Environment for Beginners arrow Air Pollution and Solutions arrow What Are Carbon Credits and How Does the Carbon Market Work?
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What Are Carbon Credits and How Does the Carbon Market Work?

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The carbon market is a concept based on “polluter pays” and cap and trade principle. The objective is to reduce gas emissions through the use of market law. It assembles voluntary organizations that exchange the rights to issue carbon dioxide.

When the companies are listed, the administration decides on the total amount of gas emissions they can emit as a group. Normally the total amount is lower than the one emitted the previous year. The main idea here is to reduce this level every year.

After the central administration decides on the total amount, a specific amount of gas emissions is distributed to each company. During the year, if a company manages to emit less than the allowable amount, it can sell the remainder to another company. This transaction doesn’t change the total emissions of the group. Therefore, one company must emit a lower-than-allowable amount in order for another company to emit more.

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The carbon market is a concept based on the “polluter pays” principle.

As we can see, this procedure encourages companies to make changes in order to reduce their gas emissions and respect their allotted amount. The companies who surpass their allowable emissions must pay for the surplus by buying more permits. Another important aspect is that it encourages companies to emit less in order to acquire extra profit (see: How to Finance your Business with Carbon Credits) by selling their right to pollute.

The carbon market has already started in Europe and North America. It works pretty much like the stock exchange. The problem with this system is that it needs rigid regulations and enforcement in order to have a large impact. There is no law limiting the amount of carbon emissions by a company. The carbon market is purely based on volunteerism, which works well for the companies already involved. This system was at the heart of Kyoto.

Comments
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christin wachter  - thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!   |2011-10-06 15:34:46
thank you very much you helped me understand this for my forestry report!!!you
are an also work force!!!!
LavenderLee  - Thank you   |2011-08-30 21:11:51
I've been searching for hours for this fascinating artcile! It's really hepful.
I've finally grasp the meaning of carbon market. Thanks a lot.
harry ashley  - esquire   |2011-08-16 07:56:05
what are the most popular carbon credit projects to investors
harry ashley  - esquire   |2011-08-16 07:44:09
Live life to the fullest
N Toor   |2011-07-09 01:23:38
Is there any arrangement for carbon credits in Pakistan
Bruno Felaco  - carbon market projects   |2010-03-02 10:10:37
Good morning ,I will like to know where can I find; template or copies of the
different projects for the carbon market for the American continent.
I am in
the Montreal area.
Thank you
Regards, Bruno.
JFS_BRAZIL   |2008-09-06 19:47:09
INFORTUNATALY MANY COMPANY DON'T ACT AS VOLUNTEER AND SO...
Guest User   |2008-04-06 05:26:01
I am a 4th year student in the university of yaounde 1, Cameroon. I find this
article very interesting and it really helped me in a Dissertation i did on
Carbon emissions.
Thanks
Hycinth
Guest User  - Very helpful site   |2007-07-31 11:42:03
I must say this site was very helpful in my research on carbon exchanges
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