A similar game is played in Harris County, Texas with emission reductions. Since Harris County is an environmental non-attainment zone, any new plants that want to be built must obtain environmental air emission credits from other companies who will shut down polluting units. So instead of paying more to use the latest environmental technology or reduce pollution from existing units, a company can pay another for credits and then make a similar claim of "carbon neutrality" (emissions neutrality).
I guess one could claim net reductions in air emissions via this process. However, it is kind of fake because companies that shut down old units are not doing it for the sake of the environment. More often, they are uneconomical money losers. This way, they get some extra bucks and the environment is worse off due to this trading process.
Of course, the same thing will happen eventually with the Kyoto Protocol. Rich industrialized nations will pay poor non-industrialized nations for their environmental credits so they can pollute more. In fact, there are already carbon trading programs in many countries.
I guess this way, we can all write a check to make ourselves feel better.
posted by Jim VAT @ 11:06 AM
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