Essays in Environmental and Development Economics

Imisi Aiyetan

doi:10.7273/000005355

This dissertation addresses three issues in environmental and development economics using agent-based modeling with a game-theoretical approach, applied econometrics, and statistical methods. Chapter One presents an economic framework for policymakers to compare the effectiveness of traditional abatement and carbon dioxide removal techniques for reducing emissions and the associated environmental policies, considering the strategic interactions between polluting firms and regulators. Under the traditional abatement technique, the results suggest that there is a lower level of business-as-usual emissions, a higher level of abatement, a reduction in environmental damage, and an increase in social welfare, but the firm's profit is lower in the lobbying equilibrium. Under the CDR technique, the results show that lobbying leads to a reduction in emissions fees, higher subsidies, and a reduction in environmental damage, which increases social welfare. The study also compares the social welfare of adopting traditional abatement versus CDR techniques for reducing emissions and finds that social welfare is higher with CDR than traditional abatement, regardless of whether emissions captured are utilized for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) or not. Chapter Two explores the influence of the female gender on firms' environmental strategies to reduce pollution. The study shows that having female top managers in a firm is causally associated with lower levels of pollution, especially in terms of coal consumption, solid waste generation, and petroleum consumption. However, the relationship between female top managers and pollution levels varies depending on the type of pollution and the size and context of the firm. In the manufacturing sector, firms with a higher proportion of female top managers tend to consume less petroleum, and having a female top manager is causally associated with lower levels of solid waste and petroleum consumption in both manufacturing and retail/services sectors. In small-sized firms, having a female top manager is causally associated with lower levels of coal consumption, solid waste generation, and petroleum consumption. Overall, this study suggests that promoting gender diversity in top management may lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business operation. Chapter Three investigates the relationship between air pollution, COPD mortality, and internal migration patterns. The study finds that PM2.5, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality, and environmental factors like temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation are significant determinants of internal migration. The effects of these factors differ between males and females and between racial groups. The study suggests that policymakers need to address air pollution and health outcomes like COPD mortality and consider targeted interventions that account for differences in how different groups perceive and respond to environmental factors. Additionally, policymakers need to consider climate-related factors such as temperature and precipitation and promote sustainable land use practices to protect public health.

Essays in Environmental and Development Economics

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