The Economics of Climate Change in Argentina

In this volume, the contributors discuss some of the most remarkable global warming effects in Argentina and examine policies that Latin American countries could follow to achieve their individual climate goals. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues today. However, after many years of climate negotiations, the world has failed to introduce a common global policy. Differences in countries' climate agendas have led to unsuccessful efforts. Countries willing to pursue a climate policy have sought alternative strategies to mitigate and adapt to global warming's consequences within their jurisdiction. In this context, Latin American countries' role in shaping the regional climate agenda is yet to be explored.

The book covers some papers from the well-received "First Workshop on Environmental Economics and Energy" in Argentina. Using data from Argentina, the contributors analyze the effects of global warming on agricultural yields and the impact of extreme weather on human health. From a global perspective, the contributors also describe the interactions between a reduction in carbon emissions, carbon emissions intensity, and economic growth; the role that trade policies can play to reduce carbon emissions; and the paradoxes that arise from promoting renewable energies in the region. The contributors also address the relationship between sustainability and economic growth; the private sector's role in shaping policies and providing sustainable solutions; and the Latin American challenges for the next generation.

The book will be of interest to policy-makers, academics, researchers, and professionals worldwide working in climate change impacts and policy. It will also appeal to a general audience interested in climate change economics, its consequences, and the steps that countries in Latin America can take to move forward.

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. The impacts of extreme temperatures on mortality risks in Argentina.- Chapter 3. Mitigation and adaptation processes in crop yields. The case of soybeans in Argentina.- Chapter 4. Beyond the Question "Is there Carbon Decoupling". Decoupling Rankings.- Chapter 5. How could trade liberalization on environmental goods and services reduce CO2 Emissions? Decomposing Scale, Technique and Composition effects in a CGE approach.- Chapter 6. Carbon taxes and renewable energy: a discussion about the Green paradox.- Chapter 7. Climate change and Sustainable Development Goals.- Chapter 8. Climate change and Argentina: policy issues.- Chapter 9. Concluding remarks.

Maria Elisa Belfiori holds a Ph.D. in Economics for the University of Minnesota. 

Elisa is a professor in the School of Business at the Torcuato Di Tella University in Argentina. Previously, she was a research economist at the Pontifical Catholic University in Argentina, and held a tenure-track assistant professorship position in the Economics Department at Colorado State University (United States of America). She also worked as a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and at the Central Bank of Argentina. Her field of expertise is at the intersection of Macroeconomics and Climate Economics. 

Her research focuses on the optimal taxation of carbon emissions and intergenerational climate equity. Monetary economics and public finance are also part of her research fields. Elisa has contributed to two edited books, and her research has been published in the European Economic Review, Energy Policy, among others. 

Mariano Javier Rabassa holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States. He is a professor and researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. Previously he was a full-time consultant at The World Bank, in Washington DC, working on topics related to socio-economic impacts of climate change. His expertise covers a broad set of environmental issues, with special emphasis on impact evaluation of environmental policies and the quantification of climate change impacts.

His academic work has been recognized by the University of Illinois and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (United States) and has been published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environmental and Development Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, among others.