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Time Horizons and Emissions Trading

Author

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  • Heijmans, Roweno J.R.K.

    (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics)

  • Engström, Max

    (Dept. of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

Abstract

We study dynamic cap-and-trade schemes in which a policy of adjustable allowance supply determines the cap on emissions. Focusing on two common supply policies, price and quantity mechanisms, we investigate how the duration of a cap-and-trade scheme affects equilibrium emissions under its cap. More precisely, we consider the reduction in equilibrium emissions realized by shortening the duration of the scheme. We present four main results. First, the reduction in emissions is positive and bounded from below under a price mechanism. Second, the reduction in emissions is bounded from above under a quantity mechanism. Third, these upper and lower bounds coincide when the price and quantity mechanism are similar. Fourth, we identify sufficient conditions for which the reduction in emissions is strictly negative under a quantity mechanism. We quantify our theoretical results for the European Union, the world’s largest cap-and-trade scheme to use a quantity mechanism; effects on cumulative EU emissions range from trivial to substantial.

Suggested Citation

  • Heijmans, Roweno J.R.K. & Engström, Max, 2024. "Time Horizons and Emissions Trading," Discussion Papers 2024/2, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nhhfms:2024_002
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3113286
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Emissions trading; market-based emissions regulations; policy design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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