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The academic and policy-oriented literature increasingly quantifies the wider effects of energy policy on the macroeconomy. However, the spillovers from economic policies to energy use are less frequently recognised, meaning that many policymakers who strive to improve productivity whilst simultaneously targeting emission reduction fail to consider these interactions. This paper addresses this issue by using simulation results generated by introducing an exogenous increase in labour productivity in a computable general equilibrium model calibrated with data from the United Kingdom. Theoretical analysis suggests that increasing labour productivity can have positive or negative effects on employment levels and energy use. However, the simulation results show that in the context of a developed open economy, improved labour efficiency will increase employment, a key policy objective, but simultaneously increase energy use. A key policy implication is that this work highlights the need for policy frameworks that explicitly acknowledge and quantify the interconnections between national economic policy strategies and energy policy objectives. Secondly, it shows that in practice, policies to reduce carbon emissions need to be strengthened alongside policies to improve productivity successfully implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the legal aspect of commercial surrogate motherhood, and cites reasons why surrogacy contracts must become legally enforceable. It examines several conventional objections against commercial surrogate motherhood, such as arguments on improper commodification and the child's best interests. It discusses the legal background of surrogate motherhood, some controversies regarding surrogacy contracts, and the association of law and ethics on the issue.

Abstract: In this paper we attempt an empirical application of the multi-region input–output (MRIO) method proposed by Turner, Lenzen, Wiedmann and Barrett [Turner, K., Lenzen, M., Wiedmann, T., Barrett, J., 2007. Examining the global environmental impact of regional consumption activities — part 1: a technical note on combining input–output and ecological footprint analysis. Ecological Economics 62 (1), 37–44] in a recent issue of this journal in order to enumerate the CO2 pollution content of interregional trade flows between Scotland and the rest of the UK (RUK). We extend the analysis to account for direct emissions generation by households, as final consumers, and to a social accounting matrix (SAM), where a more comprehensive account of incomes and expenditures is possible. While the existence of significant data problems mean that the quantitative results of this study should be regarded as provisional, the interregional economy-environment IO and SAM framework for Scotland and RUK allows an illustrative analysis of some very important issues in terms of the nature and significance of interregional environmental spillovers within the UK and the existence of a CO2 ‘trade balance’ between Scotland and RUK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the economic impact of a 5% improvement in the UK household energy efficiency, focussing specifically on total energy rebound effects. The impact is measured through simulations using models that have increasing degrees of endogeneity but are calibrated on a common data set, moving from a basic partial equilibrium approach to a fully specified general equilibrium treatment. The size of the rebound effect is shown to depend on changes in household income, aggregate economic activity and relative prices that can only be captured through a general equilibrium model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Governments world-wide increasingly see energy efficiency as an important aspect of sustainability. However, there is a debate in the literature as to whether the impact of improved energy efficiency on reducing energy use might be partially, or more than wholly, offset through “rebound” and “backfire” effects. This paper clarifies the theoretical conditions under which such effects would occur and explores their likely significance using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the Scottish economy. We find that for Scotland a general improvement in energy efficiency in the production sectors of the economy initially produces rebound effects that eventually grow into backfire. Energy use ultimately increases in response to an efficiency gain and the ratio of GDP to CO2 emissions falls. The economic factors underpinning rebound effects are straightforward: energy efficiency improvements result in an effective cut in energy prices, which produces output, substitution, competitiveness and income effects that stimulate energy demands. However, the presence of strong rebound or even backfire does not mean that efficiency-enhancing policies are irrelevant: rather it suggests that such policies operating alone are insufficient to generate environmental improvements. The implication is that a co-ordinated portfolio of energy policies is required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Input-output (IO) tables and demand-driven multiplier techniques are absolutely appropriate for conventional pollution attribution (accounting) analyses as they provide all the required information on pollution embodied in intersectoral interactions and interregional trade flows. However, as a model of how the economy adjusts in response to a marginal change in activity, IO is unlikely to be appropriate as it is only a very special case of general equilibrium models. We propose an integrated IO and computable general equilibrium (CGE) approach, with CGE analysis of the impacts of a change in activity and model results used to inform an IO attribution analysis of pollution embodied in interregional trade flows before and after the change is introduced. Resumen. Las tablas input-output (IO) y las técnicas multiplicadoras en función de la demanda son totalmente apropiadas para los análisis (contables) convencionales de atribución de la contaminación ya que proporcionan toda la información requerida acerca de la contaminación que acompaña a las interacciones intersectoriales y flujos comerciales interregionales Sin embargo, como modelo acerca de cómo la economía se ajusta en respuesta a cambios marginales de la actividad, es poco probable que IO sea apropiado ya que es solamente un caso muy especial de modelos de equilibrio general. Proponemos un enfoque integrado de IO con equilibrio general computable (EGC), con un análisis EGC de los impactos de un cambio en la actividad y siendo los resultados del modelo utilizados para instruir un análisis de atribución IO de la contaminación presente en flujos comerciales interregionales, antes y después de la introducción del cambio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technically feasible deep decarbonisation solution. Still it is not widely adopted, arguably due to some basic political economy and policy challenges. One issue is the large infrastructure needs of transporting and storing CO 2. However, a more fundamental challenge in the current UK industrial policy landscape is concern over introducing new costly capital requirements in industries that need to retain competitiveness in a world that has not yet fully signed up to the 'net-zero' transition demanded by the more ambitious 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target of the Paris Agreement. We take the example of high-value chemicals industries operating in the UK devolved region of Scotland and use an economy-wide computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to consider the nature and potential extent of export, GDP and employment losses under different illustrative polluter/government/taxpayer pays approaches to meeting the higher cost requirements. We conclude that the value from subsidising capture activity depends on the extent of export demand response to competitiveness losses resulting from firms bearing CO 2 capture costs. However, outcomes reflect trade-offs across different types of sectors and employment, and are also dependent on labour market responses to changing wage and unemployment rates. • Carbon capture involves sustained additional operating capital costs for industry. • Reduced capital efficiency impacts regional prices and industry competitiveness. • Regional GDP, jobs and earnings losses are dominated by capturing industry losses. • The extent of losses is governed by trade responses to reduced competitiveness. • A subsidy approach funded shifts the burden to household or public spending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]