The Hidden Disequities of Carbon Trading: Carbon Emissions, Air Toxics, and Environmental Justice

Frontiers in Environmental Science

Wing Shan Kan¹  Ching Chit Chau²  Raul P. Lejano³ 

[1] Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Science, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong;Salvation Army, Kowloon, Hong Kong;School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, United States;

关键词: carbon trading;    ethics;    environmental justice;    public policy;    air toxics;    cap-and-trade;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fenvs.2020.593014

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

So long as transaction costs are low, the creation of a tradeable permit to emit carbon should allow bargaining for emission rights among buyers and sellers, resulting in an efficient allocation of carbon emission rights. However, the trading of carbon credits may have socially unjust consequences. In this article, we explore some hitherto unrecognized disequities. One of these may be the creation of toxic hotspots as the trade of carbon may bring with it a transfer of air toxics, as well. We illustrate the argument by examining emissions from refineries participating in California’s cap-and-trade program. These considerations are a concern for the larger question of carbon mitigation as the global community strives to identify feasible, yet just, approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Contrary to the idea of alienable rights, the transfer of carbon affects people and place in ways not internalized by these market instruments.

【 授权许可】

Unknown