Resilient local economies
Heavy users of fossil fuels could actually reduce their reliance on it when we ration fossil fuels using Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs). How would these rich people reduce their fossil energy? Continue reading “How rich people would be affected by Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs)”
This article argues that the ETS won’t work and the time has come to explore other methods of reducing emissions, like Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs) instead.
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is a tool to help the country meet its domestic and international climate change targets. Our ETS has been in operation since 2008. The theory is that if you make polluters pay for their right to emit greenhouse gases and that price rises, firms will change their practices and reduce their emissions.
Fifteen years and many twists and turns later it looks as though several key proponents are finally admitting it may not work. Continue reading “Isn’t it time to admit the Emissions Trading Scheme will never work?”
When George Monbiot wrote his great article (Days of Rage) about the inadequate response of governments to the climate emergency, I read it three times because it felt so important. He said environment groups are arguing the only realistic approach is incrementalism. He said they will campaign, issue by issue, sector by sector, for gradual improvements. But he said that system change was the only fast and effective means of transformation.
Continue reading “Are transformative climate measures too threatening for the establishment?”
In the face of an urgent need to reduce emissions, we are proposing a TEQ scheme replace the Emissions Trading Scheme. This article argues that price-based schemes to reduce emissions are unfair to the poor and are not working anywhere.
They must be replaced by a numbers-based scheme. And since the Government has recently reduced the excise tax on fuel, we must now decide the purpose and future of fuel excise taxes. Continue reading “Tradable Energy Quotas – the magic route to degrowth and control of emissions”