Anthoff, David and Tol, Richard S J (2022) Testing the dismal theorem. Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, 9 (5). ISSN 2333-5955

PDF - Accepted Version Restricted to SRO admin only until 28 June 2023. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Weitzman’s Dismal Theorem has that the expected net present value of a stock problem with a stochastic growth rate with unknown variance is unbounded. Cost-benefit analysis can therefore not be applied to greenhouse gas emission control. We use the Generalized Central Limit Theorem to show that the Dismal Theorem can be tested, in a finite sample, by estimating the tail index. We apply this test to social cost of carbon estimates from three commonly used integrated assessment models, and to previously published estimates. Two of the three models do not support the Dismal Theorem, but the third one does for low discount rates and most estimators. The meta-analysis does offer qualified support for the Dismal Theorem.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	University of Sussex Business School > Economics
Related URLs:	Publisher
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2022 11:06
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2022 12:15
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/105330

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update