new research index

Offset Schemes

This paper will examine the efficiacy of current offset schemes as solutions to climate change.

To be published: Spring 2006

Renewable Energy and Pollution Trading

Emissions trading proponents state that financial investment in renewable energy projects will increase through mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism and new markets in the ‘developing' world will be brought into fruition through ‘technology transfer'. Some signs to the contrary have already been seen. While the Dutch government is paying $5 per ton for its CDM renewable projects, credits from controversial carbon ‘sinks' projects may only cost $1 to generate, thus out-pricing credits from RE. Further market pressures may favour short-term fixes over long-term investment in wind and solar power as corporations and countries cherry-pick the cheapest projects such as energy efficiency and waste management.

Professor David Elliot from the Energy & Environment Research Unit at the Open University in the UK states that, “Most of the running for the CDM is, sadly, likely to be made by big companies offering marginally cleaner coal combustion kits to China .” While the jury is still out on emissions trading and its impacts on RE, there is little or no critical research being planned or carried out in this field.

Therefore this work is vital to the smaller players in the RE industry who are often the most innovative and responsive to the needs of the communities in which they operate. Carbon Trade Watch will carry out a three year study of the impacts of emissions trading on the development of renewable energy. The conclusions of the study will be applicable to the global and pan-European renewable energy industry.

Second stage to be published: 2006

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