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Carbon tax, pollution and spatial location of heterogeneous firms

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  • Nelly Exbrayat

    (Université de Lyon, Lyon F- 69007, France; CNRS, GATE L-SE, Ecully, F- 69130, France; Université J. Monnet, Saint-Etienne, F- 42000, France)

  • Stéphane Riou

    (Université de Lyon, Lyon F- 69007, France; CNRS, GATE L-SE, Ecully, F- 69130, France; Université J. Monnet, Saint-Etienne, F- 42000, France)

  • Skerdilajda Zanaj

    (CREA, University of Luxembourg, Avenue de la Faïencerie, 162A, L-1511, Luxembourg)

Abstract

This paper investigates the ability of a fully harmonized carbon tax to curb carbon emissions in a globalized economy characterized by an uneven spatial distribution of heterogeneous firms. The level of the carbon tax matters for the direction of the relocation and its impact on global emissions. When the carbon tax is low enough, emissions are reduced as firms relocate to the smaller country to pay lower taxes by reducing their output. If the carbon tax is too high, then firms react by relocating to the larger country to maintain their export activity, so that the most environmentally friendly spatial configurations can be removed.

Suggested Citation

  • Nelly Exbrayat & Stéphane Riou & Skerdilajda Zanaj, 2016. "Carbon tax, pollution and spatial location of heterogeneous firms," Working Papers 1604, Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon St-Étienne (GATE Lyon St-Étienne), Université de Lyon.
    • Handle: RePEc:gat:wpaper:1604
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelly Exbrayat & Carl Gaigné & Stéphane Riou, 2011. "Taxe carbone globale, effet taille de marché et mobilité des firmes," Working Papers 1105, Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon St-Étienne (GATE Lyon St-Étienne), Université de Lyon.
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    Cited by:

    1. Skerdilajda Zanaj & Patrice Pieretti & Benteng Zou, 2021. "On the long run sustainability of small jurisdictions," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 48(1), pages 15-35, March.
    2. Olner, Dan & Mitchell, Gordon & Heppenstall, Alison & Pryce, Gwilym, 2020. "The spatial economics of energy justice: modelling the trade impacts of increased transport costs in a low carbon transition and the implications for UK regional inequality," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    global carbon tax; heterogeneous firms; international trade; firm location;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment
    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy

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