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Journal Articles Journal of Public Economic Theory Year : 2012

Ecological intuition versus economic "reason"

Abstract

This paper discusses the discount rate to be used in projects aimed at preserving the environment. The model has two different goods: one is the usual consumption good whose production may increase exponentially, and the other is an environmental good whose quality remains limited. The stylized world we describe is fully determined by four parameters, reflecting basic preferences, "ecological" and intergenerational concerns, and feasibility constraints. We define an ecological discount rate and examine its connections with the usual interest rate and the optimized growth rate. We discuss, in this simple world, different forms of the precautionary principle.

Dates and versions

halshs-00754612 , version 1 (20-11-2012)

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Cite

Olivier Guéant, Roger Guesnerie, Jean-Michel Lasry. Ecological intuition versus economic "reason". Journal of Public Economic Theory, 2012, 14 (2), pp.245-272. ⟨10.1111/j.1467-9779.2011.01541.x⟩. ⟨halshs-00754612⟩
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