Solving for Mutiple Objectives: The Use of the Goal Programming Model to Evaluate Energy and Climate Policy Options

摘要

A critical shortcoming of most standard economic analysis is that it tends to focus on a single objectivie-either to minimize cost, or to maximize profit, welfare, or consumer utility. But the evidence suggests that both individual consumers and businesses tend to juggle a variety of objectives or concerns as they choose their next investment or make their next purchase. Hence, standard theory tends to restrict the full set of possible choices that would increase consumer welfare across a variety of social, economic, and environmental objectives.