Cost implications of carbon taxation: A discussion on moral considerations
In the realm of climate change policy, the United States has been grappling with the implementation of a national carbon pricing system. Despite numerous legislative proposals, a comprehensive national carbon tax or cap-and-trade system remains elusive.
**Federal Carbon Pricing: A Missing Piece**
The absence of a federal carbon pricing policy has led to a reliance on regulatory measures, executive orders, and incentive programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Notable examples include the Clean Air Act powers and the Clean Power Plan under the Obama administration.
**State Initiatives and Regulatory Approaches**
While the federal government has been slow to act, many states have taken the initiative. California, for instance, has implemented a cap-and-trade program, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a regional collaboration aimed at reducing emissions.
**Legislative Efforts and Comparison by Administration**
Throughout different administrations, there have been varying approaches to climate policy. The Obama administration prioritised climate action via executive authority and regulatory measures, while the Trump administration rolled back major climate regulations and weakened vehicle emission standards. The current Biden administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement, restored regulations, and advanced climate legislation, but has not yet achieved passage of a national carbon pricing law.
**Key Trends and Shifts**
A significant trend in US climate policy is the reliance on regulatory measures rather than market-based mechanisms. However, even during periods of federal inaction, state, local, and market forces have continued to drive renewable energy adoption and emissions reductions.
**Recent Legislative and Policy Landscape**
Recent bills have focused on carbon fees, with differing price paths and approaches to revenue use and border adjustments. The Biden administration’s signature climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, incentivizes clean energy deployment but does not include a carbon price.
**Notable Figures and Books**
Cass Sunstein, former administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), has published a book titled "Climate Justice: What Rich Nations Owe the World - and the Future". Sunstein argues that each country should consider the interests of people who live in other countries to solve the climate problem.
Peter Singer, a co-host of the podcast Lives Well Lived, is Emeritus Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and V.K. Rajah Visiting Professor at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at the National University of Singapore. His book, "Animal Liberation", is one of his most notable works.
**Historical and Current US Carbon Pricing Policy**
- **Federal Carbon Pricing:** Despite numerous legislative proposals, the US has not adopted a national carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. - **Regulatory and Executive Approaches:** Instead of direct pricing, federal climate policy has relied on regulations (e.g., Clean Air Act powers), executive orders, and incentive programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - **State Initiatives:** Many states have pursued their own climate policies, including carbon pricing mechanisms like California’s cap-and-trade program and regional initiatives such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
**Summary**
The US has yet to implement a national carbon pricing policy, with federal climate policy instead hinging on regulatory actions and incentives. The Obama administration advanced regulatory approaches and supported state-led initiatives, while the Trump administration rolled back regulations and opposed pricing mechanisms. The current Biden administration has restored international commitments, strengthened incentives for clean energy, and supported proposed carbon border adjustments, but has not achieved passage of a national carbon pricing law.
- The lack of a federal carbon pricing system in the United States has led to an increased reliance on regulatory measures and executive orders to address climate change.
- Despite the Obama administration's attempts to implement climate policies through regulatory measures and executive authority, a comprehensive national carbon tax or cap-and-trade system remained elusive, highlighting the challenges in corporate responsibility towards climate change.
- With the Biden administration's focus on incentivizing clean energy and supporting proposed carbon border adjustments, there is a growing need for science-based policy-and-legislation to protect biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the environment.
- As general news evolves, the debate surrounding carbon pricing continues, with recent bills focusing on carbon fees and revenue use, showcasing the complexity of climate-change policy and the role of politics in shaping environmental-science policy outcomes.
- In the realm of climate justice, influential figures like Cass Sunstein argue that each country should consider the interests of people living in other countries to solve the climate problem, emphasizing the need for corporate responsibility and global cooperation in tackling climate change.
