Carbon for sale

The World Resources Institute (WRI) study shows that current emission savings in developing countries stem not from climate change concerns, but from basic economic incentives. And therein lies the lesson. As long as it is economically advantageous to do so, developing countries will continue to increase emission savings regardless of whether a legally binding cap is imposed upon them or not. Economic incentives for reductions include cost savings from new efficient technology and payment for the environmental service of saving emissions of greenhouse gases. This environmental service, the 'decarbonization' of the atmosphere, can be attained either by reducing or avoiding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as through increased energy efficiency or renewable energy generation, or by sequestering carbon, as through improved land uses. While a similar case can be made for methane, for the purpose of the argument we have focused on CO2