Environmental good

Environmental goods are a sub-category of public goods. Environmental goods are typically non-market goods. They provide many benefits to humans and other organisms. They provide a benefit now and will continue too for generations if not negatively affected. In trade documents released by the United States of America this phrase primarily refers to goods that are used for preserving the environment, E.g. solar panels, wind turbines etc. Environmental goods include: clean air, clean water, Landscape, green transport infrastructure (footpaths, cycleways, greenways, etc.), public parks, urban parks, rivers, mountains, forests, beaches

Example of an environmental good

Trading among nations globally of environmental goods is almost at one trillion dollars a year. The United States government has looked to lower tariffs on environmental goods in hopes of increasing this number. The United States exports of environmental goods currently grows at a rate of roughly 8 percent a year.

Protecting environmental goods can be a challenge. Some people free-ride and environmental goods but refuse to pay. This creates a problem as it is then harder to protect them. Pollution is also a major problem, it can damage environmental goods indefinitely, until the time and money is put forth to clean those goods.

Benefits: Environmental goods are there for the enjoyments of humans and well-being of other organisms.

Costs (if lost): Many organisms may lose their natural habitat which could result in loss of species and less biodiversity. Humans would also lose some of the natural environment that they have enjoyed to use in the past.

Workers work to improve the water quality of the Connecticut River for all to enjoy

Environmental Goods Agreement

This is an agreement that is in the process of being put into place by the World Trade Organization. Seventeen members of this organization have been conducting meetings in hopes of cutting tariffs on many Environmental Goods. This would allow for easier transfer of technologies which are cleaner for the environment and more cost competitive. The products that the talks have focused on include, air pollution control, waste management, cleaner and renewable energy, and air pollution control. The agreement leads to a win-win-win scenario. First, getting technologies at cheaper costs, higher quality environmental goods, and helping developing countries expedite the process of getting cleaner technologies. The goal of the United States President, Barack Obama, is for global free trade of environmental goods. This agreement would be a step in the right direction. This agreement is a way to lower costs of environmental protection. Increased production of "green" technologies and other environmentally friendly activities is a major benefit. It will give poorer and developing countries more access to clean technology while providing jobs to people all around the world.

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See also

• Landscape planning
• Natural environment
• Natural capital
• Natural resource
• Public goods
• Sustainable landscape architecture
• Town planning

References

1. http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2014/March/Presidents-2014-Trade-Policy-Agenda-Commitment-to-Bolstering%20Middle-Class-Values
2. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c26786c4-4e28-48b7-a079-8cd3f848d27e%40sessionmgr4003&vid=2&hid=4213
3. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=0e4d17e6-6848-4f8d-8b1f-e3b5be0fd0b7%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4213
4. https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/other-initiatives/environmental-goods-agreement
5. https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/envir_e/envir_neg_serv_e.htm
6. http://www.ictsd.org/bridges-news/biores/news/environmental-goods-agreement-trade-talks-look-to-hone-product-list