Efficiency and Substitution in Pollution Abatement: Three Case Studies.

摘要

The studies presented in the report serve to show by reference to particular cases why good economic policies are often beneficial for the environment--and conversely why good environmental policies are good for economic growth and development. Two findings of particular interest were: the huge scale of the prospective economic benefits from reforming prices and institutional arrangements in the sectors studied (electricity, transport and water supply), and the scope for pollution abatement through the adoption of low-polluting technologies and practices. Although the costs of the latter are sometimes significant, they are generally small when compared with the benefits of improving economic efficiency. The combination of efficiency and substitution is a powerful one from economic as well as environmental perspectives.