| 1. |
- Söderholm, Patrik, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Technological development for sustainability : The role of network management in the innovation policy mix
- 2019
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In: Technological forecasting & social change. - : Elsevier. - 0040-1625 .- 1873-5509. ; 138, s. 309-323
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite the key role of actor networks in progressing new sustainable technologies, there is a shortage of conceptual knowledge on how policy can help strengthen collaborative practices in such networks. The objective of this paper is to analyze the roles of such policies – so-called network management – throughout the entire technological development processes. The analysis draws on the public management and sustainability transitions literatures, and discusses how various network characteristics could affect the development of sustainable technologies, including how different categories of network management strategies could be deployed to influence actor collaborations. The paper's main contribution is an analytical framework that addresses the changing roles of network management at the interface between various phases of the technological development process, illustrated with the empirical case of advanced biorefinery technology development in Sweden. Furthermore, the analysis also addresses some challenges that policy makers are likely to encounter when pursuing network management strategies, and identifies a number of negative consequences of ignoring such instruments in the innovation policy mix. The latter include inefficient actor role-taking, the emergence of small, ineffective and competing actor networks in similar technological fields, and a shortage of interpretative knowledge.
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| 2. |
- Flodén, Jonas, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Shipping in the EU emissions trading system: implications for mitigation, costs and modal split
- 2024
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In: Climate Policy. - Stockholm : IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. - 1752-7457 .- 1469-3062. ; In Press
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- EU recently decided to include shipping, meaning all intra-European shipping and 50% of extra-European voyages, in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) beginning in 2024. This article provides an early assessment of the impacts of the EU ETS on the shipping sector’s potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for different types of ships. It further examines selected mitigation measures and the impact on modals split and costs. The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative estimates (based on data from the EU monitoring, reporting and verification system) with qualitative data and information from interviews with key actors and from previous literature. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the EU ETS. The inclusion of shipping in the EU ETS is expected to introduce significant incentives to reduce emissions. We estimate that switching to bio-methanol at an emissions allowance price of €90–100/tCO2 will be cost-effective for a minor share of shipping segments (representing about 0.5-5% of all ships), whereas at a price above €150/tCO2 it could be cost-effective for a considerable share (potentially 75%) of ships. In the short term, the costs incurred by the EU ETS will be passed on to transport customers as a surcharge. The increased cost may, unless properly addressed, drive carbon leakage. Meanwhile, a modal shift away from shipping may occur in the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) and roll-on passenger (RoPax) segments due to direct competition with road and rail transport and the relative ease of shifting to other modes of transport.
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| 3. |
- Söderholm, Patrik, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Metal markets and recycling policies : impacts and challenges
- 2020
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In: Mineral Economics. - : Springer. - 2191-2203 .- 2191-2211. ; 33:1-2, s. 257-272
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An increased understanding of the existing markets for recycled (secondary) metals, including interactions with virgin material production, is essential for public decision-making processes concerning the implementation and evaluation of different categories of recycling policies. In this paper, we review the existing literature with the purpose of discussing (1) the impacts of various recycling policies on metal markets in which aggregate demand can be met by both primary and secondary production, and (2) a number of challenges that policy-makers need to confront in choosing between various types of recycling policies and policy designs. A simple partial equilibrium model is used as a pedagogical tool for shedding light on the impacts of tradable recycling credits, virgin material taxes, and recycling subsidies. In a second step, the paper identifies and discusses a few key challenges that policy-makers will need to address in recycling policy-making. These challenges include improving the functioning of secondary material markets by addressing various non-environmental market inefficiencies; identifying and designing (second-best) policy mixes due to the presence of incomplete monitoring and enforcement of waste disposal behavior, and regulating environmental impacts through price- or quantity-based policies. Throughout the analysis, we consult the empirical literature on the functioning of scrap metal markets (e.g., steel, copper, and aluminum).
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| 4. |
- Malmaeus, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Basic Income and Social Sustainability in Post-Growth Economies
- 2020
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In: Basic Income Studies. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 2194-6094 .- 1932-0183. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A central task in efforts to identify pathways to ecologically and socially sustainable economies is to reduce inequality and poverty while reducing material consumption, which has recently inspired future post-growth scenarios. We build a model to explore the potential of a universal basic income (UBI) to serve these objectives. Starting from the observation that post-growth trajectories can take very different forms we analyze UBI in two scenarios advanced in the literature. Comparing UBI in a "local self-sufficiency" economy to a UBI in an "automation" economy, we show that although both scenarios satisfy central sustainability criteria, the impact of a UBI would differ greatly between these contexts. Our analysis shows that a UBI is less compatible with a labor-intensive local self-sufficiency economy than a capital-intensive, high tech economy. We conclude that the feasibility and attractiveness of a UBI in a post-growth scenario depends greatly on the specific characteristics of the economy.
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| 5. |
- Lunde Hermansson, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Strong economic incentives of ship scrubbers promoting pollution
- 2024
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In: Nature Sustainability. - Göteborg : IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. - 2398-9629. ; In Press
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In response to stricter regulations on ship air emissions, many shipowners have installed exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, allowing for use of cheap residual heavy fuel oil. Scrubbers produce large volumes of acidic and polluted water that is discharged to the sea. Due to environmental concerns, the use of scrubbers is being discussed within the International Maritime Organization. Real-world simulations of global scrubber-vessel activity, applying actual fuel costs and expenses related to scrubber operations, show that 51% of the global scrubber-fitted fleet reached economic break even by the end of 2022, with a surplus of €4.7 billion in 2019 euros. Within five years after installation, more than 95% of the ships with the most common scrubber systems reach break even. However, the marine ecotoxicity damage cost, from scrubber water discharge in the Baltic Sea Area 2014–2022, amounts to >€680 million in 2019 euros, showing that private economic interests come at the expense of marine environmental damage.
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| 6. |
- Dahlbom, Maja, et al.
(author)
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Closed Loops for Commercial and Industrial Plastic Packaging : A review of current business models and guidelines for further development.
- 2023
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Plastic has many positive material characteristics, but it is used in unsustainable ways. It is perceived as cheap and disposable, and this has led to increa¬sing amounts of plastic waste which are difficult to recycle with current societal, business and cultural structures.To achieve a high-quality material recycling and have the possibility to use recycled plastic back into high quality products, there is a need to keep the different plastic types separate from each other and uncontaminated by other mate¬rials.This requires, among others, a thorough separate collection of diffe¬rent plastic waste fractions, as well as business models, infrastructure and logistic solutions which enable a better control over the different plastic flows.The report presents ten business models for managing industrial or commercial plastic packaging into closed or semi-closed loops through either material recycling or re-use.Based on the analysis of the ten business models, six guidelines have been formulated for companies which are interested to transition from a linear to a closed loop business model for the management of industrial and commercial plastic packaging.1) Commit long-term and invest in the future of your company,2) Understand the customer needs and design the packaging for circular use,3) Use Life Cycle Analysis as a tool to optimize your closed loop,4) Communicate efficiently to engage the customer,5) Build new strategic partnerships and 6) Educate and engage decision makers at all levels.
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| 7. |
- Lindgren, Oskar, et al.
(author)
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Exploring sufficiency in energy policy : insights from Sweden
- 2023
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In: Sustainability. - Stockholm : Taylor & Francis. - 1548-7733. ; 19:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies have been insufficient in achieving rapid and profound reductions of energy-related greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, energy sufficiency has gained attention as a complementary strategy over the past two decades. Yet, most research on energy sufficiency has been theoretical and its implementation in policy limited. This study draws on the growing sufficiency literature to examine the presence of sufficiency as a strategy for reducing energy-related GHG emissions in Sweden, a country often regarded as a "climate-progressive" country. By conducting a keyword and content analysis of energy policies and parliamentary debates during four governmental terms of office (2006-2022), this research explores the extent to which sufficiency is integrated into Swedish energy policy, as well as potential barriers to its adoption. The analyses revealed a scarcity of sufficiency elements. Although some policies could potentially result in energy savings, they are infrequent and overshadowed by the prevailing emphasis on efficiency and renewable energy. Furthermore, Sweden lacks a target for sufficiency or absolute energy reductions. The main impediments to sufficiency implementation include the disregard of scientific evidence in the policy-making process and the perceived contradiction between sufficiency and industrial competitiveness. This study thus concludes that sufficiency at best remains at the periphery of Swedish energy policy. Given the reinforced ambitions within the European Union, this raises questions regarding the validity of Sweden's reputation as a climate-progressive country.
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| 8. |
- Zhang, X. B., et al.
(author)
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The benefits of international cooperation under climate uncertainty: a dynamic game analysis
- 2018
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In: Environment and Development Economics. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1355-770X .- 1469-4395. ; 23:4, s. 452-477
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper investigates the benefits of international cooperation under uncertainty about global warming through a stochastic dynamic game. We analyze the benefits of cooperation both for the case of symmetric and asymmetric players. It is shown that the players' combined expected payoffs decrease as climate uncertainty becomes larger, whether or not they cooperate. However, the benefits from cooperation increase with climate uncertainty. In other words, it is more important to cooperate when facing higher uncertainty. At the same time, more transfers will be needed to ensure stable cooperation among asymmetric players.
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| 9. |
- Söderqvist, Tore, et al.
(author)
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Cost–benefit analysis of beach-cast harvest : Closing land-marine nutrient loops in the Baltic Sea region
- 2022
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Nature. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 51:5, s. 1302-1313
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Harvesting beach-cast can help mitigate marine eutrophication by closing land-marine nutrient loops and provide a blue biomass raw material for the bioeconomy. Cost–benefit analysis was applied to harvest activities during 2009–2018 on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, highlighting benefits such as nutrient removal from the marine system and improved recreational opportunities as well as costs of using inputs necessary for harvest. The results indicate that the activities entailed a net gain to society, lending substance to continued funding for harvests on Gotland and assessments of upscaling of harvest activities to other areas in Sweden and elsewhere. The lessons learnt from the considerable harvest experience on Gotland should be utilized for developing concrete guidelines for carrying out sustainable harvest practice, paying due attention to local conditions but also to what can be generalized to a wider national and international context.
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| 10. |
- Malmaeus, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Addressing rebound effects in transport policy-Insights from exploring five case studies
- 2023
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In: Transport Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0967-070X .- 1879-310X. ; 131, s. 45-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although rebound effects are well-known as a phenomenon, the question of how to avoid and minimize rebound effects have largely been ignored in practical policy. In this study, five concrete cases of measures and policies in the transport sector illustrate primary effects, rebound effects and possible strategies to avoid or minimize rebound effects. The cases were explored and analyzed in a series of workshops involving in total 15 researchers and societal actors. In addition to the net impact of primary and rebound effects, factors such as the time horizon and the reversibility of the effect may also be important for the evaluation of measures and policies. To detect and avoid rebound effects - and to assess the effectiveness of a policy - a system perspective is needed rather than a narrow sector focus. When designing measures, broad system-wide strategies or specific measures addressing particularly emission-intensive activities tend to be most effective for avoiding rebound.
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