Maria Llop

Economic and environmental effects of CO 2 taxation: an input-output analysis for Spain

The aim of this work is to investigate the direct and indirect effects of an environmental tax on Spanish products, based on their CO2 emission intensities. For this purpose, we apply environmental input-output (EIO) and price models. The short-term price effects of the introduction of tax on consumption prices, and its influence on consumers’ welfare, are determined. We also quantify the environmental impacts of such taxation in terms of the reduction in CO2 emissions. The results, based on the Spanish economy for the year 2007, show that sectors with a relatively poor environmental profile are subjected to high environmental tax rates. As a consequence, applying a CO2 tax on these sectors increases production prices and induces a slight increase in the Consumer Price Index, and a decrease in private welfare. In general, our analysis highlights that the environmental and economic goals cannot both be met at the same time with the environmental taxation, unless there is a way in which the public revenues could be used to compensate those who are negatively affected by the tax.

The general equilibrium effects of social security contributions under alternative incidence assumptions

This study deals with the economic effects of a firms social security taxes in the Catalan economy, using an applied general equilibrium model. A novel aspect of the analysis is that it hypothesizes about the incidence of firms contributions on both employers and employees. The results of a reduction in firms social security taxation are sensitive to the incidence assumption. In particular, the study shows that the effects on regional unemployment, income distribution and relative prices of factors depend considerably on the incidence hypothesis assumed.

Comparing multipliers in the social accounting matrix framework: the case of Catalonia

Structural decomposition analysis, which is usually used within an input-output framework, allows changes in economic variables to be broken down into their determinants. Structural decomposition techniques can also be applied in social accounting matrix (SAM) models, which provide a complete representation of circular flow by adding factor-income generation and household-income distribution to the intersectorial transactions. The author uses structural decomposition analysis to reveal the factors that contribute to the changes in SAM multipliers over time. In particular, she analyses how modifying the patterns of intermediate demand, private consumption, and factor-income distribution modifies the income-generation process. Two SAMs are used, one for 1990 and one for 1994, in an empirical application for the Catalan economy. The results show that the regional multipliers in 1994 were smaller than in 1990, mainly because of a reduction in the structural coefficients of the model.

Disentangling Water Usage in the European Union: A Decomposition Analysis

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) defines common objectives for water resources throughout the European Union (EU). Given this general approach to water preservation and water policy, the objective of this paper is to analyse whether common patterns of water consumption exist within Europe. In particular, our study uses two methods to reveal the reasons behind sectoral water use in all EU countries. The first method is based on an accounting indicator that calculates the water intensity of an economy as the sum of sectoral water intensities. The second method is a subsystem input-output model that divides total water use into different income channels within the production system. The application uses data for the years 2005 and 2009 on water consumption in the production system of the 27 countries of the EU. From our analysis it emerges that EU countries are characterized by very different patterns of water consumption. In particular water consumption by the agriculture sector is extremely high in Central/Eastern Europe, relative to the rest of Europe. In most countries, the water used by the fuel, power and water sector is consumed to satisfy domestic final demand. However, our analysis shows that for some countries exports from this sector are an important driver of water consumption. Focusing on the agricultural sector, the decomposition analysis suggests that water usage in Mediterranean countries is mainly driven by final demand for, and exports of, agricultural products. In Central/Eastern Europe domestic final demand is the main driver of water consumption, but in this region the proportion of water use driven by demand for exports is increasing over time. Given these heterogeneous water consumption patterns, our analysis suggests that Mediterranean and Central/Eastern European countries should adopt specific water policies in order to achieve efficient levels of water consumption in the European Union.

Decomposition of Emission Multipliers in a National Accounting Matrix Including Environmental Accounts

This study defines a linear model of emission multipliers through the use of a national accounting matrix including environmental accounts (NAMEA) for the Catalan economy that integrates the regional economic information with the greenhouse gas emissions. As in the model of income multipliers, emission multipliers can be divided into own effects, open effects, and circular effects. This decomposition shows the channels of income generation and their effects on regional greenhouse gas emissions. Our results reveal significant differences among the three gases analyzed as well as important asymmetries at a sectorial level.

Comparing the aggregation bias in the input–output model and the social accounting matrix model

In economic literature, some information deficiencies and computational complexities have traditionally been solved through the aggregation of data. In input–output (IO) modelling, researchers have been interested in aggregation since the 1950s. Extending the conventional IO aggregation approach to the social accounting matrix (SAM) framework may help to identify the effects caused by the problems of information that usually appear in the linear SAM models. This article applies the theory of IO aggregation to the SAM model and presents a comparison of the IO aggregation bias and the SAM aggregation bias.

Campeonato Mundial de Patinaje Artístico Reus 2014: opinión de los participantes y legado económico

The last days of September and beginning of October 2014 was held in the city of Reus Artistic Skating World Championships. This event welcomes the different types of skating and brought together about 1,200 athletes and 20 thousand spectators. The degree of satisfaction among athletes reached the score of 8.5 out of 10, while among the audience was 8.1 note. The loyalty expressed favorably since 95% of respondents would recommend attending a show of similar characteristics, while 90% of athletes are also evident in this sense. The estimated direct spending that has reversed in the territory is estimated at 2.1 million euros. The investment multiplier was 3.22, while the multiplier on the consumption reached the figure of 2.29 for the expenditure of the organization and spending 2.71 assistants. In overall, it is estimated for the whole economy of Catalonia a positive effect by 5.5 million euros. The most benefited sectors from these effects are tourism (22.8%), trade (14.8%), business services (14.2%) and transport and communications (10%).The last days of September and beginning of October 2014 was held in the city of Reus Artistic Skating World Championships. This event welcomes the different types of skating and brought together about 1,200 athletes and 20 thousand spectators. The degree of satisfaction among athletes reached the score of 8.5 out of 10, while among the audience was 8.1 note. The loyalty expressed favorably since 95% of respondents would recommend attending a show of similar characteristics, while 90% of athletes are also evident in this sense. The estimated direct spending that has reversed in the territory is estimated at 2.1 million euros. The investment multiplier was 3.22, while the multiplier on the consumption reached the figure of 2.29 for the expenditure of the organization and spending 2.71 assistants. In overall, it is estimated for the whole economy of Catalonia a positive effect by 5.5 million euros. The most benefited sectors from these effects are tourism (22.8%), trade (14.8%), business services (14.2%) and transport and communications (10%).

General Equilibrium Effects of Policy Measures Applied to Energy: The Case of Catalonia

In the last decades, the negative externalities caused by the economic activity on the environment have become a crucial subject in most countries. In particular, it has emerged a debate focused on and the measures that need to be taken to mitigate the adverse effects of human kind on the natural ecosystems. This debate has been intensified during the last twenty years because of climate change (Stern, 2006). Nowadays, there exists the consensus that climate change is a problem that affects the whole world and, accordingly, the solution requires a global response.