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"Getting the prices right" through internalizing external costs is a guiding principle of environmental policy making, one recent example being the EU Clean Air Policy Package released at the end of 2013. It is supported by impact assessments, including monetary valuation of environmental and health damages. For over 20 years, related methodologies have been developed in Europe in the Externalities of Energy (ExternE) project series and follow-up activities. In this study, we aim at analyzing the main methodological developments over time from the 1990s until today with a focus on classical air pollution-induced human health damage costs. An up-to-date assessment including the latest European recommendations is also applied. Using a case from the energy sector, we identify major influencing parameters: differences in exposure modeling and related data lead to variations in damage costs of up to 21%; concerning risk assessment and monetary valuation, differences in assessing long-term exposure mortality risks together with assumptions on particle toxicity explain most of the observed changes in damage costs. These still debated influencing parameters deserve particular attention when damage costs are used to support environmental policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the environmental health of Europe, as studied by the European Environment Agency. Environmental quality trends; Progress in meeting environmental targets; Effort of building a seamless monitoring and reporting system; Securing of the compliance of states by imposing penalties. INSETS: Dim prospects for climate change control efforts.;Uncertainties about GMOs.;Water quality problems continue..

Discusses changes in Eastern Europe's energy and environmental policies. Efficient power generation for reductions in loadings and pollution; Sulfur dioxide emissions in Eastern Europe; Estimates of clean up costs; Net heat values of fuels; Nuclear power problems; Causes of inefficient power production.

Reports on the European Union's release of a white paper outlining how the polluter pays principle might be applied. Potential effects of the white paper on interest groups; Environmental disasters which spurred the development of the scheme; Coverage of traditional and environmental damages under the plan.

Discusses the seeming confusion in worldwide environmental policy. Problems caused by population and consumption growth; Effect of political changes; Europe's and Japan's embracing of the concept of sustainable development; Seeming confusion in U.S. environmental policy; Role of the periodical 'Environmental Science and Technology' in addressing the question 'Where do we go from here?' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the progress of central and eastern European countries seeking to join the European Union (EU) in bringing their environmental laws in alignment with EU standards.

Reports on developments in environmental management and policies around the world as of April 1, 1999. Includes the expenditures of the World Bank on climate-changing fossil fuel projects; Program expenditures of the United States that harm the environment; Risk of breathing polluted air to urban children; Year 1999 as the last chance for Europe to pass significant ecological tax reform measures.