The Architecture of Green Economic Policies

verfasst von: P.K. Rao

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

After numerous scienti?c papers and books on most aspects of climate change and the design of pro-environmental policies (including some that suit some industrial lobby or another), is there relevance for another book and what is the purported role of this one? Is this yet another academic exercise or “much ado about nothing”? Do we have to bother designing green economic policies and incur transaction costs of this effort? Are there shortcomings of existing policies if we care to live “happily” on this planet? Is it not enough to care for the current generations so that the future generations can take care of themselves (or even be given the incentives for in- vations – for lack of fully provided resources)? What can “we” do about the green economic policies (and what are these anyway)? What trade-offs, if any, are re- vant in foregoing some bene?ts and in incurring some costs (not all of which can be expressed in monetary units)? What are the overarching objectives and priorities in the current context? What economic and other approaches are relevant for atta- ing the objectives? These are some of the questions the author re?ected in writing this book.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

This chapter lays the foundations: highlights emerging environmental problems as assessed in recent scientific studies, explains approaches of green economics, integrates these with the imperatives of economic and environmental resilience, and advocates the role of green economic policies that go beyond but not ignoring relevant realistic economic principles.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 2. Basic Elements of Green Economics

Abstract

The role of New Institutional Economics (NIE) in the design of institutions, efficient governance and formulation of policy framework for GEP are explained. The distinctions between various imperatives of environmental sustainability, sustainable growth, and sustainable development are examined in the context of devising GEP. Ecosystem approaches and ecological economic approaches are explained with applications in various sectors, including international trade. The roles of unsustainable production and consumption systems are summarized. The roles of environmental taxes are also examined. After examining the limitations of conventional economics, role of NIE (including transaction cost economics) as well as of revised neoclassical economic in GEP is explained.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 3. Analytical Methods of Green Economics

Abstract

This chapter avails some of the neoclassical economic methods, in addition to transaction cost economics and new institutional economics. Different constituents of economic analyses, with appropriate improvements wherever necessary, tend to constitute a meaningful and workable strategy toward the design and implementation of green economic policies. This chapter focuses on such foundations, and also leads to useful methods/models and techniques of analysis. Limitations of the conventional approaches are also elucidated here.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 4. Formulation of Green Economic Policies: Optimality, Efficiency and Equity

Abstract

This chapter examines the role and limitations of standard desirable features of formal economic models and seeks to extend them in the context of green economics and formulation of green economic policies. Familiarity with formal economic models of the optimizing type used in neoclassical economic methods is assumed for the discussion here.

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Chapter 5. Institutions and Policy Design

Abstract

This chapter focuses on relative use of market and non-market institutions, economic and environmental organizations, environmental agreements, laws and institutions; highlights issues of coordination with the objective of suggesting efficient design of institutions and policies that draw on synergies of economic and environmental assets. Also included are reorientation of institutions that can integrate policies for sustainable growth and development.

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Chapter 6. Reform of Policies of Global Institutions

Abstract

This chapter offers an assessment of the global trade policies under the WTO framework suggests greater scope for the adoption of ecosystems approach and other relevant mechanisms to enhance trade-environment supportiveness. The roles of the multilateral development banks, generally and the World Bank in particular, have been examined and several measures are found lacking practice of their own declared policies. Examination of the scope for effective integration of environmental features, and identification of enhanced efficiency potential for global coordination of economic and environmental policies constitute other important elements of this chapter.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 7. Green Economic Policies: Corporate, Local and National Levels

Abstract

Roles of producers, consumers, and of governments at local, regional and national levels in improved environmental and socio-economic governance consistent with Green Economic Policies are explored here. Market and regulation methods come into play here, especially in relation to the design and implementation of the emissions trading scheme (ETS). The relevant theories and some of the experiences on these aspects are examined. It is argued that the ETS may not deliver results in a cost-effective manner unless several institutional aspects are fully addressed. In terms of policy actions for addressing climate change and sustainable development, it is suggest high priority be accorded to influence consumer choice in food consumption which has implications on resource use intensities and deforestation. Other policies examined here include energy sector choices and corporate case study reports, livestock sector reforms, and related institutional reforms.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 8. Green Economic Policies: Regional and Global Levels

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the priority sectors agriculture (with reference to industrial livestock sub-sector) and forestry for their roles in climate change, examines the relationship between Green Economic Policies and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), summarizes some of the regional trade and environment agreements and emerging scenarios of global trade reform. An important area of environmental governance relates to the law and application of international environmental law and its role in institutional reforms for better governance of the environment.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 9. Policy Framework

Abstract

This chapter summarizes some of the salient features of Green Economic Policies and relevant priorities in the interests of the efficient governance of the environment, without neglecting the economic and social factors.

P. K. Rao

Chapter 10. Concluding Observations

Abstract

This chapter concludes with an emphasis on knowledge, role of information for adaptive decision making, institutional reforms, and participatory roles of stakeholders. These will enable cost-effective and pragmatic policy design and implementation.

P. K. Rao

Backmatter

Titel: The Architecture of Green Economic Policies
verfasst von: P.K. Rao
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-642-05108-1
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-05107-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-05108-1