Sign-On to the National Effort to Enact a Federal Price on Carbon as a Core Solution to Climate Change
Most policy experts agree: the cheapest and most effective way to reduce carbon emissions is to price them — that is, make emitters cover the costs that their emissions impose on society. It’s not just a theory: 20 countries have a carbon price in place, representing 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Almost fifteen percent of global emissions are covered by a price on carbon, including a carbon tax or ETS, as of December 2017. And many businesses with global footprints already operate in places where a carbon is a reality.
It’s time for the U.S. to adopt an economy-wide market based solution by putting a price on carbon.
The Principles
Climate change is real and presents significant risks to economic growth and prosperity. The solution should be economy wide and market based. A transparent price on emissions incentivizes low carbon consumer and business choices, accelerates the commercialization of low-carbon technologies -- and is the most efficient way to fight climate change.
We urge Congress to pass and the President to sign legislation that prices carbon consistent with the following principles. Any such legislation should:
- Help the U.S. to achieve its 2025 greenhouse gas reduction goals and put U.S. emissions on a path to help keep global temperature increases well below 2 degrees Celsius.
- Establish an economy-wide system to price carbon emissions.
- Increase the competitiveness of U.S. businesses globally.
- Provide a price signal strong enough to reduce the need for future regulation of carbon emissions while preserving the EPA’s present Clean Air Act regulatory authority.
- Provide flexibility to use complementary policies to reinforce effect of carbon pricing
- Preserve all families' access to reliable, affordable energy.
- Ensure a just transition for affected workers, families, and communities.
- Incentivize comparable action by other nations.
Have questions about the principles or the plan to roll them out? See our FAQs page.
Will Your Business Sign-On?
The principles and signatories to the principles will be released publicly. There is no obligation to take additional action once your company has signed on. However, all signatories are invited to take part in private and public meetings with lawmakers and reporters and to make their support known in the public arena. For additional questions, please visit our FAQs page.
Fill out the form below to sign on to the Carbon Pricing Principles.