Tol, Richard S J (2017) The structure of the climate debate. Energy Policy, 104. pp. 431-438. ISSN 0301-4215

PDF - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial No Derivatives. Download (350kB)

Abstract

First-best climate policy is a uniform carbon tax which gradually rises over time. Civil servants have complicated climate policy to expand bureaucracies, politicians to create rents. Environmentalists have exaggerated climate change to gain influence, other activists have joined the climate bandwagon. Opponents to climate policy have attacked the weaknesses in climate research. The climate debate is convoluted and polarized as a result, and climate policy complex. Climate policy should become easier and more rational as the Paris Agreement has shifted climate policy back towards national governments. Changing political priorities, austerity, and a maturing bureaucracy should lead to a more constructive climate debate.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Business, Management and Economics > Economics
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HB Economic theory. Demography
Depositing User:	Richard Tol
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2017 14:57
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2018 02:00
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/66043

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update