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The impact of experiments on environmental policy and natural resource management

Author

Listed:
  • Christian A. Vossler

    (Department of Economics, University of Tennessee)

  • Timothy N. Cason
  • James J. Murphy
  • Paul J. Ferraro
  • Todd L. Cherry
  • George Loewenstein
  • Peter Martinsson
  • Jason F. Shogren
  • Leaf van Boven
  • Daan van Soest

Abstract

Motivated by the fact that few academic publications document the links between behavioral experiments and public decision making, this paper compiles and describes many studies that were used to inform environmental policy and natural resource management decisions. These experiments informed or changed the designs of emissions trading programs, recreational fishing regulations, conservation auctions, pro-environmental initiatives directed at households, and regulatory enforcement and compliance schemes, and produced nonmarket demand estimates that informed government regulatory analyses. We highlight the context and conditions that produced these experiment-policy links and discuss how researchers can better engage with the policymaking process and increase the impact of experimental research on policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian A. Vossler & Timothy N. Cason & James J. Murphy & Paul J. Ferraro & Todd L. Cherry & George Loewenstein & Peter Martinsson & Jason F. Shogren & Leaf van Boven & Daan van Soest, 2024. "The impact of experiments on environmental policy and natural resource management," Working Papers 2024-05, University of Tennessee, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ten:wpaper:2024-05_1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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