The long-term implications of natural resources management decisions lead to the issue of intergenerational equity, asking whether future generations may be disadvantaged by the introduction of a management system. Equity implications with respect to industry and consumer groups are important for the political acceptability of an incentive instrument. Political and community acceptability ask whether the policy is consistent with the previous commitments and philosophies of the parties in power and not likely to contribute to the loss of a subsequent election, and whether the industries involved and community in general are willing to support the policy. This criterion addresses the cultural, historic and social understanding of a society. Political acceptability is often linked to the compatibility of a new instrument with existing institutions and the acceptance by all members of parliament.
Acceptability is a necessary condition for the durability of a policy.
Unfortunately, a single instrument may not be able to satisfy all these criteria simultaneously. Appropriate combinations of instruments can, however, achieve improvements in economic efficiency and equity, and may minimise environmental risks. Just as there are criteria for instrument evaluation, there are a few additional principles that need to be considered in policy design. The following list is not exhaustive but includes the most essential paradigms. User pays and polluter pays .