Regulating the tragedy of commons: Nonlinear feedback solutions of a differential game with a dual interpretation

A well established dynamic model describing the impact of oligopolistic interaction on a renewable resource is revisited here to illustrate its dual interpretation as a waste removal differential game. The regulatory implications are illustrated by assuming that the public agency may control market price and possibly also access to the commons. Two different formulations of the managerial or CSR objective are envisaged, based on a combination of profits and either output or the individual share of the waste stock. It is shown that if the representative firm’s objective includes the residual waste stock, there exists a unique regulated price driving to zero the steady state stock itself. Hence, the present analysis delivers some useful indications concerning an appropriate definition of the CSR objective firms should adopt. •The dynamic model of renewable resource extraction is reinterpreted as a waste removal differential game.•Regulatory implications are illustrated assuming the public agency controls market price and/or access.•Two different CSR objectives are considered, based either on collection rates or the residual stock.•If the CSR mandate includes the residual stock, the regulated price driving to zero the equilibrium stock is unique.•Moreover, such price is minimised in monopoly.