September 22, 2025
Online
The TSE-SBCA European Webinar aims to both promote and provide a platform for people working on cost-benefit analysis, and related topics, in Europe.
Time and place: September 22nd, 11:00-12:15, Online (Zoom)
Equity weights and multidimensional well-being: why income is sometimes a good proxy
Panelist(s):
- Speaker: Prof. Marc Fleurbaey, PSE - "To be annouced"
- Discussant: Prof. James K. Hammitt, TSE & Harvard
Moderator:
- Dr. Henrik Andersson, TSE
➡️ Registration is required to attend this event.
SBCA was founded in 2007 and works to improve the theory and practice of benefit-cost analysis and support evidence-based policy decisions.
More information : https://benefitcostanalysis.org
Abstract:
In distribution-sensitive BCA, equity weights are computed as the product of marginal social value of individual well-being times the marginal utility of money. The two terms depend crucially on the measure of well-being that is adopted. When this measure involves multiple arguments (such as income and health), the equity weights will generally differ according to the situation of individuals with respect to these multiple dimensions. Yet, a widespread practice uses only individual income as a proxy for computing the equity weights. This talk will examine under what conditions this practice is not too far from the more complete approach.
Previous editions:
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Europe: A discussion around experiences and challenges by Doramas Jorge-Calderón (EIB) - TSE-SBCA European webinar 2023
The Value of Infrastructure and Market Integration by Mar Reguant (Northwestern University) - TSE-SBCA European webinar 2202
Economics of Biodiversity: the Dasgupta Review by Sir Partha Dasgupta (University of Cambridge) - TSE-SBCA European webinar 2021