This paper revisits the debate on the distributional effects of climate policies and the just transition using a broader assessment framework than that of standard welfare analysis where multidimensionality, adjustment dynamics and multiple market failures are simultaneously considered. First, the paper highlights the importance of considering the heterogeneity in the capacity and willingness to adjust along three dimensions: time, space, and preferences. Distributional effects of a standalone climate policy are regressive on income and progressive on nonpecuniary benefits, becoming more regressive in the long-run and across regions. Second, using this framework, it compares the performance of five green policy packages including an offsetting policy (rebates, environmental tax reforms, green deal plans, place-based policies, progressive green subsidies). The policy analysis suggests that the path to a just transition, while achieving the desirable economic and environmental outcomes, is narrower than previously thought. While there is no policy package emerging as preferred, green deal plans appear the most sensible option also in terms political acceptability. Finally, considering the other causality nexus, from inequality to the support of green policy packages, helps explain the low political acceptability of climate policy in general.

Managing the distributional effects of climate policies: A narrow path to a just transition / F. Vona. - In: ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS. - ISSN 0921-8009. - 205:(2023 Mar), pp. 107689.1-107689.11. [10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107689]

Managing the distributional effects of climate policies: A narrow path to a just transition

F. Vona
2023

Abstract

This paper revisits the debate on the distributional effects of climate policies and the just transition using a broader assessment framework than that of standard welfare analysis where multidimensionality, adjustment dynamics and multiple market failures are simultaneously considered. First, the paper highlights the importance of considering the heterogeneity in the capacity and willingness to adjust along three dimensions: time, space, and preferences. Distributional effects of a standalone climate policy are regressive on income and progressive on nonpecuniary benefits, becoming more regressive in the long-run and across regions. Second, using this framework, it compares the performance of five green policy packages including an offsetting policy (rebates, environmental tax reforms, green deal plans, place-based policies, progressive green subsidies). The policy analysis suggests that the path to a just transition, while achieving the desirable economic and environmental outcomes, is narrower than previously thought. While there is no policy package emerging as preferred, green deal plans appear the most sensible option also in terms political acceptability. Finally, considering the other causality nexus, from inequality to the support of green policy packages, helps explain the low political acceptability of climate policy in general.
Distributional effects; Climate policy; Political acceptability; Green policy packages; Just low-carbon transition; Multidimensionality;
Settore SECS-P/01 - Economia Politica
mar-2023
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/958416
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 16
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 15
social impact