Discussion questions
Read the primary article and have a look at least some of the background sources. Draft responses to the four discussion questions (also on the worksheet).
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- Outline the basic neoclassical case for the use of taxes or emissions trading schemes to address climate change.
- Identify the three barriers that, according to Patt and Lilliestam, the widescale adoption of low-carbon technologies faces.
- In each case, why would carbon pricing not help to overcome that barrier?
- Given that a large part of existing and planned global climate policy initiatives are focussing on carbon pricing, is this attention misplaced?
Primary reading
Patt, A and Lilliestam, J (2018), The Case against Carbon Prices, Joule, Volume 2, Issue 12, 19 December, Pages 2494-2498
Background
Mildenberger, M and Stokes, L (2020), The Trouble with Carbon Pricing, Boston Review, Sept 24th
Funke, F and Mattauch, L (2018), Why is carbon pricing in some countries more successful than in others?, Our World in Data, Aug 10th
Stiglitz, JE et al (2017), Report of the High-Level Commission on Carbon Prices, World Bank
Tvinnereima, E and Mehling, M (2018), Carbon pricing and deep decarbonisation, Energy Policy, Volume 121, October, Pages 185-189
World Bank (2018), State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2018, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank
