International climate change programs : lessons learned from the European Union's emissions trading scheme and the Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism : report to congressional requesters /

International policies to address climate change have largely relied on market-based programs; for example, under the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) phase I (2005 to 2007) carbon dioxide emissions reductions were sought by setting a cap on each member state's allowable emi...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author: United States. Government Accountability Office
Format: Government Document eBook
Language:English
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2008]
Subjects:
Online Access:https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS112273
Description
Summary:International policies to address climate change have largely relied on market-based programs; for example, under the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) phase I (2005 to 2007) carbon dioxide emissions reductions were sought by setting a cap on each member state's allowable emissions and distributing tradable allowances to covered entities, such as power plants. Beginning operation in 2002, the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has relied on offsets, allowing certain industrialized nations to pay for emission reduction projects in developing countries--where the cost of abatement may be less expensive--in addition to reducing emissions within their borders. Legislative proposals to limit greenhouse gas emissions are under consideration in the United States. In this context, GAO was asked to examine the effects of and lessons learned from (1) the ETS phase I and (2) the CDM. GAO worked with the National Academy of Sciences to identify experts in market-based programs and gathered their opinions through a questionnaire, interviewed stakeholders, and reviewed available information.
Item Description:Title from title screen (viewed on Dec. 3, 2008).
"November 2008."
Paper version available from: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Rm. LM, Washington, D.C. 20548.
"GAO-09-151."
Electronic resource.
Physical Description:ii, 64 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:Mode of access: Internet from GAO web site. Address as of 12/3/2008: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09151.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.