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California RECLAIM's market failure: lessons for the Kyoto Protocol

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  • Anne Egelston
  • Maurie J. Cohen

Abstract

The failure of Los Angeles' RECLAIM emission trading market in the summer of 2000 uncovers important issues that have direct relevance for the various systems now emerging for exchanging greenhouse gas credits. Two primary causes for the breakdown of RECLAIM are apparent. On the one hand, RECLAIM did not succeed because of a series of unpredictable events that included manipulation of the market by brokers and the California energy shortage. On the other hand, several potentially foreseeable program design flaws contributed to the failure. This study examines the structure of RECLAIM and concludes that there was sufficient resilience to endure the two unexpected crises. However, the problematic program design features created a market that was fatally flawed and, regardless of impinging circumstances, was ultimately bound to collapse. We also investigate the status of the rapidly developing international greenhouse gas market and identify several lessons from the RECLAIM experience: the need for a holistic approach to market design that includes the role of a bank, the interface with project-based credits, the similarities of the industries enrolled in the program, and need to carefully consider how to handle the problems caused by the end of the trading period.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Egelston & Maurie J. Cohen, 2004. "California RECLAIM's market failure: lessons for the Kyoto Protocol," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(4), pages 427-442, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:tcpoxx:v:4:y:2004:i:4:p:427-442
    DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2004.9685535
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    1. Della Maggiora, Carla, 2002. "Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Review of the Bonn and Marrakech Decisions and Their Effect on the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 2970, Inter-American Development Bank.
    2. Steve Sorrell & Jim Skea (ed.), 1999. "Pollution for Sale," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1696.
    3. Carla Della Maggiora, 2002. "Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Review of the Bonn and Marrakech Decisions and Their Effect on the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 25178, Inter-American Development Bank.
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