C&C is a science-based, equitable framework for cutting human-induced carbon emissions. It was developed in the early 1990’s by a small group led by Aubrey Meyer, a musician and composer turned environmentalist, who has campaigned for it ever since. C&C offers a rational formula for stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gases at a 'safe' concentration (to be set by science) by an agreed date. Its unit of account is CO2, not dollars, so it sets a finite global carbon budget for future emissions that factors in the latest data on the capacity of natural carbon sinks to absorb CO2. It then allocates national carbon budgets on the basis that each person has an equal claim on the global atmosphere and is therefore entitled to an equal share of the finite carbon budget over a given period of time. This is simply 'logical', rather than 'ideological', and in a way that any seven-year old would understand as being fair. C&C's finite global carbon budget starts by steadily reducing carbon entitlements for countries with high per capita emissions whilst increasing entitlements to carbon-frugal nations, until all countries entitlements converge on the falling global per capita average arising under the budget by a date agreed [for example by 2030]. After 'convergence', emissions entitlements for all nations will reduce in step until they all reach a sustainable target amount [e.g. 500 kilos of CO2 per person per annum] again, by whatever date is agreed [e.g. by 2060]. If climate science requirest, the long-term concentration target can be revised downwards and the full-term 'C&C event' speeded up to achieve it: Financial incentives to avoid fossil fuels will be created by a parallel trade in per capita carbon entitlements. These become increasingly valuable as they become scarcer and this way, carbon-frugal countries can sell their unused per capita entitlements to the carbon-intensive countries that may struggle to stay within their falling national entitlements. This trade will generate the kind of income that will enable developing countries to grow sustainable economies and help make climate change and poverty history. C&C's carbon market offers 'built-in' financial compensation to developing nations for the 'historic emissions' of industrialized nations, since the earlier the date negotiated for the international convergence of per capita carbon entitlements, the more carbon rights industrialized nations will have to buy from developing nations in the early stages.
For detailed information, see the website of The Global Commons Institute: |
|
|