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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Environmental investments'
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Herbelot, Olivier. "Option valuation of flexible investments : the case of environmental investments in the electric power industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/13217.
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Eastin, Josh C. "Economic integration and environmental protection in China causes and effects /." online access from Digital Dissertation Consortium, 2007. http://libweb.cityu.edu.hk/cgi-bin/er/db/ddcdiss.pl?1446670.
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Stalley, Phillip. "A double-edged sword foreign firms and environmental governance in China /." online access from Digital Dissertation Consortium access full-text, 2006. http://libweb.cityu.edu.hk/cgi-bin/er/db/ddcdiss.pl?3230467.
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Fayet, Jean-Baptiste 1974. "Real option approach to investments in electricity generating capacity." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/80939.
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Harrison, Jessica (Jessica Kit). "Clean energy investments in an uncertain future." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34520.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005.Includes bibliographical references.
The energy sector faces a multitude of challenges related to climate change and energy security. These challenges will likely prompt considerable changes in the coming decades, including significant investment and new market design. To help fulfill multiple goals and limit the necessary tradeoffs among them, industry and policymakers alike are looking to new technologies. However, uncertainty regarding the challenges, the solutions, and the behavior of the energy system, make it difficult to discern which investment is right for what time. This thesis reviews the potential changes in today's energy system and examines the difficulties of addressing challenges that appear urgent yet elusive. An extensive literature review considers the problems of clean energy investment decision-making in modern energy systems, and evaluates the potential contributions of a real options approach and system dynamics. A case study on the market growth of Gas-to-Liquids technology provides more detail on the use of system dynamics to gauge market uncertainties. Admitting to the lack of appropriate tools to objectively evaluate strategies for tackling today's energy challenges, this thesis helps answer why such questions as the appropriate timing investment are so difficult to answer, and contentious.
(cont.) Ultimately, it suggests a framework for considering the problem of clean energy investments under uncertainty. It considers a real options approach and system dynamics, despite their limitations, as a start for developing sophisticated tools to help grapple with investment uncertainties and to create thoughtful, strategic plans.
by Jessica Harrison.
S.M.
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Bartholomew, Roxie. "Avoiding Intergenerational Discounting on Sustainability Investments." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2012. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/341.
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This thesis describes the process in which a Two-Generation model and N-Generation model can determine the optimal levels of investment in sustainability without applying a discount rate to the benefits to future generations. These models constrain utility so that utility for each generation is equivalent; these models do not dilute the benefits to future generations, which promotes equity between generations and reflects the fact that Generation 2 will have to pay off the remaining balance on the sustainability investment.
The models demonstrated that as the Generation 2’s expected value of a resource increases, the level of utility of both generations and total level of optimal investment should increase. In addition, while altruism can increase the utility of each generation, Generation 1’s level of altruism does not have an impact on the optimal level of total investment. Finally the Two-Generation model indicates that subsidizing interest rates for sustainability can be an effective way to increase investment levels. The N-Generation model demonstrates that thinking long-term will have a negative impact on the utility of the current generation; utility will decrease as the number of generations accounted for increases because of the competition among generations for scarce resources. While one generation may have to sacrifice, this model determines the level of investment in sustainability that maximizes utility across the generations and can help ensure that the trend of increasing utility continues.
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Srivastava, Rohini. "Integrating Financial, Environmental and Human Capital -the Triple Bottom Line- For High Performance Investments in the Build Environment." Research Showcase @ CMU, 2018. http://repository.cmu.edu/dissertations/1157.
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Residential and commercial buildings account for almost 40 % of total U.S. energy consumption and U.S. carbon dioxide emissions (Pew Center, 2009). Nearly all of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the residential and commercial sectors can be attributed to energy use in buildings, making high performance energy efficient buildings central to addressing diminishing resources and transitioning to a green economy. However, energy efficiency in buildings receives inadequate attention because first least cost decision-making as opposed to life cycle cost analysis (Romm, 1999). When life cycle analysis is used, it typically captures only the ‘hard’ financial cost benefits of operational energy and maintenance savings, but rarely includes environmental capital or human capital savings. This thesis proposes an empirical approach to triple bottom line calculations that integrates the economic, environmental and human cost benefits to accelerate investments in high performance building technologies. The development of a new methodology for capital expenditures in investments in the built environment can provide compelling arguments for decision makers and encourage the widespread adoption of high performance building technologies. In the first bottom line, this research quantifies the ‘financial’ or capital costs and benefits of high performance building investments, by broadening the category of associated benefits beyond energy savings from an investment (Birkenfeld et al., 2011). Traditionally, building investment decisions are made using a value engineering approach, which is driven by the agenda of cost reduction rather than valuing the benefit of different alternatives. Using net present value (NPV) and return on investment (ROI) indices, well-known in financial practices, the first bottom line calculation in this thesis moves away from a ‘first least cost’ to a life cycle approach to account for multiple non-energy financial benefits that can directly be quantified for the building decision maker. To advance a second bottom line that can be translated into Corporate Sustainability Reporting, the thesis provides a methodology for capturing the environmental benefits of reducing electricity demand related to carbon, air quality and water resources. These calculations are based on three levels of information - electricity fuel sources and power plant quality, the respective air pollution and water consumption consequences, and emerging valuation incentives for pollution reduction. The methodology focuses on critical greenhouse gases CO2, CH4; SOx, NOx, as well as particulates and water use, for three global scenarios – an emerging economy such as India, a country with mid-level sustainability goals such as the US, and a leading economy with low carbon growth goals such as the EU - in order to represent the range of environmental impacts of electric energy use. The capital saved by avoiding the environmental impacts of electricity use based on fuel source and mix can thus be added to each kilowatt-hour of electricity saved in a second bottom line calculation. To advance the third bottom line, this thesis engages a methodology for measuring and quantifying human benefits from building investments based on ongoing development of CMU CBPD's BIDS toolkit. The methodology is built on the field and laboratory research findings that link high performance building design decisions to human health and individual and organizational productivity. This thesis advances an approach to handling the third bottom line calculations, including an approach to establishing baselines, applying a broad base of laboratory and field findings. Given first cost data from vendors, first bottom line simple paybacks for 12 energy retrofit measures ranges from 2-20 years - with energy and facility management savings. When the environmental benefits are included, simple paybacks were accelerated to 1.5-18 years. Most strikingly, when human benefits are included - from reduced headaches and absenteeism to improved task performance or productivity - paybacks for investments in energy efficiency in US offices are often less than 1 year. To support the validity and reliability of results, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to validate how Triple Bottom Line (TBL) cost benefits might impact and shift decision-making patterns from a least-first-cost approach to an approach that includes TBL information. Field testing of the potential influence on decision makers to move beyond first-cost decision-making to support investments in high performance, energy efficient technologies revealed the positive impact of Triple Bottom Line accounting for decision makers (p<0.05). The introduction of triple bottom line accounting for decision-makers in the built environment may be the most critical catalyst for investments in building energy improvements.
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Regnier, Eva Dorothy. "Discounted cash flow methods and environmental decisions." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24544.
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Boccia, Alfred M. "An empirical analysis of environmental uncertainty, real options decision patterns and firm performance." Amherst, Mass. : University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009. http://scholarworks.umass.edu/open_access_dissertations/93/.
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Rathnam, Sharad. "Designing an environmentally conscious decision support tool for capital investments in small and medium enterprises." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/18922.
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Björkman, Sjölund Fanny, and Tina Fossheim. "Can sustainable investments act as a bridge between the economy and the environment? : A qualitative study about sustainable investments." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Malmö högskola, Institutionen för Urbana Studier (US), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43877.
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The following study presents the results from one focus group discussion and eight individual interviews investigating how sustainable investments impact climate change. The demand for sustainable investments is currently growing, but there is a lack of research conducted within the area. We therefore aim to fill an academic knowledge gap surrounding the understanding of sustainable investments. To achieve this, we to identified the concepts defining sustainable investment practices and simultaneously identified the predominant factors for investors when making them. To assess the practice characteristics, we compared it with traditional investments. The informants were investors and professionals with occupations connected to sustainable investments. Furthermore, the study has the theoretical frameworks of the ecological modernization theory and value-belief-norm theory for assessing and analyzing study results. The results and conclusion of the study were that there is no universal definition of sustainable investments, causing distrust and concerns regarding the practice. Therefore, definitive conclusion about what sustainable investments can achieve for the climate is challenging to assess. Informants' willingness to invest in sustainable investments was connected to their values and knowledge. Results show a knowledge gap between individual's understanding of investments climate impact due to lack of accessible information for some investors. Finally, regulations concerning sustainable investments came into force during the time of the study.I uppsatsen presenterar vi resultaten från en fokusgrupp och åtta intervjuer där vi studerat hur hållbara investeringar påverkar klimatförändringarna. Efterfrågan på hållbara investeringar växer men för närvarande saknas det forskning inom området. Vi strävar därför efter att fylla ett akademiskt kunskapshål kring förståelsen om hållbara investeringar. För att uppnå det ville vi identifiera begreppen som definierar “hållbara investeringar” och hitta de avgörande faktorerna för investerare när de väljer att investera hållbart. För att bedöma hållbara investeringar jämförde vi dess egenskaper med traditionella investeringar. Informanterna var investerare och yrkesverksamma med yrken kopplade till hållbara investeringar, vidare bygger studien på teorierna om ekologisk modernisering och value-belief-norm theory. Resultaten och slutsatsen från studien visar att det inte finns någon universell definition av en hållbar investering, något som orsakar misstro och oro angående praxis. Det är därför svårt att dra en absolut slutsats om vad hållbara investeringar kan uppnå för klimatet. Informanternas vilja att investera i hållbara investeringar baserades på deras värderingar och kunskap. Det fanns även kunskapsluckor mellan individerna angående investeringarnas påverkan på klimatet på grund av brist på tillgänglig information för vissa investerare. Slutligen trädde regler om hållbara investeringar i kraft under studietiden.
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Naughton, Helen T. "Essays on globalization and the environment /." view abstract or download file of text, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1404347261&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=11238&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007.Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-127). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.
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Ezran, Ayelet. "A technical analysis framework for prioritizing investments in transportation control measures in the Boston region." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40999.
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Новак, У. П., and В. О. Мандрик. "Необхідність і напрями стимулювання екологізації інвестиційної політики." Thesis, Сумський державний університет, 2013. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/30895.
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Загострення екологічної кризи в Україні вносить певні корективи в інвестиційну політику. Виникла потреба в інвестуванні спеціальних ресурсозберігаючих і природоохоронних програм і проектів, які забезпечать покращення екологічної ситуації, проведення переоцінки інвестиційних проектів у частині їх впливу на екологічну ситуацію, здійснення перерозподілу інвестицій, які спрямовуються на розроблення і реалізацію цих проектів, враховуючи включення в їх зміст спеціальних розділів з охорони навколишнього природного середовища.
При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/30895
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Busic-Sontic, Ante. "Energy efficiency investments in residential buildings : does personality matter?" Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2019. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/284556.
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In recent years, energy efficiency in the built environment has been attracting considerable interest to mitigate energy consumption. A number of scientific studies indicate that rising air pollution, decreasing biodiversity, ocean acidification and other adverse effects on humans and the environment in recent decades are due to greenhouse gas emissions, and a substantial share of the emissions can be attributed to energy usage in residential buildings. Investments in energy-efficient technologies have been made to alleviate such human induced causes contributing to the emissions, but they are still far from widespread, calling for a thorough understanding of individuals' decision-making processes to promote further adoption of energy efficiency investments. Although personality has been widely recognised as an explanatory factor of behaviour, a rigorous discussion of it in the context of energy efficiency investments is missing. As such, to understand the role of personality traits in making high-cost energy efficiency investments in residential buildings, this research applies a multidisciplinary approach to derive theoretical models that are evaluated in subsequent empirical investigations using quantitative methods and data from the UK and Germany. The findings suggest three ways through which personality can influence energy efficiency investments. The first is an indirect impact of personality traits through risk preferences, in which the significance of the personality effects depends on the financial subsidy context. The second is an indirect effect of personality traits through environmental concern. The third way suggests an impact of personality traits through their importance for individuals' capability and willingness to consider peer behaviour.
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Вишницька, Олена Іванівна, Елена Ивановна Вишницкая, and Olena Ivanivna Vyshnytska. "Класифікація екологічних інвестицій." Thesis, Видавництво СумДУ, 2009. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/7835.
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Проаналізувавши існуючі підходи до класифікації екоінвестицій в науково-методичних розробках, на основі системного підходу нами була розроблена класифікація екологічних інвестицій
Вдосконалена класифікація екологічних інвестицій дасть змогу визначити пріоритетність надання інвестицій для різних заходів в сфері природокористування, а також конкретизувати завдання, що потрібно вирішити для уникнення подальшого розвитку соціо-еколого-економічних проблем.
Впровадження екологічних інвестицій дасть змогу покращити екологічну ситуацію в країні, прискорити екологізацію виробництва, забезпечити раціональне та ощадне використання природних ресурсів.
При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/7835
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Huber-Stearns, Heidi Rebecca. "Investments in watershed services| Understanding a new arena of environmental governance in the western United States." Thesis, Colorado State University, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3720572.
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Issues around sustainably managing freshwater resources are one of the most challenging and timely issues affecting the globe. In response to rising social and ecological complexities, decision makers are faced with designing new policies and programs to effectively govern water resources. This shift towards new freshwater resource management approaches is in line with recent movement toward incentive-based mechanisms such as “Investments in Watershed Services” (IWS). The western United States contains one of the most concentrated IWS populations, in a time when population growth, intensifying land uses, and climate-induced environmental changes are stressing ecological systems in the region. My dissertation focuses on understanding this new arena of environmental governance aimed at freshwater conservation in the US West. Through three sets of data and analytical lenses I explore: the characterization of this new arena of governance, what led to its recent and significant growth, and what changes have occurred with respect to how such water resources were traditionally governed. I employ a mixed methods approach, using quantitative approaches to characterize the study population and temporal changes, and qualitative approaches to dive deeper into understanding specific phenomena. First, I improve understanding of IWS as an institution, and demonstrate the importance of dynamics between institutional factors for external context, program structure, and other related analytical domains in shaping how PWS is applied to water resources challenges globally. Through an institutional analysis of IWS and the use of cluster analysis to group programs around buyer types and management actions, I highlight the role of government, influence of geographic context, and role of both regional and local conditions in shaping IWS design and structure. Second, I demonstrate that government actors are essential to IWS in the region, expanding beyond existing regulations and traditional roles. This exploration of the role of government within adaptive governance shows the evolving and expanding role of government over time, from federal regulations driving early water quality management, then state legislation driving water quantity programs, and more recently, federal agencies partnering on local water source protection efforts. Third, I show how key individuals and organizations create voluntary IWS in response to risk, aligning policies, politics and problems into solution framing, which suggests policy process theories more explicitly consider social-ecological complexities. These programs constitute the most recent expansion of IWS in the US West, and applying a policy process theory sheds light into the formation of the IWS, and the political, economic, ecological and social components that aligned to make the programs possible. My research shows this new arena of environmental governance as adaptive, place and problem-based, learning and collaboration-focused, accepting of uncertainty, and containing nimble and adaptive government across scale. My work also creates a baseline of IWS in the region, and identifies areas for future research as IWS matures over time.
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Agosta, Bruno R. "Development of a methodology for evaluating investments in infrastructure for the sustainable exploitation of shale energy in Argentina." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99594.
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Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2015.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-157).
In 2011, a new word entered into the popular vocabulary of Argentina: Vaca Muerta (VM, literally: Dead Cow); almost like a discovery, it was announced that Argentina had large hydrocarbon resources that were trapped in underground shale and tight rocks. In reality, these resources were known by geologists from the beginning of the oil industry, but only became economically extractable in the 2000s, with the use of two old technologies developed in the US and already used on conventional fields: hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. With this "discovery," the Argentine energy perspective changed radically: a sector that was declining became dynamic again and became a target for investment for a project that for many Argentines was still just a name. By 2014, around three billion dollars has been invested in VM almost exclusively by the oil & gas sector, led by the national oil company (YPF), but there were very few analyses on how VM would affect other sectors, like the logistics and transportation system. By the intrinsic technical characteristics of these two essential technologies, the amount of inputs required in the wellheads is extremely high (especially in comparison with conventional exploitations), producing a strong demand for transportation and logistics services. This high volume of transportation services requires infrastructure capacity, meaning large long-term investments. Following this, a key question arises: who should pay for new capacity of public infrastructure that will be used by a few actors in a private business (oil and gas) that is profitable? Should it be the public sector through the use of tax-revenues or should it be the private sector that must pay with its own savings generated by using more efficient transport modes? Seeking to answer these questions, this thesis developed and implemented a Simultaneous Economic-Financial Analysis Model (SEFAM) to evaluate the private and public incentives that will finally determine investment alternatives to achieve socially optimal solutions. The CLIOS Process, for studying complex sociotechnical systems, is used to study the relationships between the shale oil production system and the logistic and transportation system, with the institutional actors that govern them. The East-West VM supply corridor was selected as the research case of this thesis, in order to implement SEFAM and draw some general conclusions. This research describes this interaction between shale energy production and its logistic and transportation requirements, along with the proposition of certain questions that advance a better understanding of the problem. SEFAM is then seen as an integrative tool that allows the decision-maker to have useful and relevant information for a prospective negotiation process between the public and private sectors, looking to ensure the implementation of the socially optimal alternative.
by Bruno R. Agosta.
S.M.
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Smolarski, Jan M. (Jan Mietek). "Environmental Determinants and Choice of Project Evaluation Techniques in US and UK Firms." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1996. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc277767/.
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The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a theory that helps explain the conditions under which firms select certain project evaluation techniques. This study uses contingency theory to analyze the impact of environmental uncertainty on the choice of project evaluation techniques. In addition to a direct measure of uncertainty, several dimensions of uncertainty are included in this study. These dimensions of uncertainty include control structure, method of financing, foreign assets, method of growth, and product domination. This study also analyzes the use of project evaluation, management science and risk management techniques in US firms over time and in UK firms over time in order to compare to prior research. A comparison of firms in the two countries are also provided.
The primary method of data collection was a survey instrument. Data were also collected from annual reports and various other public sources.
The variables that appear significant in the choice of project evaluation technique in US firms are environmental uncertainty, control structure, method of financing, foreign assets, and product domination. The variable that appear significant in the choice of project evaluation technique in UK firms is method of financing. US firms favor discounted cash flow techniques although this study detected a slight decrease over time. UK firms continue to use non-discounted cash flow techniques, although the use of discounted cash flow techniques is widespread. There are significant differences between US and UK firms. US firms tend to use discounted cash flow techniques to a greater extent than UK firms.
This research makes a significant contribution in attempting to develop a theory explaining the use of project evaluation techniques in firms in the US and UK. In addition, several other developments relating to project evaluation, management science and risk management are discussed. The results of this study can be used by managers in refining and improving their existing project evaluation processes.
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Puvimanasinghe, Shyami Fernando. "Foreign investment, human rights and the environment : a perspective from South Asia on the role of public international law for development /." Leiden [u.a.] : Nijhoff, 2007. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/fy0712/2007276511.html.
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Kent, Avidan. "International trade, investment, and climate change : a tale of legal and institutional fragmentation." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648583.
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Janssen, Josef. "Risk management of investments in joint implementation and clean development mechanism projects /." Bamberg : Difo-Druck, 2001. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=009588954&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
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Єна, Ю. К. "Особливості оцінки інвестиційної привабливості виробництва екологічно чистої продукції підприємства." Thesis, ТОВ "ДД "Папірус", 2014. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/37200.
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Вичерпання ефективності традиційних форм приваблення потенційних споживачів до продукції ряду підприємств на засадах активного маркетингу викликає зниження мотивації інвесторів до фінансування відповідних виробництв. Особливого значення дана проблематика набуває для виробництва так званої екологічно чистої продукції, характеристики якої для кінцевого споживача на сьогодні вже не мають головного мотивоутворюючого значення для прийняття рішень щодо здійснення акту придбання та споживання.
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Jarden, Kimberly M. "ASSESSING HYDROLOGIC IMPACTS OF STREET-SCALE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FOR SUBURBAN PARMA, OHIO." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1429133256.
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Nielsen, Oskar. "Responsible investments in the Swedish pension fund system : A case study of institutional investors." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-234455.
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Institutional investors are increasing their ownership in corporations and therefore their influence on financial markets is expanding. The Swedish public pension funds are one of Sweden’s largest institutional investors, holding capital for pension savers that amount to 1 123 billion Swedish Kronor. Media and non-governmental organizations’ attention on institutional investors’ corporate engagement have put pressure on their work with socially responsible investments. The Swedish public pension funds are no exception. Recent reports reveal that the pension funds are still owners in fossil fuel intensive corporations as well as firms connected with human rights violations. The aim of this study is to identify factors that influence pension funds’ view on socially responsible investments. Particular focus is directed towards the funds’ view on corporations that are highly involved in fossil fuel emissions. The study is presented as a case study in which a comparison of management between two of Sweden´s public pension funds is made in order to define how the attitude towards socially responsible investments affect the choices of instruments of influence that are used in corporate engagement. The findings of the study argue that the two funds use similar instruments of influence in their corporate engagement. However, differences in how the instruments are applied exist and the study reveals that the two funds’ approaches to corporations that are highly involved in fossil fuel emissions are different. Conclusions from the study are that the funds’ work with socially responsible investments is based on the mandate to serve the Swedish citizens and manage their retirement money in a desirable way. The study argues that the funds’ view on socially responsible investments is based on their role as representatives for the majority of individuals in Sweden and that the funds actions, consequently, should reflect the majority opinion of the Swedish society.
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Wood, Dorothy. "The influence of environmental social controls on the capital investment decision-making of the firm : Australian evidence /." View thesis, 2002. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030801.131105/index.html.
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Kalmertun, Frida, and Sofia Nork. "Miljöinvesteringsbeslut i privata och kommunala bostadsbolag." Thesis, KTH, Fastigheter och byggande, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-297786.
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I och med att bygg- och fastighetssektorn står för en betydande andel av Sveriges miljöpåverkan har aktörer inom branschen stora möjligheter att genom miljömässiga investeringar påverka fastigheternas klimatavtryck. Grundtanken är att investeringar genomförs om de är lönsamma men eftersom syftet med miljöinvesteringar även är att uppnå positiva miljöeffekter spelar mer än den ekonomiska aspekten roll. Privat verksamhet drivs i vinstsyfte och sedan lagen om allmännyttiga kommunala bostadsaktiebolag trädde i kraft 2011 ska även de allmännyttiga bostadsbolagen driva sin verksamhet enligt affärsmässiga principer för att inte sätta konkurrensen på marknaden ur spel. Affärsmässighet och samhällsansvar ska därmed kombineras. Syftet med studien är därmed att undersöka och få en fördjupad förståelse för vad miljöinvesteringar i fastigheter innebär samt vad som påverkar ett bostadsbolags miljöinvesteringsbeslut. Huvudfrågeställningen fokuserar på hur miljöinvesteringsbeslutet påverkas av att företaget är privat eller kommunalt. Vidare utreds även hur miljöinvesteringar skiljer sig från övriga investeringar i fastigheter när det gäller beslutsprocessen och bedömning samt vad som hade kunnat få fler miljöinvesteringar att genomföras. Studien är baserad på semistrukturerade intervjuer med tio respondenter från sju fastighetsbolag i Stockholmsområdet. Studien har visat att begreppet miljöinvesteringar i fastigheter ännu inte är helt definierat men främst handlar om åtgärder kopplat till energieffektivisering. Investeringsprocessen följer till största del samma process som övriga investeringar och samma beräkningsmetoder används men fler perspektiv tas in när det kommer till att ta beslutet. Avgörande faktorer för miljöinvesteringsbeslutet kan delas upp i kategorierna; lönsamhet och besparingar, företagets styrning, krav och mål, hyresgäster samt fastigheternas konstruktion. Ett bostadsbolags miljöinvesteringsbeslut påverkas av att företaget är privat eller kommunalt genom företagets styrning och syfte med verksamheten. I sin tur påverkar det synen på de avgörande faktorerna, främst i vilken grad lönsamhetskravet inte behöver uppnås och hyresgästernas inflytande på beslutet. Synen på miljökrav och en minskad miljöpåverkan påverkas inte av att företaget är privat eller kommunalt.Since the construction and real estate sector accounts for a significant part of Sweden’s environmental impact, actors in the industry have great opportunities to influence buildings’ climate footprint through environmental investments. The basic idea is that investments are made if they are profitable, but since the purpose of environmental investments also is to achieve positive environmental effects, more than only the economic aspect matters. The goal of private companies is to make profit and since 2011 the municipal housing companies in Sweden must act according to business principles as well in order to maintain competition in the market. Business and social responsibility must therefore be combined. The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of what environmental investments in buildings are and to analyse what influences a housing company’s environmental investment decision. The main issue focuses on how the environmental investment decision is affected by the company being private or municipal. Furthermore, the study investigates how environmental investments differ from other investments in buildings in terms of the decision process and also what could have led to more environmental investments being implemented. The study is based on semi structured interviews with ten respondents from seven housing companies in the Stockholm area. The study has shown that the concept of environmental investments in buildings is not yet fully defined but mainly is about measures related to energy efficiency. Environmental investments follow the same process as other investments and the same calculation methods are used, but more perspectives are considered when it comes to the decision making. Decisive factors for the environmental investment decision can according to this study be divided into the categories; profitability and savings, the corporate governance, requirements and goals, tenants and the construction of the buildings. A housing company’s environmental investment decision is affected by the company being private or municipal through the company’s governance and purpose. This affects the view of the decisive factors, mainly to what extent profitability requirements do not need to be met and the tenants’ influence on the decision. The view of environmental requirements and reduced environmental impact is not affected by the company being private or municipal.
28
Skol, Adam. "Socially responsible investments and shareholder engagement in the Swedish pension fund system : A case study on the Swedish AP funds." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-393202.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years, institutional shareholders have more frequently engaged themselves in dialogue with corporations on corporate social and environmental factors (ESG factors) through a new investment strategy often referred to as socially responsible investments. The Swedish public pension funds work with socially responsible investments and shareholder engagement are based on their mandate to serve the Swedish people and to manage their retirement capital in a desirable way. Since 2019, the AP funds are also legally obliged by the AP Funds Act (2000:192) to contribute to sustainable development by their investments. The findings of this thesis suggest that shareholders can positively influence the social and environmental performance of a corporation. It suggests that shareholder engagement dialogue is an effective influence instrument to generate positive social and environmental outcomes, with an open and constructive dialogue between the shareholder and the corporation. In order to build a successful long-term relationship between the shareholder and investee, it is important for the engager to enhance the preparation and try to stay fully informed on the matters being raised to the investee. This can be achieved by the shareholder by letting the engager focus the engagement on a manageable number of corporations and sectors and by having a dialogue with several different stakeholders throughout the network such as local union trade organisations or other NGOs.
29
Gazheli, Ardjan. "Achieving sustainability transitions: Behavioral barriers, limits to green growth, and investments under uncertainty." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/399828.
Full textAbstract:
Está
ampliamente
aceptado
que
es
necesaria
una
transición
urgente
hacia
la
sostenibilidad.
El
cómo
hacer
esa
transición
está
intensamente
en
discusión.
Está
claro,
sin
embargo,
que
implicará
grandes
cambios
radicales,
socio-‐técnicos,
que
van
mucho
más
allá
de
enfoques
tradicionales
de
políticas
públicas.
Esta
tesis
doctoral
aborda
este
reto
a
través
de
tres
estudios
distintos
y
complementarios.
El
primer
estudio
está
motivado
por
el
hecho
de
que
las
políticas
de
transición
-‐
en
términos
de
eficacia,
equidad
y
eficiencia
-‐
dependen
en
gran
medida
del
modelo
subyacente
de
la
conducta
individual.
Sólo
un
modelo
empíricamente
fundado
en
la
acción
individual
y
en
la
motivación
puede
garantizar
el
diseño
de
las
políticas
de
transición
adecuadas.
Un
obstáculo
potencial
para
una
transición
hacia
la
sostenibilidad
pueden
ser
las
barreras
de
comportamiento
para
el
cambio.
Los
diferentes
actores
involucrados
tienen
sus
propios
intereses
y
tratarán
de
mantener
cualquier
posición
de
poder.
Ideas
acerca
de
la
racionalidad
limitada,
la
interacción
social
y
el
aprendizaje
pueden
contribuir
a
unas
políticas
más
eficaces
en
afrontar
las
barreras
y
oportunidades
para
así
realizar
una
transición
hacia
la
sostenibilidad.
Con
el
fin
de
llegar
a
las
recomendaciones
políticas,
me
centro
en
las
características
de
comportamiento
tanto
a
nivel
de
organización
como
individual,
prestando
atención
a
cuestiones
como
el
monopolio
comercial,
imprevistos
en
los
sistemas
de
innovación
o
interacciones
de
red,
mientras
intento
conectar
dichas
cuestiones
para
el
diseño
de
políticas
públicas.
El
análisis
combina
puntos
de
vista
de
la
literatura
sobre
las
transiciones
de
sostenibilidad,
"economía
conductual-‐ambiental",
y
fundamentos
de
comportamiento
de
aprendizaje
e
innovación.
A
continuación,
analizo
el
conflicto
potencial
entre
crecimiento
económico
y
mitigación
del
cambio
climático.
Utilizo
un
enfoque
basado
en
los
sectores
economicos
para
analizar
la
relación
entre
las
emisiones
de
CO2,
por
un
lado
utilizando
el
dólar
de
producción
y
por
el
otro
el
crecimiento
de
la
producción
económica
y
la
productividad
del
trabajo.
Esto
nos
permite
investigar
si
el
crecimiento
verde
-‐
combinando
el
crecimiento
económico
con
la
sostenibilidad
ambiental
-‐
es
factible.
Una
conclusión
principal
es
que,
a
pesar
de
las
políticas
climáticas
realizadas
hasta
ahora,
desarrolladas
bajo
el
protocolo
de
Kyoto,
sectores
relativamente
limpios
no
parecen
ser
más
productivos
que
los
más
sucios,
y
tampoco
muestran
un
mayor
crecimiento
de
la
productividad.
De
hecho,
los
sectores
asociados
a
la
alta
intensidad
de
emisiones
crecieron
más
en
términos
absolutos
que
aquellos
con
baja
intensidad.
La
quota
del
primer
tipo
de
sector
aumentó,
lo
que
sugiere
que
el
desarrollo
verde
requiere
un
ritmo
extremadamente
rápido
de
descarbonización
(para
permitir
el
crecimiento
verde),
o
la
economía
en
su
conjunto
para
reducir
el
tamaño
(disminución
verde).
Un
hallazgo
importante
adicional
es
que
el
crecimiento
sectorial
a
largo
plazo,
tal
y
como
se
expresa
por
un
cambio
en
el
valor
añadido,
no
parece
estar
correlacionado
positivamente
con
la
intensidad
de
las
emisiones
de
carbono.
En
el
último
estudio,
examino
la
inversión
óptima
por
parte
de
una
sociedad
o
empresa
mediante
la
diversificación
de
la
inversión
en
dos
tecnologías
de
energía
renovable
con
distintas
ratios
de
aprendizaje
y
costes
iniciales,
como
la
energía
solar
fotovoltaica
y
la
energía
eólica.
Los
resultados
muestran
la
importancia
de
la
tasa
de
aprendizaje:
afecta
a
la
anticipación
sobre
la
opción
de
invertir
y
reduce
el
umbral
crítico
para
su
ejercicio
o
para
un
más
alto
coste
de
producción
inicial.
A
más
capital
invertido,
mayor
es
el
aprendizaje
que
estimula
el
ejercicio
temprano
de
la
opción
de
invertir,
debido
a
un
efecto
de
reducción
de
costes.
Una
mayor
incertidumbre
en
los
precios
de
la
energía
o
de
los
costes
de
la
tecnología
pospone
la
opción
de
invertir.
A
través
de
las
subvenciones,
los
gobiernos
implícitamente
protegen
a
los
inversores
contra
las
fluctuaciones
de
precios
y
la
incertidumbre.
Un
resultado
inesperado
de
este
estudio
es
que,
a
pesar
de
que
la
inversión
tanto
en
energía
solar
como
en
eólica
puede
ser
rentable
en
condiciones
particulares
de
incertidumbre
de
precios
y
costes,
la
estrategia
teóricamente
óptima
suele
ser
invertir
en
una
sola
tecnología,
es
decir,
en
solar
o
eólica,
en
función
de
sus
relativos
costes
y
ratios
de
aprendizaje
iniciales.
Esto
sugiere
que
la
práctica
de
la
diversificación
de
las
energías
renovables
en
la
mayoría
de
los
países
puede
ser
una
estrategia
equivocada.
Sin
embargo,
tal
vez
ciertas
motivaciones
para
la
diversificación
no
están
insuficientemente
cubiertas
por
nuestro
modelo,
por
lo
que
sugerimos
seguir
investigando
mediante
el
uso
de
modelos
más
complejos.It is widely agreed that a transition to sustainability is urgently needed. How to make such a transition is strongly debated. It is clear, though, that it will involve radical, large-scale socio-technical changes that go well beyond traditional policy approaches. This PhD thesis addresses this challenge through three distinct, complementary studies. The first is motivated by the fact that the performance of transition policies – in terms of effectiveness, equity and efficiency – depend very much on the underlying model of individual behavior. Only an empirically founded model of individual action and motivation can guarantee the design of adequate transition policies. A potential obstacle to a sustainability transition can be behavioral barriers to change. The different stakeholders involved in a transition have their own interests and will try to maintain any power position. Insights about bounded rationality, social interaction and learning can contribute to making transition polices more effective in addressing barriers and opportunities to realize a sustainability transition. In order to arrive at policy recommendations I focus on behavioral features of both individual and organizational level, paying attention to issues like lock-in, surprises in innovation systems, and network interactions, while trying to connect these to policy design. The analysis combines insights from the literatures on sustainability transitions, “environmental-behavioral economics”, and behavioral foundations of learning and innovation. Next, I consider the potential conflict between economic growth and climate change mitigation. This is done by developing a sector-based approach to analyze the relation between on the one hand CO2 emissions per dollar of output and on the other the growth in economic output and labor productivity. This allows us to investigate whether green growth – combining economic growth with environmental sustainability – is feasible. A main conclusion is that despite past climate policy, developed under the Kyoto protocol, relatively clean sectors do not seem to be more productive than dirtier ones, and neither show a higher productivity growth. In fact, sectors associated with high carbon intensity grew more in absolute terms than those with low carbon intensity. The share of the first type of sectors increased suggesting that green development requires an extremely rapid pace of decarbonization (to allow for green growth), or the economy as a whole to shrink (green decline). An important additional finding of this study is that longer-term sectoral growth, as expressed by a change in value added, does not seem to be positively correlated with carbon intensity. In a final study I examine optimal investment by a community or firm diversifying its investment in two renewable energy technologies with distinct learning rates and initial costs, like solar PV and wind electricity. The results show the importance of the learning rate: it affects anticipation of the option to invest in, and it reduces the critical threshold for exercising it, or for higher initial production cost. More capital invested, more learning stimulates earlier exercising of the option to invest, due to a cost reduction effect. More uncertainty in energy prices or technology costs postpones the option to invest. Through subsidies, governments implicitly protect investors against price fluctuations and uncertainty. A surprising message from this study is that although investing in both solar and wind may be profitable under particular conditions of price and cost uncertainty, the theoretically optimal strategy is generally investing in only one technology, that is, solar or wind, depending on their relative initial costs and learning rates. This suggests that the practice in most countries of diversifying renewable energy may be a wrong strategy. However, perhaps certain motivations for diversifying are not or insufficiently covered by our model, which suggests a need for further research employing more complex models.
30
Borgersen, Anna. "Business models for sustainable investments in the context of tropical forest restoration." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-324818.
Full textAbstract:
The Tropics continue to provide the most biologically diverse and carbon rich forest in the world, but they are being lost at alarming rates. To meet the global climate change targets and the UN sustainable development goals, financing is urgently needed to speed up and increase tropical forest restoration. The aim of this thesis is to show that sustainable timber and non-timber forest products offer are a viable vehicle for investment in tropical forest restoration and to identify the needed incentives and tools to enable sustainable investment. There is a lack of research on the integration between business model design and sustainability generally and an absence of business models for tropical forest restoration. Very little research if any, has been undertaken to link the two and evaluate the feasibility of applying business models on tropical forest restoration, especially with regard to its potential as an interesting investment option. This thesis gives a background about tropical forest restorations, sustainable investment, presents three tropical reforestation projects and a conceptual framework. The conceptual framework will be used to evaluate the potential for business model application to finance restoration and enable sustainable investments. Using a business model for tropical forest restoration projects, which in most cases are not defined as businesses, is an innovative approach and an agent of needed radical change. A business model is a crucial strategic management tool to enable success of tropical forest restorations. The core logic of the business model can offer equitable customer value and the fulfillment of new types of needs. Merging economic development and forest restoration is a powerful tool for innovation. The critical variables for financing are management, monitoring, operational efficiency, political incentives and regulations, stakeholder involvement, community benefits, transparency and information communication technology.
31
Kinda, Somlanare Romuald. "Essays on environmental degradation and economic development." Thesis, Clermont-Ferrand 1, 2013. http://www.theses.fr/2013CLF10411/document.
Full textAbstract:
Cette thèse apporte un nouvel éclairage au débat sur la dégradation de l'environnement et le développement. Elle analyse les déterminants et les effets macroéconomiques de la dégradation de l'environnement. Elle est subdivisée en deux parties. La première partie analyse les effets de l'éducation et des institutions démocratiques sur la qualité de l'environnement. Le premier chapitre analyse le rôle de l'éducation dans la protection de l'environnement. Les résultats empiriques indiquent que l’effet dépend du niveau de développement. Contrairement à l’échantillon des pays en développement où elle n’a pas effet, l'éducation est source de pollution dans les pays développés. Cependant, cet effet est atténué en présence de bonnes institutions démocratiques. Le deuxième chapitre étudie l'impact des institutions démocratiques sur la qualité de l'environnement. Nous montrons qu´elles ont un effet direct et positif sur la qualité de l'environnement. Celui-Ci est plus élevé pour les polluants locaux que pour les polluants globaux. De plus, ce chapitre identifie des canaux indirects par lesquels l´amélioration de la démocratie dégrade l'environnement. En effet, en favorisant l´adoption de politiques de redistribution des revenus et de politiques économiques, la démocratie a un effet indirect et négatif sur la protection de l'environnement. La deuxième partie propose deux essais sur les effets du changement climatique et des politiques environnementales sur le développement. Le troisième chapitre met en évidence un effet négatif et significatif de la variabilité climatique sur la sécurité alimentaire dans les pays en développement. Cet effet apparait plus élevé dans les pays africains. Par ailleurs, cet effet est exacerbée dans les pays à conflit et ceux vulnérables aux chocs des prix des biens alimentaires. Le quatrième chapitre analyse l’effet de la similitude des politiques environnementales sur le commerce bilatéral. Contrairement aux études précédentes qui utilisent des indicateurs partiels de réglementation environnementale (indicateurs axés sur les moyens ou sur les résultats), nous construisons on un indicateur de politique environnementale révélé. Les résultats suggèrent que la similitude dans les politiques environnementales n'a pas d'effet sur les flux commerciaux bilatéraux. En outre les résultats ne dépendent ni du niveau de développement de pays partenaires ni des caractéristiques des biens exportés (biens manufacturés et biens primaires)This dissertation is a contribution to the debate on environmental degradation and development. It focuses on the determinants and macroeconomic effects of environmental degradation. It is structured in two parts. The first part analyses the effects of education and democratic institutions on environmental quality. The first chapter analyses the role of education in environmental quality. No evidence of an effect of education on carbon dioxide emissions. However, this effect depends crucially on the sample of countries according to their levels of development. While the effect remains insignificant in developing countries, education does matter for carbon dioxide emissions in developed ones. Moreover, when controlling for the quality of democratic institutions, the positive effect of education on carbon dioxide emissions is mitigated in developed countries while remaining insignificant in developing ones. The second chapter explores the effect of democratic institutions on environmental quality. We evidence that democratic institutions do have a direct and positive effect on environmental quality. This positive effect is stronger for local pollutants than for global ones. More interestingly, it identifies the indirect channels through which democracy affects environmental degradation. Indeed, by increasing people’s preferences for redistribution and economic policies, democratic institutions have indirect and negative effects on environmental protection through income inequality and investments. In the second part, the dissertation provides two essays on the effects of environmental policies and climate change on development. The third chapter investigates the effects of climatic variability on food security. The results show that climatic variability reduces food security in developing countries. The adverse effect is higher for African sub-Saharan countries than for other developing countries. Second, the negative effect of climatic variability on food security is exacerbated in countries facing conditions of conflict and is high for the countries that are vulnerable to food price shocks. The fourth chapter provides new evidence about the effect of a gap in environmental policies between trading partners on trade flow. While previous papers have used partial measures of environmental regulations (input-Oriented or output-Oriented indicators), we compute an index of a country’s environmental policy. Results suggest that a similarity in environmental policies has no effect on bilateral trade flows. Moreover results do not appear to be conditional on the level of development of the countries trading or on the characteristics of exported goods (manufactured goods and primary commodities)
32
Nelson, Joshua S. "Stuck with the bill, but why? : an analysis of the Portuguese public finance system with respect to surface transportation policy and investments." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44371.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning; and, (S.M. in Transportation)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-140).
Despite decentralization progress in other sectors, the Portuguese central government maintains significant administrative and fiscal power over national and sub-national surface transportation operations and infrastructure. This thesis provides a global view of the state of surface transportation in Portugal through an analysis of both the nation's public finance and transportation finance systems as well as a discussion of specific surface transportation systems. It reveals that national and sub-national governments in Portugal are collectively pursuing an unsustainable transportation finance policy that places a significant burden on the public finance system, unfairly privileges the nation's metropolitan areas, and enables a costly and highly politicized tug-of-war between central government and sub-national governments with respect to public transportation investments.
by Joshua S. Nelson.
S.M.in Transportation
M.C.P.
33
Dzenga, Bruce. "Public policy and clean energy venture capital private equity investments in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97395.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 2007, Bürer and Wüstenhagen (2009) conducted a survey amongst European and United States venture capital and private equity investors (VC/PE) to ascertain their public clean energy policy preference and concluded that VC/PE investors view the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme to be the most preferred policy option. In this research study, the author re-conducted part of the Bürer and Wüstenhagen (2009) survey with thirty South African VC/PE investors to determine their perceptions on clean energy public policy preference. It is evident from the survey, that opinions are varied and at times even contradictory. This in itself demonstrates an important feature of the South African VC/PE and clean energy industry: it is young, dynamic, changing rapidly and can look very different, depending on the vantage point. The investors surveyed were mainly optimistic about the long-term development of the South African renewable energy industry led by private investors. VC/PE investors in South Africa have mixed views on various investment options, and are concerned about both the regulatory and macro-economic trends. The interviews and survey results show a number of recurring issues. Altogether, the survey results indicate that VC/PE investors consider FITs to be the best public clean energy policy instrument in leveraging private investment and finance for renewable energy in South Africa. This study serves to illustrate and confirm, in line with empirical studies, that VC/PE investors in South Africa believe that clean energy market-pull policies provide an impetus and indeed spur private investor participation in clean energy in developing countries. While it is true that most VC/PE investors would prefer the price certainty associated with a FIT regime, this is almost an irrelevant question in South Africa since constitutionally the state is bound to procure through competitive tendering. This study also serves to highlight the need for more active research and attention in this field.
34
Wood, Dorothy, University of Western Sydney, College of Law and Business, and School of Accounting. "The influence of environmental social controls on the capital investment decision-making of the firm : Australian evidence." THESIS_CLAB_ACC_Wood_D.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/228.
Full textAbstract:
Social controls influence the environmental performance of firms and require them to be more accountable for their environmental impacts. These controls include governmental interventions such as mandatory disclosure requirements, regulation and subsidisation, as well as less formal controls such as stakeholder opinion. This thesis examines the relative influence of environmental social controls on the acceptability of capital investment and provides insight into the perceptions of Australian managers concerning capital investment decision-making. An experiment is used to measure the relative influence of the four social control measures. This is supported by a survey to gauge firm size and industry influences and also a range of attributes of the controls on the capital investment decision. Experiment results suggest that the influence of stakeholder opinion on capital investment is very high and mandatory disclosure very low. The survey measured the influence of a range of indicators of each control and also firm size and industry effects. Firm size effects were weak while industry effects were much clearer and more consistent. A comparison of the influence of social control indicators and a range of financial and strategic indicators on the capital investment decision showed that the mainstream indicators had more influence.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
35
Gelotte, Kevin. "A comparison between ESG funds and traditional funds from a sustainable perspectiv." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för matematik och matematisk statistik, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-121901.
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During recent years many fund managers have merchandised their funds as accounting for “ethical”, “responsible” and “sustainable” criterions during the investment process (the generic term “ESG funds” will be used hereafter). These managers have used this as a marketing tool and claimed that this brings added value to their investors. However, it has been very hard for investors to actually determine if the fund managers have been following these announced “ESG” criterions and strategies. In addition to this there have been a lot of discussions around whether or not funds that incorporate “ESG” criterions during their investment process sacrifice return in order to fulfill their obligations. During March this year Morningstar launched the first independent rating that aims to evaluate how the underlying holdings in fund, i.e. companies in which the fund own shares, manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. By analyzing the underlying holdings from the aspects mentioned above, Morningstar has been able to aggregate this information into a sustainability measure for funds. This new sustainability measure has been named Morningstar Sustainability Rating™, which is a rating for how sustainable a fund is. This thesis address questions regarding how ESG funds, or rather funds that market themselves as ESG funds, tend to have different attributes compared to traditional funds in the Nordic countries Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway. The specific attributes that has been examined are relative fund flows, total returns, risk-adjusted ratings and sustainability ratings. The results suggest that ESG funds do not show a difference in Sustainability Ratings compared to traditional funds. Furthermore, it could be verified that ESG funds in some cases generate higher relative fund flows compared to traditional funds. It has also been confirmed that these ESG funds actually outperforms traditional funds from a total return perspective.
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Pham, Khanh Katherine. "Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Economic Development and Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnam." PDXScholar, 2018. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4498.
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This thesis explores 1) the ways that three Vietnamese infrastructure development projects undermine their cities' climate change adaptation goals and 2) the political and economic forces driving these developments. In-depth interviews highlight four main perspectives of planners and decision makers, which explain why these infrastructure projects often undermine cities' climate resilience goals. I describe how the mainstream climate change adaptation planning approach, with its emphasis on participatory planning, good governance and green growth, implicitly reinforces the neoliberal growth model, even as it seeks to ameliorate the inequality and ecological destruction that such a growth model creates. My research reveals how Vietnam's growth-first economic model and its dependence on international finance means that its climate adaptation priorities are increasingly shaped by the interests of financial institutions, and not necessarily the public interest. I argue that even if the strategies proposed by Vietnamese planners and climate adaptation practitioners are adopted, maladaptive projects will continue in Vietnam, unless the underlying economic growth imperative is addressed.
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Schiel, Carmen [Verfasser], and F. [Akademischer Betreuer] Schultmann. "Real Option Based Appraisal of Environmental Investments – An Assessment of NOx Emission Control Techniques in Large Combustion Plants / Carmen Schiel ; Betreuer: F. Schultmann." Karlsruhe : KIT Scientific Publishing, 2019. http://d-nb.info/1189357704/34.
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Meshe, Rodriguez. "Sustainable and Responsible Investments Choice Among Private Investors : Some key determinants and the effect of limited knowledge and information." Thesis, KTH, Fastigheter och byggande, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-192143.
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Purpose – BecauseThe purpose of this thesis is to investigate what methods financial institutions use to inform and encourage their existing and potential clients to choose more sustainable and responsible investment alternatives. The thesis should also identify some key determinants of private investors’ choice of sustainable and responsible investments (SRI), with focus on the effect of limited knowledge and access to information about SRI has on private investors’ choice. Methodology – In this thesis, both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used to collect significant data. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with three representatives from different financial institutions. A questionnaire was distributed and answered by 36 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire, the processed and analyzed by using a comparison analysis of percentages. Findings – Overall, the thesis finds that financial institutions have limited focus on private investors and lack of concrete methods to provide private investors with relevant information and thus increasing the level of knowledge about SRI. Furthermore, the results indicate that earning steady financial returns by considering social responsibility is one of the motivations to invest in SRI. Women are more likely to choose SRI than men and millennials prefer SRI more compared to other generations. Limited knowledge and limited access to useful information are considered as strong obstacles for private investors when considering SRI. Research limitations – Since the sample size was very small, it’s probable that the respondents’ opinions and approach to SRI cannot represent the view of the entire population. Because of the sample size there’s an enormous variation in response patterns. Therefore, the results and conclusions need to be taken cautiously.Syfte – Syftet med denna uppsats syfte är att undersöka vilka metoder som finansiella institutioner använder för att upplysa och uppmuntra både befintliga och potentiella kunder att välja mer hållbara och ansvarsfulla investeringsalternativ. Uppsatsen ska även identifiera faktorer som påverkar privata investerares val av hållbara och ansvarsfulla investeringar, med fokus på effekten av begränsad kunskap och tillgång till information. Metod/tillvägagångssätt – I denna studie har både kvalitativa och kvantitativa forskningsmetoder använts för att samla in data. Kvalitativa data samlades in genom intervjuer med tre representanter från olika finansiella institutioner. En enkät har distribuerats och besvarats av 36 respondenter. Kvantitativa data insamlades med hjälp av ett frågeformulär, sedan bearbetades och analyserades informationen med hjälp av en jämförelse av procentsatser. Iakttagelser – Sammantaget finner tesen att finansiella institutioner har begränsad fokus på privata investerare och bristen på konkreta metoder för att ge privata investerare med relevant information och därmed öka kunskapsnivån om SRI. Vidare tyder resultaten på att jakten efter stabil avkastning på längre sikt, genom att ta samhällsansvar är den främsta motivationen att investerare väljer SRI. Kvinnor och millenniegeneration är mer benägna att välja SRI än män och andra generationer. Begränsad kunskap och tillgång till relevant information betraktas som en stark barriär för privata investerare att välja SRI. Forskningsbegränsningar – På grund av att urvalets storlek är väldigt liten, är det troligt att de svarandes åsikter och förhållningssätt till SRI inte kan representera hela befolkningen. Urvalets storlek gör också att det finns stora variationer i svarsmönster. Därför bör resultaten och slutsatserna tas med stor försiktighet.
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Thungström, Kerstin. "Indirect emissions estimation model for investments in the automobile sector, fossil fuel sector and utilities sector." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-355513.
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To combat climate change multiple initiatives have been launched to steer the financial market towards a more sustainable and resilient path. For example the Montreal Pledge that have committed over 120 investors to measure and disclose their carbon footprints of their portfolios. ISS-Ethix Climate Solution provides climate change related services to investors. In order to evaluate companies’ sustainability ISS-Ethix Climate Solution estimates companies’ direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. To simplify these estimations, the emissions from corporations are divided into three scopes, where scope 1 and 2 cover the emissions from the combustion of fuels used in the company and electricity generation. Scope 3 corresponds to all other emissions generated upstream and downstream the companies’ supply chain. The aim of this study was to help ISS-Ethix Climate Solution to develop a model that estimates the indirect scope-3-emission intensity for companies in the automobile sector, fossil fuel sector and utility sector. The first objective was to examine if the variations within the sectors could be explained and categorized. To carry this out each sector was defined and their emission sources identified. The emissions could be explained and categorized for the automobile sector and fossil fuel sector. However, the emissions for the utility sector could only partly be explained and categorized. The second objective was to examine which parameters and subcategories were relevant for estimating the emissions. Two methods were investigated to carry out the second objective; correlation analysis and the average-data method. No correlations could be found between any of the sectors and the selected parameters. The estimated emissions using the average-data method were verified to the companies reported emissions. For the automobile and the fossil fuel companies the estimated emissions followed the same trend as the reported data. However, no trend could be found for the utility companies. Estimating emissions using the average-data method requires a certain corporation structure. The method can be used for corporations with a specific output, but does not suit corporations with a more complex structure. The largest limitation with the models was the information shortages from the corporations. Therefore increased transparency from the companies is a necessity in order to develop the models.För att minska klimatförändringen har ett flertal initiativ lanserats för att göra finanssektorn mer hållbar. Tillexempel Montreal förbindelsen som har fått över 120 investerare att mäta och publicera klimatutsläppen i sina aktieportföljer. Företaget ISS- Ethix Climate Solution erbjuder klimatrelaterade tjänster för investerare. För att värdera hur hållbart ett företag är estimerar ISS-Ethix deras direkta och indirekta utsläpp av växthusgaser. För att förenkla dessa estimeringar är utsläppen indelade i tre så kallade scopes (områden), där scope 1 och 2 motsvarar emissionerna som genereras av att företaget förbränner fossila bränslen och deras elanvändning. Scope 3 motsvarar alla utsläpp som sker uppströms och nedströms företagens leverantörskedja. Syftet med denna studie var att hjälpa ISS-Ethix Climate Solution att utveckla en modell som estimerade scope 3 utsläppen från företag inom fordonssektorn, fossila- bränslen-sektorn och energisektorn. Det första målet var att undersöka om variationerna inom sektorerna kunde förklaras och kategoriseras. Detta utfördes genom att varje sektor först definierades och utsläppskällorna identifierades. Emissionerna kunde förklaras och kategoriseras för fordonssektorn och fossila-bränslen-sektorn. Däremot kunde utsläppen från energisektorn bara delvis förklaras och kategoriseras. Det andra målet var att undersöka vilka parametrar och sub-kategorier som var viktiga för att estimera sektorernas emissioner. För att göra detta undersöktes två olika metoder; korrelationsanalys och medelvärdesmetoden. Inga korrelationer kunde hittas mellan någon av sektorerna och de undersökta parametrarna. De estimerade emissionerna när medelvärdesmetoden användes, verifierades mot företagens självrapporterade utsläpp. För fordonssektorn och fossila-bränslen-sektorn följde de estimerade och rapporterade utsläppen samma trend. Däremot påträffades ingen trend för energibolagen. Att estimera växthusgasutsläpp med hjälp av en medelvärdesmetod kräver en viss typ av företagsstruktur. Metoden kan användas för företag med en specifik produkt, men är inte lämplig för företag med en mer komplex struktur. Modellernas största begränsning var informationsbristen från företagen. Därför behövs mer transparens från företagen för att kunna utveckla modellerna.
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Смоленніков, Денис Олегович, Денис Олегович Смоленников, Denys Olehovych Smolennikov, and А. С. Лавриненко. "Екологічна складова соціально відповідального інвестування." Thesis, Сумський державний університет, 2013. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/42622.
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У рамках концепції сталого розвитку дедалі більше посилюється екологізація усіх видів суспільної діяльності з подальшою оцінкою ефективності «зелених» інвестицій. Підприємництво, як правило, передбачає отримання прибутку у короткостроковій перспективі, а процес екологізації потребує фінансових вкладень при тривалому строку окупності, тому «озеленення» бізнесу долає багато труднощів. Для українських підприємств проблеми виокремлення категорії екологічно відповідальних інвестицій та формування моделі корпоративної соціальної відповідальності є вкрай актуальними у контексті прагнення України до вступу у Європейську співдружність.
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Похилько, Світлана Василівна, Светлана Васильевна Похилько, and Svitlana Vasylivna Pokhylko. "Маркетингове планування в механізмах ефективного регіонального природокористування." Thesis, ТОВ "ДД "Папірус", 2014. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/37502.
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Ефективності пристосування універсальних інвестиційно-фінансових механізмів природокористування до вірішення еколого-економічних завдань регіонального рівня можна досягти за допомогою синхронізованого розрізнення завдань стратегічного та маркетингового планування. В основу такого розрізнення, в свою чергу, може бути покладено концепцію управління синхронізованим відтворенням в природокористуванні, що містить в якості одного з організаційних блоків маркетингове планування синхронності.
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Ju, Jing. "How does FDI affect the environment in China : evidence from provincial panel data." Thesis, University of Macau, 2010. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b2161848.
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Kessy, Jerome Melkiory Verfasser], Sabine [Akademischer Betreuer] [Baumgart, and Einhard [Gutachter] Schmidt-Kallert. "Village housing investments of multi-locational households and their spatial and environmental impacts: Case study of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania / Jerome Melkiory Kessy ; Gutachter: Einhard Schmidt-Kallert ; Betreuer: Sabine Baumgart." Dortmund : Universitätsbibliothek Dortmund, 2017. http://d-nb.info/1139892614/34.
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Kessy, Jerome Melkiory [Verfasser], Sabine [Akademischer Betreuer] Baumgart, and Einhard [Gutachter] Schmidt-Kallert. "Village housing investments of multi-locational households and their spatial and environmental impacts: Case study of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania / Jerome Melkiory Kessy ; Gutachter: Einhard Schmidt-Kallert ; Betreuer: Sabine Baumgart." Dortmund : Universitätsbibliothek Dortmund, 2017. http://d-nb.info/1139892614/34.
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Lin, Wei-Chung. "Defending the environment : civil society participation in resolving investment-related environmental claims." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2016. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/33652/.
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Today it is widely recognised that international investment activities can bring significant economic benefits for host countries. To promote a favourable investment climate, international organisations were set up to facilitate the settlement of foreign investment disputes, or to provide financial insurance for investors against non-commercial risks. Moreover, international financial institutions offer finance for governments or private enterprises to implement investment projects. States have also concluded international investment agreements to provide guarantees on the treatment and protection of foreign investors. Meanwhile, however, these investment activities can also create environmental problems for host countries and lead to human suffering. As states have been generally reluctant to take the initiative to secure effective implementation of environmental rules at the international level, allowing entities other than states to make environmental claims before international dispute settlement mechanisms offers practical approaches to protecting community interests and ensuring the fulfillment of international environmental standards in the course of international investment activities. This thesis considers the extent to which civil society organisations (CSOs) can promote, and have indeed promoted, environmental considerations in settling investment-related environmental claims through alternative means of dispute resolution on the international plane. It explores how CSOs have brought environmental perspectives in response to adverse impacts arising from investment activities. It also evaluates the implications of their claims for resolving relevant environmental issues and promoting compliance with international environmental standards during investment activities.
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Ötsch, Rainald. "Stromerzeugung in Deutschland unter den Rahmenbedingungen von Klimapolitik und liberalisiertem Strommarkt : Bewertung von Kraftwerksinvestitionen mit Bayes’schen Einflussdiagrammen." Phd thesis, Universität Potsdam, 2012. http://opus.kobv.de/ubp/volltexte/2014/6905/.
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Mit der Liberalisierung des Strommarkts, den unsicheren Aussichten in der Klimapolitik und stark schwankenden Preisen bei Brennstoffen, Emissionsrechten und Kraftwerkskomponenten hat bei Kraftwerksinvestitionen das Risikomanagement an Bedeutung gewonnen. Dies äußert sich im vermehrten Einsatz probabilistischer Verfahren. Insbesondere bei regulativen Risiken liefert der klassische, häufigkeitsbasierte Wahrscheinlichkeitsbegriff aber keine Handhabe zur Risikoquantifizierung. In dieser Arbeit werden Kraftwerksinvestitionen und -portfolien in Deutschland mit Methoden des Bayes'schen Risikomanagements bewertet. Die Bayes'sche Denkschule begreift Wahrscheinlichkeit als persönliches Maß für Unsicherheit. Wahrscheinlichkeiten können auch ohne statistische Datenanalyse allein mit Expertenbefragungen gewonnen werden.
Das Zusammenwirken unsicherer Werttreiber wurde mit einem probabilistischen DCF-Modell (Discounted Cash Flow-Modell) spezifiziert und in ein Einflussdiagramm mit etwa 1200 Objekten umgesetzt. Da der Überwälzungsgrad von Brennstoff- und CO2-Kosten und damit die Höhe der von den Kraftwerken erwirtschafteten Deckungsbeiträge im Wettbewerb bestimmt werden, reicht eine einzelwirtschaftliche Betrachtung der Kraftwerke nicht aus. Strompreise und Auslastungen werden mit Heuristiken anhand der individuellen Position der Kraftwerke in der Merit Order bestimmt, d.h. anhand der nach kurzfristigen Grenzkosten gestaffelten Einsatzreihenfolge. Dazu wurden 113 thermische Großkraftwerke aus Deutschland in einer Merit Order vereinigt. Das Modell liefert Wahrscheinlichkeitsverteilungen für zentrale Größen wie Kapitalwerte von Bestandsportfolien sowie Stromgestehungskosten und Kapitalwerte von Einzelinvestitionen (Steinkohle- und Braunkohlekraftwerke mit und ohne CO2-Abscheidung sowie GuD-Kraftwerke).
Der Wert der Bestandsportfolien von RWE, E.ON, EnBW und Vattenfall wird primär durch die Beiträge der Braunkohle- und Atomkraftwerke bestimmt. Erstaunlicherweise schlägt sich der Emissionshandel nicht in Verlusten nieder. Dies liegt einerseits an den Zusatzgewinnen der Atomkraftwerke, andererseits an den bis 2012 gratis zugeteilten Emissionsrechten, welche hohe Windfall-Profite generieren. Dadurch erweist sich der Emissionshandel in seiner konkreten Ausgestaltung insgesamt als gewinnbringendes Geschäft. Über die Restlaufzeit der Bestandskraftwerke resultiert ab 2008 aus der Einführung des Emissionshandels ein Barwertvorteil von insgesamt 8,6 Mrd. €. In ähnlicher Dimension liegen die Barwertvorteile aus der 2009 von der Bundesregierung in Aussicht gestellten Laufzeitverlängerung für Atomkraftwerke. Bei einer achtjährigen Laufzeitverlängerung ergäben sich je nach CO2-Preisniveau Barwertvorteile von 8 bis 15 Mrd. €. Mit höheren CO2-Preisen und Laufzeitverlängerungen von bis zu 28 Jahren würden 25 Mrd. € oder mehr zusätzlich anfallen.
Langfristig erscheint fraglich, ob unter dem gegenwärtigen Marktdesign noch Anreize für Investitionen in fossile Kraftwerke gegeben sind. Zu Beginn der NAP 2-Periode noch rentable Investitionen in Braunkohle- und GuD-Kraftwerke werden mit der auslaufenden Gratiszuteilung von Emissionsrechten zunehmend unrentabler. Die Rentabilität wird durch Strommarkteffekte der erneuerbaren Energien und ausscheidender alter Gas- und Ölkraftwerke stetig weiter untergraben. Steinkohlekraftwerke erweisen sich selbst mit anfänglicher Gratiszuteilung als riskante Investition.
Die festgestellten Anreizprobleme für Neuinvestitionen sollten jedoch nicht dem Emissionshandel zugeschrieben werden, sondern resultieren aus den an Grenzkosten orientierten Strompreisen. Das Anreizproblem ist allerdings bei moderaten CO2-Preisen am größten. Es gilt auch für Kraftwerke mit CO2-Abscheidung: Obwohl die erwarteten Vermeidungskosten für CCS-Kraftwerke gegenüber konventionellen Kohlekraftwerken im Jahr 2025 auf 25 €/t CO2 (Braunkohle) bzw. 38,5 €/t CO2 (Steinkohle) geschätzt werden, wird ihr Bau erst ab CO2-Preisen von 50 bzw. 77 €/t CO2 rentabel.
Ob und welche Kraftwerksinvestitionen sich langfristig rechnen, wird letztlich aber politisch entschieden und ist selbst unter stark idealisierten Bedingungen kaum vorhersagbar.Power plant investors face large uncertainties due to ongoing liberalization, climate policy, and long investment horizons. This study provides a probabilistic appraisal of power plant investments within the framework of Bayesian decision theory. A Bayesian influence diagram is used for setting up a discounted cash flow model and analysing the profitability of power plants. As the study explicitly models merit order pricing, the pass-through of random fuel and carbon costs may be analysed. The study derives probabilistic statements about net present values of single investments and company portfolios and explores the sensitivity of profits to variations of select input variables. In the majority of cases, an increase in the price of emission allowances also increases the net present value of existing power plant portfolios. A substantially increased carbon prices also is the prerequisite to diversify power plant portfolios by gas and CCS plants. For the currently prevailing German electricity market, we argue that investors may lack incentives for new investments in fossil generation, a finding that holds true also with implementation of CCS. Our estimates are conservative, as profitability will further deteriorate with the build-up of renewables.
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Goldkuhl, Linnea, and Maria Lindahl. "Miljökontroversers effekt på ESG-betygets miljödimension : En kvantitativ studie på 1752 företag." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Företagsekonomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-34826.
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Syfte: ESG-betyg kan användas av investerare som vill placera sitt kapital hållbart. Betygets tillförlitlighet har dock ifrågasatts av tidigare forskare. Tidigare studier har visat att effekten av en kontrovers på ESG-betyget kan variera beroende på vilken del av betyget som studeras. Syftet med denna studie är därför att undersöka om det finns ett samband mellan miljökontroverser och ESG-betygets miljödimension. I den första forskningsfrågan undersöks hur ESG-betygets miljödimension påverkas av att ett företag är involverat i en miljökontrovers och i den andra undersöks om några skillnader ses i ESG-betygets miljödimension efter en miljökontrovers som tyder på att företaget förbättrat sitt hållbarhetsarbete. Metod: Studien är kvantitativ och har en hypotetisk-deduktiv ansats. Två hypoteser har formulerats och testas genom regressionsanalyser i statistikprogrammet SPSS Statistics. Sekundärdata har samlats in från Thomson Reuters databas Refinitiv Eikon. Populationen har bestått av 64 800 publika företag, från vilket ett urval på 1752 företag har gjorts. Resultat & slutsats: Studiens resultat visar på ett positivt samband mellan miljökontroverser och miljödimensionen trots att definitionen av miljökontroverser är negativ. Det innebär att företagens miljödimension av ESG-betyget påverkas positivt av miljökontroverser. CSR-rapport var den enda variabeln inom hållbarhetsarbete som positivt påverkades efter en miljökontrovers. För CSR-team, GRI och MLS sågs inga signifikanta samband. Studiens slutsats är att företagets ESG-betyg i miljödimensionen ökar efter inblandning i en miljökontrovers samt att företag till viss del förbättrar sitt hållbarhetsarbete, i form av hållbarhetsrapporter, efter en miljökontrovers. Examensarbetets bidrag: Studiens resultat ger ökad kunskap om hur miljökontroverser påverkar ESG-betygets miljödimension. För investerare kan detta vara till hjälp när nya investeringar planeras, eftersom det ger en ökad förståelse för vilka effekter av en miljökontrovers som syns i ESG-betygets miljödimension. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Efter studiens slutsatser uppkommer flera förslag till vidare forskning. Eftersom olika kreditvärderingsinstitut kan ge samma företag olika ESG-betyg skulle samma studie kunna genomföras med ESG-betyg från andra kreditvärderingsinstitut. En annan aspekt som kan undersökas är om företag med högre ESG-betyg är involverade i färre kontroverser än företag med lägre betyg.Aim: ESG ratings can be used by investors who want to invest their capital in a sustainable way. However, the reliability of the ratings has been questioned by previous researchers. Previous studies have shown that the effect of a controversy on the ESG rating can vary depending on which aspect of the rating is studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a connection between environmental controversies and the environmental dimension of the ESG rating. Method: The study is quantitative and has a hypothetical-deductive approach. Two hypotheses have been formulated in the study and tested through regression analyzes in the statistical program SPSS Statistics. Secondary data has been collected from the Thomson Reuters database Refinitiv Eikon. The population has consisted of 64,800 public companies, from which a sample of 1752 companies has been made. Result & Conclusions: The results of the study show a positive correlation between environmental controversies and the environmental dimension, even though the definition of environmental controversies is negative. This means that the companies' environmental dimension of the ESG rating is positively affected by an environmental controversy. CSR report was the only variable of sustainability work that is positively affected after an environmental controversy. The study concludes that the company's ESG rating in the environmental dimension increases after involvement in an environmental controversy and that companies to some extent improve their sustainability work, in the form of sustainability reports, after an environmental controversy. Contribution of the thesis: The results of the study provide increased knowledge about how environmental controversies affect the environmental dimension of the ESG rating. For investors, this can be helpful when planning new investments because it provides an increased understanding of the effects of an environmental controversy that can be seen in the environmental dimension of the ESG rating. Suggestions for future research: Following the study's conclusions, several suggestions for further research arise. Since different credit rating agencies can give the same company different ESG ratings, the same study could be repeated with ESG ratings from other credit rating agencies. Another aspect that can be investigated is whether companies with higher ESG ratings are involved in fewer controversies than companies with lower ratings.
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Gateral, Mark Robert. "Environmental benefit evaluation : a strategic approach to appraising investment in the aquatic environment." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/7549.
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Castro, Aline Eggres de. "Investimentos socioambientais para posicionamento de marca: um estudo sobre imagem organizacional." Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 2011. http://repositorio.ufsm.br/handle/1/4589.
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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorThis study aims to investigate how the Social and Environmental Investments and other actions of Corporate Social Responsability of the companies impact on organizational image of them before their customers. The theme is justified by the need to verify that such actions bring effective results in the quest for improved organizational image. For a better understanding of the topic, literature search was conducted on the topics of organizational image, Social Responsibility, Institutional Marketing and Communications. The company Natura Cosmetics SA was chosen as an object of study due to its strong performance in the social, environmental and cultural areas in the country. The actions carried out by the company were described in this study through a literature search conducted on the company s publications about the subject and segmented into three categories: Ecologic Marketing, Cultural Marketing, and Social Marketing. To achieve the objectives of the study, a survey was conducted with the consultants (sellers of products). This public was chosen because they are considered to be the first consumers of Natura s products. The survey was conducted through a questionnaire, developed from a hypothetical model of research adapted from Gonçalves Filho et al (2009). The results indicated that the activities better known by the respondents are the ones about ecology, which are directly related to the identity linked to natural products that do not harm the environment that the company transmits (therefore, they are well communicated) and the program "Believe to See, "which has a line of products aimed at raising funds to it, so the consultants are in frequent contact. The respondents were asked about their opinion on the investments and 99.2% have positive view, with only one respondent has indifferent vision. Moreover, 80% of respondents said that the realization of these actions positively affect their opinion on the company. The focus of the study, however, was to investigate the impact of specific actions, whereas other studies have already shown the impact of Social Responsibility actions in general. Thus, the consultants were asked about what actions impacted the most their opinion about the company. The results indicate that the activities that are better communicated are also those that most affect the opinion, especially those related to ecology and society. The actions related to culture, however, even when properly communicated don t have relevant return on image, compared to the returns of other kind of actions. The results, therefore, allowed to accept two hypotheses made (related to ecology and society) and refute one of the hypotheses (related to cultural activities).
O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar a maneira como os Investimentos Socioambientais e demais ações de Responsabilidade Social Corporativa das empresas impactam na imagem organizacional delas perante seus consumidores. O tema justifica-se pela necessidade de verificar se tais ações trazem resultados efetivos na busca de melhoria de imagem organizacional. Para uma maior compreensão do tema, foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica sobre os temas da imagem organizacional, Responsabilidade Social, Marketing e Comunicação Institucionais. A empresa Natura Cosméticos S.A. foi escolhida como objeto de estudo devido a sua forte atuação nas áreas social, ambiental e cultural no país. As ações realizadas pela empresa foram descritas neste estudo por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas publicações realizadas pela empresa sobre o tema e segmentadas em três modalidades: Marketing Ecológico, Marketing Cultural e Marketing Social. Para atingir os objetivos do estudo, foi realizada pesquisa survey com as consultoras (revendedoras de produtos) da empresa, público escolhido por serem consideradas as primeiras consumidoras dos produtos Natura. A survey se deu por meio da aplicação de questionário, elaborado a partir do modelo hipotético de pesquisa adaptado de Gonçalves Filho et al (2009). Os resultados indicam que as ações mais conhecidas pelas respondentes são as de cunho ecológico, que estão diretamente relacionadas com a identidade ligada a produtos naturais, que não agridem o meio ambiente que a empresa transmite (ou seja, são bem comunicadas) e o programa Crer para Ver , que possui uma linha de produtos direcionada a arrecadar fundos a ele, portanto as consultoras estão em freqüente contato. As respondentes foram questionadas a respeito de sua opinião sobre os investimentos e 99,2% afirmam ter visão positiva, sendo que apenas uma respondente tem visão indiferente. Além disso, 80% das respondentes afirmaram que a realização dessas ações afeta positivamente sua opinião em relação à empresa. O foco do estudo, entretanto, era verificar o impacto de ações específicas, visto que outros estudos já demonstraram o impacto de ações de Responsabilidade Social de maneira geral. Dessa forma, as consultoras foram questionadas a respeito de quais ações impactavam mais sua opinião em relação à empresa. Os resultados indicam que as ações mais bem comunicadas são também as que mais afetam a opinião, especialmente as relacionadas à ecologia e sociedade. As ações relacionadas à cultura, entretanto, mesmo quando propriamente comunicadas não apresentam retorno relevante em imagem, se comparado ao retorno das ações de outros cunhos. Os resultados, portanto, permitiram aceitar duas das hipóteses apresentadas (as relacionadas à ecologia e sociedade) e refutar uma das hipóteses (relacionada a ações culturais).
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Forslind, Maja. "Finding the Dollar Language : Drivers and rationales for monetising corporate environmental and social impacts– practices in counting the true value of business operation from ecosystem services perspective." Thesis, Stockholms universitet, Stockholm Resilience Centre, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-85855.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis explores how monetisation of corporate externalities, can be carried out in order to provide investors, policy makers and consumers with accurate pictures of the true costs and benefits of business operations from a resilience and ecosystem services perspective. By drawing conclusions from company cases, and previous research – methods, drivers and monetary values of impacts such as carbon dioxide, water usage, pollutants and land use are analysed. The findings reflect opportunities that open up with monetisation, in terms of tools for guidance and support in internal corporate decision making, by making the actual impacts visualised and understandable. Findings from company cases, show that monetisation of corporate effects has potential to contribute to visualising impacts – and add knowledge that may close information gaps internally as well as externally. It can guide and facilitate strategic choices at corporate level. It may also have a role in bridging information asymmetries in the picture of a firm’s operation, to consumers and investors. Monetising effects may facilitate identification of risks arising from ecosystem services dependencies, visualising the actual impacts by, assed costs in losses in ecosystems’ production (yields e.g.) caused by corporate harm.Providing relevant information to policy makers, on obstacles and where regulative incentives are needed, and investors and consumers with guidance, monetisation of impacts potentially can play a part in bridging market information gaps toward better incentive structures and possibly facilitating effective market transformation in favor of sustainable production and consumption patterns.