Carbon markets and its significance
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Source: This post on Carbon markets and its significance has been created based on the article ” What are carbon markets and how do they operate? “ published in The Hindu on 28th October 2024.

Why in news?

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 enables the Government to create carbon markets in India and implement a carbon credit trading scheme.

About Carbon markets

Structure of compliance markets.

1. Carbon markets are a pricing mechanism for carbon emissions, where carbon credits or allowances can be traded.

2. Paris Agreement Article 6 allows countries to use international carbon markets to help achieve their NDCs.

3. Purpose of Carbon Markets: Carbon Credits are a tradable permit that represents the removal, reduction, or sequestration of one tonne of carbon dioxide.

4. Carbon Allowances/Caps are set by governments based on emission reduction targets, limiting the allowable emissions for companies or sectors.

5. Types of Carbon Markets

Classification Voluntary MarketsCompliance Markets
ParticipantsEmitters such as corporations or individuals buy credits to offset emissions.Established by governments at national, regional, or international levels, these markets are officially regulated.
FunctionCredits come from projects like afforestation, which reduce atmospheric CO₂.Cap-and-Trade sets a cap on emissions in specific sectors, with permits issued based on these limits. Companies exceeding limits must buy additional permits
CertificationCredits are verified by private firms and can be traded on registries.
ExampleAirlines may buy credits to offset flight emissions.European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS): A cap-and-trade system launched in 2005, covering sectors like power, manufacturing, and waste. Compliance markets incentivize cleaner energy and technology adoption.

Advantages of Carbon Markets

1. Cost Efficiency: World Bank estimates carbon trading could reduce the cost of NDCs by over half, potentially saving $250 billion by 2030.

2. Global Expansion: Several national and regional markets exist worldwide, including in China, North America, and Japan.

3. Market Growth: The global carbon market value increased significantly, with the EU’s ETS accounting for 90% of the value.

Challenges of Carbon Markets

1. Quality and Authenticity: Concerns about the quality and real impact of credits generated by climate projects.

2. Greenwashing Risks: Companies may rely on offsets rather than actively reducing emissions or adopting clean technologies.

3. Sector Inclusion Issues: High-emission sectors in trading schemes might not automatically contribute to climate goals and can sometimes increase emissions.

Read more: The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

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