The persistence of environmental and social strategies under emission permits

In this paper, we analyse the long-run industry configuration of an oligopoly where profit-seeking (PS) and environmentally socially responsible (ECSR) firms compete in quantities. We adopt an evolutionary setting to determine the firms’ endogenous choice of statute (PS or ECSR). Pollution is regulated through an Emission Trading System (ETS) scheme that allocates emissions rights to firms. Firms may also invest in emission abatement technology to reduce the cost of emission rights. Our findings show that the introduction of an ETS favours the persistence of the ECSR strategy by reducing the share of PS firms in the industry. In contrast, an increase in the stringency of the ETS policy makes the PS strategy more competitive.