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Have international pollution protocols made a difference?

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  • Isaksen, Elisabeth

Abstract

Evaluating the effectiveness of international agreements is inherently difficult due to the problems of self-selection, spillovers, and aggregate-level data. In this paper, I provide new and arguably more credible estimates on the effects of the Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) protocols on three different pollutants: SO2, NOx, and VOCs. I address the problem of non-parallel emission trends by constructing “synthetic” controls that mimic the pre-treatment development of each affected country. Using a new dataset covering more regions and a longer period than previously applied, I find that all three protocols induced emissions reductions well beyond a (synthetic) counterfactual development.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaksen, Elisabeth, 2018. "Have international pollution protocols made a difference?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 139506, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:139506
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/139506/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bretschger, Lucas & Grieg, Elise, 2024. "Carbon taxes, CO2 emissions, and the economy: The effects of fuel taxation in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations

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