A Carbon Currency based on Carbon Allowances
Details
The price of energy, the exploding cost of living, and unexpectedly severe climate impacts have people and politicians across the UK and Europe discussing the possibility of energy rationing. Bear in mind the skewed distribution of income in the UK: whilst a Briton with the mean salary could cope with a sixfold increase in energy costs, the median Briton could not. The threat of resulting social breakdown may lead the government to adopt radical measures. What alternatives should be considered?
In this London Futurists webinar, Adam Hardy and Steve Keen will present a proposal for a dual price system where carbon is allocated equally to citizens in a framework that replaces carbon taxes and emissions trading systems. Those that consume more carbon than the average must buy it off those who consume less, using a market mechanism.
This proposal shares the burden of the huge rise in energy costs proportionately compared to income, and puts strong pressure on individuals and corporations to reduce carbon consumption, by both changes in behaviour and innovation.
Topics likely to arise during the discussion include:
- The difference between carbon currency and carbon tax
- The role of market mechanisms in transforming behaviour
- Failures of previous economic models in addressing energy usage
- Implementation possibilities.
