Suchergebnisse

This paper deals with an assessment of the economic costs of environmental policies in the Netherlands, using a dynamic Applied General Equilibrium model with bottom-up information on abatement techniques. Empirical abatement cost curves are used to determine substitution possibilities between pollution and abatement and the characteristics of abatement goods. The results show that an absolute decoupling of economy and environment is possible. Smog formation is the most costly environmental theme, due to the absence of technical abatement options. For all environmental themes, the least-cost way to reduce emissions is via a combination of technical abatement measures and substantial economic restructuring.

With the gradual accession of some Central Eastern European Countries (CEECs) to the EU, international trade between EU and CEECs and the related environmental problems will definitely change because of the free trade and the mobility of production factors (labour and capital) within the EU. This paper investigates the consequences of the enlargement of the EU on trade and environment by general equilibrium modelling. A general equilibrium model with the sequential joint maximisation method is developed to examine the impacts under different environmental regimes. For illustrative purposes, the model is applied in a numerical example with two regions (EU and CEECs) and two goods (pollution intensive good A and clean good B). The model is also run for some important environmental policies. The result show that the 'coordinated policy in EU and CEECs' could be efficient to restrict the total emission level for uniformly mixing pollutants.

A growing population and growing per capita consumption threaten the environment and the natural resource base. Where natural resources are at risk, the livelihoods of many are at risk as well. In May 2006 the Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group of Wageningen University organized a conference on 'Poverty, Environment and Natural Resource Use' with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the links between poverty and the natural resource base. The state of the environment affects people's living conditions – and poverty affects environmental quality. Environmental policies cannot be designed and natural resources cannot be managed without appropriate consideration of local people's reactions to those policies and management decisions.