TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a discrete consumer choice model to assess the effectiveness of the tax policy in changing consumer behaviour and reducing fleet emissions, and they found that the emissions reduction achieved by the tax were negligible compared to the increases in fleet emissions associated with the growing vehicle market.
Abstract: South Africa is an important economy in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions and it has made progressive policy steps to address its national emissions. One significant national fiscal policy is the emissions based purchase tax for private passenger vehicles, implemented in September 2010. There has, however, been little attempt to assess the effect that this key mitigation policy has had on the emissions of new passenger vehicle fleets. This study uses a discrete consumer choice model to assess the effectiveness of this tax policy in changing consumer behaviour and reducing fleet emissions. It finds that the emissions reduction achieved by the tax were negligible compared to the increases in fleet emissions associated with the growing vehicle market. It is demonstrated that the structure of the tax policy does not suit the dynamics of the South African vehicle market and the policy would require restructuring if it is to more effectively reduce fleet emissions. In addition, for the tax policy to effect significant fleet emissions reductions in the future it will require the emergence of low- and zero-carbon vehicle technologies in the lowest price brackets of the market, possibly via subsidy policies.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that exposure to PM10, SO2, NO2 and NO is associated with significantly increased occurrence of respiratory symptoms among children in Durban, South Africa, and the first study describing these changes in sub-Saharan Africa is described.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of leadership behaviour, institutional support and workplace spirituality on hotel employees' environmental sustainability in South Africa, and found significant positive relationships between leadership behaviour and institutional support.
Abstract: Pro-environmental behaviours (PEB) depict behaviours that cause minimal harm to or even benefit the environment. Employees are an important stakeholder in organisational environmental initiatives; however, there is little understanding of the leadership mechanisms and workplace support that can nurture these behaviours. In addition, empirical studies on the effect of workplace spirituality on employees’ PEB are limited. Understanding the factors that can influence employees’ workplace PEB is of significance in improving environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry. This study investigated the effect of leadership behaviour, institutional support and workplace spirituality on hotel employees’ PEB in South Africa. This study utilised a quantitative research approach and a causal research design. The cross-sectional survey method was used for data collection. Convenience sampling method was used to identify the participants in the survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. The results of this study showed significant positive relationships between leadership behaviour, institutional support and workplace spirituality and hotel employees’ PEB. Theoretically, the study linked spirituality to employees’ workplace PEB as spiritual discourses have been marginalised in tourism research. Empirically, the study adds to the literature on the determinants of employees’ workplace PEB in the hospitality sector. Practically, the study makes recommendations that can improve the workplace PEB of hotel employees.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation on the sustainable performance of firms in the context of the hospitality sector and found a significant positive relationship between GEO and financial, environmental and social performance.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) on the sustainable performance (SP) of firms in the context of the hospitality sector. Sustainable performance was measured by financial, environmental and social indicators. The study utilised the quantitative research approach and the causal research design. The cross-sectional survey method was used for data collection. Questionnaire was distributed to 500 owner/managers of formal hotels and guest accommodations in South Africa. 192 respondents participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics and the structural equation modelling were used for data analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha was used as the measure of reliability. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between GEO and financial, environmental and social performance. The findings of the study can assist firms in the hospitality sector understand firm-level factors that can impact on sustainability initiatives.
23 citations
Cites background from "Assessing the effectiveness of Sout..."
...For instance, the contribution of South Africa to global emissions is about 1.2% and the country as a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate change, has promised to reduce emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025 (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
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...2% and the country as a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate change, has promised to reduce emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025 (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
Cites background from "Assessing the effectiveness of Sout..."
...23 industry; which vehicles would be affected and which would not (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
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...Carbon tax is applied at the point of sale for new motor vehicles and charged/ calculated in relation to the carbon emissions that are anticipated to be discarded by the car during its useful life (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
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...As the introduction was first to set off in the motor vehicle
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industry; which vehicles would be affected and which would not (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
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...The carbon tax cost is added to the cost of the vehicle being purchased and thus increasing the cost of vehicles (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
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...As this cost is determined at the point of sale, the cost is therefore transferred over to the customer/ purchaser who is purchasing the vehicle (Vosper and Mercure, 2016)....
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that adequate attention has not been paid to active transport in the country's transport decarbonisation policy implementation despite its inclusion in policy statements, and they then assert that active transport is indispensable to South Africa's achievement of its transportdecarbonisation goals, especially when steps taken hitherto seem ineffective.
Abstract: Over two-thirds of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change emanate from transport. This could double by 2050. With per capita emissions nearly twice the global average, South Africa ranks 13th globally on GHG emissions with road transport, directly and indirectly, accounting for 91.2% of total transport GHG emissions. It has been projected that by 2100, up to 100% increase in the country’s average temperature above the 20th century average rise. This has far-reaching implications, even for the transport sector. To decarbonise its transport sector, South Africa has committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025, respectively, through pointed strategies and policies. However, efficient implementation of proposed measures and sufficient funding remain daunting challenges. Thus, this paper contends that adequate attention has not been paid to active transport in the country’s transport decarbonisation policy implementation despite its inclusion in policy statements. It then asserts that active transport is indispensable to South Africa’s achievement of its transport decarbonisation goals, especially when steps taken hitherto seem ineffective. Consequently, the right attitudes, regulatory instruments, and policy initiatives towards the promotion of active transport are recommended.
5 citations
Cites background from "Assessing the effectiveness of Sout..."
...In addition, vehicle fuel-economy norms and standards for newly manufactured vehicles from 2005 onwards were introduced in South Africa [50,57]....
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the methods of discrete choice analysis and their applications in the modeling of transportation systems and present a complete travel demand model system presented in chapter 11, which is intended as a graduate level text and a general professional reference.
Abstract: This book, which is intended as a graduate level text and a general professional reference, presents the methods of discrete choice analysis and their applications in the modeling of transportation systems. The first seven chapters provide a basic introduction to discrete choice analysis that covers the material needed to apply basic binary and multiple choice models. The chapters are as follows: introduction; review of the statistics of model estimation; theories of individual choice behavior; binary choice models; multinomial choice; aggregate forecasting techniques; and tests and practical issues in developing discrete choice models. The rest of the chapters cover more advanced material and culminate in the development of a complete travel demand model system presented in chapter 11. The advanced chapters are as follows: theory of sampling; aggregation and sampling of alternatives; models of multidimensional choice and the nested logit model; and systems of models. The last chapter (12) presents an overview of current research frontiers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors address the question of how technological transitions (TT) come about and identify particular patterns and mechanisms in transition processes, defined as major, long-term technological changes in the way societal functions are fulfilled.
5,020 citations
"Assessing the effectiveness of Sout..." refers background in this paper
...Geels (2002) described this socio-technological regime as dynamic, with the cultural, political, scientific and market forces interacting and changing over time....
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...A variety of push and pull policies, such as taxes and subsidies, can be pursued to bring low-emission technologies out of niche markets (Geels, 2002; Grubb, 2014)....
TL;DR: The hurricane of war and occupation which, after only five days of fighting, swept the Netherlands for fully five years has heavily damaged this country as mentioned in this paper, with the exception of a very small group which turned against the Dutch people in its struggle against suppression and enslavement, a conduct for which they have now to pay the penalty.
Abstract: THE hurricane of war and occupation which, after only five days of fighting, swept the Netherlands for fully five years has heavily damaged this country. With the exception of a very small group which turned against the Dutch people in its struggle against suppression and enslavement, a conduct for which they have now to pay the penalty, the Dutch community has suffered deeply. The Germans inflicted smarting wounds on the Dutch body. They cared not what means they used, for they served only their own purpose -the German war effort, coupled with a sadistic desire for destruction, suppression, and humiliation. To understand the problems which the Netherlands has to face in its eco-
Abstract: (1987). Discrete Choice Analysis: Theory and Application to Travel Demand. Journal of the Operational Research Society: Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 370-371.
TL;DR: The World of Goods as mentioned in this paper is an anthropologist and an economist's view of the human desire for goods and the distribution of goods as a symptom of the form of society, which is a totally different perspective and raises issues that lie beyond economics.
Abstract: This revised edition with new Introduction from a leading anthropologist and an economist is unique in being about consumption but not a sermon for consumers, nor a moan against consumerism. The World of Goods bridges the gap between what anthropologists know about why objects are desired and what economists say about the specialised topic called consumption behaviour. The economist treats the desire for objects as an individual urge grounded in psychology; according to the anthropologist it is for fulfilling social obligations and represents the distribution of goods as a symptom of the form of society. It is a totally different perspectice and raises issues that lie beyond economics. The World of Goods asks new questions about why people save, why they spend, what they buy, and why they sometimes but not always make fine distinctions about quality. It is well-understood now that consumption goods communicate, create identity and establish relationships. But not so well-known that goods exclude as well as include, and that the pattern of their flow shows up the form of society. This book will be essential reading to students and lecturers in anthropology and economics.