| dc.description | Pollution is one of the major challenges of our time, affecting human health, damaging the environment and leading to significant socio-economic costs. Preventing and addressing pollution and associated health impacts is central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is reflected in several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 3.9 which strives to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals, air, water and soil pollution and SDG 12.4 which seeks to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes. A comprehensive mix of policies and measures are needed to address and reduce pollution. Fiscal policies are among the most cost-effective approaches to reduce pollution and can help accelerate efforts towards a pollution-free planet. Taxes, charges and targeted subsidies can create incentives to discourage polluting activities/products and encourage the uptake of less polluting alternatives. Removing price distortions, such as environmentally harmful subsidies, can trigger a shift in behaviour that reduces pollution and improves health outcomes (UNEP 2018). At the same time, such fiscal instruments generate public revenues which can be used for different purposes from supporting investments in infrastructure, health and education, to compensating affected groups, among other options. Fiscal policies can be designed to target different types of pollution (i.e. air, chemicals, waste, water), from various sources (e.g. industry, transport, agriculture) at different levels (local, national, regional and global). | en_US |
