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Environmental economics : an introduction

Barry C Field, Martha k Field Economia ambiental

Chapter 19

International Environmental Agreements - all with Video Answers

Educators


Chapter Questions

04:27

Problem 1

Following are illustrative numbers indicating benefits and costs to Country A of taking specific actions on an international treaty to reduce $\mathrm{CO}_2$ emissions. The choice is either to adhere to the $\mathrm{CO}_2$ emissions cutbacks called for by the treaty or to disregard the treaty.
$$
\begin{array}{lccc}
\hline & \text { Costs } & \text { Benefits } & \text { Net Benefits } \\
\hline \text { All countries adhere to treaty } & 10 & 20 & 10 \\
\begin{array}{l}
\text { No countries adhere to treaty } \\
\begin{array}{l}
\text { Other countries adhere to treaty, } \\
\text { Country A does not }
\end{array}
\end{array} & 0 & -5 & -5 \\
\hline
\end{array}
$$
What is the incentive for Country A to free ride on the abatement efforts of other countries? If all countries become free riders, what is the result?

Trinity Steen
Trinity Steen
Numerade Educator
00:58

Problem 2

We talked about "side payments" given to countries to lower the costs to them of joining international environmental agreements. What types of side payments might be effective?

Kaylee Mcclellan
Kaylee Mcclellan
Numerade Educator

Problem 3

What is free-riding in the context of international agreements and what might be some ways of overcoming it?

Check back soon!
01:44

Problem 4

"International environmental agreements are very much shaped by the fact that enforcement on the international level is difficult, if not impossible." Discuss.

April Berlyoung
April Berlyoung
Numerade Educator
01:05

Problem 5

When CFCs were first introduced 50 years ago, their benefits were obvious, and nobody appreciated the long-run impacts they might have. How do we guard ourselves against unforeseen long-run effects such as this?

Keenan Mintz
Keenan Mintz
University of Miami