This paper describes the first edition of the multiregional analysis project (MRAP) framework. MRAP is a multiregional computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling framework of the U.S. economy. The motivation underlying MRAP is that there are significant regional dimensions to most national policy initiatives and that region-specific policies are likely to have impacts in other U.S. regions.

This book details the preparation of USAGE-TERM, a computable general equilibrium model that provides regional economic detail in the USA. The model can represent either congressional district or state level economic activity. The latter may include a top-down representation of county activity. Interest in USAGE-TERM is growing among government departments. It is a practical tool, which may enhance analysis of productivity growth and innovation, adverse events such as drought or civil disruption and the dynamic economic impacts of major projects.Economic analysts and policy makers care about regions. Some regions suffer growing pains, as supporting infrastructure and services struggle to cope with population growth. Soaring house prices and rentals may lower affordability for many. Other regions suffer ongoing decline due to structural change. Regional economic fluctuations are often far more dramatic than national fluctuations.

This open access book analyzes and seeks to consolidate the use of robust quantitative tools and qualitative methods for the design and assessment of energy and climate policies. In particular, it examines energy and climate policy performance and associated risks, as well as public acceptance and portfolio analysis in climate policy, and presents methods for evaluating the costs and benefits of flexible policy implementation as well as new framings for business and market actors. In turn, it discusses the development of alternative policy pathways and the identification of optimal switching points, drawing on concrete examples to do so. Lastly, it discusses climate change mitigation policies’ implications for the agricultural, food, building, transportation, service and manufacturing sectors.

This volume honors the extraordinary career of Thomas Hertel. It also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) by Prof. Hertel. All of those contributing to this volume, including Prof. Hertel's students and colleagues, have benefitted in some ways from the selfless professional generosity and dedication to scientific public goods that have been hallmarks of his career.The book examines the history of the GTAP project, the scientific contributions of Prof. Hertel, and the general application of computational modeling to global economic policy analysis. The applications in the volume, reflecting the broad contributions made by the GTAP community to global policy analysis, range from the impact of globalization on employment to the sustainability impacts of economic integration.

The purpose of this manual is to contribute to and facilitate the use of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models in the analysis of issues related to food policy in developing countries. The volume includes a detailed presentation of a static “standard” CGE model and its required database and incorporates features of particular importance in developing countries. The manual discusses the implementation of the model in GAMS and is accompanied by a CD-ROM that includes the GAMS software (free demo system), the GAMS input files for the model, sample databases, simulations, solution reports, and a social accounting matrix (SAM) aggregation program. Although the volume provides a standardized framework for analysis, the analyst is not forced to make “one-size-fits-all” assumptions. The GAMS code is written to give the analyst considerable flexibility in model specification.