Understanding the Costs of Environmental Regulation in Europe

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.

Table of 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

About the Author :
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