Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Personal carbon trading evaluation published
Findings from the Government study into personal carbon trading were published by Defra today.
The study indicates that personal carbon trading has potential to engage individuals in taking action to combat climate change, but is essentially ahead of its time and expected costs for implementation are high.
The Government remains interested in the concept of personal carbon trading and, although it will not be continuing its research programme at this stage, it will monitor the wealth of research focusing on this area and may introduce personal carbon trading if the value of carbon savings and cost implications change.
The review is part of the Government's commitment to supporting individuals to reduce their carbon footprints and encouraging pro-environmental behaviour. It examines all aspects of personal carbon trading and evaluates it's potential value for reducing individual CO2 emissions.
Notes to editors
1. Full copies of the reports can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/individual/carbontrading.
2. Personal carbon trading requires individuals to manage their own CO2 emissions. The concept suggests a national emissions cap would be set and carbon credits would be allocated across the population. Carbon credits would be used on purchases of, for example, electricity, gas or transport fuel. Those who need more credits than their allocated allowance would need to trade with those using less. Over time the overall emissions cap (and thus each individual allocation) could be reduced in line with national or international agreements.
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