Data: Mercoledì 21 Gennaio 2026, ore 12:15
Luogo: Aula Seminari Bruguier Pacini
Relatore: Julia Mazzei (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Istituto di Economia)
Titolo: Directed Technical Change: When Substitution Leads to Regret
Abstract:
We study the impact of the 2004 Stockholm Convention, which globally banned twelve highly toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs), on chemical innovation. By combining patent data with computational chemistry measures of toxicity and environmental persistence, we analyze the properties of patented compounds. We find no evidence that the ban stimulated innovation toward safer alternatives. Instead, it increased patenting of substitute compounds that display POP-like characteristics, including high toxicity and persistence, despite not being covered by the ban. These results indicate that environmental regulation may redirect innovation toward formally compliant but equally dangerous technologies.
Seminar organizers: Francesco Valentini
Informazioni e contatti