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Stated versus revealed knowledge: Determinants of offsetting CO2 emissions from fuel consumption in vehicle use

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  • Ziegler, Andreas
  • Schwarzkopf, Julia
  • Hoffmann, Volker H.

Abstract

This paper examines the role of prior knowledge in offsetting CO2 emissions from fuel consumption in vehicle use. The main result of our econometric analysis on the basis of unique representative data from drivers’ license holders in the USA and Germany refers to the strong discrepancy between the stated and revealed knowledge of CO2 offsetting. The revealed knowledge – measured by the correct estimation of the costs for this offsetting practice – has a positive impact on the stated purchase of corresponding offsetting credits in both countries. In contrast, the effect of the stated knowledge of offsetting is not robust and in some cases even negative. Surprisingly, it cannot even be confirmed that drivers’ license holders who claim that they are more than sufficiently informed estimate these costs more accurately.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziegler, Andreas & Schwarzkopf, Julia & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2012. "Stated versus revealed knowledge: Determinants of offsetting CO2 emissions from fuel consumption in vehicle use," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 422-431.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:40:y:2012:i:c:p:422-431
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.10.027
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    3. Ziegler, Andreas & Schwirplies, Claudia, 2014. "The determinants of voluntary carbon offsetting: A micro-econometric analysis of individuals from Germany and the United States," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100422, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    4. Schwirplies, Claudia & Dütschke, Elisabeth & Schleich, Joachim & Ziegler, Andreas, 2019. "The willingness to offset CO2 emissions from traveling: Findings from discrete choice experiments with different framings," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Schwirplies, Claudia & Dütschke, Elisabeth & Schleich, Joachim & Ziegler, Andreas, 2017. "Consumers' willingness to offset their CO2 emissions from traveling: A discrete choice analysis of framing and provider contributions," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S05/2017, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    6. Engler, Daniel & Gutsche, Gunnar & Simixhiu, Amantia & Ziegler, Andreas, 2023. "On the relationship between corporate CO2 offsetting and pro-environmental activities in small- and medium-sized firms in Germany," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    7. Andreas Lange & Andreas Ziegler, 2017. "Offsetting Versus Mitigation Activities to Reduce $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ CO 2 Emissions: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis for the U.S. and Germany," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 66(1), pages 113-133, January.
    8. Balderas Torres, Arturo & MacMillan, Douglas C. & Skutsch, Margaret & Lovett, Jon C., 2015. "Reprint of ‘Yes-in-my-backyard’: Spatial differences in the valuation of forest services and local co-benefits for carbon markets in México," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 283-294.
    9. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Haouas, Ilham & Hoang, Thi Hong Van, 2019. "Economic growth and environmental degradation in Vietnam: Is the environmental Kuznets curve a complete picture?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 197-218.
    10. Daniel Engler & Gunnar Gutsche & Amantia Simixhiu & Andreas Ziegler, 2021. "Corporate CO2 offsetting in small- and medium-sized firms in Germany," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202136, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    11. Sadia Cheema & Bilal Afsar & Basheer M. Al‐Ghazali & Ahsen Maqsoom, 2020. "Retracted: How employee's perceived corporate social responsibility affects employee's pro‐environmental behaviour? The influence of organizational identification, corporate entrepreneurship, and envi," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 616-629, March.
    12. Syed Haider Ali Shah & Basheer M. Al-Ghazali & Sabeen Bhatti & Nida Aman & Mochammed Fahlevi & Mohammed Aljuaid & Fakhrul Hasan, 2023. "The Impact of Perceived CSR on Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors: The Mediating Effects of Environmental Consciousness and Environmental Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-25, February.
    13. Balderas Torres, Arturo & MacMillan, Douglas C. & Skutsch, Margaret & Lovett, Jon C., 2015. "‘Yes-in-my-backyard’: Spatial differences in the valuation of forest services and local co-benefits for carbon markets in México," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 130-141.
    14. Spickermann, Alexander & Grienitz, Volker & von der Gracht, Heiko A., 2014. "Heading towards a multimodal city of the future?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 201-221.

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    Keywords

    Climate change; CO2 offsetting; Vehicle use;
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