This paper applies an economic model of climate change that is based on endogenous substitution of energy resources to determine the effect of advances in renewable technology on aggregate and sectoral fossil fuel use and energy prices. It uses a Nordhaus type partial equilibrium model of the...

Die deutsche Energiewende bedeutet einen grundlegenden Wandel hin zu einer auf regenerativen Ressourcen gestützten dezentralen Energieversorgung. Dabei könnten private Haushalte eine tragende Rolle als Energieproduzenten spielen. Dieses Discussion Paper ordnet theoretische Erkenntnisse aus der...

The wide availability of renewable energy sources in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is at the core of several large-scale European initiatives to support clean energy generation in the region and import part of it to Europe. Given the current socio-economic and political challenges in...

The Middle East and North Africa region has been the focal point of large investments in renewable energy, primarily due to high solar irradiation and wind speed in coastal areas. Most countries in the region have set renewable energy targets to diversify their energy mix. Investments have also...

Bioenergy is a hotly debated issue worldwide, with its impacts on rural development and food security arguably among the most crucial issues for poor African countries. Too often, however, debates and policies regarding bioenergy in and on Africa simply echo concerns and debates elsewhere. At...

To avoid irreversible damage to global ecosystems, new “green” technologies are needed. Some of those are still far from commercial maturity. In such cases, governments may create temporary rents to make investments “artificially” attractive. The creation of such rents, however, involves...

China’s economic rise has transformed the global economy in a number of manufacturing industries. This paper investigates whether China’s transformative influence extends to the new green economy. Drawing on the debate about how China is driving major economic changes in the world – the...

This paper examines the dynamic effects of demand and supply shocks on mineral commodity prices. It provides empirical insights by using annual data for the copper, lead, tin, and zinc markets from 1840 to 2010. I identify structural shocks by using long-run restrictions and compare these shocks...