scholarly journals Canadian Challenges in Implementing the Kyoto Protocol: A Cause for Harmonization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth DeMarco ◽  
Robert Routliffe ◽  
Heather Landymore

On 17 December 2002, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol), taking on binding targets to reduce Canadian emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Canada's ratification decision and the proposed domestic emissions trading system forming part of Canada's Kyoto implementation plan continue to be the source of considerable disagreement and conflict between the provinces and thefederal government regarding: the practical challenges associated with multiple Canadian jurisdictions implementing emissions trading systems: the current status and legal issues associated with covenants between industry and government(s) to enforce GHG reduction targets; the legal jurisdiction over domestic emissions trading system(s); and the impact on interprovincial and international trade. Each ofthese issues is examined in the unique Canadian legal context. The authors conclude that many ofthe most significant challenges may be mitigated through harmonization and coordination byfederal and provincial governments in a manner that allows for local concerns to be addressed without fragmenting the Canadian emissions markets.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifei Zhang ◽  
Sheng Li ◽  
Fang Zhang

An emissions trading system is a market instrument for pollution control that has been used in China for many years. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of China has approved the implementation of emissions trading pilot projects in 11 provinces since 2007, yet the effectiveness of the policy has not been comprehensively estimated. With panel data from 29 provinces and cities in China between 2003 and 2012, this study uses the data envelopment model-slack based measurement (DEA-SBM) method to measure environmental efficiency indicators and a difference in difference (DID) model to examine the impact of the emissions trading system on environmental efficiency. The results indicate that the policy has significantly improved environmental efficiency in the pilot provinces. However, the effects are heterogeneous with different efficiency levels across the diverse regions. Higher impacts were found in the central and western regions. Some suggestions for the optimization of the emissions trading system are suggested in this study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 46-59
Author(s):  
Erik BAARK

China recognises the need to reduce carbon emissions in order to avoid negative consequences from climate change in the future. Therefore, the Chinese government initiated seven emissions trading system (ETS) pilots in 2013 and began to develop China’s national ETS in 2017. However, Chinese efforts to implement ETS have encountered legal, institutional and political issues that must be solved so that a national ETS could help to mitigate emissions in China.


2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4863-4868
Author(s):  
Xiao Ming Qiu ◽  
Jia Sheng Yang

This paper, through building mathematical models, makes an analysis on the emissions trading system under an abatement framework. And the authors obtained four conclusions: (1) The impact by environmental taxes on the existing firms’ choices of optimal discharging amounts is uncertain, the existing firms’ discharging amounts will be on the decrease with the increased prices of emissions permits, and paid initial emissions allowances will reduce the existing firms’ profits; (2) Under an intertemporal trading system, the existing firms’ holding the permits conforms to the principle of profit maximization; (3) Under the intertemporal trading system, the prices for emissions permits for the entrant firms are always on the rise and so are their access costs into the industries, thus frustrating local governments’ efforts in attracting investments; and (4) Emissions reduction policies are good regulatory instruments for promoting local economic welfare and realizing sustainable development. The paper also gives some suggestions for triggering and activating the emissions trading system and formulating supportive policies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2106
Author(s):  
Rahel Mandaroux ◽  
Chuanwen Dong ◽  
Guodong Li

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a major pillar of the European energy policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the reportedly pervasive frauds in this market are constraining the beneficial role of the EU ETS. In this conceptual paper, we propose to digitalize the EU ETS by distributed ledger technology (DLT), enabling the verification of authenticity and provenance, proof of ownership, and lifecycle traceability of carbon certificates and assets. Our platform allows verifiable credentials to validate emission allowances, real-time tracking of trading participants’ emissions, and the audit trail reporting of the decentralized trading records. Furthermore, we complement the DLT application concept with a structured interdisciplinary evaluation framework. Our framework and analysis aim to stimulate further interdisciplinary research in this area to support regulators, such as the European Commission, in designing effective digital emissions trading systems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-220
Author(s):  
Jacques Hartmann

The European Union (EU) has long been in a diplomatic row with its main trading partners. The row concerns the EU’s decision to include foreign aircraft emissions within its Emissions Trading System (ETS). Several States have objected to the inclusion as a violation of their sovereignty. The importance of the quarrel can hardly be overestimated: it is the first real clash concerning unilateral measures to combat climate change. By including foreign aircraft emissions within the ETS, the EU has taken unilateral action to prevent international environmental harm. The EU’s action has given rise to some fundamental questions concerning legislative jurisdiction. Moreover, as the impact of climate change becomes more severe, climate change may serve as a pretext for all kinds of protectionist policies. The current quarrel is therefore also one of principle. This article analyses the jurisdictional basis for extending the ETS to extraterritorial flights and the reactions of third States. In doing so, the article reveals fundamental limits in international rules concerning the allocation of competencies between States, especially in relation to the protection of the environment. The article considers these shortcomings in the context of the present case and suggests a new approach to the traditional principles of sovereignty and legislative jurisdiction.


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