Michael Getzner

Environmental cost-benefit analysis was developed by economists in the belief that monetary valuation of the environmental repercussions of economic activity is essential if the "environment " stands any chance of being included in government and business decisions. This volume examines the limitations of this monetary approach, and considers the alternatives. Three broad angles from which to view environmental values are presented: applying social psychology concepts which challenge standard approaches; introducing multidimensional and non-monetary techniques; and examining vested interest group and citizen participation in processes of environmental valuation. Combinations of these approaches are also covered. The contributions presented are a valuable resource for both environmental and ecological economists. This authoritative book will also prove useful for those with a general interest in the environment, including policy-makers and non-governmental organizations.

Methods for raising awareness of how human’s value the environment range from monetary valuation through to greater public participation in decisions. In this book a group of international experts explore innovative alternatives which are critically evaluated and compared. Lessons are drawn from both the successes and failures of different approaches. Case studies address a wide variety of cutting edge environmental problems from agro-forestry and wetlands to climate change, biodiversity and genetically modified organisms.

Austria's anti-nuclear policies are rooted in the successful anti-nuclear referendum on the Swentendorf nuclear power plant (Lower Austria) in 1978 and the great impact of the Chernobyl catastrophe on Austria in 1986. Since about 1990, official Austria has pursued anti-nuclear policies not only at home but also abroad. In particular, reactors in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) are the focal points of Austria's foreign anti-nuclear policies. Strategies include increasing nuclear safety, promoting energy efficiency and sustainable energy sources (such as renewable resources), and extending international legal frameworks to account for nuclear safety. Involvement in domestic energy issues in other countries is not an easy task, and while Austrian policy makers have had some success in increasing awareness of nuclear safety in Europe, they have also made a number of strategic mistakes. Notwithstanding real and substantiated concerns regarding nuclear safety, Austrian policies have lost credibility during recent years. This book explores the history and the development of Austrian anti-nuclear policies, and discusses the political economy of such policies. Particular emphasis is laid on the 2002 referendum against the Temelin reactor in the neighboring Czech Republic.

Dieses Buch zeigt anhand von vier oesterreichischen Modellregionen, dass die Einrichtung von Natura 2000-Gebieten mit starken Naturschutzzielen zu positiven regionalwirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen fuhrt. Die betroffenen Regionen koennen von der Einrichtung eines Natura 2000-Gebietes wirtschaftlich profitieren. Die regionalwirtschaftlichen Chancen ergeben sich insbesondere in den Bereichen des Tourismus sowie - in geringerem Ausmass - in der Landwirtschaft. Die Schutzgebietseinrichtung kann als "Initialzundung" und als Unterstutzung der regionalwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung angesehen werden.