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Guide to the environmental tools used by the Alberta government to promote a healthier environment in the province.
Environmental tools are mechanisms to meet environmental objectives and outcomes. Environmental tools provide the means to an end. They are designed to encourage environmentally desirable behaviour.
This tools guide is designed to introduce and help in the choice of the most appropriate tool (s) to achieve specific environmental outcome(s) in Alberta.
This guide offers five kinds of environmental tools:
In the real world, we use the best tool to meet the multiple goals of a given situation. Each tool has its strengths and limitations. An ideal tool would
Alberta Environment and Parks' (AEP) role is to
Where required, the department will also enforce environmental law in the province, including sanctions, monetary fees and charges.
Need more information on the five environmental tools? See:
This Environmental Tools Guide has been developed as a resource for policy makers to encourage a greater understanding of the range of tools available to both government and our stakeholders. It also outlines a conceptual framework to support audiences in choosing the most appropriate tools to achieve specific environmental outcomes.
The range of environmental tools highlights the spectrum of tools available to meet desired environmental outcomes, specifically these include:
Traditionally, governments have relied on regulatory approaches, to achieve environmental protection and natural resource conservation. Increasingly, governments are employing innovative tools to meet policy goals. A comparison of traditional and innovative tools highlights these different dimensions in more detail.
Questions about this guide? Email Stephen Dobson
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