Negotiated agreements are relatively new in the field of energy and environmental policies. In order to support the design of future negotiated agreements it is useful to discuss how environmentally effective negotiated agreements can be designed. Based on rational decisionmaking and economic theory, the OECD has put forward eight recommendations for designing pollution abatement schemes through negotiated agreements that set ambitious targets, ensure target achievement, and reach targets in an efficient way. Based on three cases of negotiated agreements regulating industrial energy consumption in Denmark, the Netherlands, and France, the adequacy of the OECD recommendations will be discussed. It is found that the recommendations should pay more attention to the question of efficiency of agreements and to the difficulties in defining unambiguous targets. Apart from these deficiencies it is concluded that the recommendations cover all phases, are soundly based in theory, and give a meaningful evaluation of negotiated agreements.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AhéGFafnerKChristensenT, 1998, “Vurdering of Energistyrelsens datamateriale vedrørende aftaleordningen” [Assessment of the Danish Energy Agency's data concerning the agreement scheme], Dansk Energi Analyse A/S, Jernbane Allé 45, 2720 Vanløse, Denmark, http://www.energioplysningen.dk/pub/bestilling.htm#energipolitik
2.
BaekeSDe ClercqMMatthijsF, 1999, “The nature of voluntary approaches: Empirical evidence and patterns; literature survey”, WP-99/08/3, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06, see also http://www.cerna.ensmp.fr/Documents/99-08-3.pdf
3.
BjørnerTJensenH H, 2000Industrial Energy Demand and the Effect of Taxes, Agreements and Subsidies (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
4.
BörkeyPGlachantM, 1997, “Les engagements volontaires de l'industrie dans le domaine de l'environment: Nature et diversité” [Industry's voluntary approaches in the field of environment: Nature and diversity], report for the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management and the French Ministry for the Environment; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
5.
CavaliereASilvestriF F, 2000, “Voluntary agreements as information sharing devices: Competition and welfare effects”, paper presented at the CAVA workshop on Voluntary Approaches, Competition and Competitiveness, 25 – 26 May, Milan, Italy; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
6.
ChidiakM, 2000, “Voluntary agreements—implementation and efficiency, the French country study: Case studies in the sectors of packaging glass and aluminium”, copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
7.
ChidiakMGlachantMHansenL G, 1999, “Theoretical perspectives on the efficiency of voluntary approaches to promote energy efficiency”, ‘Voluntary Agreements—Implementation and Efficiency’ (VAIE) project, Task A final report, copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
8.
DelmasM ATerlaakA K, 2000, “Voluntary agreements for the environment: Innovation and transaction costs” WP-00/02/13, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches, Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
9.
DornG BPhiddR W, 1983Canadian Public Policy: Ideas, Structure, Process (Methuen, Toronto)
10.
EkinsP (Ed.), 1998, “Voluntary approaches”, environmental policy brief number 1, copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
11.
Energistyrelsen, 2000, “Vejledning om indgåelse af aftale om energi-effektivisering” [Guidance on entering an agreement on energy efficiency], Amaliegade44, 1256
12.
KøbenhavnKEnevoldsenM, 1998, “Joint environmental policy-making and other new abatement strategies for industrial CO2 pollution: Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands”, Department of Social Sciences, Environmental Sociology, Wageningen Agriculture University, Wageningen
13.
Erhvervsministeriet, Finansministeriet, Ministeriet for fødevarer, landbrug og fiskeri, Miljø- og Energiministeriet, Skatteministeriet, Statsministeriet, Trafikministeriet, Udenrigsministeriet, Økonomiministeriet, 1999, “Evaluering af grønne afgifter og erhvervene” [Evaluation of green taxes and industry]; copy available from Schultz Information, Vognmagergade 7, 1120 København K; see also www.fm.dk
14.
European Commission, 1996, “Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Environmental Agreements”, COM (96) 561 Final, Brussels, 27 November
15.
European Commission, 1999, “Preparing for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol: Commission communication to the Council and the Parliament”, COM (99)230, Brussels, 19 May, http://europa.eu.int/abc/off/index-da.htm
16.
European Council, 1993, “Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1836/93 of June 1993 allowing voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a community eco-management and audit scheme”
17.
GlasbergenP, 2000, “Voluntary environmental agreements as institutional change”, WP 2000/2/2, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
18.
HaddadB MHowarthR BPatonB, 1998, “Energy efficiency and the theory of the firm”, in Proceedings from the ACEEE 1998 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings Panel 9 (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Washington, DC) pp 33–42
19.
HansenHTogebyM, 1993Hvad kommer der ud af et elsyn ? Afsluttende rapport fra forsøg med elbesparelser i industrien [What is the effect of an energy audit? Final report from experiments with energy savings in industry] (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
20.
HansenKHolstA K KKrarupS, 1998Frivillige aftaler om energi-effektivisering i England, Finland, Holland og Sverige [Voluntary agreements on energy efficiency in England, Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden] (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
21.
HelbyP, 2000, “Voluntary agreements, implementation and efficiency: European relevance of case study results. Reflections on transferability to voluntary agreement schemes at the European level”, Section for Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, Lund
22.
IEA, 1997, “Voluntary actions for energy-related CO2 abatement”, Energy and Environment Policy Analysis Series, International Energy Agency (IEA), 9 rue de la Federation, 75739 Paris Cedex 15
23.
IngerslevCChristensenTMøllerAJohannsenK, 1998, “CO2 -aftalernes betydning for virksomhedernes energiadfœrd: Belyst gennem 5 cases [The effect of the CO2 agreements on the companies' energy behaviour: Illustrated by 5 cases], Dansk Energi Analyse A/S, Rambøll, and AKF, Copenhagen; copy available from Dansk Energi Analyse A/S, Jernbane Allé 45, 2720 Vanløse, Denmark, see also http://www.energioplysningen.dk/pub/bestilling.htm#energipolitik
24.
JohannsenK SLarsenA, 2000Voluntary Agreements: Implementations and Efficiency. The Danish Country Study: Case Studies in the Sectors of Paper and Milk Condensing (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
25.
JülichRFalkH, 1999, “The integration of voluntary approaches into existing legal systems: Literature survey”, WP-99/09/4, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06, see also http://www.cerna.ensmp.fr/Documents/99-09-4.pdf
26.
KorevaarEFarlaJBlokKFischedickK S, 1997, “A preliminary analysis of the Dutch voluntary agreements on energy efficiency improvements”, in Proceedings of the ECEEE Summer Study 1997 (European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) panel 2, paper ID52; copy available from Energistyrelsen, Amaliegade 44, 1256 København K
27.
KraemerT PHansenK, 1999Voluntary Agreements: Implementation and Efficiency. Task B Framework for the Country Studies (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
28.
KrarupSRamesohlS, 2000Voluntary Agreements in Energy Policy: Implementation and Efficiency (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
29.
KrarupSTogebyMJohannsenK S, 1997De første aftaler om energi-effektivisering: Erfaringer fra 30 aftaler indgaet i 1996 [The first energy efficiency agreements: Experience from 30 agreements entered during 1996] working paper (AKF Forlaget, Copenhagen)
30.
KwartinR M, 1992, “The Green Lights Program: Progress to date and lessons learned”, in Proceedings from the ACEEE 1992 Summer Study on Energy-efficiency in Buildings, Volume 6 Eds BerkowitzP IKomorP (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Washington, DC) pp 135–146
31.
LawaetzH, 2000, “Energistyrelsens tilskudsordninger: Beskrivelser og vurderinger” [The Danish Energy Agency's grant schemes: Descriptions and assessments], Energistyrelsen, Miljø- og Energiministeriet, Amaliegade 44, DK-1256 Copenhagen
32.
LyonT PMaxwellJ W, 1999, “Voluntary pollution reduction: Transaction costs and free-rider effects”, WP-99/10/9, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06
33.
MEA, Information Department, Ministry of Economic Affairs, PO Box 20101, 2500 EC, The Hague
NuijenW C, 1997, “Long term agreements on energy efficiency improvement in the Netherlands”, background document for the working Conference on Long Term Agreements on Energy Efficiency Improvement, 19 – 20 March, Zeist; copy available from Novem, PO Box 17, 6130 AA Sittard, The Netherlands
40.
OECD, 1999Voluntary Approaches for Environmental Policy: An Assessment (OECD, Paris)
41.
PedersenP BIngerslevCTogebyMAheG, 1998, “Evaluering af energiaftalernes effekt” [Evaluation of the effect of the energy agreements], Dansk Energi Analyse A/S, AKF, and Rambøll A/S, Copenhagen; copy available from authors, see also http://www.energioplysningen.dk/pub/bestilling.htm#energipolitik
42.
QuirionPBonduelleA, 2001, “Un programme en panne d'écotaxe” [A programme in need of an ecotax—evaluation of the national programme against climate change (PNLCC)], Evaluation du Programme National de Lutte contre le Changement Climatique (PNLCC), Réseau Action Climat France, 2B rue Jules Ferry, 93100 MONTREUIL, pp 11–15, www.rac-f.org
43.
RamesohlSKristofK, 2000, “Voluntary agreements: Implementation and efficiency—the German country study. An evaluation of the updated Declaration of German Industry on Global Warming Prevention (1996): Case studies in the sectors of cement and glass”, Wuppertal Institut fur Klima, Umwelt, Energie, Wuppertal
44.
Regeringen, 2001, “Forslag til Danmarks strategi for Bæredygtig udvikling: Udvikling med omtanke—fælles ansvar” [Proposal for a Danish strategy for sustainable development: Development with thought—a communal responsibility]; copy available from Miljøbutikken, Læderstræde 1 – 3, 1201 Copenhagen K
45.
RietbergenM GBlokK, 1999, “The environmental performance of voluntary agreements on industrial energy efficiency improvement”, report 99068, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Utrecht University, Utrecht
46.
RietbergenM GBreukelsMBlokK, 1999, “Voluntary agreements: Implementation and efficiency. The Netherlands” country study: Case studies in the sectors of paper and glass manufacturing”, report 99073, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Utrecht University, Utrecht
47.
RussellCHarringtonWVaughanW J, 1986Enforcing Pollution Control Laws (Resources for the Future, Washington, DC)
48.
SegersonK, 1999, “Do voluntary approaches lead to efficient environmental protection?”, WP-99/10/10, Concerted Action on Voluntary Approaches; copy available from Centre for Industrial Economics (CERNA), École des Mines de Paris, 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06, see also http://www.akf.dk/cava/wp.htm
49.
WebbKMorrisonA, 1999, “Voluntary approaches, the environment and the law: A Canadian perspective”, in Voluntary Approaches in Environmental Policy Eds CarraroCLévêqueF (Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht) pp 229–259
