Authors
Garth Heutel
Publication date
2019/7/1
Journal
Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
Volume
96
Pages
236-254
Publisher
Academic Press
Description
Investments in energy efficiency entail uncertainty, and when faced with uncertainty consumers have been shown to behave according to prospect theory: preferences are reference-dependent and exhibit loss aversion, and probabilities are subjectively weighted. Using data from a choice experiment eliciting prospect theory parameters, I provide evidence that loss-averse people are less likely to invest in energy efficiency. Then, I consider policy design under prospect theory when there are also externalities from energy use. A higher degree of loss aversion implies a higher subsidy to energy efficiency. Numerical simulations suggest that the impact of prospect theory on policy may be substantial.
Total citations
20182019202020212022202320241181224262216
Scholar articles
G Heutel - Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2019