INTEGRATING AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY GHG MITIGATION RESPONSE INTO GENERAL ECONOMY FRAMEWORKS:DEVELOPING A FAMILY OF RESPONSE FUNCTIONS SINIORITY OF AUTHORSHIP IS SHARED BY GILLIG AND MCCARL

摘要

An econometrically estimated family of response functions is developed for characterizing potential responses to greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies by the agriculture and forestry sectors in the U.S. The response functions are estimated based onresults of an agricultural/forestry sector model. They provide estimates of sequestration and emission reductions in forestry and agriculture along with levels of sectoral production, prices, welfare, and environmental attributes given a carbon (C) price, levels of demand for agricultural goods, and the energy price. Six alternative mitigation policies representing types of GHG offsets allowed are considered. Results indicate that the largest quantity of GHG offset consistently appears with the mitigation policy that pays for all opportunities. Restricting C payments (emission tax or sequestration subsidy) only to aff/deforestation or only to agricultural sequestration substantially reduces potential mitigation. Higher C prices lead to more sequestration, less emissions, reduced consumer and total welfare, improved environmental indicators and increased producer welfare.