Environmental Principles and Policies : An Interdisciplinary Introduction

Using environmental and social principles to analyze the wave of economic-based and market-orientated environmental policies, this book examines the principles that have been incorporated into international treaties and the national laws of many countries like ecological sustainability, the polluter pays principle, and the precautionary principle.

Environmental Principles and Policies uses environmental and social principles to analyse the latest wave of economic-based and market-orientated environmental policies currently being adopted around the world. This book provides an in-depth examination of six key principles that have been incorporated into international treaties and the national laws of many countries:* ecological sustainability* the polluter pays principle* the precautionary principle* equity* human rights* public participationThese principles are then used to evaluate a range of policies including pollution charges, emissions, trading, water markets, biodiversity banks and tradable fishing rights.Environmental Principles and Policies is easily accessible, using non-technical language throughout, and - in what sets it apart from other books on environmental policy-making - it takes a critical and interdisciplinary approach. It does not set out policies in a descriptive or prescriptive way, but analyses and evaluates policy options from a variety of perspectives. This enables readers to gain a thorough grasp of important principles and current policies, as well as demonstrating how principles can be used to critically assess environmental policies.