This textbook takes a holistic, interdisciplinary and analytical approach to the development, implementation and impact of environmental policies that govern our relationship with the environment. It provides comprehensive coverage and clear explanation of principles including sustainability, the precautionary principle, public participation, equity and polluters pays. It also covers how principles are applied in real life to a range of issues from persistent chemical pollution to climate change to fishing rights and watershed usage as well as full coverage of economic approaches--including cost-benefit analysis and emissions, pollution, and ecosystem services trading. Environmental Principles and Policies is easily accessible, using non-technical language throughout, and--in what sets it apart form others on environmental policy-making--it takes a critical and interdisciplinary approach. It does not set out policies in a descriptive or prescriptive way, but analyzes and evaluates policy options from a variety of perspectives. This enables readers to gain a thorough grasp of important principles and current policies, as well as demonstrating how principles can be used to critical assess environmental policies.