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Government Responses to Climate Change, image - Coggle Diagram
Government Responses to Climate Change
Carbon Taxes
Most famously utilised in Canada despite a multitude of controversies and division, carbon taxes have been implemented worldwide, from Argentina to Japan. One of the most successfully implemented iterations of a carbon tax came to Sweden in 1991, in which the country reduced their carbon emissions by 27% while doubled their GDP. Carbon taxes apply to both governments and individuals, with the aim to force large emitters to pay for their carbon released through a ratio of carbon-to-money and use the revenue to fund separate climate projects
Carbon Taxes are present in:
Lai, Olivia. “What Countries Have a Carbon Tax?” Earth.Org, Earth.Org, 5 Mar. 2024, [earth.org/what-countries-have-a-carbon-tax/. ]
In Canada, carbon is taxed at 17.61 cents per litre
Cap and Trade
Also known as an ETS (Emissions Trading System), cap and trade is widely used in Asia and North America. The technique works by targeting corporations rather than individuals. In order to emit greenhouses gasses, companies must purchase permits from the government. Cap and Trade is similar to carbon taxes as they generate government revenue.
Cap and Trade is used in:
Unfccc.Int, unfccc.int/policy/cap-and-trade-programme#:~:text=An%20Emission%20Trading%20System%20(ETS,emissions%20that%20can%20be%20emitted. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
While the effectiveness of Cap and Trade is disputed, California's 2013 goal of reducing emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020 succeed 4 years ahead of schedule in 2016
Adaptation Policy
Mainly utilized by municipal governments, adaptation is the policy of setting up safety nets and gauges for future climate disasters. Cities expected to see large fluctuations in temp have begun rolling out initiatives to provide assistance to citizens, especially in low-income communites. The United States’ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps pay for heating/cooling and damage costs that derive from climate change. Despite limited success in cities such as Philadelphia, adaptation is a short-term measure.
Adaptation is present in cities across:
“How Do Governments Combat Climate Change?” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, education.cfr.org/learn/reading/how-do-governments-combat-climate-change. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
In vulnerable, coastal communities such as the Maldives, governments plant mangroves to combat erosion and rising sea levels
Renewable Energy Incentives
Used worldwide, governments often use societal-based or financial-based incentives to reduce private greenhouse gas emissions and invest in and develop forms of renewable energy. Often, these come in the form of tax credits or cuts. An example in the USA would be the "Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit." Although more present in Europe, individuals can receive tax cuts for actions such as installing solar panels on private property.
“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Renewable Energy Explained - Incentives - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/renewable-sources/incentives.php. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Incentives for Renewables are found in:
In the United States, homes that follow the "Clean Energy Credit" receive a 30% property tax cut until the year 2033
Inaction
Despite the disputes over the effectiveness of the aforementioned methods of combatting the climate crisis, climate inaction is not only dangerous, financially instable, but potentially catastrophic. The motif behind climate inaction that some governments possess (notably the one of American President Donald J. Trump) is that it slows economic growth while increasing government costs. This standpoint is beyond misinformed. If this standpoint is taken by a government official, it reveals one of two things: Said person is delusional and unfit to be in a position of power...or...said person is under the financial influence of those with a conflict of interest regarding the climate crisis. Whether it is scenario A or B, each is unacceptable for the planet's future.
Economics of the Joint Economic Committee project that the environment effects of the average temperate rising to 2 degrees on workers and the production of goods will shrink the global economy by 0.5% annually and cost governments $23 trillion in costs
“How Climate Change Impacts the Economy.” State of the Planet, news.climate.columbia.edu/2019/06/20/climate-change-economy-impacts/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Countries who deny or are inactive regarding climate change include: