Chapter 31. Chapter 31: Environmental Policy
What policy tools can be used to implement and enforce environmental policy?
Guiding Question 31.3
What policy tools can be used to implement and enforce environmental policy?
Why You Should Care
Every government has a multi-headed approach to environmental regulation. This approach must uphold the laws that are already on the books, but each administration has different interpretations of the best way to deal with the environmental issues of their time. The view of the best policy tools reflects both the philosophy of the environmental agencies involved and successes of different policy tools in the past.
In general, policy tools break into “carrot” and “stick” categories. Carrots are rewards for voluntarily changing to “greener” policies: These are typically incentives or subsidies to transition to or adopt a more expensive or less familiar policy. Sticks are penalties for failing to meet minimal standards: Since these are set from above, they are called “command and control” policies because they are designed for everyone, regardless of size or environmental impact.
In general, most laws are enforced by regulations that blend command and control with incentives. For instance, the Clean Air Act sets maximum pollutant release standards with penalties if those standards are exceeded. At the same time, there are grants, subsidies, and tax refunds for adopting renewable energy (such as photovoltaic solar panels) to replace fossil fuels that create the pollutants.
Test Your Vocabulary
Choose the correct term for each of the following definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A 1992 international treaty that formally recognized climate change as an emerging problem and that precautions should be taken to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with Earth’s climate system. | |
| Specific guidelines for methods to regulate pollution and maximum allowable releases. | |
| A fee paid to the government assessed on environmentally undesirable activities. | |
| Financial assistance given by the government or other party in support of actions that are expected to benefit the public good. | |
| Methods that can be used to enforce or implement regulations or achieve desired outcomes. |
1.
If a government seeks to offset CO2 release by providing grants or tax breaks to switch to renewable energy sources, then this is an example of:
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
| D. |
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