Co-ordinated environmental regulation: controlling non-point nitrate pollution while maintaining river flows

Aftab, A., Hanley, N. and Kampas, A. (2007) Co-ordinated environmental regulation: controlling non-point nitrate pollution while maintaining river flows. Environmental and Resource Economics, 38(4), pp. 573-593. (doi: 10.1007/s10640-007-9090-y)

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Abstract

Environmental policy often addresses multiple targets, yet much economic analysis of pollution control is based on a single-target objective. In this paper, we present an analysis of policies to control non-point source nitrate pollution in the presence of minimum river flow restrictions. A non-linear bio-physical economic optimisation model of an intensively cultivated Scottish agricultural catchment was constructed. The presence of minimum river flow controls in the catchment was found to reduce nitrogen pollution. However, by themselves, river flow controls were found not to be a cost effective means to reduce non-point pollution. We quantify the improved social welfare from coordinating the environmental regulation of river flows and pollution, and determine the conditions under which such coordination is beneficial. The paper also investigates whether the benefits of such coordination can be sustained under wetter (winter) weather conditions implied by current climate change predictions.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, and by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (UK)
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hanley, Professor Nicholas
Authors: Aftab, A., Hanley, N., and Kampas, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Environmental and Resource Economics
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0924-6460
ISSN (Online):1573-1502
Published Online:27 March 2007

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