ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
more fundamental rethinking of manufacturing processes so that large-scale
production systems such as ‘smoke-stack’ industries, that can never be made
ecologically sound, are gradually phased out. On the demand side, there are
growing markets in green technologies such as pollution abatement equip-
ment and alternative forms of energy. The rise of ‘green consumerism’ has
stimulated demand for goods that minimise environmental damage both in
thewaytheyare made (by using recycled materials or minimising packag-
ing) and in their impact when used (by containing less harmful chemicals,
as in phosphate-free washing powders).
Several kinds of social and institutional transformations flow from these
core ideas (Jansen et al. 1998 ; Mol and Spaargaren 2000 ). First, science
and technology, although contributing to many environmental problems,
are also regarded as central to their resolution. Ecological modernisation
rejects standard technocentric end-of-pipe solutions in favour of a holistic
‘pollution in the round’ approach that recognises the complex and inter-
dependent nature of environmental problems, which often renders them
capable of solution only at source (Weale 1992 ). Through concepts such as
integrated product policies, environmental considerations should be built
into the design, production, use and final disposal of all products and tech-
nologies. Secondly, the market will play a central role in the transmission
of ecological ideas and practices, with producers, financial institutions and
consumers all playing their parts. A key requirement is that the external
costs of environmental damage must be made calculable by their internal-
isation into the price of a product or service (Hajer 1995 : 26). This mes-
sage is directed especially at businesses and governments. Businesses can
take account of environmental factors through techniques such as environ-
mental management systems, but they may need some encouragement to
drop their focus on short-term profits. The government can provide such an
incentive by applying the polluter pays principle, notably through the use
of market-based instruments such as eco-taxes and tradeable permits, which
penalise environmentally damaging activities (see Chapter 12 ). Thirdly, the
role of government therefore changes under ecological modernisation from
thetraditional centralised, regulatory nation state towards a more flexible,
decentralised state that employs a range of instruments to ‘steer’ produc-
tion and consumption in more efficient, environmentally benign directions.
The emphasis will be on partnership and co-operation between government,
industry, scientists and those moderate environmental groups that are will-
ing to be co-opted into the system.◗ Ecological modernisation as a positive-sum game?
Ecological modernisation clearly has much to offer. A country that seizes
thecommercial opportunities it offers – lower costs, niche markets, new
advanced products – will prosper in terms of jobs, wealth and a bet-
ter environment: truly a positive-sum game (Hajer 1995 : 26). Ecological