Implementation of the polices recommended for sustainable development

By on July 30, 2012

Sustainable development is defined as the process of utilizing the natural resources for meeting the needs of the present without depleting them thereby saving them to be used by the future generations too. Economy and environment are the two eyes of any nation. It is not only enough to satisfy the environmental goals of any country but also ensure that those goals do not conflict with its economic goals.

Robert N.Stavis in his research on Innovative Policies for Sustainable Development has suggested 16 policy initiatives to address 13 environmental issues to be adopted by the United States Government (Stavins, 1990).The economic policies come under one of the five major categories such as pollution charges, deposit refund systems, marketable permits, government subsidy elimination and market barrier reductions.

Initially these policies would have been seen as a great thing but have now become a practice and our part of life. For example deposit refund system is almost implemented everywhere in USA.A customer on returning the container or can after drinking the beverage is given back some amount. This is encouraged in order to manage solid waste efficiently. Similarly a pollution charge is a fee collected based on the quantity of pollutants that are levied in the environment. For example cities like California and Maine collect Air emission permit fees whereas cities like Louisiana and Wisconsin collect effluent permit fee from its residents (USE, 2001).

Apart from this the US Government has announced various schemes for eliminating subsidies and reducing barriers between nations in terms of business. Marketable permits are also being given to outsiders in order to prevent pollution and preserve the natural resources.

To conclude it is well understood that the awareness towards protecting the environment has highly increased among the people of US and the government has also taken steps to ensure that the nation’s economic and environmental goals go hand in hand.

REFERENCES

  • Robert N.Stavens (1990), Innovative policies for Sustainable Development: the Role of Economic Incentives for Environmental Protection, SAGE, USA
  • USE (2001), Pollution Charges Fees and Taxes, The U.S Experience with Economic Incentives for Protecting the Environment, Pearson Education, USA

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