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Presents a survey of water, water pollution and control in China. Water shortage and water pollution are two of the most important environmental problems and factors affecting the development of industry, agriculture and the economy. China has made great efforts to improve environmental quality and has issued a series of important policies and regulations since the 1970s. Water saving and waste water reuse are the most significant measures implemented for solving the water shortage and controlling water pollution. All these policies and measures are playing an important role in alleviating and controlling the extent of water pollution.

In the USA and Europe, agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution continues to be among the chief impediments to achieving water quality standards. While the implementation of technology-based water pollution control tools has resulted in evident point source pollution abatement, NPSs continue to threaten surface water and groundwater. The purpose of this paper is to draw from environmental policy literature to identify regulatory tools and management approaches that specifically target agricultural NPS pollution and the factors that drive or impede their implementation and enforcement. This paper utilizes the policy tool framework to help characterize the widespread policy problem, distinguishing its unique set of hurdles from other environmental problems.

Discussion of agricultural NPS pollution management approaches is based on a thorough review of relevant environmental policy and environmental economic literature as well as case studies from the USA and Europe. Analysis is based on the policy tool framework.

This study finds that controlling numerous diffuse sources of agricultural pollution requires an integrated approach that utilizes river basin management and a mix of policy instruments. Additionally, findings suggest that transitioning from voluntary mechanisms to more effective instruments based on measurable water quality performance relies predominantly on three factors: first, more robust quality monitoring data and models; second, local participation; and third, political will.

This research provides important information for regional and national policymakers in areas where there is increasing pollution and regulatory mandates. Identifying conditions of effective water quality policy is applicable and will be of direct use to agencies charged with pollution control.

Environmental pollution and corresponding adverse health impacts have now become a significant concern for the entire planet. In this regard, analysts and experts are continually formulating policies to reduce environmental pollution and improve natural ecological conditions. To aid in coping with the ecological predicament, a framework has been developed in the present study to inspect the adverse environmental impacts and related health issues of coal mining.

The parameters for this study have been identified through a review of the literature and finalized 23 critical parameters of air, water, land and soil, and noise related to coal mining by consultation with experts from industry and academia. Finally, the parameters have been categorized in accordance with the level of threat they pose to the environment by assigning weight using the Bradley–Terry model considering attitudinal data acquired by a questionnaire survey.

It is found that coal mining has a relatively higher impact on four attributes of “air pollution” (suspended particulate matter [SPM], respiratory particulate matter [RPM], sulfur dioxide [SO₂] and oxides of nitrogen [NO_x]), followed by “land and soil pollution” (deforestation and surface structure diversion), “noise pollution” (vehicle movement) and “water pollution” (water hardness, total solids (TSS/TDS) and iron content). It is also found that raising the air concentration of SPM and RPM results in increased respiratory and cardiopulmonary mortality. Therefore, reducing dust concentrations into the air generated during coal mining is recommended to reduce air pollution caused by coal mining, which will reduce contamination of water and land and soil.

The model built in this study is a hypothesized model that relied on the experts' opinions considering the parameters of coal production only. However, the parameters related to the usage of coal and its consequences have been excluded. Further, only industrial and academic experts were considered for this study; however, they excluded local people, coal mining personnel, policy authorities, etc. Therefore, the study findings might differ in real circumstances. The research can further be reproduced by considering the parameters related to the use of coal and its consequences, considering the opinions of the local people, coal mining personnel and policy authorities.

Categorizing the parameters according to the threat they pose to the environment due to coal mining can help the decision-maker develop an effective policy to reduce environmental pollution due to coal mining by considering the parameters on a priority basis. In addition, the results further help the decision-makers to assess the environmental impact of coal mining and take necessary action.

The study has developed a framework using the Bradley–Terry model to categorize the environmental parameters of coal mining to develop effective environmental policies, which are original and unique in nature.

This paper uses the input‐output methodology in order to study the water pollution associated with an economic system, through an examination of the productive relationships which link the different sectors and their involvement in the water pollution that is generated. The indicators associated with the demand models are obtained on the basis of the construction of primary pollution and return matrices. In a second stage, an analysis is made of the trade‐offs between economic and environmental variables, as a way of linking the variables to be taken into account for the purposes of environmental planning. The empirical application is made for the regions of the Ebro Valley (Spain). The results show the importance of considering the responsibility of the agriculture, livestock and food sectors for the coherent treatment of the water pollution problem.

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize and classify sources, manifestations and implications of environmental degradation.

First, the typological analysis is used to conceptualize environmental degradation and its components. Then, the concepts are disaggregated into some dimensions organized in row-and-column variables and a cross-tabulated matrix is constructed. Finally, different types of environmental degradation are identified, labeled and discussed.

The study distinguishes between two types of degradation as pollution and deterioration and accordingly identifies ten types (five pairs) of environmental degradation. Furthermore, the paper presents a conceptual framework and offers insights into the dynamic interchange between the causes and effects of environmental degradation.

The originality/value of this study resides in reducing the ambiguities associated with the concept of environmental degradation and offering a multidimensional framework that can be used in empirical research to organize propositions, test hypotheses, analyze data and construct indexes.

The general objectives of environmental protection by the year 2000 are: o basic control of environmental pollution o enhancement of environmental quality of major cities o co‐ordination of environmental, economic and social development. Proposals are listed and suggestions for the main measures to be undertaken are given for the advances that should be made by 2000 with respect to: (1) cities and economic areas; (2) industrial pollution; (3) pollution and construction of rural environment; (4) use and conservation of natural resources; (5) conservation of the water supply; (6) protection of the marine environment; (7) scientific and technological progress and environmental education; and (8) environmental management.

The purpose of this article is to examine, purely from the law enforcement viewpoint, the present United Kingdom consent system for controlling direct discharges of effluent into rivers vis‐a‐vis an effluent pricing system. The article outlines the system of law enforcement in existence prior to 1974 and the difficulties of estimating an effluent tax to bring about the same level of discharge as under present consents. Empirical data are produced which, although great care needs to be taken in their interpretation, indicate that if firms are cost minimisers a barely positive tax level would have the same effect on restricting discharges at plant level as the present system if litigation were the only enforcement mechanism. However, the prevalence of “arm twisting” makes judgements on the efficiency of the conciliatory methods of environmental law enforcement very difficult. Finally, in view of the proposals for the setting up of a unified pollution inspectorate, a comparison is made between methods of enforcing breaches of air and water pollution laws, with illegal discharges of oil.

Water is a basic human need, a finite life support system and a key to prosperity. Unplanned industrialisation, urbanisation and impact of liberalised import of wastes intended for recycling have negatively affected the water environments in India. This is further exaggerated by lack of discipline and a weak obligation towards conservation and pollution prevention. Measures have to be especially taken to resolve the groundwater problems. While groundwater resources are quite well assessed, overexploitation still occurs frequently. There has been a considerable lack in implementing existing policies as well as developing new laws and policies. To mitigate the problems, co‐operation needs to be mobilised at all levels of the federal set up with the stakeholders and the people at the lowest appropriate level concerning planning and decision making. Water must be considered as a national asset and a basic human right to be provided to citizens in proper quantity and safe quality with equity and fairness amongst the users.

Sewage, particularly the domestic variety, is the major polluter of the aquatic ecosystem in developing Asian countries. Besides eutrophication, it causes a number of waterborne diseases. The growing urbanization in relation to deteriorating water quality; existing practices of sewage management through treatment; reuse and recycling; as well as the legal support to curb pollution are discussed in regard to China, India, Korean Republic and Jordan. Some meaningful suggestions are made for improved sewage management and pollution control.

Describes how pollution control spending around the world is set to increase from $70 billion (1979) to $115 billion in 1990 in real terms. Expands on the theory that cleaning up ‐ or preventing mistakes ‐ in the environment makes for financial and healthwise good sense. Posits that cleaner air leads to fewer respiratory problems and cleaner water in most areas of manufacturing results in lower fuel use. Focuses on trade, end use competitive modes and marketing patterns regarding water pollution control equipment (WPCE). States that WPCE shipments world wide are projected to rise from $3.3 billion in 1979 to $5.4 billion in 1990, and that this is a dynamic market worthy of investigation. Reports on the methodology, international trade, types of equipment structure and competition and expresses these with the aid of explicit tables. Finishes by estimating size of national, regional and global markets but acknowledges that there are gaps. Concludes that competition is keen but strong market opportunities remain for procedures around the globe in upcoming years.