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Can mandatory disclosure help to reduce industrial pollution? Assessing stakeholder use of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in Germany.

Wotzka, Lucas LU (2022) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20221
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Industrial pollution abatement is key to accomplishing sustainability goals. Mandatory disclosure of pollution data, e.g. through the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), promises reducing pollution through public pressure from stakeholders, such as NGOs, the media, and investors. This study surveys stakeholder use of the E-PRTR in Germany, using an analysis of press coverage, expert interviews, desk research and data analysis. Results indicate that use and coverage of the E-PRTR, due to limits in design and scope, have been limited to few experts and press articles, covering specific issues, such as coal power. Potential stock-price effects are limited, too. Relying on voluntary action by companies is a less... (More)
Industrial pollution abatement is key to accomplishing sustainability goals. Mandatory disclosure of pollution data, e.g. through the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), promises reducing pollution through public pressure from stakeholders, such as NGOs, the media, and investors. This study surveys stakeholder use of the E-PRTR in Germany, using an analysis of press coverage, expert interviews, desk research and data analysis. Results indicate that use and coverage of the E-PRTR, due to limits in design and scope, have been limited to few experts and press articles, covering specific issues, such as coal power. Potential stock-price effects are limited, too. Relying on voluntary action by companies is a less promising civil society approach to industrial pollution abatement than influencing standard- setting. The E-PRTR plays a complementary tool in this. It can become more effective if suggested improvements are implemented. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wotzka, Lucas LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainability Science, Environmental regulation, industrial pollution, mandatory disclosure, E-PRTR
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2022:020
language
English
id
9086537
date added to LUP
2022-06-10 10:14:20
date last changed
2022-06-10 10:14:20
@misc{9086537,
  abstract     = {{Industrial pollution abatement is key to accomplishing sustainability goals. Mandatory disclosure of pollution data, e.g. through the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), promises reducing pollution through public pressure from stakeholders, such as NGOs, the media, and investors. This study surveys stakeholder use of the E-PRTR in Germany, using an analysis of press coverage, expert interviews, desk research and data analysis. Results indicate that use and coverage of the E-PRTR, due to limits in design and scope, have been limited to few experts and press articles, covering specific issues, such as coal power. Potential stock-price effects are limited, too. Relying on voluntary action by companies is a less promising civil society approach to industrial pollution abatement than influencing standard- setting. The E-PRTR plays a complementary tool in this. It can become more effective if suggested improvements are implemented.}},
  author       = {{Wotzka, Lucas}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Can mandatory disclosure help to reduce industrial pollution? Assessing stakeholder use of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in Germany.}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}