Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/26275 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 2230
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Based on the Ramsey equation and an ethically motivated rejection of pure utility time discount, the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change concentrates on the use of the elasticity of marginal utility ç in the intergenerational social welfare function. We support this position by showing that, also from the view point of sustainability, application of ç is preferable to the use of the pure time discount parameter ñ when a balanced distribution of utility across generations is to be brought about. After reviewing empirical studies on the size of ç we develop a novel axiomatic approach based on non envy criteria by which we obtain values for ç lying in a range between 1 and 2. Whereas the starting point of the Stern Review quite explicitly is an ethical one, many critics of the Review deny this ethical stance and thus - as described in our paper - miss a crucial element of the Stern Review
Subjects: 
Ramsey equation
discounting
sustainability
non-envy
JEL: 
D6
D9
Q5
Document Type: 
Working Paper
Appears in Collections:

Files in This Item:
File
Size
273.64 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.