New book examines key environmental principles incorporated into treaties and laws

Sep 18, 2006

Biodiversity banks, emissions trading, fishing quotas, water rights. A whole new suite of environmental policy instruments are being introduced in Australia and around the world.

But can policies designed primarily to facilitate economic growth also protect the environment? Are they fair and equitable? Do they fit with the precautionary principle? Are they putting human rights at risk?

These are the questions which Professor Sharon Beder from UOW's School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication sets out to answer in her latest book, Environmental Principles and Policies, published by UNSW Press.

Environmental Principles and Policies examines six key environmental and social principles that have been incorporated into international treaties and national laws. It uses them to evaluate the new wave of economic-based and market-based policy instruments that are currently being introduced in many nations.

Professor Beder said the book differs from other texts on environmental policy-making as a result of its critical and interdisciplinary approach.

“Rather than merely setting out policies in a descriptive or prescriptive way, it analyses and evaluates policy options from a variety of perspectives. This enables students and general readers not only to gain a thorough grasp of important principles and current policies, but also to be able to apply the principles and critically evaluate them,” she said.

Professor Beder worked as a professional engineer before she began researching and teaching environmental politics. She has held a number of appointments at Australian universities over the past two decades.

She has published widely and her recent books include Suiting Themselves: How Corporations Drive the Global Agenda (2006), Power Play: The Fight to Control the World's Electricity (2003), and Global Spin: The Corporate Assault on Environmentalism (1997/2002).

For review copies and to arrange interviews with Professor Beder contact Gabriella Sterio at UNSW Press on (02) 9664 0915 or email gabriella.sterio@unsw.edu.au

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128