As up to 15,000 people gather in Bolivia to advance grassroots responses to the climate crisis, a new book exposes the failings of global climate policy and lays out numerous ways forward without the carbon market system that lies at its heart.
Carbon Trading: How it works and why it fails provides a devastating critique of both the theory and practice of carbon trading, and exposes its disastrous track record since its adoption as part of the Kyoto Protocol. It shows how the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, the world’s largest carbon market, has consistently failed to ‘cap’ emissions, while the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) routinely favours environmentally ineffective and socially unjust projects.
Carbon Trading: How it works and why it fails provides a devastating critique of both the theory and practice of carbon trading, and exposes its disastrous track record since its adoption as part of the Kyoto Protocol. It shows how the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, the world’s largest carbon market, has consistently failed to ‘cap’ emissions, while the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) routinely favours environmentally ineffective and socially unjust projects.
“Anyone who still thinks that creating a carbon casino can solve our climate crisis owes it to themselves to read this book. The most convincing and concise challenge to the green profiteers yet.”
Naomi Klein, author, The Shock Doctrine
“The transition to a post-oil model is inevitable but instead of starting this process, it is delayed by barriers and traps such as the carbon market. This book teaches us how this barrier works and what there is behind this new trap of green capitalism. It is obligatory reading for all who fight for a post-oil civilisation.”
Ivonne Yanez, Oilwatch South America
"This book is an invaluable contribution to understanding the pitfalls of relying on the carbon markets to save the world's poor and the planet."
Meena Raman, Third World Network
The book includes original research with compelling case studies of CDM projects in Brazil, Indonesia, India and Thailand that have proved to be fraudulent, based on dispossession and human rights abuses, and led to strong resistance from communities in the Global South.
The book reveals how carbon trading is only a very recent invention by business and political elites that undermines existing environmental legislation and diverts from planning a rapid transition away from current fossil fuel expansion. It points to a plethora of ways forward without carbon trading - from subsidy shifting to regulation – based on local knowledge and political organising if climate change is to be addressed in a just manner.
The authors, Tamra Gilbertson and Oscar Reyes, are both researchers with Carbon Trade Watch. The project combines high quality research and integration with social movements worldwide, which has made it a respected commentator on global climate policy and climate justice since 2002.
The book will be launched at the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth.
For interviews and comments:
Tamra Gilbertson +34 625 498 083 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
The book reveals how carbon trading is only a very recent invention by business and political elites that undermines existing environmental legislation and diverts from planning a rapid transition away from current fossil fuel expansion. It points to a plethora of ways forward without carbon trading - from subsidy shifting to regulation – based on local knowledge and political organising if climate change is to be addressed in a just manner.
The authors, Tamra Gilbertson and Oscar Reyes, are both researchers with Carbon Trade Watch. The project combines high quality research and integration with social movements worldwide, which has made it a respected commentator on global climate policy and climate justice since 2002.
The book will be launched at the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth.
For interviews and comments:
Tamra Gilbertson +34 625 498 083 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Oscar Reyes (in English) +27 791 682 998 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Joanna Cabello +31 681 389 805 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (in Bolivia 16-24 of April. Local number: +591 705 435 49)
To obtain a printed copy, contact Tamra Gilbertson through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone.
Joanna Cabello +31 681 389 805 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (in Bolivia 16-24 of April. Local number: +591 705 435 49)
To obtain a printed copy, contact Tamra Gilbertson through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone.
ISBN 9789071007316
132 pages
English version
The book is also available in an English version, published by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation (www.dhf.uu.se) as part of its Critical Currents series. To obtain a printed copy, HOW HOW HOW
or download from: www.carbontradewatch.org/publications/carbon-trading-how-it-works-and-why-it-fails.html
German version
Available from: www.brandes-apsel-verlag.de