Uncharted Waters: Effects of Maritime Emission Regulation

43 Pages Posted: 27 Jun 2022 Last revised: 19 Jun 2023

See all articles by Jamie Hansen-Lewis

Jamie Hansen-Lewis

University of California, Davis

Michelle Marcus

Vanderbilt University

Date Written: June 2022

Abstract

Maritime shipping emits as much fine particulate matter as half of global road traffic. We are the first to measure the consequences of US maritime emissions standards on air quality, human health, racial exposure disparities, and behavior. The introduction of US maritime emissions control areas significantly decreased fine particulate matter, low birth weight, and infant mortality. Yet, only about half of the forecasted fine particulate matter abatement was achieved by the policy. We show evidence consistent with behavioral responses among ship operators, other polluters, and individuals that muted the policy’s impact, but were not incorporated in ex-ante models.

Suggested Citation

Hansen-Lewis, Jamie and Marcus, Michelle, Uncharted Waters: Effects of Maritime Emission Regulation (June 2022). NBER Working Paper No. w30181, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4147251

Jamie Hansen-Lewis (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis ( email )

Michelle Marcus

Vanderbilt University

2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240
United States

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