This thesis consists of three different papers summarized as follows. In The political economy of environmental regulation, I study how enforcement of national environmental legislation differ across municipalities in Sweden depending on the local political situation. While the legislation is national, enforcement is decentralized. I find that municipalities where the Green Party joins the ruling political coalition issue more environmental fines than other municipalities. In pricing on the fish market I use Swedish data to study how size affects the price per kilo of fish for several species. In traditional fishery biomass models, fish stocks are treated as homogenous. New theoretical heterogeneous fishery models, where size is allowed to differ in a fish stock, have important implications for regulation, for example that it is optimal to regulate on numbers of fish instead of weight. However, prices in these models are assumed to be constant. My estimates can be used to shed some light on how prices change when the size composition of the catch changes. In my third and final chapter, Settlement under the threat of conflict - The cost of asymmetric information, I present a theoretical model where two players can divide a good peacefully or engage in a contest in order to obtain the entire good. I assume that one player's valuation of the good is private information and show how this affects the expected cost of the contest and thus the probability of peaceful settlement.

The Swedish Environment Protection Act (SEPA) was implemented in 1969 and constituted the first comprehensive Swedish regulation of industry-induced environmental externalities. In keeping with a longstanding corporatist tradition, Swedish policymakers aimed to establish a cooperative climate with industrial producers and instructed the regulatory authorities to strive to reach consensual agreements with affected firms. Despite such accommodations, the environmental adaptation of Swedish industrial production proceeded at a greater pace, during the 1970’s and 1980’s, than in most comparable countries, many of which had implemented seemingly more stringent environmental regulations than had Sweden. This thesis seeks to identify the firm level incentives behind this process, by examining the economic impact of the SEPA upon one of the more pollution-intensive branches of Swedish industrial production, the pulp and paper industry. Guided by previous research, an hypothesis is proposed in which the implementation of the SEPA came to aid the structural rationalization of this industry during the 1970’s and 1980’s, by inducing the exit of marginal, small-scale pulp and paper mills, thereby relaxing the prevailing competition over wood resources and available market space and creating more room for expansion within the surviving mills. As larger firms tend to operate larger mills, the hypothesized effects are suggested to have benefited large-scale producers within the industry, at the expense of their smaller rivals.   The findings of the thesis show that the economic effects of the SEPA were more severe for small as compared to large-scale mills and that regulatory requirements for pollution abatement did contribute to the shutdown of several small-scale mills during the 1970’s and 1980’s. No conclusive evidence could, however, be found for the validity of the thesis’ hypothesis as a whole, as these shutdowns were not predominantly administered by small-scale firms, as predicted by the hypothesis. Rather, the vast majority of these shutdowns were accounted for by some of the largest firms within the industry. Some tentative evidence was found, however, that the implementation of the SEPA may have benefitted certain large-scale producers within the industry, by facilitating acquisitions of smaller firms with valuable assets.

No description available.

To create a safe environment and ensure the well-being of its population, governments apply structured supervision to ensure that the environmental regulations are adhered to. The purpose of this study is to take a deeper look at the efficiency of how supervision in Sweden is carried out, and to compare it to a neighbour country, Norway, by comparing a Swedish municipality with a Norwegian municipality. The study was carried out by studying literature and performing interviews with a representative environmental inspector in each municipality. The results show that there are differences between the countries, both with regards to the regulatory framework and the organisation of its supervision. In Sweden the environmental regulations are concentrated in one Environmental Code, whereas in Norway there are 17 different mostly sector-specific laws that deal with the environment and its protection. Many of the tasks that are carried out by municipalities in Sweden are instead handled by sector-specific departments and/or by private firms in Norway. Inspectors in both countries wanted more guidance and assistance from central agencies. The study also found that it is difficult to compare statistics in both countries because of large differences in how those statistics are presented in the municipalities. The differences between the countries are hard to explain, and both approaches seem to work, but they want to have a more uniform environmental supervision in the future. Norway is also writing more and more environmental rules that apply across all sectors

O objetivo do presente estudo é verificar como o MERCOSUL vem tratando sua política ambiental, empreendendo uma análise a partir de três modelos estratégicos de regulação aplicáveis a zonas de integração econômica: concorrência regulatória, harmonização e cooperação, que é, em verdade, uma fórmula híbrida com algumas vantagens em relação aos outros dois. Ressalte-se, desde logo, que são poucos os estudos sobre regulação ambiental no MERCOSUL, o que confere importância à pesquisa, mormente se considerada sua abordagem original a partir de modelos estratégicos de regulação ambiental. O método de abordagem utilizado é o dedutivo, partindo-se de modelos abstratos com o escopo de verificar a adequação do MERCOSUL a eles. A pesquisa apontou que o bloco em apreço possui um Acordo-Quadro em matéria ambiental com traços bem característicos de um modelo cooperativo. Todavia, o contexto fático que se seguiu ao acordo não permitiu identificar maiores características dessa estratégia de regulação, o que levou a concluir que, de fato, há no MERCOSUL uma concorrência regulatória em matéria ambiental. Assim, devido às críticas empreendidas à concorrência regulatória, conclui-se que o modelo não é totalmente eficaz para a promoção de uma política ambiental efetiva, bem como para o avanço do processo integracionista. Ao final, são expostas algumas contribuições visando ao aperfeiçoamento da política ambiental mercosulina. / The aim of this study is to analyze how the MERCOSUR deals with its environmental policy, based on three regulatory models applicable to economic integration areas: regulatory competition, harmonization and cooperation, which is, in fact, a hybrid formula with some advantages if compared with the two others. There are few studies on environmental regulation in MERCOSUR, a fact that shows the importance of this research, especially when taking into account its original approach based on regulatory models for the environmental. The research relies on the deductive method, starting from the abstract models with the scope of verifying the adequacy of MERCOSUR to them. The study showed that the trade bloc in question has adopted an Environmental Agreement, which has characteristics of a cooperative model. However, in the factual context that followed the agreement, it was not possible to identify major features of this regulatory model. Therefore, it can be concluded that, in fact, there is a regulatory competition in the MERCOSUR’s environmental policy. Thus, considering regulatory competition critiques, this study concludes that the model adopted by MERCOSUR is not fully effective for the promotion of an efficient environmental policy, as well as to advance in the integration process. Finally, some propositions are made focusing on the optimization of MERCOSUR’s environmental policy.

O objetivo do presente estudo é verificar como o MERCOSUL vem tratando sua política ambiental, empreendendo uma análise a partir de três modelos estratégicos de regulação aplicáveis a zonas de integração econômica: concorrência regulatória, harmonização e cooperação, que é, em verdade, uma fórmula híbrida com algumas vantagens em relação aos outros dois. Ressalte-se, desde logo, que são poucos os estudos sobre regulação ambiental no MERCOSUL, o que confere importância à pesquisa, mormente se considerada sua abordagem original a partir de modelos estratégicos de regulação ambiental. O método de abordagem utilizado é o dedutivo, partindo-se de modelos abstratos com o escopo de verificar a adequação do MERCOSUL a eles. A pesquisa apontou que o bloco em apreço possui um Acordo-Quadro em matéria ambiental com traços bem característicos de um modelo cooperativo. Todavia, o contexto fático que se seguiu ao acordo não permitiu identificar maiores características dessa estratégia de regulação, o que levou a concluir que, de fato, há no MERCOSUL uma concorrência regulatória em matéria ambiental. Assim, devido às críticas empreendidas à concorrência regulatória, conclui-se que o modelo não é totalmente eficaz para a promoção de uma política ambiental efetiva, bem como para o avanço do processo integracionista. Ao final, são expostas algumas contribuições visando ao aperfeiçoamento da política ambiental mercosulina. / The aim of this study is to analyze how the MERCOSUR deals with its environmental policy, based on three regulatory models applicable to economic integration areas: regulatory competition, harmonization and cooperation, which is, in fact, a hybrid formula with some advantages if compared with the two others. There are few studies on environmental regulation in MERCOSUR, a fact that shows the importance of this research, especially when taking into account its original approach based on regulatory models for the environmental. The research relies on the deductive method, starting from the abstract models with the scope of verifying the adequacy of MERCOSUR to them. The study showed that the trade bloc in question has adopted an Environmental Agreement, which has characteristics of a cooperative model. However, in the factual context that followed the agreement, it was not possible to identify major features of this regulatory model. Therefore, it can be concluded that, in fact, there is a regulatory competition in the MERCOSUR’s environmental policy. Thus, considering regulatory competition critiques, this study concludes that the model adopted by MERCOSUR is not fully effective for the promotion of an efficient environmental policy, as well as to advance in the integration process. Finally, some propositions are made focusing on the optimization of MERCOSUR’s environmental policy.

O objetivo do presente estudo é verificar como o MERCOSUL vem tratando sua política ambiental, empreendendo uma análise a partir de três modelos estratégicos de regulação aplicáveis a zonas de integração econômica: concorrência regulatória, harmonização e cooperação, que é, em verdade, uma fórmula híbrida com algumas vantagens em relação aos outros dois. Ressalte-se, desde logo, que são poucos os estudos sobre regulação ambiental no MERCOSUL, o que confere importância à pesquisa, mormente se considerada sua abordagem original a partir de modelos estratégicos de regulação ambiental. O método de abordagem utilizado é o dedutivo, partindo-se de modelos abstratos com o escopo de verificar a adequação do MERCOSUL a eles. A pesquisa apontou que o bloco em apreço possui um Acordo-Quadro em matéria ambiental com traços bem característicos de um modelo cooperativo. Todavia, o contexto fático que se seguiu ao acordo não permitiu identificar maiores características dessa estratégia de regulação, o que levou a concluir que, de fato, há no MERCOSUL uma concorrência regulatória em matéria ambiental. Assim, devido às críticas empreendidas à concorrência regulatória, conclui-se que o modelo não é totalmente eficaz para a promoção de uma política ambiental efetiva, bem como para o avanço do processo integracionista. Ao final, são expostas algumas contribuições visando ao aperfeiçoamento da política ambiental mercosulina. / The aim of this study is to analyze how the MERCOSUR deals with its environmental policy, based on three regulatory models applicable to economic integration areas: regulatory competition, harmonization and cooperation, which is, in fact, a hybrid formula with some advantages if compared with the two others. There are few studies on environmental regulation in MERCOSUR, a fact that shows the importance of this research, especially when taking into account its original approach based on regulatory models for the environmental. The research relies on the deductive method, starting from the abstract models with the scope of verifying the adequacy of MERCOSUR to them. The study showed that the trade bloc in question has adopted an Environmental Agreement, which has characteristics of a cooperative model. However, in the factual context that followed the agreement, it was not possible to identify major features of this regulatory model. Therefore, it can be concluded that, in fact, there is a regulatory competition in the MERCOSUR’s environmental policy. Thus, considering regulatory competition critiques, this study concludes that the model adopted by MERCOSUR is not fully effective for the promotion of an efficient environmental policy, as well as to advance in the integration process. Finally, some propositions are made focusing on the optimization of MERCOSUR’s environmental policy.

Environmental policy debates are gaining momentum in the public square from scholars and citizens alike. From all sides of the debate, a growing consensus is emerging that advocates a shift in the environmental regulatory system in the United States from one that emphasizes command and control regulations to one that advocates collaboration between the regulator and regulatee. Although this dialogue is expanding, the research literature largely remains silent on a critical component of the environmental regulatory system — the individuals on the front-lines. Most notably, these front-line workers are environmental compliance inspectors and the individuals that inspectors deal with at regulated facilities. Inspectors and facility personnel are largely responsible for the implementation of environmental regulation in the U.S., yet they are overlooked in the discussion of regulation, past and present. These key actors are of tremendous significance and must be considered in discussions of environmental policy. In particular, the interactions of these two important groups of actors merit exploration. This research examines the interactions of inspectors and facility personnel in Virginia and investigates contentions that the relationships in the environmental regulatory system lack trust. One-on-one interviews were conducted with nearly four dozen inspectors and facility personnel in Virginia to seek answers to the question: How does trust factor into the relationships between environmental compliance inspectors and facility personnel in Virginia? In contrast to presumptions in the literature, this study finds evidence of positive relationships between these two seeming adversaries and asserts that trust is present in these interactions. Accordingly, there are potentially significant implications of these findings for future environmental policy. These implications include the realization that the relationships are positive, that there may indeed be differences between relationships at the state versus federal level and the experiences at one level dominate prevailing perceptions, and that traditional assumptions of command and control regulations may not be as valid as previously thought. / Ph. D.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has the stated objective of delivering good status (GS) for Europe’s surface waters and groundwaters. But meeting GS is cost dependent, and in some water bodies pollution abatement costs may be high or judged as disproportionate. The definition and assessment of disproportionate costs is central for the justification of time-frame derogations and/or lowering the environmental objectives (standards) for compliance at a water body. European official guidance is discretionary about the interpretation of disproportionate costs which consequently can be interpreted and applied differently across Member States. The aim of this research is to clarify the definition of disproportionality and to convey a consistent interpretation that is fully compliant with the economic requirements of the Directive, whilst also being mindful of the principles of pollution control and welfare economics theory. On this basis, standard-setting derogations should aim to reach socially optimal decisions and be judged with reference to a combination of explicit cost and benefit curves – an application of Cost-Benefits Analysis - and financial affordability tests. Arguably, these tools should be more influential in the development of derogation decisions across member states, including Scotland. The WFD is expected to have extensive effects on Scottish agriculture, which is faced with the challenge of maintaining its competitiveness, while protecting water resources. Focusing the analysis on the socio-economic impacts of achieving water diffuse pollution targets for the sector, a series of independent tests for the assessment of disproportionate costs are proposed and evaluated. These are: i) development of abatement cost curves for agricultural Phosphorus (P) mitigation options for different farm systems; ii) a financial characterisation of farming in Scotland and impact on profits of achieving different P loads reductions at farm level are investigated in order to explore issues on "affordability" and "ability to pay" by the sector; and iii) an investigation of benefits assessment using discrete choice modelling to explore public preferences for pollution control and measure non-market benefits of WFD water quality improvements in Scotland. Results from these tests provide benchmarks for the definition of disproportionate costs and are relevant to other aspects of the economic analysis of water use in Scotland. This study helps to clarify the nature of agricultural water use and how it leads to social tradeoffs with other non agricultural users. Ultimately, this perspective adds to the debate of how and where water is best employed to maximize its value to society.

This thesis addresses the subject of environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). EKC is a model expressing the relationship of economic development and environmental damage. The chosen topic is relevant in connection with ongoing discussions relating to global warming and the impact of human activity on this phenomenon. The concept would give us many clues to the future development of pollution not only in developing countries. The paper examines whether research into the relationship of economic development the country and harming the environment makes sense. The paper also seeks to contribute to confirm or refute the concept of the EKC for specific situations. Specifically, the EKC model validation for selected indicators of environmental pollution in the Czech Republic. The main methods of work are research of literature and empirical analysis. Searches of papers and other publications relating to the concept of EKC is shown in the first part. The second part is devoted to empirical testing EKC for various pollutants in the Example of the Czech Republic. Main result of a literature research is that empirical validation of EKC model makes sense. The work with results of those researches has to be very careful. Main output of own research is verifying the validity of EKC model for selected air pollutants in Czech Republic.