Global materials use is expected to grow in the coming decades absence of new policies, bearing substantial negative impacts for environment. This report analyses mechanisms through which resource efficiency and circular economy policies can achieve a decoupling between economic growth material use. Using OECD’s ENV-Linkages model, examines environmental global fiscal reform, implements taxes o...

Low-income households spend a substantial share of their income on utility services such as electricity, heating and water. The difficulty these socially vulnerable consumers have in affording further tariff increases is often used as an argument against tariff reform. However, detailed information on the utility expenditures of different consumer groups and the affordability implications of ta...

This article assesses the financial contribution made by primary sector in terms of taxes paid. It also reports on some subsidies, concessions and other forms assistance that receives from government. We provide illustrative examples indirect subsidies to intensive farming. farmers being paid de-stock their land. In highlighting significant direct agriculture sector, concluding national local g...

Purpose The main objectives of collective forest tenure reform in China are to stimulate rural households invest forestry management, protect the ecosystem and improve their livelihood. By constructing unbalanced panel data household investment, this study discusses dynamic changes influencing factors which will lay a foundation for further research provide reference decision-making. Design/met...

During the planned economy, free medical services were provided to everyone in China. Public health facilities heavily relied on government subsidies and the government set a price which was far below real costs. Medicines mark-up by public health facilities was first allowed in 1954, when the Chinese economy experienced the most difficult times [1]. Such a policy gradually evolved into a perve...

Young adults are one of the largest uninsured segments of the population. This analysis of new survey data from The Commonwealth Fund finds almost half are without insurance at some time during the year. As they hit milestones like high school or college graduation, they face loss of coverage as they are dropped from parents' plans or public insurance programs. In the current economic climate, ...

Because of the complex aetiology of modern obesity patterns, isolated therapeutic or public health measures will not solve the obesity problem. Consumers must be made aware of the ways in which the food industry influences their food purchases. Government needs to prioritise health ahead of industrial productivity and increased consumption. An obesity intervention wish list is presented as a su...

The welfare reform goal of moving mothers who rely on welfare into private-sector employment cannot be achieved only by changes in public policy. Employment rates reflect the job qualifications of individuals, obstacles to work outside the home, the attractiveness of available jobs, and the capacity of the labor market to absorb new workers at particular skill levels. This article examines how ...

This policy brief examines Medicaid's assurance of medical transportation in the context of medically necessary but non-emergency health care. Reviewing the origins and evolution of the assurance and presenting the results of a 2009 survey of state Medicaid programs, the results of this analysis underscore Medicaid's unique capacity to not only finance medically necessary health care but also t...

• Observe that land sales markets between large landlords and small peasants are thin/segmented because: 1. Land is overpriced for small buyers relative to value in use (borrowing capacity): the price of land internalizes tax advantages, expected speculative gains, wealth sheltering, social status effects, and collateral value. 2. Smallholders do not have access to long term credit. 3. Even if ...