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Uncharted Waters: Effects of Maritime Emission Regulation

Author

Listed:
  • Jamie Hansen-Lewis
  • Michelle Marcus

Abstract

Maritime shipping emits as much fine particulate matter as half of global road traffic. We are the first to measure the consequences of US maritime emissions standards on air quality, human health, racial exposure disparities, and behavior. The introduction of US maritime emissions control areas significantly decreased fine particulate matter, low birth weight, and infant mortality. Yet, only about half of the forecasted fine particulate matter abatement was achieved by the policy. We show evidence consistent with behavioral responses among ship operators, other polluters, and individuals that muted the policy's impact, but were not incorporated in ex ante models.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamie Hansen-Lewis & Michelle Marcus, 2025. "Uncharted Waters: Effects of Maritime Emission Regulation," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 37-69, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:37-69
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20220626
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    Cited by:

    1. Philipp Ludwig, 2025. "Can Unilateral Policy Decarbonize Maritime Trade?," CESifo Working Paper Series 11712, CESifo.
    2. Lee, Goeun & Beatty, Timothy, 2024. "Agricultural Burning and Agricultural-Worker Health," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343622, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Lugovskyy, Volodymyr & Skiba, Alexandre & Terner, David, 2025. "Unintended consequences of environmental regulation of maritime shipping: Carbon leakage to air shipping," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. repec:ags:aaea22:343622 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Jamie Hansen-Lewis & Michelle Marcus, 2026. "Targeting Distributional Impacts in the Presence of Behavioral Responses: Lessons from Maritime Emissions Regulation," Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 7(1), pages 149-183.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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