Bührs, Ton (2010) Sharing the atmosphere : a proposal for an equitable and sustainable global trading scheme for greenhouse gas emissions. Working Paper. University of Warwick, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation.

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Abstract

An emissions trading scheme is likely to be an important component of the post-Kyoto global regime for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, primarily for economic reasons. Like most tradable permit schemes that have thus far been adopted, notably in the United States and Europe , it is expected that a global greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme will be based on the ‘grandfathering principle’, allocating entitlements to emitters on the basis of existing levels of emissions. The paper argues against this common practice as being ethically problematic and, more broadly, that the desirability of tradable permit schemes depends in large part on how social and political implications have been incorporated into their design. A case is made for the allocation of emission entitlements on an equal per capita basis to all individuals, but for the management of entitlements by specially designated community bodies (Community Carbon Trusts) on behalf of citizens. Such an approach, based on the notion of ‘individuals-in-community’, is not only ethically more defensible, but also has the potential to enhance local/regional capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, to promote sustainable development, and to enhance democracy, without compromising the economic rationale (cost-efficiency) for the adoption of emissions trading.

Item Type:	Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Emissions trading, Climate change mitigation, Sustainable development, Social planning
Series Name:	Working Papers
Publisher:	University of Warwick
Place of Publication:	Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation
Date:	2010
Volume:	Vol.2010
Number:	No.264
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/3566

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