The incidence of pollution control policies
By: Ian W.H. Parry ... [et al.].
Contributors: Parry, Ian W. H. 1965-; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series ;; working paper 11438; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) ;; working paper no. 11438.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Pollution -- Government policy.; Environmental protection -- Economic aspects.; Low-income consumers.
Description: "This paper reviews theoretical and empirical literature on the household distribution of the costs and benefits of pollution control policies, and ways of integrating distributional issues into environmental cost/benefit analysis.  Most studies find that policy costs fall disproportionately on poorer groups, though this is less pronounced when lifetime income is used, and policies affect prices of inputs used pervasively across the economy.  The policy instrument itself is also critical; freely allocated emission permits may hurt the poor the most, as they transfer income to shareholders via scarcity rents created by higher prices, while emissions taxes offer opportunities for progressive revenue recycling.  And although low-income households appear to bear a disproportionate share of environmental risks, policies that reduce risks are not always progressive, for example, they may alter property values in ways that benefit the wealthy.  The review concludes by noting a number of areas where future research is badly needed"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Also available in print.
Includes bibliographical references.
Title from PDF file as viewed on 7/8/2005.
System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.