iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Lerner

@michaelhlerner.bsky.social

886 followers 212 following 14 posts

Assistant Professor of Public Policy & Administration at LSE Government. Studying politics in a changing environment. www.michael-lerner.com

Posts Replies Media

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

And does having green directors on the board matter? Yes! Firms with more green directors are more likely to: - report GHG emissions voluntarily - appoint a chief sustainability officer - join pro-climate political coalitions - announce a Net Zero commitment (ambitious ones!) 3/4

A predicted values plot showing an increase in the probability reporting GHG emissions, appointing a CSO, and membership in a pro-climate coalition as the number of green directors on a board increases from the 10th percentile to the 90th percentile. The plot also shows no change in the probability of joining an anti-climate coalition.

100

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

It might not feel like it right now, but pro-environmental attitudes are more common among Corporate America’s leaders than ever. Today, about 1 in 4 directors at the average firm give primarily (or solely) to political candidates endorsed by green PACs – twice as many as in the 1990s 2/4

Left: A bar chart showing Green Directors by firm-year. 31% have 0 directors, 29% have 1, 19% have 2, 11% have 3, 6% have 4, and 5% have 5 or more Green Directors. Right: A line graph with the x-axis showing the years 1990 to 2023 and the y-axis showing the average number of directors per firm-year from 0 to 2. Two roughly parallel lines represent Light Green and Dark Green directors, rising from about 0.5 in 1990 to about 1.5 in 2023.

100

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

_Preferences_ When asked which policy they would propose to a policymaker, the experts preferred • Emissions trading over a tax (no trade-off required) • Broad coverage over narrow • Revenue use for green infrastructure or vulnerable populations – but definitely not for the general public 5/7

A coefficient plot showing the probability of proposing the instrument, coverage, and revenue use policy design choices

110

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

_Perceptions_ Experts say emissions trading is similarly effective and more politically feasible than a carbon tax A broad policy seems similarly effective as a narrowly targeted one, but far less feasible Spending funds on compensation is seen as less effective but more politically feasible 4/7

A coefficient plot with facets for effectiveness and feasibility and estimates for instrument, coverage, and revenue use

110

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

As part of a larger survey (hdl.handle.net/10986/42093), we asked experts to choose between alternative designs for a carbon pricing policy in Carbonia, a fictional developing country with relatively strong government capacity, high inequality, and substantial oil and gas production. 3/7

In the context of Carbonia, consider the following designs: [table with two policies and designs for instrument, coverage, and revenue use]. Which would be more technically effective (reducing emissions)? Which would be more politically feasible (easily adopted)? Which would you propose to the policymaker?

100

Michael Lerner @michaelhlerner.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Carbon pricing isn't just for wealthy countries! The policy has already been adopted by 16 developing countries (dark green) & is under consideration in more than a dozen others (light green) Why do Global South policymakers prefer some carbon pricing policies over others? We investigated 🔎 2/7

A world map showing the adoption and consideration of carbon pricing

100