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Does Emissions Trading Scheme Induce Innovation and Carbon Leakage? Evidence from Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Guanyu Lu

    (Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University)

  • Taisuke Sadayuki

    (Faculty of Economics, Seijo University)

  • Toshi H Arimura

    (Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University)

Abstract

This study aims to explore if Japan’s environmental regulation, such as its regional emissions trading scheme (ETS), can improve innovation without inducing carbon leakage. Using unique firm-level data for the period from 2003 to 2018, based on the difference-in-differences method, this study investigates how firms address issues such as innovation and outsourcing under Japan’s regional ETS framework. The key findings are as follows. (1) Japan’s regional ETS is effective in improving targeted firms’ innovation during the early stage of the compliance period. (2) Targeted firms that pursued innovation before the ETS promoted subsequent innovations after the ETS. (3) Japan’s regional ETS did not induce the risk of carbon leakage through outsourcing activities. (4) Firms that did not actively encourage innovation increased their outsourcing activities during the compliance period. Based on these findings, we discuss the study implications and directions for future policy design.

Suggested Citation

  • Guanyu Lu & Taisuke Sadayuki & Toshi H Arimura, 2023. "Does Emissions Trading Scheme Induce Innovation and Carbon Leakage? Evidence from Japan," Working Papers 2217, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wap:wpaper:2217
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Emissions trading scheme; Japan; innovation; carbon leakage; outsourcing activity; difference-in-differences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • 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
    • Q59 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Other

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