11.07.2016 - Carbon market expectations meet reality of low prices, muddled policy
Carbon markets, the free-enterprise solution to saving the world from global warming, are now in danger themselves. The idea was simple enough: Set a cap on carbon emissions, issue enough permits to allow power plants, refineries and the like to stay within those limits and then shrink the cap over time to achieve reductions. The companies whose emissions fall fastest can sell their permits for a profit to slower responders — call it a reward for good behavior. The reality, though, is more complex. Undercut by a lack of political will on the size of caps and overtaken by costly new environmental mandates, carbon markets in the United States, Europe and Asia are collapsing, with prices so low they've become virtually valueless...............................................Full Article: Source
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