If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy for review by the Bridges staff to Malena Sell at msell@ictsd.ch.
BIOFUELLING POVERTY: WHY THE EU RENEWABLE-FUEL TARGET MAY BE DISASTROUS FOR POOR PEOPLE. By Oxfam (November 2007). This paper looks at the European Commission’s targets for biofuel development in Member States. It claims that the target may cause a scramble in the developing countries to supply and argues that this may pose a serious threat to vulnerable people who may be forced to bear the costs of emissions reductions in the EU. Instead, the paper asserts, there must be social standards incorporated into the sustainability framework and mechanisms developed to evaluate the impact of the policy on developing country populations and adjust accordingly. To access the paper visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/trade/bn_biofuels.html
PAVING THE WAY FOR AGROFUELS - EU POLICY, SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA, AND CLIMATE CALCULATIONS. By Tamra Gilbertson, Nina Holland, Stella Semino and Kevin Smith (Transnational Institute, Corporate Europe Observatory, and Grupo de Reflexion Rural, September 2007). This paper summarises EU policy making on agrofuels to date. It provides a full survey of current international efforts to develop ’sustainability’ standards, drawing attention to problems with existing certification schemes, in particular the failure to consult affected groups in the global South. The paper also looks at the possibility that agrofuel production could in future be funded through the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, which would provide a huge financial boost to the expansion of agrofuel plantations. To download the paper visit http://www.tni.org/detail_pub.phtml?know_id=202
THE ECONOMICS OF US ETHANOL IMPORT TARIFFS WITH A CONSUMPTION MANDATE AND TAX CREDIT. By Harry de Gorter and David R. Just (Cornell University, October 2007). This paper analyses the impact of an ethanol import tariff in conjunction with a consumption mandate and tax credit. It takes into account many different ways this form of protectionism may be utilised, and the impact the action may have on Brazil, the largest producer and exporter of ethanol. To access the paper visit http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1024532
THE ECONOMICS OF A BIOFUEL CONSUMPTION MANDATE AND EXCISE-TAX EXEMPTION: AN EMPIRICAL EXAMPLE OF US ETHANOL POLICY. By Harry de Gorter and David R. Just (Cornell University, 24 October 2007). This paper develops a general framework to evaluate the effects on agricultural and gasoline markets of a consumption mandate and excise-tax exemption, the two most prominent public biofuel policies. To illustrate the complexity and importance of the interaction between biofuel mandates and tax exemptions, the paper calibrates a stylised empirical model of the US ethanol market. The study assert that its model is well suited to form a basis for evaluating the social benefits of the mandate versus the tax exemption in reducing local pollution, global warming and reliance on oil, and in enhancing farm incomes, reducing tax costs of farm subsidies and promoting rural development. To access the paper visit http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1024525
THE WELFARE ECONOMICS OF AN EXCISE-TAX EXEMPTION FOR BIOFUELS. By Harry de Gorter and David R. Just (Cornell University, 17 September 2007). This paper has developed a generalised theory in order to analyse the efficiency and income distribution effects of a biofuel consumer tax credit and the interaction effects with a price contingent farm subsidy. Using the US ethanol market as a stylised example, it shows how ethanol prices rise above the gasoline price by the amount of the tax credit. It argues that corn farmers therefore gain directly while gasoline consumers only gain from any reduction in world oil prices due to the extra ethanol production and domestic oil producers lose. The paper calibrates a stylised empirical model of the US corn market to illustrate the welfare effects of a tax credit. To access the study, visit http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1015542
THE PUBLIC, THE MEDIA AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. Edited by Brossard, Shanahan and Clint Nesbitt (CABI, May 2007). This book is a compendium of different scholarly writings on the issue of public perceptions of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), modern agricultural biotechnology, and the role of the press. It explores public perceptions of agricultural biotechnology using case studies and analyses of the "mosaic" of public opinion and news media behavior in the U.S and other countries, including the U.K., Germany, India, Switzerland, the Philippines, and South Africa. The book argues that public debate over genetically modified (GM) food can vary dramatically depending on cultural and national context. For further information see http://www.cabi.org/bk_bookdisplay.asp?action=display&openMenu=search&PID=2004
ENVIRONMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA & DIRECTORY 2007. December 2007. This book examines environment issues throughout the world, providing an easy-to-use reference source covering a wide variety of environmental affairs that are brought together conveniently into one volume. It contains a systematic A-Z section of key terms including deforestation, greenhouse effect, accelerated erosion, energy, balance, landfill, a comprehensive directory section organised alphabetically by country listing 3000 government and non-governmental organisations both national and international, an extensive index lists environmental organisations according to their fields of activity, a series of maps which show areas of pollution, rainforest, and other environmental features both regionally and worldwide, an extensive bibliography of relevant periodicals and a comprehensive Who’s Who section of leading personalities actively involved with environmental organisations. For further information see http://www.routledge.com/shopping_cart/products/product_detail.asp?sku=&isbn=9781857433777&pc=
NEGOTIATING AND IMPLEMENTING: A MANUAL FOR NGOS. By the United Nations Environmental Programme, Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future, el Centro de Estudios Ambientales and Earth Media, May 2007. This manual attempts to link the two areas of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) formulation and civil society participation. Its goal is to both strengthen multi-stakeholder participation and increase political momentum for effective MEA development, implementation and enforcement. It provides step-by-step background information and approaches, ‘inside the process’ guidance, and expert advice on how stakeholders can effectively engage in developing and implementing MEAs. It is a companion to UNEP’s Guidelines on Compliance with and Enforcement of MEAs (2002), and its Manual on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (2006). The manual is available at http://www.unep.org/dec/docs/MEAs%20Final.pdf
AGRICULTURAL POLICIES IN OECD COUNTRIES: MONITORING AND EVALUATION 2007. By the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD (October 2007). Support to farmers in OECD countries accounted for 27 percent of farm receipts in 2006, a drop of 2 percentage points from 2005. However, for the OECD as a whole, there has been little change in the level of producer support since the late 1990s. For further information see http://www.oecd.org/document/0/0,3343,en_2649_37401_39508672_1_1_1_37401,00.html