Routledge - The Ethics and Politics of Environmental CBA

Putting a price tag on the environment is a controversial topic in modern economics. This book from the Routledge Explorations in Environmental Economics series explores the complex ethical and political aspects of environmental cost-benefit analysis. Instead of treating cost-benefit analysis as a simple tool for ranking projects by social welfare, this text approaches the subject from a unique perspective. It examines why controversies are expected when valuing natural resources and why these disagreements must be taken seriously by policymakers and economists. The book focuses on how these tensions can be handled in practice to support a democratic decision-making process. It serves as a guide for understanding how project analysis can facilitate better participation and transparency in environmental discussions. This is an essential resource for those studying the intersection of economic methods, political reality, and environmental ethics.