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.