Research
Peer-reviewed Publications
Ecological Economics, volume 203, March 2023.
This paper proposes a green consumption model under non-probabilized uncertainty surrounding the environmental benefits of green goods. We study the theoretical implications of the introduction of non-probabilized uncertainty (ambiguity) and attitudes towards uncertainty: confidence (belief about the veracity of the available information) and pessimism (consumer’s probability estimation of the realization of the worst possible outcome when consuming green goods). We analyze their respective impact on green consumption and consider individuals with heterogeneous beliefs. Pessimism has a negative impact on green demand; meanwhile, an increase in confidence does not always imply an increase in green demand, it depends on the level of pessimism. We determine the impact of uncertainty and beliefs on the equilibrium and the socially optimal level of private voluntary provision. We find that under uncertainty, the individual level of green consumption at the Nash equilibrium may be greater than the individual level at the social optimum.
Ongoing research
Ambiguity attitudes and pro-environmental behavior: An experiment
With Noémi Berlin
2023-8 EconomiX Working Papers (old version)
This study investigates the impact of uncertainty and attitudes toward uncertainty on charitable donations through a theoretical model and an experimental approach. Specifically, we propose a neo-additive capacities model (Chateauneuf et al. 2007) and conduct a laboratory experiment to test its predictions. The experiment employs a modified dictator game in which donations are made to environmental NGOs, with the donations exposed to varying types of uncertainty: risk, low ambiguity, and high ambiguity. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model, we estimate ambiguity parameters and find that differences in donation behavior across types of uncertainty depend on individuals' pessimism. These results suggest that pessimistic individuals tend to donate less as uncertainty increases, whereas optimistic individuals donate more as uncertainty grows. We add evidence about the ambivalent effect of ambiguity based on heterogeneous ambiguity attitudes, demonstrating how heterogeneous ambiguity attitudes shape donation behavior. This study highlights the nuanced relationship between uncertainty and prosocial behavior, offering new insights into the role of ambiguity in decision-making contexts.
Correcting negative externalities: an experiment on the acceptability of taxes and regulatory standards
With Alexandre Cambo
This paper investigates the acceptability of public policies seeking to mitigate negative externalities when adopted through a majority vote. We use an unframed laboratory experiment where participants face a negative externalities game and introduce two public policies: a Pigouvian tax and regulatory standards with available alternatives. We explore the influence of policy trials, cultural worldviews, and the differences in support between bans and taxes. The results indicate no difference in support between regulatory standards and taxes. We show evidence that a policy trial positively influences policies' acceptability.
The study demonstrates that individuals with hierarchical worldviews are less supportive of public policies. The results indicate that a policy trial's efficacy depends on individuals' underlying cultural orientations, the positive impact of a policy trial disappears for individualistic & hierarchical individuals. We do not find any evidence of this effect on policy preferences.
CAPABLE (ClimAte Policy AcceptaBiLity Economic framework) is a research project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program.
The overall aim of CAPABLE is to develop and operationalize multi-objective decision-making frameworks to help evaluate effective, yet socially and politically feasible, climate and environmental policies in Europe.
Comparison of Belief Elicitation Methods. Deep Uncertainty and Climate Policymaking: A Review
With Ilke Aydogan and Nahed Eddai
Literature review about the relationship between deep uncertainty and climate policymaking.
A Validated Instrument for Measuring Uncertainty Preferences
With Ilke Aydogan, Loïc Berger, Nahed Eddai, Thomas Epper, Thibault Richard, James Tremewan, and Uyanga Turmunkh
Survey module for measuring uncertainty preferences.
Eliciting Beliefs: A Multi-Method Comparison
With Ilke Aydogan, Loïc Berger, Nahed Eddai, Thomas Epper, Thibault Richard, James Tremewan, and Uyanga Turmunkh
Comparison of Belief Elicitation Methods.