006Future measures aimed to curb CO2 emissions
Blue sky Policy Alert 006
| FP7 themes | health | agro | ict | nano | energy | environment | transport | ssh | space | security |
| ERA goals | mobility | infrastucture | rtd institutions | knowledge sharing | joint programming | cooperation |
| Author(s) | Joe Ravetz, Rafael Popper, Rob Ashworth, Thordis Sveinsdottir | |
| Contributor(s) | David Alexander, Joe Ballantyne, Alastair Brown, Steve Connor, Tony Diggle, Pierre Rossel, Anna Sacio | |
| Manifestation | Gradual development | Potential impacts in Europe infrastructures  people's lives  legislation & regulation  economy & business defence & security government & politics  environment & ecosystems  science & technology |
| Importance for EU | | |
| Strategic attention | by 2030 by 2050 | |
| Type of impact | Extremely positive | |
| Inspired by | Brainstorming session and group discussions in the iKNOW Workshop in Manchester (February 2010) | |
| Related to | ||
| Keywords | black economy, identity theft, corruption, carbon credit trading, piracy, CO2 | |
Future measures aimed to curb CO2 emissions
Research topic
(e.g. CO2 taxation and CO2 credit scheme)
International response to the grand challenge of climate change has aimed to find ways of curbing CO2 emissions by way of taxation and credit schemes. Knowledge is however needed regarding the future impact and success of these initiatives. There are current concerns that criminal elements might see an opportunity in CO2 credit exchange and that businesses and governments might seek to evade CO2 taxation.
Objective
The research should focus, by using methods of foresight, on whether CO2 credit trading and CO2 taxation could potentially lead to the development of criminal activity such as the formation of a CO2 ‘black economy’ or CO2 tax evasion havens. Research could examine current trends in CO2 curbing measures and consider whether alternative energy technology could be more successful in minimizing CO2 emissions. Research could also look towards whether an incentive scheme for businesses and individuals could prove a better solution than CO2 credit schemes and taxation.
Expected impact
The research shall a) aim to predict the future of CO2 curbing measures; b) suggest whether alternative solutions (e.g. incentive) could be more successful; c) predict the likelihood of a formation of ‘carbon black economy’ or CO2 tax evasion; d) suggest policy, regulative and legislative responses.
Importance for Europe
Knowledge of future impact of measures that aim to curb CO2 emissions is vital for the successful continuation of environmental policy in Europe. It is vital that research underpins any policy response from the EU. Unified regulation is also necessary and EU needs to take initiative to formulate a response should CO2 curbing measures such as CO2 credit scheme or CO2 taxing become a platform for criminal activity. EU policy could then provide blueprint for any policy response from the member states.