Question

Automobiles are, for all practical purposes, non-point-source emitters. How could environmental policy address transportation emissions with point-source policies? Explain in detail.

Answer 1

Non point source emittors are essentially wide range of polluting inputs spread over a wide area. In many economies like that of California, highest emissions arise from transportation sector. Emissions from vehicles can be reduced by educating the citizens, imposing rules and regulations.

Policy makers have two tools through which they can control the emissions, one is through giving command as to the amount of emissions that are permitted and the other is giving economic incentives to those who reduce emissions.In California, it can be seen that financial incentives are provided to individuals who switch to vehicles which emit lesser pollutants. Policies can also aim at trading pollution rights which acts as an economic incentive to reduce pollutants.

Any policy that is framed for reducing emissions from transporation sector should be made seperately based on the vehicle type like heavy or light duty vehicles. Similarly it is not enough to tax them, policies are required to incentivize or tax even the manufacturers and fuel producers. It is seen that having multiple policies makes it easier to monitor the emissions but it should be remembered that it has its own disadvantages like the difficulty that arises in evaluating the net effect of all the policies combined.