Publication
The Clean Development Mechanism: A Review of the First International Offset Program
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), established under the Kyoto Protocol, is the primary international offset program in existence today, and while not perfect, it has helped to establish a global market for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. It generates offsets …
Paper
Meaningful and Cost Effective Climate Policy: The Case for Cap and Trade
There is broad consensus among those engaged in climate policy analysis—from academia, government, NGOs, and industry—that any domestic climate policy should include, at its core, market-based policy instruments targeting greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, because no other approach can do the …
Publication
Short Summary of the American Power Act (Kerry-Lieberman)
On May 12, 2010, Senator Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Lieberman (I-CT) released their draft legislation, the American Power Act (APA). This bill contains a comprehensive, sector-based approach to enhancing energy security, spurring the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, …
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 …
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 …
Publication
In Brief: What the Waxman-Markey Bill Does for Coal
Coal is an inexpensive and abundant domestic energy resource; the United States has larger coal reserves than any other country—likely enough to sustain current production levels for more than two centuries. Coal prices are generally less volatile than those of …
Publication
In Brief: What the Waxman-Markey Bill Does for Agriculture
Agriculture, likely one of America’s most vulnerable sectors to a changing climate, has much to gain from a comprehensive climate policy. Agriculture’s vulnerability to climate change was highlighted in a recent study by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (including …
Paper
Waxman-Markey Short Summary
On June 26, 2009, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES Act) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219 to 212. The bill contains five distinct titles: I) clean energy, II) energy efficiency, …
Publication
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 …