Economic instruments for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

18 November 2002There is an urgent requirement to decrease the amount of human produced greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide, in order to slow down the rate of climate change. Economic analysis shows convincingly that placing primary emphasis on the use of economic instruments provides the most cost-effective route for such emission reduction. This report studies two generic types of economic instrument that could provide the most effective solution to rising C02 emissions: a carbon tax imposed on all C02 emissions and the allocation of tradable emission permits.

This report was produced by a panel set up by the Royal Society consisting of economists, scientists and engineers, and chaired by Sir Eric Ash FRS FREng.

Press Releases

• New tax or permits required to tackle climate change (18th November 2002)
• Royal Society starts search for alternatives to Climate Change Levy (29th April 2002)

Relevant Papers

Nuclear Energy - the Future Climate (1999/2000)
The role of the Renewables Directive in meeting the Kyoto targets
The role of land carbon sinks in mitigating global climate change (July 2001)