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Analysing the Effectiveness of International Environmental Policies: The Case of the Kyoto Protocol

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  • Christian Almer

    (University of Bath)

  • Ralph Winkler

    (University of Bern)

Abstract

We study the effectiveness of emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol with respect to reducing CO2 emissions. Using country-level and US state-level panel data and employing the synthetic control method, we find very little evidence for an emission reduction effect for the major emitters among the Annex B countries with binding emission targets. More generally, we also show that evaluating the effectiveness of international environmental policies at the country level comes with a number of empirical challenges that may invalidate findings based on more traditional panel data approaches.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Almer & Ralph Winkler, 2015. "Analysing the Effectiveness of International Environmental Policies: The Case of the Kyoto Protocol," Department of Economics Working Papers 39/15, University of Bath, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:eid:wpaper:46087
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aichele, Rahel & Felbermayr, Gabriel, 2012. "Kyoto and the carbon footprint of nations," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 336-354.
    2. Alberto Abadie & Alexis Diamond & Jens Hainmueller, 2015. "Comparative Politics and the Synthetic Control Method," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(2), pages 495-510, February.
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    5. Grunewald, Nicole & Martinez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada, 2016. "Did the Kyoto Protocol fail? An evaluation of the effect of the Kyoto Protocol on CO2 emissions," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(1), pages 1-22, February.
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    7. Copeland, Brian R. & Taylor, M. Scott, 2005. "Free trade and global warming: a trade theory view of the Kyoto protocol," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 205-234, March.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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