The use of cost–benefit analysis in environmental policies: Some issues raised by the Water Framework Directive implementation in France

Sarah Feuillette (1) , Harold Levrel (2) , Blandine Boeuf (3) , Stéphanie Blanquart (4) , Olivier Gorin (5) , Guillaume Monaco (6) , Bruno Penisson (7) , Stéphane Robichon (8)

1 Agence de l'Eau Seine-Normandie
2 CIRED - centre international de recherche sur l'environnement et le développement
3 University of Leeds
4 Agence de l'Eau Loire-Bretagne
5 Agence de l'eau Rhône Méditérranée Corse
6 Agence de l'Eau Rhin-Meuse
7 Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie
8 Agence de l'Eau Adour-Garonne

This paper aims to practically contribute to the literature on the use of cost–benefit analysis (CBA) and economic evaluation in environmental decision-making through a practical case study: the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in France, for the first cycle (2010–2015). The WFD requires that Member States achieve “good status” for all water bodies in 2015. However, exemptions can apply, if justified, on natural, technical or economic reasons. For the latter, EU guidance documents recommend to use CBA. In France, the water agencies carried out 710 CBAs on proposed restoration projects for water bodies. This article reports on this experience. Issues concerning these analyses are discussed, especially the assessment of non-market benefits. Finally, this article questions the use of economic analysis in the implementation of environmental policy.

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société; Etudes de l'environnement

Sarah Feuillette, Harold Levrel, Blandine Boeuf, Stéphanie Blanquart, Olivier Gorin, et al.. The use of cost–benefit analysis in environmental policies: Some issues raised by the Water Framework Directive implementation in France. Environmental Science & Policy, 2016, 57, pp.79 - 85. ⟨10.1016/j.envsci.2015.12.002⟩. ⟨hal-01692342⟩