The Market and the Environment

Do taxes improve the environment at a reasonable cost? This book focuses on the environmental effects and effectiveness of market-based policy instruments, especially taxes, at improving the environment.In order to calculate their efficiency, the authors compare taxes levied in different ways and at different stages in the product life-cycle with other market-based instruments such as charges, subsidies, tradeable emission permits and deposit-refund systems. They also compare the effectiveness of environmental taxes with other regulatory instruments and schemes including liability and insurance schemes and green labelling. Several chapters focus on the transaction and information costs associated with the implementation of market based policy instruments. The contributors use case study examples to support their findings on the most effective method to improve the environment.