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Technology transfer and cost structure of clean development mechanism projects: an empirical study of Indian cases

Author

Listed:
  • Nils Simon

    (Waseda University)

  • Toshi H. Arimura

    (Waseda University)

  • Minoru Morita

    (Waseda University)

  • Akihisa Kuriyama

    (The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies)

  • Kazuhisa Koakutsu

    (The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies)

Abstract

This research empirically estimates abatement costs under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in India, using project-level data for 830 projects that had been registered as of April 2014. Emphasis lies on assessing the impact of international technology transfer on abatement costs and on testing whether CDM projects in India have experienced a “low-hanging fruits” problem or have benefitted from learning effects. The results suggest that projects that include technology transfer have higher abatement costs. However, this does not appear to be universally applicable when assessing technology transfer by project type. Second, no conclusive evidence is found to support a “low-hanging fruits” problem, both empirically and based on the finding that most Indian projects are conducted unilaterally. On the contrary, some project types showed that abatement costs decrease as more projects are implemented. Finally, results suggest increasing returns to scale as well as economies of time in terms of project duration.

Suggested Citation

  • Nils Simon & Toshi H. Arimura & Minoru Morita & Akihisa Kuriyama & Kazuhisa Koakutsu, 2017. "Technology transfer and cost structure of clean development mechanism projects: an empirical study of Indian cases," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 19(3), pages 609-633, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:envpol:v:19:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10018-016-0175-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10018-016-0175-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mele, Antonio & Paglialunga, Elena & Sforna, Giorgia, 2021. "Climate cooperation from Kyoto to Paris: What can be learnt from the CDM experience?," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Bortoletto, Wagner Wilson & Pacagnella Junior, Antonio Carlos & Cabello, Otavio Gomes, 2023. "Exploring the scientific literature on clean development mechanisms: A bibliometric analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    3. Antônio Carlos Pacagnella Júnior & Henrique Luiz da Silva & Wagner Wilson Bortoletto & Paulo Sergio de Arruda Ignacio, 2023. "Financial and environmental efficiency of CDM projects: Analysis and classification for investment decisions," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(2), pages 926-941, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); Technology transfer; Climate changes; Low-hanging fruit problem; Renewable energies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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