What does a "command-and-control" approach to pollution entail?

A "command-and-control" approach to pollution involves the government setting specific legal limits on the amount of pollution that can be emitted by companies. This method often includes regulations that dictate the technologies firms must use or the standards they must meet in order to control pollution levels. By imposing these quantitative limits, regulatory bodies can directly manage the pollution output of various industries and ensure that environmental quality standards are met.

This approach contrasts with other methods that promote flexibility, such as providing incentives for pollution reduction or encouraging voluntary compliance, which rely on market mechanisms and self-regulation rather than direct regulatory limits. By establishing clear emission limits, the command-and-control strategy aims to straightforwardly address pollution problems but may not allow for the same level of efficiency or innovation that market-based approaches might offer.