Complexity Economics for Environmental Governance
Complexity Economics for Environmental Governance
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In Complexity Economics for Environmental Governance, Jean-François Mercure reframes environmental policy and provides a rigorous methodology necessary to tackle the complexity of environmental policy and the transition to sustainability. The book offers a detailed account of the deficiencies of environmental economics and then develops a theory of innovation and macroeconomics based on complexity theory. It also develops a new foundation for evidence-based policy-making using a Risk-Opportunity Analysis applied to the sustainability transition. This multidisciplinary work was developed in partnership with prominent natural scientists and economists as well as active policy-makers with the aim to revolutionize thinking in the face of the full complexity of the sustainability transition, and to show how it can best be governed to minimize its distributional impacts. The book should be read by academics and policy-makers seeking new ways to think about environmental policy-making.
- Proposes a new theory of microeconomics, macroeconomics, innovation and environmental governance
- Offers a highly multidisciplinary approach to governance by exploring natural science, economics, social sciences, and philosophy
- Provides real-world examples with real data and many illustrations
Reviews & endorsements
'Jean-Francois Mercure is in the vanguard of experts seeing the economy in a new way: not as a predictable machine, but as an ever-changing ecosystem. His insights will be valuable to anyone who wants to bring about real-world change. This book is an essential guide to the new economics of climate change.' Simon Sharpe, Deputy Director, Policy campaigns, COP26 Unit, UK Cabinet Office
'This important book mobilises insights from complexity economics and socio-technical transitions theory to rethink the nature of our responses to persistent environmental problems. Acknowledging the need for system transformation, this back-to-basics book develops ways of understanding the relevant processes of change and provides policy suggestions for governing them. Combining new theories, new modelling techniques, and new empirical information this book develops foundational insights that will be essential for navigating sustainability transitions.' Frank Geels, Professor of System Innovation, University of Manchester
'The world is slowly waking up to the importance of modern economic thinking which recognises economies as complex, evolving systems combining innovation in technologies, finance and institutions. The insights arising are especially important for navigating large-scale transitions, such as the radical challenges associated with climate change.  Few scholars have done more to raise awareness and to advance thinking about these issues than Jean-Francois Mercure. His impressive book, Complexity Economics for Environmental Governance, is the most rigorous and comprehensive guide to this exciting field and the essential insights arising, and deserves to become the definitive text for the field.' Michael D. Grubb, Professor of Energy and Climate Change, University College of London
Product details
November 2022Hardback
9781108428828
320 pages
235 × 159 × 31 mm
0.86kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. The Current State of Knowledge:
- 1. Introducing Complex Environmental Economics
- 2. Complexity Heterogeneity, and Uncertainty
- 3. Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Paradigms
- 4. Philosophies of Science and the Policy Cycle
- Part II. A Positive Theory for Complexity Economics:
- 5. Concepts of Complexity for Economics
- 6. Fundamental Uncertainty
- 7. Micro-Foundations for Consumer Theory
- 8. Micro-foundations for a Theory of Innovation
- 9. The Nature of Money
- 10. Micro-Foundations for Credit Creation
- 11. A Model for Growth and Creative Destruction
- Part III. Applied Complexity Economics for Environmental Governance:
- 12. Risk-Opportunity Analysis
- 13. Science & Policy for the Energy-Water-Food Nexus
- 14. Technology Dynamics in a Low-Carbon Transition
- 15. Structural Change in a Low-Carbon Transition
- 16. Conclusion and Outlook.
