Economics articles from across Nature Portfolio

An approach that integrates species distribution modelling with an economic cost model to predict the costs of invasive species provides an order-of-magnitude increase in the number of cost estimates and greatly increases total estimated costs.

Natural disaster losses are increasing both in their frequency of occurrence and severity of impacts worldwide due to climate change and socio-economic development in disaster-prone regions. In addition to public sector investments in disaster protection infrastructure, individuals can manage these losses by implementing disaster risk reduction measures at the household level. However, a host of systematic cognitive biases may prevent the taking of cost-effective forms of risk reduction by individuals. Behavioural public policies have been proposed as a way to address these biases in order to stimulate societal natural disaster preparedness. This article highlights the role of economic experiments for developing behavioural public policies that promote disaster risk reduction actions. Based on a review of the state-of-the-art of the experimental literature, several promising directions for further research in the field are outlined. That is, avenues for further experimental research in behavioural public policy are identified. We find that more experimental research is needed to examine whether: (1) behavioural public policies can complement conventional forms of economic policy that alter financial incentives; (2) methodological advancements in the field of experimental economics can be used to further develop behavioural policies aimed at triggering natural disaster preparedness; and (3) behavioural policies are useful for addressing various under-researched field observations and realities faced by individuals at risk of natural disasters.

As an important policy instrument for building sector decarbonization, bans on fossil fuel-based heating face fierce opposition with doubts over their economic viability. With a unified perspective that incorporates the views of proponents and opponents, we discuss the importance of targeted policies to break the deadlock.

An approach that integrates species distribution modelling with an economic cost model to predict the costs of invasive species provides an order-of-magnitude increase in the number of cost estimates and greatly increases total estimated costs.

The plans to achieve a sustainable ocean economy are shaping up — it’s up to decision makers to implement them. The world is waiting.

The Ocean is central to our lives, providing vital ecosystem goods and services. It generates 50% of the Earth’s oxygen; absorbs around 30% of anthropogenic carbon emissions; regulates the Earth’s climate; and provides food, income, and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. However, the Ocean is under serious multiple threats from overexploitation, climate change, and pollution. Here, I state my dream 2050 scenario for the Ocean and describe how trade, in the midst of broader ocean governance efforts, can contribute to realizing this dream.

The emerging global competition for green innovation, markets and investments might boost prosperity without improving environmental sustainability.