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Environmental Policy Flexibility, Search and Innovation

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Abstract

It has long been argued that the implementation of flexible policy instruments, such as environmentally-related taxes and tradable permits, is likely to lead to greater technological innovation than more prescriptive forms of regulation such as technology-based standards. One of the principle reasons for such an assertion is that they give firms stronger incentives to search for the optimal technological means to meet a given environmental objective. While the theoretical case for the use of flexible policy instruments is well-developed, empirical evidence remains limited. Drawing upon a database of “environmental” patent applications from a cross-section of 73 countries over the period 2001–2003, evidence is provided for the positive effect of “flexibility” of environmental policy regime on innovation. This impact is additional to, and distinct from, the effect of policy stringency.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan Hašèiè & Nick Johnstone & Margarita Kalamova, 2009. "Environmental Policy Flexibility, Search and Innovation," Czech Journal of Economics and Finance (Finance a uver), Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, vol. 59(5), pages 426-441, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:fau:fauart:v:59:y:2009:i:5:p:426-441
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    File URL: http://journal.fsv.cuni.cz/storage/1168_str_426_441.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Quatraro, Francesco & Scandura, Alessandra, 2019. "Academic Inventors and the Antecedents of Green Technologies. A Regional Analysis of Italian Patent Data," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 247-263.
    2. Clément Bonnet, 2016. "Measuring Knowledge with Patent Data: an Application to Low Carbon Energy Technologies," EconomiX Working Papers 2016-37, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    3. Clément Bonnet, 2017. "Measuring Inventive Performance with Patent Data: an Application to Low Carbon Energy Technologies," Working Papers 1709, Chaire Economie du climat.
    4. Clement Bonnet, 2020. "Measuring Knowledge with Patent Data: an Application to Low Carbon Energy Technologies," Working Papers hal-02971680, HAL.
    5. Rogge, Karoline S. & Reichardt, Kristin, 2016. "Policy mixes for sustainability transitions: An extended concept and framework for analysis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(8), pages 1620-1635.
    6. repec:hal:wpaper:hal-00860045 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Ghisetti, Claudia & Pontoni, Federico, 2015. "Investigating policy and R&D effects on environmental innovation: A meta-analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 57-66.
    8. Ghisetti, Claudia & Quatraro, Francesco, 2013. "Beyond inducement in climate change: Does environmental performance spur environmental technologies? A regional analysis of cross-sectoral differences," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 99-113.
    9. Blohmke, Julian & Kemp, René & Türkeli, Serdar, 2016. "Disentangling the causal structure behind environmental regulation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 174-190.
    10. Wilts, Henning & O'Brien, Meghan, 2019. "A Policy Mix for Resource Efficiency in the EU: Key Instruments, Challenges and Research Needs," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 59-69.
    11. Claudia Ghisetti & Francesco Quatraro, 2013. "Beyond inducement in climate change: Does environmental performance spur environmental technologies?," Post-Print hal-00860045, HAL.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    environmental policy; innovation; flexibility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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