Essays on environmental policy analysis computable general equilibrium approaches applied to Sweden

Abstract: This thesis consists of three essays within the field of applied environmental economics, with the common basic aim of analyzing effects of Swedish environmental policy. Starting out from Swedish environmental goals, the thesis assesses a range of policy-related questions. The objective is to quantify policy outcomes by constructing and applying numerical models especially designed for environmental policy analysis. Static and dynamic multi-sectoral computable general equilibrium models are developed in order to analyze the following issues.The costs and benefits of a domestic carbon dioxide (CO2) tax reform. Special attention is given to how these costs and benefits depend on the structure of the tax system and, furthermore, how they depend on policy-induced changes in "secondary" pollutants.The effects of allowing for emission permit trading through time when the domestic long-term domestic environmental goal is specified in CO2stock terms.The effects on long-term projected economic growth and welfare that are due to damages from emission flow and accumulation of "local" pollutants (nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide), as well as the outcome of environmental policy when costs and benefits are considered in an integrated environmental-economic framework.