Should countries be able to buy greenhouse gas quotas from other countries and so in effect pay for the right to pollute more or should polluters simply be heavily taxed if they exceed their own quota?

Answer 1

The process of emissions trading is met with resistance by some people but deserves consideration. In the case of greenhouse gases (the agent in climate change) the answer is fairly obvious. A few facts:

• GHG emissions affect the entire Earth, No matter where they are produced they impact everyone. In the same way, when reduced anywhere they reduce the overall GHG emissions for the benefit of the entire world.
  
• Some companies which produce these emissions are in a position to reduce their emissions, others because of plant age, technology, availability of fuel etc cannot.
  
• Companies that are technically able to reduce their emissions cannot because they either have no way of paying for the improvements
  
• Some companies that are emitting GHGs cannot shut down to reduce their emissions because f the need for their product. As an ample the only power plant in an area must continue to work.
  

Based on these facts an company paying for mission reductions ar any other company is in effect reducing the overall GHG emissions for theatre Earth by the same amount as if they reduced their own emissions. They should be allowed to do so.

In the same manner a company that reduces its emissions below the mandated levels has done a service to the planet and should be allowed to profit from it. They can, in effect, sell the benefit they have created to a company that cannot do a similar feat.

Many jurisdictions impose a carbon tax for GHG emissions. The money collected is routed to firms that cannot pay for improvement. This is essentially the same as everyone in a community participating in a park cleanup day. Some residents do more, some benefit from the process more than others. However the general impact is that everyone has cleaner park at the end of the day.

This can be scales up to countries. if a country cannot meet the expected GHG control because of circumstance but can help Another Country heavily reduce its emissions (as an example sell gas for power generation to replace coal) it sbould be allowed to claim some of the benefit.

As far as punitive measures for counties meeting not meeting GHG levels of emission there are none and no way of enforcing them if there were,

Answer 2

Both approaches can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Buying quotas allows for flexibility and can incentivize countries to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies. On the other hand, heavy taxes can deter excessive emissions and drive industries towards more sustainable practices. A combination of both mechanisms could provide a comprehensive solution to tackling climate change.

Answer 3

no