Read on Twitter
I talk a lot about equity & justice in international climate policy. Here, I argue that carbon border adjustments are unjust & hypocritical, and penalize the developing world for actions that the West still actively promotes through fossil investments. https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/27/1005641/carbon-border-taxes-eu-climate-change-opinion/
Investments & outsourcing by US, EU-based multinational corporations in Africa/Asia lock developing countries into an emissions-intensive trajectory for decades. For the same developed countries to turn around to impose taxes on emissions is hypocritical. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/24/90-pe-cent-uk-africa-energy-deals-fossil-fuels
In the US, CBAs find bipartisan support. It is ironic that the same policymakers who would quickly recognize the inequity of imposing carbon taxes on low-income Americans fail to see the injustice of penalizing developing countries for their emissions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-winning-republican-climate-solution-carbon-pricing/2020/01/16/d6921dc0-387b-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html
Not too long ago, the US prevented India from developing a nascent green manufacturing sector at the WTO because domestic content requirements are protectionist. Yet, the democratic nominee for President is touting the benefits of a 'Buy American' policy. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-07-10/biden-s-economic-plan-is-good-start-that-needs-some-improvements
So, what does an equitable climate policy look like?
- Climate-focused wealth transfers
- Reforms to trade rules to help developing countries grow domestic green mfg without triggers WTO disputes
- Bilateral programs to build capacity
- Tech transfer
- Low-interest financing
- Climate-focused wealth transfers
- Reforms to trade rules to help developing countries grow domestic green mfg without triggers WTO disputes
- Bilateral programs to build capacity
- Tech transfer
- Low-interest financing
Paris Agreement succeeded because it gave agency to developing countries. We need global cooperation to address #ClimateChange. But that cannot happen with unilateral tax imposition such as CBAs. I hope this piece spurs conversation around climate equity. https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/27/1005641/carbon-border-taxes-eu-climate-change-opinion/
Obviously, there are many on #EnergyTwitter who would disagree with me on this. But I do think we need to expand overton window of what an equitable climate policy looks like at the international stage. Too often, we tend to retreat to nationalist & short-sighted solutions.
