Understanding the Costs of Environmental Regulation in Europe

Hardback

Understanding the Costs of Environmental Regulation in Europe

9781847204929 Edward Elgar Publishing
Edited by Michael MacLeod, Researcher, Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, Paul Ekins, Professor of Energy and Environment Policy, UCL Energy Institute, University College London, UK, Robin Vanner, Visiting Fellow, Policy Studies Institute, London, England, UK and Dominic Moran, Senior Environmental Economist, Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Publication Date: 2009 ISBN: 978 1 84720 492 9 Extent: 264 pp
Government regulation is necessary to the economic life of all developed countries. However, although regulation is designed to benefit society at large, the costs of regulation, in particular the cost estimates employed in the policy-making process, are often hotly debated. Drawing on recent case studies, this innovative book examines the accuracy of regulatory cost estimates and explores in detail how these costs are calculated, the apparent relationship between ex post and ex ante calculations and why this might be.

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Government regulation is necessary to the economic life of all developed countries. However the costs of regulation, in particular the cost estimates employed in the policy-making process, are often hotly debated. Drawing on recent case studies from Europe, this innovative and thoroughly accessible book examines the accuracy of regulatory cost estimates and explores in detail how these costs are calculated, the apparent relationship between ex post and ex ante calculations and why this might be.

This is an objective contribution to a debate often characterised by polemic and unfounded claims. With a firm empirical basis, a wide range of case studies are presented to test theories of cost estimation which cover a diverse range of regulation in the areas of air quality and energy, industrial processes and products and agriculture and food.

It will be of great interest to academics and researchers of the economics of environmental regulation and public policy. Practical suggestions for improving the accuracy of regulatory cost estimates will be of interest to a variety of economists grappling with regulatory and other impact assessments. The rationale for regulation, outlined in the book, provides a knowledge of the ideas that underpin regulation that will help non-economists (for example from regulated industries and NGOs) to engage in the wider debate about environmental regulation.
Contributors
Contributors: K. Bevan, C. Des Abbayes, P. Ekins, W. Harrington, S. Hussain, D. Huybrechts, J. Jantzen, O. Kuik, M. Lago, M. MacLeod, E. Meynaerts, D. Moran, R.D. Morgenstern, R. Vanner, A. Venn, P. Vercaemst
Contents
Contents:

Preface

PART I: RATIONALE AND OVERVIEW
1. Introduction
Paul Ekins, Michael MacLeod and Dominic Moran

2. The Origins and Appraisal of Regulation
Michael MacLeod, Dominic Moran, Salman Hussain and Kev Bevan

3. Evidence on Regulatory Cost Estimates and Reasons for Ex Ante/Ex Post Variation
Michael MacLeod and Dominic Moran

PART II: CASE STUDIES
Air Quality and Energy
4. Assessment of the Air Quality Strategy for the UK: Road Transport Sector
Winston Harrington and Richard D. Morgenstern

5. Assessment of the Air Quality Strategy for the UK: Electricity Generating Sector
Winston Harrington and Richard D. Morgenstern

6. The Cost of Complying with EU Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards
Robin Vanner and Jochem Jantzen

6. The Large Combustion Plants Directive
Cécile Des Abbayes and Robin Vanner

Industrial Processes and Products
7. The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999 (UK)
Manuel Lago

8. Ex Post Estimates of Costs to Businesses in the Context of BAT and IPPC
Peter Vercaemst, Erika Meynaerts, Diane Huybrechts and Robin Vanner

9. The Cost of Reducing Ozone Depleting Substances in the EU
Robin Vanner

Food and Agriculture
10. Compliance Costs of Nitrates Reduction Policies in Denmark and the Netherlands
Onno Kuik and Robin Vanner

11. The Groundwater Regulations 1998 (UK)
Michael MacLeod

12. The Welfare of Farmed Animal (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Michael MacLeod

13. The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) (Butchers’ Shops) Amendment Regulations 2000 (UK)
Michael MacLeod

PART III: SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS
14. Assessing Innovation Dynamics Induced by Environmental Policy
Paul Ekins and Andrew Venn

15. Conclusions and Recommendations
Paul Ekins and Michael MacLeod

Index
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