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The Market Value of Energy Efficiency in Buildings and the Mode of Tenure

Concerns about global warming and growing scarcity of fossile fuels require substantial changes in energy consumption patterns and energy systems, as targeted by many countries around the world. One key element to achieve such transformation is to increase energy efficiency of the housing stock. In this context, it is frequently argued that private investments are too low in the light of the potential ...

Are the Economic Sanctions against Russia Effective?

The introduced sanctions against Russia, which at the moment are on a level of travel bans and asset freezes against a limited group of individuals and firms, are unlikely to trigger a profound change in Russian foreign policy. This can primarily be attributed to the fact that the economic impact of the sanctions is rather low. However, the current political tensions have had an impact on financial ...

Tax and Transfer Reforms for Germany: Evidence from Microsimulation

Abstract: We study three budget neutral reforms of the German tax and transfer system in a one period labor supply model. First, a feasible flat tax reform that provides a basic income which is equal to the current level of unemployment benefit II. Second, a reform that increases incentives to work full time. Third, a reform that increases incentives to work at least 10 hours per week.

Integrating VAT into EUROMOD: Documentation and Results for Belgium

This paper documents the integration of microsimulation tools for direct taxation, indirect taxation, and social benefits in the context of the European tax and benefit simulator, EUROMOD. Integration has been developed in parallel for two countries: Belgium and Germany. The paper at hand documents the process and presents simulation results for the case of Belgium. An integrated database underlying ...

A Plan to Revitalize Greece

Project Workshop RESOURCES and Green Paradox

DIW Berlin and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) would like to discuss the latest progress in their research projects on energy resource markets and climate policy. The recent boom in unconventional natural gas and oil extraction in North America as well as the ever increasing thirst for energy in Asia have led to a true "renaissance" of fossil fuels. In the workshop it will...

Global Warming, Technological Change and Trade in Carbon Energy: Challenge or Threat?

Is it possible to combat global climate change through North-to-South technology transfer even without a global climate treaty? Or do carbon leakage and the rebound effect imply that it is possible to take advantage of technological improvements under the umbrella of a global arrangement only? For answering these questions two possible states of the world are discussed: one, where more energy efficient ...

Two Steps Forward - One Step Back? Evaluating Contradicting Child Care Policies in Germany

We apply a structural model of mothers’ labor supply and child care choices to evaluate the effects of two childcare reforms in Germany that were introduced simultaneously in August 2013. First, a legal claim to subsidized child care became effective for all children aged one year or older. Second, a new benefit called ‘Betreuungsgeld’ came into effect that is granted to families who do not use public ...

Alexandra Fedorets joined the SOEP department as a post-doc researcher

Alexandra Fedorets joined the SOEP department as a post-doc researcher on June 23. Alexandra graduated from Berlin Doctoral Program in Economics and Management Science with a doctoral thesis on occupational mobility, job tasks and wages. Alexandra Fedorets has gathered professional experience as teaching and research assistant at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, as well as in various projects with ...

Soldiers and Trauma

Understanding the risks and consequences of military service in fragile regions is a vital concern facing veterans and policymakers in Germany (and many other nations). Researchers, health professionals, politicians and the news media are actively discussing this contentious topic. A key point in the debate is the psychological well-being of discharged servicemen. The purpose of this column is to offer ...