## 2021-10-14 Recap ### Energy Trilemma - sustainability - carbon emissions - cost - renewable systems not always as cheap or easy as fossil fuels - security - retiring fossil fuel plants before end of life - equity (sometimes?) - consider affect on different economic classes? ### Price Surge Policy Discussion 10-26 - what is happening to energy prices? - why? - how to fix? #### Readings ### [[EU Fit for 55]] Current proposal for new climate goals - more ambitious climate goals - ensure policy is in alignment with goals - EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - carbon credits - now includes shipping - road transport and buildings - 43% reduction by 2030 from 2005 level - Market stability reserve (MSR) - Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) - limit import and trade of electricity with more fossil-based countries ### Carbon [[Externality]] Key questions - How to address directly? - how to design quotas to work directly? - How may CBAM work? Externality shifts marginal cost curve upwards: ![[supplydemandco2externality.png]] [[Pigouvian Tax]] Challenges - needs 1. Know marginal cost 2. Impose taxes - alternative - set a quota #### Quotas Set efficient quantity of pollution - maximize value from polluting Who should get it? - tends to harm new entrants - discourages new technology Can trade quotas, permits #### Attempts to control - subsidize education - gov't funded research - taxes - regulations ![[quota.png]] Firms that can lower their carbon emission have a competitive advantage Greater proportional change in marginal cost for lower emission reductions ##### Simple Quotas "Grandfathering" = allocate quota based on previous emissiosn ##### Tradable Permits and Auctions ![[tradeablepermits.png]] - Total cost = industry cost = $200 - Triangles under mAC curve, firm quantites - Ensures emission reduction is done in most efficient way - Auction proceeds can lower taxes for more vulnerable groups. finance social services ![[permit comparison.png]] #### [[EU Emissions Trade Scheme (ETS)]] = allowances to emit CO<sub>2</sub> CO<sub>2</sub>is a very cheap way of abating emissions - is carbon price sufficient? - can displace coal, maybe not gas? - High cost of small-scale renewable subsidies - "helps spur innovation" #### [[Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism]] - levy on products imported produced with high carbon emissions Interconnection Static effects - impose carbon price on (carbon) imports into Europe - encourages domestic production - foreign consumers get better price - tax revenue Dynamic effects - incentivize foreign producers to develop clean energy - addresses displacement of clean domestic energy by dirty foreign energy Discussion - good for: - renewable generators - governments - foreign Should there by a price on carbon emitted from heating? - how to displace carbon-based heating? - heat pumps? - "cold week" problem www.morgmot.org