The effects of voluntary action plans on energy-saving investment: an empirical study of the Japanese manufacturing sector

Abstract

Voluntary action plan, Low-emission investment, Absolute target, Policy instrument, Q40, Q50, Q55,

Voluntary agreements to encourage proactive firm action against climate change: an empirical study of industry associations' voluntary action plans in Japan

“…Supporting evidence is provided by Sugino and Arimura (2011). The authors found that firms in sectors that set absolute targets for CO 2 emissions or energy consumption increased their investments in energy efficiency.…”

“…The collected information is generally shared among the member firms participating in the VAP and is used practically to improve their performance. Sugino and Arimura (2011) analyzed the investment behavior of Japanese manufacturing firms and suggested that VAPs have a statistically significant impact by increasing firm investments in energy-efficient technologies when industry associations have absolute targets rather than intensity targets for CO 2 emissions or energy consumption. Their study, however, had two major limitations.…”

“…A larger number indicates a larger firm size in that category. Sugino and Arimura (2011) analyzed the behaviors of large firms, whereas the data in this paper include SMEs, which are defined as firms with fewer than 300 employees or those with a capital of less than 100 million yen. 5 Energy conservation law dummy indicates whether firms are subject to the Energy Conservation Law.…”

“…First, this study is the first quantitative ex post analysis of VAPs during the commitment period. Previous studies, such as Wakabayashi and Sugiyama (2007) or Sugino and Arimura (2011), examined VAP data before the commitment period from 2008 to 2012.…”

The role of negotiating tools in the environmental policy mix instruments: determinants and effects of the Environmental Agreement

“…In practice, this might not be a relevant reason to expect a strong relation between a high perceived influence by public authorities and a high impact of environmental agreement on facilities' activities. In fact, as stressed by Sugino and Arimura (2011), one of the main reasons for an environmental agreement and, as a consequence, to determine its impact on production activities, refers the tool's flexibility and the potential damage to corporate image's that might occur by non-participation or ineffective participation. This is strongly linked to social legitimacy as the driver for organization's environmental actions.…”