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Flexible Global Carbon Pricing: A Backward-Compatible Upgrade for the Kyoto Protocol

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  • Steven Stoft

Abstract

The Kyoto Protocol’s approach of assigning emission targets, or “caps,” promises certainty that it cannot deliver, because it exacerbates problems with international cooperation and commitment. Global carbon pricing addresses these problems and, with less risk and more reward, can generate and sustain stronger policies. This paper proposes a system, “flexible global carbon pricing,” designed to replace the Kyoto Protocol. It provides backward-compatibility with the Kyoto Protocol by allowing un-modified cap and trade as one form of national carbon pricing. Instead of many national “caps,” the proposal sets a global target price for carbon and specifies a pair of incentives. A Pricing Incentive rewards nations that set their carbon price higher than the global target and penalizes nations that underachieve. These rewards and penalties sum to zero by design. The strength of the Pricing Incentive is adjusted automatically so that the global average carbon price converges to the global target price. A Clean Development Incentive (CDI), free from the gaming problems that plague the U.N.’s Clean Development Mechanism, encourages full participation by low-emission countries. An example, based on a $20 price target, causes transfers from the United States of only seven cents per capita per day. Nevertheless, India’s CDI receipts cover its compliance costs. The example shows that low costs can be guaranteed.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Stoft, 2009. "Flexible Global Carbon Pricing: A Backward-Compatible Upgrade for the Kyoto Protocol," RSCAS Working Papers 2009/35, European University Institute.
  • Handle: RePEc:rsc:rsceui:2009/35
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aldy,Joseph E. & Stavins,Robert N. (ed.), 2007. "Architectures for Agreement," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521871631, October.
    2. S. Paltsev & J. Reilly & H. Jacoby & A. Gurgel & G. Metcalf & A. Sokolov & J. Holak, 2007. "Assessment of U.S. Cap-and-Trade Proposals," Working Papers 0705, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research.
    3. Aldy,Joseph E. & Stavins,Robert N. (ed.), 2007. "Architectures for Agreement," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521692175, October.
    4. Stiglitz Joseph, 2006. "A New Agenda for Global Warming," The Economists' Voice, De Gruyter, vol. 3(7), pages 1-4, July.
    5. William Nordhaus, 2005. "Life After Kyoto: Alternative Approaches to Global Warming," NBER Working Papers 11889, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Cramton & Steven Stoft, 2012. "Global Climate Games: How Pricing and a Green Fund Foster Cooperation," Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 2).
    2. Peter Cramton & Steven Stoft, 2009. "Global Carbon Pricing: A Better Climate Commitment," Papers of Peter Cramton 09gcp, University of Maryland, Department of Economics - Peter Cramton, revised 2009.
    3. Peter Cramton, Axel Ockenfels, and Steven Stoft, 2015. "An International Carbon-Price Commitment Promotes Cooperation," Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 2).

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    Keywords

    Kyoto protocol; cap and trade; flexible global carbon pricing; international cooperation;
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