Green Taxes And Incentive Policies: An International Perspective

In this study, we present an overview of the alternative instruments for pollution control. We have included a review of theoretical foundations of market-based incentive instruments and a discussion of the disadvantages of the market-based incentive approach. Most of the study, however, is devoted to discussing the use of pure fiscal (or tax) incentives to influence pollution abatement. To date, such tax incentives have been the dominant form of market-based incentive employed by governments. We analyze the intent and design of investment tax incentives and their economic and environmental impact by studying specific examples from industrialized countries, as well as reviewing the theory of tax incentive instruments.