Friday, January 22, 2010

Benefits Of Carbon Credits

By Mariah Khan

The Kyoto Protocol says that all countries ratifying it should actively contribute towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions. As was proposed by the protocol, this reduction is to be achieved by the methods of carbon trading and carbon offset.

Certain financial instruments called carbon credits are sold and purchased in markets across the world in the carbon trading method. One ton of carbon dioxide or an equal amount of other greenhouse gases can be released into the air by a person who purchases one carbon credit. Purchasing and selling carbon credits helps in effectively combating global warming, and the system is advantageous in many ways.

The basic advantage of using carbon credits is that it restricts the overall global greenhouse emissions. Incentives for organizations that do not pollute the environment and fines for those who do is what this concept is all about. Thus, the whole system encourages firms and governments to promote eco friendly procedures that reduce greenhouse gas emission.

A free trading mechanism for carbon credits in the world market enables industries to conveniently follow the system. Trading is easy in this system as the regulations and methodologies are clear and uncomplicated, and this accounts for its popularity and effectiveness.

Another remarkable feature of this method is that it not just makes firms pay for high emissions, but also incentivizes organisations that opt for an eco-friendly approach. This means that companies with restricted emissions will devise strategies to further curtail emissions so that they can trade more carbon credits in the global market and thereby enhance their profits. Hence, the environment is steadily freed from pollution by this system.

Last, but probably the most crucial benefit of the carbon credits method is that it has been embraced by a majority of the nations. Inability to garner enough support and acceptance lead to the failure of several projects. As carbon credits have received worldwide acceptance, they can go a long way to make sure that our environment is made cleaner and greener.

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