European Environmental Priorities: An Integrated Economic and Environmental Assessment

Hettelingh, J.-P., Pearce, D., Kapros, P., Cofala, J., & Amann, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1963-0972 (2001). European Environmental Priorities: An Integrated Economic and Environmental Assessment. RIVM Main Report 481505010, prepared by RIVM, EFTEC, NTUA, and IIASA in association with TME and TNO, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands (March 2001) , IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria.

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Abstract

The economic assessment of priorities for a European environmental policy plan focuses on twelve identified prominent European environmental issues such as climate change, chemical risks and biodiversity. The study, commissioned by the European Commission (DG Environment) to a European consortium led by the RIVM, provides a basis for priority setting for European environmental policy planning in support of the sixth Environmental Action Programme. This programme follows up the current fifth Environmental Action Programme called "Towards Sustainability". The analysis is based on an examination of the cost of avoided damage, environmental expenditures, risk assessment, public opinion, social incidence and sustainability. The study incorporates information on targets, scenario results, and policy options and measures, including costs and benefits.

The following main conclusions emerged from the results. According to current trends, the European Union will be successful in reducing pressures on the environment if all existing policies are fully implemented and enforced. However, damage to human health and ecosystems can be substantially reduced with accelerated policies. The implementation costs of these additional policies will not exceed the environmental benefits and the impact on the economy will be manageable. This means that future policies will have to focus on least-cost solutions and follow an integrated approach. Nevertheless, these policies will not be adequate for achieving all policy objectives. The major problems remaining are the excess load of nitrogen in the ecosystem, exceedance of air quality guidelines (especially for particulate matter), noise nuisance and biodiversity loss.

Item Type:	Other
Research Programs:	Transboundary Air Pollution (TAP)
Bibliographic Reference:	RIVM Main Report 481505010, prepared by RIVM, EFTEC, NTUA, and IIASA in association with TME and TNO, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands (March 2001)
Depositing User:	IIASA Import
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2016 02:13
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:17
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/6416

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