This paper investigates the relative economic and environmental outcomes of price versus quantity mechanisms to control GHG emissions when abatement costs are uncertain. In particular, we evaluate the impacts on policy costs, CO2 emissions and energy R&D for a stringent mitigation target of 550 ppmv CO2 equivalent (i.e. 450 for CO2 only) concentrations. The analysis is performed in an optimal growth framework via Monte Carlo simulations of the integrated assessment model WITCH (World Induced Technical Change Hybrid). Results indicate that the price instrument stochastically dominates the quantity instrument when a stringent stabilization policy is in place.

This paper has been awarded 2nd prize among all submitted papers to the 20th World Energy Congress held in Rome November 2007.

NEW NUMBERING (new series “Research papers”) : RP0036
OLD NUMBERING (previous series “Working papers”) : WP17

• European Institute on Economics and the Environment

• Economic analysis of Climate Impacts and Policy Division

Authors

• Valentina Bosetti
• Anil Markandya
• Alexander Golub
• Emanuele Massetti
• Massimo Tavoni