Environmental Policies, Mergers and Welfare
Alternative Title
Políticas ambientalistas, fusiones y bienestar
Abstract
Unlike previous theoretical studies, we examine the welfare effects of a merger when participating firms are in a pollution-intensive sector. With passive environmental policy we show that profitable mergers reduce welfare; and this is because the reduction in consumer surplus and tax revenue dominates any rise in profit and utility. On the contrary, with active policies we show that profitable mergers are welfare enhancing due to lower gross pollution, higher consumer surplus, lower tax costs and efficiency gains. The results imply that though environmental policies are adopted for the primary purpose of reducing pollution, such policies may have a negative effect on social welfare if they do not take into account the market structure and competitiveness of sectors.
Recommended Citation
Fikru, M. G. (2013). Environmental Policies, Mergers and Welfare. Economia Mexicana, Nueva Epoca, 22(2), pp. 449-461. Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas.
Department(s)
Economics
Keywords and Phrases
End-of-the-pipe type abatement; Environmental policy; Merger; Pollution intensity; Welfare
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0185-0458
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Language 2
Spanish
Rights
© 2013 Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2013
