Search

Proponents of short food supply chains (SFSC) have lauded their environmental benefits. Nevertheless, most studies on SFSCs have focused on their climate impact, while the synthetic pesticide use by farmers participating in SFSCs has received little research attention. In this study, we investigate the effect of farmers' involvement in different SFSC channels on synthetic pesticide use and crop yields. This study relies on data obtained from the 2020 French agricultural census and a 2018 French national survey on the phytosanitary practices of representative market gardeners. This paper uses a multinomial endogenous treatment effect model in order to account for endogeneity. We demonstrate that the effect of SFSC participation on farmers' synthetic pesticide use varies depending on the type of SFSC channel employed. Farmers who sell part of their vegetable crops through direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels use significantly fewer synthetic pesticides than those who only sell their crops through long food supply chains (LFSC). However, there is no evidence that farmers involved in direct-to-retailer (DTR) channels use significantly fewer synthetic pesticides. In addition, we have not found any evidence that SFSC participation decreases crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological networks (ENs) aim to accommodate production and conservation within landscapes by shaping the spatial scope of conservation policies based on ecological criteria. The environmental effectiveness of these networks has been extensively studied; however, it has rarely been linked to their economic cost. This paper investigates whether EN-based spatial targeting relaxes the production-conservation trade-off and, if so, what the processes underlying its performance may be. We design an EN at the national level (France), with common farmland birds defined as a conservation goal and grassland expansion defined as a conservation lever. A dynamic, mechanistic, ecological-economic model simulates policy scenarios up to 2050 with alternative targeting strategies, including the EN. The results reveal that EN targeting is almost twice as cost-effective as a nationally homogeneous policy and about as cost-effective as focusing on biodiversity reservoirs, but with higher biodiversity gains. These outcomes rely on higher initial bird abundance in targeted regions, as well as positive feedback and spillover supported by bird dispersal. However, the EN's superiority only appears in the medium term because of ecological inertia. These interdisciplinary insights on a tool from ecology and conservation biology echo policy needs for the design and implementation of sustainable landscape management strategies. • Joint economic and ecological impacts of ecological networks (ENs) are poorly known • Ecological-economic modeling to evaluate EN-based conservation policies ex-ante • Spatiotemporally explicit simulations for bird conservation in France • EN doubles cost-effectiveness in the middle term compared to homogeneous policy • Dispersal generates benefits beyond intervention perimeter (biodiversity spillover) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction between mitigation and adaptation is a key question for the design of climate policies. In this paper, we study how land use adaptation to climate change impacts land use competition in the agriculture, forest and other land use (AFOLU) sector and how a mitigation policy in agriculture might affect this competition. We use for this purpose two sector-specific bio-economic models of agriculture and forest combined with an econometric land use shares model to simulate the impacts of two climate change scenarios (A2 and B1, 2100 horizon), and a greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture policy consisting of a tax of between 0 and 200 €/tCO 2 equivalent. Our results show that both climate change scenarios lead to an increase in the area devoted to agriculture at the expense of forest which could have a negative impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. The mitigation policy would curtail agricultural expansion, and thus could counteract the effects of land use adaptation to climate change. In other words, accounting for land use competition results in a reduction of the abatement costs of the mitigation policy in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the potential link between the sensitivity of willingness to pay (WTP) to the order of presenting bid amounts in contingent valuation questions (ordering effect) and respondent uncertainty. The resource being valued is a public project to protect salt marshes against the spread of an invasive aquatic plant in the Brest roadstead (France). Valuation uncertainty is captured through a variant of payment card format where respondents are given the opportunity to report their WTP as either a single value (Option A) or an interval of values (Option B). The ordering effect is tested using both parametric models that ignore and control for the potential sample selection bias related to the choice between Option A and Option B, as well as non-parametric models. The results suggest that (1) respondents place substantial WTP values on salt marsh conservation, and (2) the ordering effect is linked to respondent uncertainty since only uncertain respondents react differently to changes in the order of presenting bid amounts. Specifically, for uncertain respondents, putting bid amounts in ascending order yields lower welfare estimates than putting bid amounts in descending order or random order. Policy recommendations and options to deal with ordering effect are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of the effect of crop diversity on crop production and spillover effect. Based on the estimation of production functions with spatial concerns on an original and rich dataset, results of the study suggest that crop diversity has a positive and significant effect on crop production. Its marginal contribution is substantial when rainfall is low in the agroecosystem. Furthermore, spatial dependence is a major issue and could be explained by topographic, climatic and agronomic constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• French people have limited knowledge about climate change but worry about it. • They prefer green investments or regulations to a tax and dividend. • Distributive effects and lack of alternatives prevent carbon tax acceptance. • Improving knowledge is predicted to increase ecological attitudes and concern. • Unlike in the US, partisanship does not interact with education to shape perceptions. This paper aims to assess the prospects for French climate policies after the Yellow Vests crisis halted the planned increase in the carbon tax. From a large representative survey, we elicit knowledge, perceptions and values over climate change, we examine opinions relative to carbon taxation, and we assess support for other climate policies. Specific attention is given to the link between perceptions of climate change and attitudes towards policies. The paper also studies in detail the determinants of attitudes in terms of political and socio-demographic variables. Among many results, we find limited knowledge but high concern for climate change. We also document a large rejection of the carbon tax but majority support for stricter norms and green investments, and reveal the rationales behind these preferences. Our study entails policy recommendations, such as an information campaign on climate change. Indeed, we find that climate awareness increases support for climate policies but no evidence for the formation of opinions through partisan cues as in the US, suggesting that better access to science could foster support for climate policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite substantial policy efforts made by the French government to reduce dependence on pesticides, farming practices are only changing slowly. This paper analyses the socio-economic trade-offs that 110 farmers are currently facing in the transition to agro-ecological practices. A mixed-method approach - a quantitative discrete choice experiment (DCE) and qualitative interviews - was set up to understand these farmers' motivations and perspectives, and how policy can improve to accompany them on the road to low chemical input farming. Results of the DCE indicate that the majority of the farmers in our sample are keen to change practices but are at a loss as to how this can be done, as a number of preferences for this transition came out as inconclusive. Qualitative interviews with a representative sample of the farmers that took part in the DCE complemented this result by illustrating a deep uncertainty for the future and a disconnect felt between authorities and themselves as a group. We argue that this uncertainty contributed to a lack of clear-cut solutions established through the DCE. The in-depth discussions with farmers illustrated the wish for concrete and local policy measures based on farmers' networks and peer support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the cost of greenhouse gas mitigation potential of legume crops in French arable systems. We construct marginal abatement cost curves to represent this mitigation or abatement potential for each department of France and provide a spatial representation of its extent. Despite some uncertainty, the measure appears to offer a significant low cost mitigation potential. We estimate that the measure could abate half of the emission reduction sought by a national plan for the reduction of chemical fertilizer emissions by 2020. This would be achieved at a loss of farmland profit of 1.2%. Considering the geographical heterogeneity of cost, we suggest that a policy implementing carbon pricing in agriculture would be more efficient than a uniform regulatory requirement for including the crop in arable systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2014 CAP introduced the Small Farmers Scheme (SFS), offering small farms the option of an unconditional annual lump-sum payment per farm replacing the standard first pillar direct payments. This paper assesses the acceptability in France of an extended version of the 2014 SFS for the post-2020 CAP: it includes conditions on farmers' environmental efforts and on salaried employment. The results of a discrete choice experiment conducted at the scale of France with 608 farmers receiving less than 15,000€ in first pillar payments show that an SFS with an environmental certification prerequisite is attractive to French small farmers, notably in the market gardening sector. We provide simulated results of the uptake rate and budgetary impacts of different SFS scenarii on the population of non-retired French farmers based on the last agricultural census. • More sophisticated versions of the 2014 CAP small farmers scheme would improve the equity of CAP support allocation • The inclusion of an environmental condition would encourage small farmers to move into more sustainable farming systems • Such small farmer scheme would induce only minor additional costs with regard to first pillar budget [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a quantile regression model to measure the magnitude of the direct rebound effect for residential electricity demand based on micro-level data from an original survey of a representative sample of 2356 French households. We explore the rebound effect for different groups of residents. Traditionally, debate has focused on decreased prices for energy services due to efficiency improvements and their effects on energy demand. The methodological innovation provided by this paper is that it implements two theoretical estimation strategies: (i) energy efficiency elasticity of the demand for energy services, and (ii) price elasticity of the demand for energy services. Our findings reject the hypothesis of a backfire effect in the context of residential electricity use. Specifically, based on energy efficiency elasticity, we provide evidence of a rebound effect of between 72% and 86% but with substantial heterogeneity among consumption quantiles. Our results show that the direct rebound effect has critical relevance for energy efficiency policy in the face of energy invisibility in France. • The rebound effect of residential electricity demand is estimated • The recent French PHEBUS survey and quantile regression are used • The results provide evidence of a rebound effect of between 38% and 86% • Findings reveal substantial heterogeneity among consumption quantile • The analysis suggests that the rebound effect has critical relevance for energy efficiency policymaking [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the effects of the Danish seine which was introduced for a subsample of vessels on a single wholesale fish market in France. The goal was to mitigate the decrease in vessel profits due to the rise of gasoline prices. Estimations are conducted from transaction data over the 2009–2011 period during which the innovation was introduced. Using a difference-in-differences approach around the discontinuity, we find that the innovation has a large positive effect on quality, prices and profit of treated vessels. However, a shift in caught fish species is observed and new targeted species are fished very intensively. This suggests that quota management is needed to ensure the sustainability of fishing practices involving the new technology in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on urban metabolism (UM) focuses on cities' material and energy systems by identifying paths and transformation processes of all kinds of flows in urban contexts. In particular, scientific studies aim to trace the origin and destination of materials, energy, water, emissions and waste flows in order to understand relationships between cities and other spatial areas (hinterlands) that lead to political, social and environment consequences. This research paper aims to analyze complex power relationships between cities and their hinterlands. In particular, the objective is to understand the nature of these socio-material links. Are they based on synergies and cooperation, or, on the contrary, on unbalanced power and conflicts? We propose an approach which combines methodologies with the tools of Energy Flow Analysis (EFA) and semi-structured interviews, in order to develop a "political-industrial ecology" of energy metabolism (Breetz 2017; Cousins and Newell 2015). We have studied the Saint-Nazaire metropolitan area, which is constituted by an urban area and a port zone. This harbor consists in a complex network of highly energy-intensive industrial sites operating in the steel, petrochemical and agri-food industries. Based on an analysis of energy flows, institutional policies and professional practices, we have identified several situations of metabolic links that exist simultaneously. In conclusion, the metabolic relationships' framework is useful to understand how the "hinterlands-city" relationships shape and are shaped by the city's metabolism. • A "political-industrial ecology" of energy metabolism is implemented and discussed • Article methods coupled quantitative and qualitative data to understand the politics of urban metabolism • Metabolic relationships between cities and their hinterlands are based on synergies and cooperation • Urban-rural metabolic relationships are also unbalanced power and conflicts. • Power relationships and hidden flows are strong drivers of urban metabolism. • Proximity and self-sufficiency are strong drivers of synergetic relationships. • The Metabolic relationship framework helps understand interactive "hinterlands-city". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper builds on the disconnection between scientific evidence and policy assumptions about the temporal profile of land use change (LUC) emissions. Whereas natural scientists find evidence of a decreasing time profile of LUC emissions, European energy policy relies on a steady time profile. We investigate the consequences of using such a uniform (constant) time profile when assessing biofuel projects with cost-benefit analysis, a widespread economic tool for public project assessment. We show that the use of the uniform time profile distorts LUC emissions costs downwards (upwards) when carbon prices grow slower (faster) than the discount rate. We illustrate our results with the conversion of grassland to wheat cultivation for bioethanol production in France. Under current assumptions in public project assessment, we find a 70% overestimation of costs related to direct LUC emissions. We propose two tools to aid in decision-making and address the decision error. Finally, we provide contextual policy recommendations. • LUC emissions are assumed constant over a 20-year time horizon in European policy • In contrast, there is evidence that LUC emissions decrease over time • This disconnection distorts net present values of biofuel projects • Direct LUC emissions costs are overestimated by 70% in France • We suggest two tools to help decision in project assessment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]