Emil Dimantchev    

How do we tackle climate change? In the climate policy arena, it is common to hear that one of the foremost solutions to the problem is to put a price on carbon. This idea has been advanced by economists, frequently endorsed by climate scientists, and supported by businesses, including (ironically or not) the oil and gas industry. So, can carbon pricing truly save the world?

This talk will draw on the two decades of experience world governments have had with implementing various forms of carbon pricing, from carbon taxes to cap-and-trade systems and other carbon markets. You will hear how a carbon price brought down a government, why politicians and economists are diametrically opposed on the idea, and why Secretary Hillary Clinton’s platform did not feature a carbon price. These and other stories will provide lessons about the potential of carbon pricing to mitigate climate change and the role it can play in effective climate policy.