Emission Control of Anthropogenic Nitrous Oxide

Abstract

Emission of greenhouse gases due to various economic activities has marked a great concern for the global thinkers and policy makers. At the 3rd Session of the Conference Of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC-COP3) in Dec. 1997, advanced economic nations adopted an agreement to reduce greenhouse gases emission to 5.2% below the 1990 levels by 2008-2012. So far a number of studies have been carried out on carbon dioxide emission. However, the issue of integrated policy regarding the emission of nitrous oxide and methane issue has been overlooked. But these gases have large GWP (Global Warming Potential) value. A composite policy to control the emission of greenhouse gases is badly needed. In addition to greenhouse effect, nitrous oxide has another negative effect for the environmental degradation of ozone layer. Therefore, reducing emission of the gas will bring a double benefit to the environment. In this paper, we focus on nitrous oxide and try to incorporate the anthropogenic emission structure into economic model in order to control pollution by introducing tax subsidy systems. We present an input-output model which describes emission tax imposed on industries and households. For this purpose, a computer simulation is going on to evaluate the level of GNP and damage cost for environmental protection. We have analyzed four types of pollutants; carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides. Thirty-five industries have been distinguished. The model has been applied to the Japanese economy since 1995. © 1999, JAPAN SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.