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Targeting Enforcement to Improve Compliance with Environmental Regulations

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  • Friesen, Lana

Abstract

By targeting enforcement efforts on specific segments of the regulated community, greater compliance with environmental regulations can be achieved. In this paper, the inspection minimizing targeting scheme with two groups is derived. Firms are moved at random into the target group, while escape from the target group occurs only when an inspection reveals the firm is in compliance. The optimal targeting scheme reduces inspection costs compared with the strategy suggested by Harrington (1988), where firms are moved into the target group on the basis of compliance record. However, the range of parameter values for which the optimal solution is feasible is limited.

Suggested Citation

  • Friesen, Lana, 2001. "Targeting Enforcement to Improve Compliance with Environmental Regulations," 2001 Conference (45th), January 23-25, 2001, Adelaide, Australia 125634, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aare01:125634
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.125634
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harford, Jon D., 1991. "Measurement error and state-dependent pollution control enforcement," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 67-81, July.
    2. Garvie, Devon & Keeler, Andrew, 1994. "Incomplete enforcement with endogenous regulatory choice," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 141-162, September.
    3. Mitchell Polinsky, A. & Rubinfeld, Daniel L., 1991. "A model of optimal fines for repeat offenders," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 291-306, December.
    4. Harford, Jon D. & Harrington, Winston, 1991. "A reconsideration of enforcement leverage when penalties are restricted," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 391-395, August.
    5. Livernois, John & McKenna, C. J., 1999. "Truth or consequences: Enforcing pollution standards with self-reporting," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 415-440, March.
    6. Raymond, Mark, 1999. "Enforcement leverage when penalties are restricted: a reconsideration under asymmetric information," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(2), pages 289-295, August.
    7. Harrington, Winston, 1988. "Enforcement leverage when penalties are restricted," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 29-53, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental Economics and Policy;

    JEL classification:

    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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