Title: Probabilistic policy experiments: the use of energy economic environmental models in the climate change policy process

Authors: Robert M. Margolis

Addresses: Stockholm Environment Institute (Boston), 11 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116-3411 USA

Abstract: This paper uses the Edmonds-Reilly model to explore an alternative approach for using energy-economic-environmental models when analyzing future CO2 emissions. This approach – conducting probabilistic policy experiments – can be used to investigate the effectiveness of various policy options in the context of uncertainty. The analysis builds on work by Nordhaus and Yohe (1983) and Edmonds et al. (1986). A key feature of using a probabilistic approach is that it offers both analysts and policy-makers an opportunity to move away from arguing about which scenario is the |right|, best-guess scenario, and towards a discussion of which strategies are effective across a wide range of possible futures. This paper both develops a methodology for conducting probabilistic policy experiments and presents the results of five preliminary experiments using this approach.

Keywords: climate change; energy-economic-environmental models; policy analysis; uncertainty; carbon dioxide emissions; probabilistic approach; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1995.028367

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1995 Vol.5 No.1, pp.52 - 71

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

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