Relative Dirty Energy Prices and Clean Energy Consumption

The Aggregate Green Elasticity of Substitution

This paper proposes a new metholody to estimate the elasticity of substitution between pollutant and non-pollutant energy for the US. With a point estimate of 0.6, much closer to unity than previously thought, the energy transition will be slower and more painful. This suggests that subsidies are not a sufficient policy tool when used alone.

May 2025 · Rui Sousa