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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 5, NUMBER 1, JANUARY 1992

REPORTS...
FROM OECD

Obtain from Org. for Intl. Cooperation & Development (OECD) Publications Ctr., 2001 L St. NW, S-700, Washington DC 20036 (202-785-6323), or OECD, 2 rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris CEDEX 16, France.

Item #d92jan78

Energy Efficiency and the Environment, Intl. Energy Agency, 239 pp., Dec. 1991; $48.

Evaluates the potential for increased energy efficiency in IEA countries, and the corresponding environmental benefits, particularly with respect to CO₂ emissions. Examines in detail the technical, economic, regulatory and market factors likely to determine the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency improvements in a range of end-use sectors. Assesses the macroeconomic impact of measures designed to accelerate the penetration of energy efficient technologies, using data available for some IEA countries. The extent to which increased efficiency reduces CO₂ emissions depends on the extent to which efficiency improvements are actually translated into reductions in energy demand by consumer behavior. The costs of policy measures for encouraging efficiency improvements must be carefully assessed. More reliable information of the sort that can only be obtained by extensive, regular surveying is needed in many IEA countries.

Item #d92jan79

Meeting of OECD Ministers on Environment and Development--Policy Statement, 9 pp., Dec. 1991; no charge.

(See News, this GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE DIGEST issue--Jan. 1992.) Sustainable development world-wide is one of OECD's central objectives; market forces alone cannot address widespread needs--government action is also needed. Most OECD countries have decided to stabilize CO₂ emissions at 1990 levels by about the year 2000; other OECD members are urged to do likewise. The statement also discusses responsibilities of non-OECD countries, financial and technological aid to developing countries, trade, the role of the private sector, and UNCED '92.

Item #d92jan80

OECD Economic Surveys: United States 1991, approx. 150 pp., Dec. 1991; $13.

Estimates that environmental regulation has cost the U.S. 2.0-2.5% of gross national product annually, a fraction that could rise in the future. However, greater use of market mechanisms such as taxes and tradeable permits could reduce the costs of attaining environmental goals. This is particularly the case with energy policy. U.S. energy taxes are low compared to other OECD countries, and increased energy prices merit consideration as one approach to attaining environmental and energy security goals.