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Busting the myths around public investment in clean energy

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Meckling

    (University of California)

  • Joseph E. Aldy

    (Harvard University)

  • Matthew J. Kotchen

    (Yale University)

  • Sanya Carley

    (Indiana University)

  • Daniel C. Esty

    (Yale University
    Yale University)

  • Peter A. Raymond

    (Yale University)

  • Bella Tonkonogy

    (Climate Policy Initiative)

  • Charles Harper

    (Yale University)

  • Gillian Sawyer

    (Yale University)

  • Julia Sweatman

    (Yale University)

Abstract

Critics have opposed clean energy public investment by claiming that governments must not pick winners, green subsidies enable rent-seeking behaviour, and failed companies means failed policy. These arguments are problematic and should not determine the direction of energy investment policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Meckling & Joseph E. Aldy & Matthew J. Kotchen & Sanya Carley & Daniel C. Esty & Peter A. Raymond & Bella Tonkonogy & Charles Harper & Gillian Sawyer & Julia Sweatman, 2022. "Busting the myths around public investment in clean energy," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 563-565, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:7:y:2022:i:7:d:10.1038_s41560-022-01081-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01081-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Michael Kremer & Jonathan Levin & Christopher M. Snyder, 2020. "Advance Market Commitments: Insights from Theory and Experience," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 110, pages 269-273, May.
    4. Jonas Meckling & Thomas Sterner & Gernot Wagner, 2017. "Policy sequencing toward decarbonization," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(12), pages 918-922, December.
    5. Vogt-Schilb, Adrien & Meunier, Guy & Hallegatte, Stéphane, 2018. "When starting with the most expensive option makes sense: Optimal timing, cost and sectoral allocation of abatement investment," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 210-233.
    6. Sanya Carley & David M. Konisky, 2020. "The justice and equity implications of the clean energy transition," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(8), pages 569-577, August.
    7. Stokes, Leah C. & Breetz, Hanna L., 2018. "Politics in the U.S. energy transition: Case studies of solar, wind, biofuels and electric vehicles policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 76-86.
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    Cited by:

    1. Belaïd, Fateh & Al-Sarihi, Aisha & Al-Mestneer, Raed, 2023. "Balancing climate mitigation and energy security goals amid converging global energy crises: The role of green investments," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 534-542.
    2. An, Zidong, 2023. "Financial reforms and capital accumulation in developing economies: New data and evidence," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Jonas Meckling & Jesse Strecker, 2023. "Green bargains: leveraging public investment to advance climate regulation," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(4), pages 418-429, April.

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