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Sustainability, resource substitution in energy inputs and learning

Author

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  • Ingmar Schumacher

    (X-DEP-ECO - Département d'Économie de l'École Polytechnique - X - École polytechnique, Department of Economics - Trier University)

  • Pierre-André Jouvet

    (EconomiX - EconomiX - UPN - Université Paris Nanterre - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

We assess the impact of the existence of a costly energy substitute (like wind, solar) for a non-renewable resource (like oil, coal) on the sustainability of consumption. The prospects for sustainability depend crucially on the costs of this substitute. If one can reduce the costs of the resource substitute via learning-by-using then we find that still this does not guarantee sustainability. Also, the poorer a country the less it will take the learning-by-using effect into account and the more likely it will be unsustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingmar Schumacher & Pierre-André Jouvet, 2009. "Sustainability, resource substitution in energy inputs and learning," Working Papers hal-00356044, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00356044
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00356044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    learningby- using; Renewable resource; non-renewable resource; substitution; sustainability; learningby- using.;
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