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Ten years ago, Blueprint for a Green Economy made front-page news. Its central message, that environmental problems have their roots in economic 'failures', served to change the direction of environmental policy. The goal of sustainable development was seen to be illusory unless an economic perspective was brought to bear on the issue. A decade on, two of the original authors, David Pearce and Ed Barbier, return to the original theme to see what has changed. They find that the picture has improved, with governments worldwide now talking the language of environmental economics and making steps towards an economics-based environmental policy. However, there is a long way to go and Blueprint for a Sustainable Economy maps out the agenda again, with special reference this time to developing country problems where the neglect of environmental quality is costing nations dear. The authors show that their original formulation of the meaning of sustainable development has flourished into whole theories of how to achieve sustainability and how to measure a sustainable path for modern economies. They also show that all the principles applicable to a nation, or to the world as a whole, are equally applicable to corporations. Here is a blueprint for the start of the century.
List of contents
Introduction 1.The Meaning of Sustainable Development 2.Valuing the Environment Measuring Sustainable Development - Economic Approaches 3.Measuring Sustainable Development - Ecological Approaches 4.The Causes of Environmental Degradation 5. Solving Environmental Problems 1 - Property Rights, Markets and Macroeconomy 6.Solving Environmental Problems 2 - Choosing Policy Instruments 7.Business and the Environment; Ecological Economics - a New Paradigm? Conclusions
About the author
Edward B. Barbier is the John S. Bugas Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming. He has over twenty-five years of experience as an environmental and resource economist, working mainly on the economics of environment and development issues. He is the author of many books on environmental policy.
Summary
Focuses on developing country problems where the neglect of environmental quality is costing nations dear. This book shows that the original formulation of the meaning of sustainable development has flourished into whole theories of how to achieve sustainability and how to measure a sustainable path for modern economies.
Additional text
'A worthy read.' -Business Strategy and the Environment.
'The book is an excellent 'field guide' to the main issues in developing a more sustainable future.' -John Dixon, Lead Environmental Economist, the World Bank.
'Blueprint for a Sustainable Economy demonstrates that when economics is properly applied, it offers some of the most powerful tools for achieving sustainability.' -Amory B Lovins, Co-Founder, and CEO (Research), Rocky Mountain Institute.
Report
'A worthy read.' -Business Strategy and the Environment.
'The book is an excellent 'field guide' to the main issues in developing a more sustainable future.' -John Dixon, Lead Environmental Economist, the World Bank.
'Blueprint for a Sustainable Economy demonstrates that when economics is properly applied, it offers some of the most powerful tools for achieving sustainability.' -Amory B Lovins, Co-Founder, and CEO (Research), Rocky Mountain Institute.
