DRIVING A GREEN ECONOMY THROUGH PUBLIC FINANCE AND FISCAL POLICY REFORM

Abstract

Amid a still fragile economic environment, and rising concerns about deteriorating environmental conditions, policy-makers are examining the potential for new sources of environmentally sustainable growth and job creation. A "green economy" has emerged as an important concept linking economic growth and environmental sustainability. This paper emphasises the potentially significant opportunities to enhance welfare from better management of scarce environmental and natural resources, including through the reduction and removal of large distortions arising from environmentally harmful subsidies. It emphasises the centrality of fiscal (and in particular tax based) measures, as part of a portfolio of policies necessary to mobilise the resources, both public and private, for such an economic transformation to be effective and equitable.