Climate as an Innovation Imperative: Federalism, Institutional Pluralism and Incentive Effects

21 Pages Posted: 20 Oct 2010

Date Written: September 8, 2010

Abstract

To combat climate change successfully will require innovations in regulatory design and technology. This article was prepared for the September 2010 Yale Law School and Unitar Conference on "Strengthening Institutions to Address Climate Change and Advance a Green Economy." The article focuses on the innovation incentive effects of national legislation that could, in the alternative, either preempt or displace climate-related actions of state and local governments or federal officials under other laws, or welcome climate actions by others. These are choices regarding federalism and institutional pluralism (or diversity). The challenge is to create effective climate regulation and a robust trading market in GHG allowances without the risks of reliance on a single regulator. Compared to an institutionally diverse regulatory regime, a unitary climate regulator would be more vulnerable to implementation failures, rigidity, and loss of legal authority. Regulatory failure and risks of regulatory instability could undercut confidence in carbon markets and thereby deter essential investments in governmental implementation of climate laws, in technological innovation, energy efficiency, green economy businesses and other means to combat climate change.

Keywords: Federalism, preemption, Supremacy, preemptive, state attorneys general, climate change, inaction, greenhouse, cap-and-trade, obstacle, floors, ceilings, savings clauses, environment, innovation, hard look, statutory interpretation, Constitution, constitutional law, deference, administrative agency

Suggested Citation

Buzbee, William W., Climate as an Innovation Imperative: Federalism, Institutional Pluralism and Incentive Effects (September 8, 2010). Emory Public Law Research Paper No. 10-125, Emory Law and Economics Research Paper No. 10-82, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1694166 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1694166

William W. Buzbee (Contact Author)

Georgetown University Law Center ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States
(202) 662-9402 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
141
Abstract Views
1,708
Rank
370,717
PlumX Metrics