Although economists have long advocated the use of economic instruments in the implementation of environmental policy, they have only recently gained acceptance. There is a growing consensus within the European Union that both Member States and the environment would benefit from the use of such incentive-based economic instruments. Environment, Incentives and the Common Market has been written by members of the Study Group on the Environment and Economics of the National Environmental Forum, which includes economists and social scientists from all the major Dutch universities and research institutes. The book covers a wide range of topics on the use of taxation and tradeable permits in a variety of abatement policies. It concludes with comments on political feasibility.
Nine papers by Dutch economists and social scientists from the National Environment Forum explore the use of economic instruments to implement environmental policy, an idea that has been of growing interest in Europe. Considering practical design rather than overall theory, they argue that such instruments can substantially promote sustainable development if their features are carefully matched to the character of the specific environmental problem. Among the problems and instruments they discuss are nutrient emissions from agriculture, carbon policy, solvent tax, waste, pricing and tradable permits for transport, and environmental tax reform. Suitable as a supplementary text in an intermediate level course on environmental economics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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