Subject: Technological Change and Environmental Policy

Organizer: Netherland Bureau of Economic Policy Analysis

Addressing climate change will require technologies which are still not available today or only at high costs. Policymakers are thus greatly interested in understanding the drivers behind technological change and in particular the role played by environmental policy. This can also help to improve simulation models used for policy evaluation. The purpose of this special session is to discuss recent advances in this area. We invite all interested authors to submit theoretical and empirical papers on, but not limited to, the following topics:   

• What is the impact of environmental policy on the rate and direction of technological change?
• Which type or mix of policy instruments have the largest impact on technological change?
• What are the other main determinants of technological change next to environmental policy?
• How does environmental policy affect the competitiveness of firms?