Publications
Studies in environmental, production and transport economics PhD Thesis
Fiorito, Giancarlo
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2018, ISBN: 9788449078804.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Carbon tax, Energy, Energy capital substitution
@phdthesis{Fiorito2018,
title = {Studies in environmental, production and transport economics},
author = {Giancarlo Fiorito},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10803/462767},
isbn = {9788449078804},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
booktitle = {Studies in environmental, production and transport economics},
pages = {66},
publisher = {Universitat Aut\`{o}noma de Barcelona},
school = {Universitat Aut\`{o}noma de Barcelona},
abstract = {This PhD thesis uses statistics and econometric modelling to explore in empirical terms three energy and environmental economics issues. The first study approaches the energy-economy connection in a broad perspective: employing energy, population and income data for 133 countries over four decades, it provides a graphical examination of energy intensity combining static and dynamic analyses to assess the usefulness of this popular indicator. The use of Gapminder graphical tool allows the visualization of four variables at the time so as to unveil long term patterns characterizing energy and GDP data. The article conclusions answer negatively to the title's question. The second study enters into production. With a focus on inputs, capital/energy substitutability is investigated by estimating the production function of the manufacturing sector for seven OECD countries. Using a four-input translog specification, input substitution is quantified by the cross-price elasticity of substitution. This traditional economics treatment provides updated figures about the technological limits in which economic systems have to operate during times of energy scarcity, environmental constraints and resource price volatility. One more proof that (cheap) energy and raw materials are essential inputs in production, as we know it and, thus, the world cannot get along without natural resources. The last chapter concerns an urgent issue for both human health and the environment: the ever-increasing emissions form the transport sector, focusing on road vehicles. After estimating consumer demand for both traditional and widely-available eco-fuels, LPG and methane, I simulate the effects of the introducing a carbon tax in Italy on both fuel/vehicle choice and emissions. The results indicate a positive responsiveness of consumer toward LPG and methane, leading to significant CO2 reduction; an essential factor being the diffusion of their refueling infrastructure. All the studies, are published in scientific journals, and they use original and verifiable data and calculation procedures, to contribute to relevant and new insights.},
keywords = {Carbon tax, Energy, Energy capital substitution},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
This PhD thesis uses statistics and econometric modelling to explore in empirical terms three energy and environmental economics issues. The first study approaches the energy-economy connection in a broad perspective: employing energy, population and income data for 133 countries over four decades, it provides a graphical examination of energy intensity combining static and dynamic analyses to assess the usefulness of this popular indicator. The use of Gapminder graphical tool allows the visualization of four variables at the time so as to unveil long term patterns characterizing energy and GDP data. The article conclusions answer negatively to the title's question. The second study enters into production. With a focus on inputs, capital/energy substitutability is investigated by estimating the production function of the manufacturing sector for seven OECD countries. Using a four-input translog specification, input substitution is quantified by the cross-price elasticity of substitution. This traditional economics treatment provides updated figures about the technological limits in which economic systems have to operate during times of energy scarcity, environmental constraints and resource price volatility. One more proof that (cheap) energy and raw materials are essential inputs in production, as we know it and, thus, the world cannot get along without natural resources. The last chapter concerns an urgent issue for both human health and the environment: the ever-increasing emissions form the transport sector, focusing on road vehicles. After estimating consumer demand for both traditional and widely-available eco-fuels, LPG and methane, I simulate the effects of the introducing a carbon tax in Italy on both fuel/vehicle choice and emissions. The results indicate a positive responsiveness of consumer toward LPG and methane, leading to significant CO2 reduction; an essential factor being the diffusion of their refueling infrastructure. All the studies, are published in scientific journals, and they use original and verifiable data and calculation procedures, to contribute to relevant and new insights.
AGAUR Grant ID 2017 SGR 230 / Copyright © 2023