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Field
Abstract
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Before
The goal of this paper is to estimate the implicit price of carbon that people apply in their consumption decisions, which we call the Moral Cost of Carbon (MCC). We use an artefactual field experiment to recover a distribution of the MCC among a target population. We also investigate whether particular information treatment could impact the MCC. In this study, our focus is to identify sources of heterogeneity across domains, specifically food versus transport, in the distribution of the MCC.
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After
The goal of this paper is to estimate the implicit price of carbon that people apply in their consumption decisions, which we call the Moral Cost of Carbon (MCC). We use an artefactual field experiment to recover a distribution of the MCC among a target population. We also investigate whether particular information treatment could impact the MCC. In this study, our focus is to identify sources of heterogeneity across domains, specifically food versus transport, in the distribution of the MCC. We also compare the MCC to other metrics that have been used to measure consumers' WTP for climate policies.
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Field
Last Published
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Before
May 07, 2025 11:58 AM
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After
May 07, 2025 12:02 PM
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Field
Intervention (Public)
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Before
We conduct an online survey where we ask participants to choose between actual holiday packages that differ in their carbon footprint. The main part of the survey consists of a sequence of multiple price list (MPL) questions and belief elicitations on two actual holiday packages for a week-end in Lyon (one with low, one with high carbon footprint). Both packages are a combination of transportation to Lyon (in a diesel car versus in an electric car), and a gastronomic meal (meat-based versus vegetarian menu).
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After
We conduct an online survey where we ask participants to choose between actual holiday packages that differ in their carbon footprint. The main part of the survey consists of a sequence of BDM questions and belief elicitations on two actual holiday packages for a week-end in Lyon (one with low, one with high carbon footprint). Both packages are a combination of transportation to Lyon (in a diesel car versus in an electric car), and a gastronomic meal (meat-based versus vegetarian menu).
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Field
Primary Outcomes (End Points)
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Before
WTA elicited with MPLs and elicitated beliefs. MCC constructed with WTA.
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After
WTA elicited with BDM and elicitated beliefs. MCC constructed with WTA.
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Field
Experimental Design (Public)
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Before
In a first step, willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the transport and food components of the two packages and beliefs about carbon footprint are elicited for all participants (baseline MPL). In a second step, the participants are presented the carbon footprint of the transport and food components of the packages. Information on both holiday packages’ carbon footprint is provided based on realistic estimates of the package components. We repeat the MPL and belief elicitation tasks for all participants, which allows us to infer the implicit price of carbon that people apply in this context. In a third step, MPLs are used to elicit WTA for the two packages when information about the social cost of carbon and the MCC of other citizen are disclosed. Finally, additional demographic and psychographic variables are collected and used to investigate heterogeneity in the MCC.
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After
In a first step, willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the transport and food components of the two packages and beliefs about carbon footprint are elicited for all participants (baseline BDM). In a second step, the participants are presented the carbon footprint of the transport and food components of the packages. Information on both holiday packages’ carbon footprint is provided based on realistic estimates of the package components. We repeat the BDM and belief elicitation tasks for all participants, which allows us to infer the implicit price of carbon that people apply in this context. In a third step, BDMs are used to elicit WTA for the two packages when information about the social cost of carbon and the MCC of other citizen are disclosed. Finally, additional demographic and psychographic variables are collected and used to investigate heterogeneity in the MCC.
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Field
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
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Before
300
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After
200
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