Carbon Trading: A Review of the Kyoto Mechanisms

Posted: 19 Dec 2007

Abstract

The three Kyoto flexible mechanisms emissions trading, the clean development mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI) have always been controversial. Proponents saw the mechanisms as clever tools to ensure environmental outcomes were achieved at least cost. Reducing the costs of compliance, they argued, would make tighter environmental targets possible, and certainly more politically feasible. Detractors have argued that the flexible mechanisms commoditize Earth's atmosphere in a manner that will allow dubious projects and the exchange of hot air to substitute for serious engagement on climate change. This chapter reviews the Kyoto flexible mechanisms, which will become fully operative during the period 2008 to 2012. The review assesses their progress and success to date, examines the problems that have emerged, and considers suggestions for future developments in climate policy.

Keywords: voluntary carbon market, Kyoto Protocol, JI, flexible mechanisms, emissions trading, climate change, CDM

Suggested Citation

Hepburn, Cameron, Carbon Trading: A Review of the Kyoto Mechanisms. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 32, November 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1077264

Cameron Hepburn (Contact Author)

University of Oxford ( email )

Smith School
OUCE
Oxford
United Kingdom

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,388
PlumX Metrics