LES demonstrates the best fit for this kind of data. The average of price elasticity for different kinds of meat in the examined period is -0.99, income elasticity then equals to 1.12. These results can have important implications for tax policy, or for commercial use. JEL Classification F12, F21, F23, H25, H71, H87 Keywords Demand, comparison, LES, Translog, QUAIDS, meat Author's e-mail 55606678@fsv.cuni.cz Supervisor's e-mail milan.scasny@czp.cuni.cz
|
|
|
Combining carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation : possible way to protect rain forests
Baďura, Tomáš ; Melichar, Jan (advisor) ; Ščasný, Milan (referee)
Despite the fact that forests and rain forests in particular are known for being a source of various goods and services tropical deforestation, mostly happening in developing countries, is still way over the sustainable rate. Nevertheless, due to the massive potential in reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and its importance in biodiversity conservation, rain forest are increasingly expected to play an important role in both conservation and climate change mitigation activities. Moreover, it might be possible to combine both these ecosystems services together in a synergistic way which would benefit each other. This paper will examine these issues, especially from the biodiversity conservation perspective.
|
|
|
Reaction of household energy demand to improvements in energy efficiency : What about the rebound effect?
Rubínová, Stela ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Mikolášek, Jakub (referee)
Energy efficiency improvements have become a major hope for decoupling the energy demand from economic growth and for achieving environmental goals. Nevertheless, effectiveness of policies based on promoting energy efficiency may be undermined by behavioral responses. More efficiently produced energy service becomes cheaper and economic theory then suggests that consumers should demand more of it, which will cause a loss of the potential technological saving. The phenomenon is called the rebound effect and it has become a focus of energy economists since early 80s. However, even today there is no clear consensus on its importance. Quantification of the rebound effect is mainly hampered by poor data availability and the comparison of results is not straightforward due to methodological differences. Our thesis concentrates right on the economic theory of the demand for energy services, definitions and methodology of its estimation. It provides a comprehensive overview of what was done in the domain and suggests which methodological approaches correspond the most to the economic theory.
|
|
|
Emission trading: evaluation of the European experience
Řízková, Markéta ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Urban, Luděk (referee)
Our aim is to show complex picture and highlight the most discussed features of the emission trading and especially the functioning of the European System of Emission Trading (EU ETS) as a representative of the biggest functioning emission trading system. The key approaches involved in our analysis are both theoretical and practical. In the theoretical section we compare emission trading and environmental taxes and we discuss when it is better to regulate by price and when by quantity instruments. We will discuss the possible allocation methods and especially method of auctioning as the most theoretically preferred allocation method. The practical approach will tackle following two aspects: how the emission allowances have been allocated within the EU ETS in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and what the planned changes are in post 2012. Finally, we will look at the results of allocation versus emission during the first trading period in years 2005-2007 and how it might look in the future in Phase 2 and beyond..
|
|
|
Shadow Price of Air Pollution Emissions in the Czech energy sector - Estimation from Distance Function
Rečka, Lukáš ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Klimešová, Andrea (referee)
This thesis employs a parametric input distance function that incorporates both desirable and undesirable outputs to provide a more complete representation of the production technology. Based on the Shephard (1970) theory of duality, we derive the shadow prices of undesirable outputs in the Czech energy sector on the data over the period 2002 - 2007. The medians of our shadow prices estimates are 8374, 1198, 2805, 6051 and 8549 € per ton of PM, SO2, NOx, CO and VOC, respectively. We decompose shadow prices estimates and test the hypotheses that the marginal abatement cost decline over time; that marginal abatement cost rice with the declining emission level; and that marginal abatement cost rice with declining emission rate. Key Words: shadow prices, distance function, undesirable outputs, marginal abatement cost JEL classification: C61, D24, Q53
|
|
| |
|
|
Water quality valuation (case study of Máchovo jezero)
Škopková, Hana ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Kameníček, Jiří (referee)
This thesis estimates the benefits of water quality improvement on Macha Lake using the contingent valuation method. The aim of this thesis is to show the main problems related to the application of the contingent valuation method in general and in the Czech Republic. First, the methodology of contingent valuation is described in detail. Since the case study on Macha Lake deals with the valuation of improvement of eutrophicated water body, the main issues regarding the water quality are discussed with a special focus on the problem of euthrophication. Following part summarizes selected attitudes towards the application of contingent valuation method on freshwater quality in foreign countries. It focuses on studies that value similar hypothetical product as the survey on Macha Lake. Main differences are identified in the attitudes towards the definition of the good to be valued. Based on this summary the survey on Macha Lake is assessed critically. The aim of this survey is to estimate the benefits that the improvement of water quality on Macha Lake presents for the local households. This change is defined as an improvement in water quality by one and by two classes on five-class water quality scale. The structure and organisation of the survey is introduced as well as its parts, outlining the solution of...
|
|
|
Alternative and renewable energy policy in Europe
Orujov, Faig ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Střítecký, Vít (referee)
Driven by the fact that the global oil market has become extremely volatile and the EU dependence on oil continues to grow, this paper argues that with more emphasis on renewable energy and by using domestically produced alternative energy sources instead of importing foreign oil the EU Member States would drastically improve their energy security and energy independence. The study investigates both past and present trends in the EU energy sources supply and consumption patterns. Additionally, the paper considers possibilities of the renewable and alternative energy both at the current stage and future development of this sector in the EU. The research findings confirm the initial hypothesis as to whether the share of alternative and renewable energy will be sufficiently large to contribute to solving a problem of the EU energy security and independency. The role of the renewables in national energy security strategies of three EU Member States is studied and government supporting policies that enhance renewable sources development are analyzed.
|
|
|
Postoje veřejnosti k politikám mitigace změny klimatu
Kyselá, Eva ; Ščasný, Milan (advisor) ; Vávra, Jan (referee) ; Kalvas, František (referee)
Research on public responses to climate change mitigation policies is proliferating. Therefore, a need to critically review the existing research practice arises. Studies published over the last 15 years (n=164) and focusing on public attitudes and responses to climate policies are reviewed in this thesis with respect to a) measures and operational definitions of policy support, acceptability, acceptance, and other types of responses and b) factors related to such responses. A great diversity of measures and measured constructs, frequent lack of theoretical embedding, and conceptual vagueness are currently pervasive in the field. Such state leads to uncertainty of what is being measured, ambiguity, and greater diversity and lower comparability of results. In response to this state, the thesis proposes a construct of policy attitudes and responses as an overarching concept comprising the diversity of measures and constructs already in use, and a theoretical framework, based on the Value- Belief-Norm theory, as a heuristic tool for measurement, analysis, and interpretation of survey results. Additionally, the thesis discusses the interlinkage of public opinion on climate policies and policy-making process to argue the relevance and the role of the reviewed research. Three original studies are part of...
|
|
|
Hybrid Model for Regulating Carbon
Ashrafullina, Ksenia ; Hrubý, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Ščasný, Milan (referee)
The objective of this dissertation is to review the instruments used to reduce carbon emissions, discuss the emission trading introduced by the European Emission Trading System and tentatively suggest further improvements. We shall look at carbon emissions as a negative externality and explore the theoretical foundations of carbon taxation and cap-and-trade systems as well as their possible interactions, conflicts and synergies. We shall also look at the risks associated with using carbon regulation in the ELI, mainly carbon leakage and lack of international compliance with regulatory mechanisms, especially in the developing countries. On a practical side, we shall focus on the structure and performance of the carbon reduction policies during the three phases - NAP1, NAP2 and NAP3, paying close attention to free allocation and auctioning. Finally we shall discuss risk-reduction methods, focusing on a potential hybrid model combining both cap-and-trade and taxation with a percentage of the revenues redistributed to the developing world to stimulate climate change agenda.
|
guest ::
RSS feed.