Using Ex Post Data to Estimate the Hurdle Rate of Abatement Investments – An Application to the Swedish Pulp and Paper Industry and Energy Sector

We propose a method for estimating hurdlerates for firms' investments in pollution abatement technology, using expost data. The method is based on a structural option value model where thefuture price of polluting fuel is the major source of uncertainty facing thefirm. The econometric procedure is illustrated using a panel of firms fromthe Swedish pulp and paper industry, and the energy and heating sector from2000 to 2003. The results indicate a hurdle rate of investment of almost 3in the pulp and paper industry and almost 4 in the energy and heating sector.