The Economics Of Climate Change Mitigation Policies And Options For Global Action Beyond 2012

Against the background of a projected doubling of world greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, this book explores feasible ways to abate them at least cost.

This book shows how city and metropolitan regional governments working in tandem with national governments can change the way we think about responding to climate change.

The international framework for a climate change agreement is up for review as the initial Kyoto period to 2012 comes to an end. Though there has been much enthusiasm from political and environmental groups, the underlying economics and politics remain highly controversial. This book takes a cool headed look at the critical roadblocks to agreement, examining the economics of climate change, the incentives of the main players (the US, EU, China) and examines the policies governments can put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately shift our economies onto a low-carbon path. The volume brings together leading climate change policy experts to set out the economic analysis and the nature of the negotiations at Copenhagen and beyond. In addition to reviewing the main issues discussed above, a number of the articles question the basis of much of the climate change consensus, and debate the Stern Report's main findings. The book is in four parts. Following an overview of the main issues, the first part is a reassessment of the economics of climate change. This is fundamental to the rest of the volume, and it contains new material which goes well beyond what might be called the new conventional wisdom. The second part looks at the geography of the costs and benefits of climate change - the very different perspectives of Africa, China, the US and Europe. These chapters provide a building block to considering the prospects for a new global agreement - the very different interests that will have to be reconciled at Copenhagen and beyond. The third part looks at policy instruments at the global level (whereas much of the literature to date is nationally and regionally based). Trading and R&D feature in the chapters, but so too do more radical unilateral options, including geo-engineering. Part four turns to the institutional architecture - drawing on evidence from previous attempts in other areas, as well as proposals for new bodies.

This book shows how city and metropolitan regional governments working in tandem with national governments can change the way we think about responding to climate change.

This important collection contains the author's pioneering and ongoing efforts to quantify equity principles to evaluate burden-sharing across countries and regions. It also examines policy impacts across industries and socioeconomic groups stemming from cap and trade, carbon taxes, fuel taxes, and strict regulation. It provides a basic understanding of the carbon cycle and drivers of GHG emissions, as well as a guide for developing mitigation action plans. The volume represents a valuable compendium of papers that are not otherwise readily accessible.

Elevated levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the resulting effects on the earth¿s climate could have significant environmental and economic impacts in the U.S. and internationally. Potential impacts include rising sea levels and a shift in the intensity and frequency of floods and storms. Proposed responses to climate change include adapting to the possible impacts by planning and improving protective infrastructure, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly through regulation or the promotion of low-emissions technologies. Much of this report centers on the effect emissions regulation could have on the economy based on the opinions of experts. Illustrations.

With global warming now becoming physically noticeable and the Kyoto treaty stalling in its efforts to get the developed world on board, this look at the economic factors of global warming is very much welcome.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this century. Mitigation requires a large-scale transition to a low-carbon economy. This paper provides an overview of the rapidly growing literature on the role of macroeconomic and financial policy tools in enabling this transition. The literature provides a menu of policy tools for mitigation. A key conclusion is that fiscal tools are first in line and central, but can and may need to be complemented by financial and monetary policy instruments. Some tools and policies raise unanswered questions about policy tool assignment and mandates, which we describe. The literature is scarce, however, on the most effective policy mix and the role of mitigation tools and goals in the overall policy framework.