Choosing the right climate policies : look before leaping

Abstract

Participants at the High-Level Policy Dialogue debated 3 topical hypotheses that would probably be addressed as part of the forthcoming Communication by the European Commission on a “European Green Deal”. These hypotheses were: (1) the use of carbon offset credits to fulfil a higher greenhouse gas reduction in 2030 than previously envisaged; (2) introduction of a carbon border tax as a measure to protect EU competitiveness; (3) the possible inclusion of transport and housing in the EU’s Emissions Trading System. Dialogue participants made arguments for and against each hypothesis. Possible ways of taking each issue forward were also identified