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The amenity value of the British climate

Author

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  • Helena Meier

    (Department of Economics and Institute of Energy Economics, University of Cologne, Germany)

  • Katrin Rehdanz

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy and University of Kiel, Germany)

Abstract

This study explores the amenity value of climate to households in Britain. We employ the hedonic technique and use household panel data to derive the marginal willingness to pay for small changes in climate variables. We analyse both the housing and the labour market. Climate is described in terms of heating, cooling degree and rain days. Evidence suggests that it is the housing market that mainly compensates for climate amenities. According to the results, the relationship between property prices and climate has an inverted u-shape. For the sample, about 50 per cent of the locations are close to the preferred levels of heating and cooling degree days while the results for rain days are more varied. Connecting the results to projections of climate change leads to the conclusion that future developments are likely to move a number of households further away from their preferred climate, thus leading to larger regional disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Meier & Katrin Rehdanz, 2017. "The amenity value of the British climate," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(5), pages 1235-1262, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:54:y:2017:i:5:p:1235-1262
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098015622758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Eda Ustaoglu & Chris Jacobs-Crisioni, 2022. "What Drives Residential Land Expansion and Densification? An Analysis of Growing and Shrinking Regions," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Peñasco, Cristina & Anadón, Laura Díaz, 2023. "Assessing the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures in the residential sector gas consumption through dynamic treatment effects: Evidence from England and Wales," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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