Market-Based Policies

A growing number of jurisdictions are adopting market-based climate policies. By putting a price on carbon, these policies give businesses the incentive to innovate so they can cut emissions at the lowest possible cost.

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Article
Carbon Market Oversight and Regulation

This article originally appeared in Point Carbon News.   At the heart of any successful cap-and-trade program is a well-functioning market for the trading of emissions allowances.  At the same time, the recent high-profile market scandals and crises have led …

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Publication
Carbon Market Design and Oversight: A Short Overview

At the heart of any successful cap-and-trade program is a well-functioning market for the trading of emissions allowances. The sulfur dioxide allowance market created under 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to control acid rain is an example of such a …

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Paper
Calculating the Benefits of Climate Policy: Examining the Assumptions of Integrated Assessment Models

Policy-relevant results of Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are sensitive to a number of uncertain assumptions that govern model simulation of the climate, society, and the policy response to climate change. Uncertainties remain in understanding of the rate and magnitude of …

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Publication
Assessing Offset Quality in the Clean Development Mechanism

The Offset Quality Initiative (OQI) responds to the intensifying debate over international offsets by releasing a policy paper assessing offset quality in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). In the paper, titled “Assessing Offset Quality in the Clean Development Mechanism,” OQI …

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Maintaining Carbon Market Integrity: Why Renewable Energy Certificates Are Not Offsets

This brief explains how and why renewable energy certificates (RECs) differ from greenhouse gas (GHG) emission offsets (offsets). While the Offset Quality Initiative (OQI) is a strong supporter of renewable energy and believes it has a critical role to play …

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Article
Carbonfirst USA: Climate policy and market insights

Eileen Claussen responds to questions about domestic and international climate policy in the US-focused June edition of CARBONfirst.   Do you believe a US cap-and-trade bill can be passed out of Congress in 2009? What chance does the bill have …

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Publication
The Competitiveness Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation Policies

A close look at the historical relationship between energy prices and U.S. production and consumption of energy-intensive goods suggests that energy-intensive manufacturers are likely to face only modest “competitiveness” impacts under a U.S. greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, according to this …

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Publication
Cap and Trade vs. Taxes

Cap and trade and a carbon tax are two distinct policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Each approach has its vocal supporters.  Those in favor of cap and trade argue that it is the only approach that can …

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Publication
Coverage of Natural Gas Emissions & Flows Under a GHG Cap-and-Trade Program

This paper provides an overview of the different point-of-regulation options for covering greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas under a cap-and-trade program. The paper assesses the percentage of emissions covered under the different options and the type and number of entities …

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Publication
Greenhouse Gas Offsets in a Domestic Cap-and-Trade Program

This brief presents the key issues and identifies options for the incorporation of greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets into emerging U.S. climate change policy. A GHG offset represents a reduction, avoidance, destruction, or sequestration of GHG emissions from a source not …

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