Conservation Behavior: From Voluntary Restraint to a Voluntary Price Premium

Matthew Kotchen and Michael R. Moore
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Michael R. Moore: University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, http://www.snre.umich.edu/

No 2004-16, Department of Economics Working Papers from Department of Economics, Williams College

Abstract: This paper provides a theoretical and empirical investigation of conservation behavior that is motivated by concern for the environment. Two types of behavior are considered. First, individuals who care about environmental quality may voluntarily restrain their consumption of goods and services that generate a negative externality. Second, individuals may choose to pay a voluntary price premium for goods and services that are more "environmentally friendly." A theoretical model highlights the relationship between such voluntary restraint and a voluntary price premium. We test predictions of the model in an empirical study of household electricity consumption with introduction of a price-premium, green-electricity program. We find evidence of voluntary restraint and its relation to a voluntary price premium. The empirical results are consistent with the model of conservation behavior, as none of the theoretical predictions can be rejected.

Keywords: Consumer; Electricity; Environment; Households; Individual (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D1 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2004-10
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