Uncertain long-run emissions targets, CO2 price and global energy transition: a general equilibrium approach

Durand-Lasserve, Olivier;Pierru, Axel;Smeers, Yves
(2010)

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Authors
  • Durand-Lasserve, OlivierUCLouvain
    Author
  • Pierru, AxelIFP
    Author
  • Smeers, YvesUCLouvain
    Author
Abstract
The persistent uncertainty about mid-century CO2 emissions targets is likely to affect not only the technological choices that energy-producing firms will make in the future but also their current invest-ment decisions. We illustrate this effect on CO2 price and global energy transition within a MERGE-type general-equilibrium model framework, by considering simple stochastic CO2 policy scenarios. In these scenarios, economic agents know that credible long-run CO2 emissions targets will be set in 2020, with two possible outcomes: either a ”hard cap” or a ”soft cap”. Each scenario is characterized by the relative probabilities of both possible caps. We derive consistent stochastic trajectories - with two branches after 2020 - for prices and quantities of energy commodities and CO2 emissions permits. The impact of uncertain long-run CO2 emissions targets on prices and technological trajectories is discussed. In addition, a simple marginal approach allows us to analyze the Hotelling rule with risk premia observed for certain scenarios.
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Citations

Durand-Lasserve, O., Pierru, A., & Smeers, Y. (2010). Uncertain long-run emissions targets, CO2 price and global energy transition: a general equilibrium approach (CORE Discussion Paper 2010/27). https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/33119