How Much is a Ton of CO2 Worth?
The social cost of carbon can help us determine how much emitting one ton of CO2 into the atmosphere today will cost us in the future. We're crunching the numbers.
Resources for the Future brings together a global team of distinguished scientists and economists to ensure the social cost of carbon remains accurate and grounded in the best available science.
What is the Social Cost of Carbon and how is it used?
The Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) is an estimate, in dollars, of the economic damages that would result from emitting an additional ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These damages include impacts to agriculture, human health, energy use, and damage to coastal infrastructure.
The SCC puts the effects of climate change into economic terms to help policymakers understand the impacts of decisions that would increase or decrease emissions. The SCC has been used by the federal government, several states, and other countries to inform billions of dollars of policy and investment decisions.
In 2022, Resources for the Future (RFF) and a team of experts released an updated SCC value of $185 per ton, a significant increase from the then federal estimate of $51 per ton. RFF's calculation incorporated updated scientific understanding using a new open-source model (the “GIVE model”) and substantially increased the estimated benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation. Following the report, EPA updated its own estimate to $190 per ton.
Today, the SCC is facing an uncertain future. Under the Trump Administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that it will “overhaul” the SCC, providing uncertainty about the consideration of the economic impacts of emissions.
Regardless of what happens in the short term, with your support RFF will continue working on our SCC model and providing accurate and trustworthy climate data to interested decisionmakers at the state and international levels.
We can’t fully understand the benefits of addressing climate change—or the costs of inaction—unless we know how greenhouse gas emissions affect society.
RFF continues work the social cost of carbon and the GIVE model because we know that important research like this shouldn’t be halted or disrupted. If you agree, and like us, you value rigorous, data-driven decision making, I ask you to consider making a gift to RFF today.
– Brian C. Prest, Fellow and Director of RFF’s Social Cost of Carbon Initiative
Your generous gift today will enable this critical work to continue.
RFF is an independent, nonpartisan research organization. Our experts bring the brightest economic thinking to bear on complex environmental issues, shaping many of the world’s most successful policies over the past 70 years. Today, we’re applying our expertise to reduce emissions, build resilience, and solve the climate challenge.
RFF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Make your donation today at www.rff.org/donate.
Learn More About Our Work on the SCC
Social Cost of Carbon at a Glance
A quick overview of the damages caused by greenhouse gas emissions and how to measure them.
Blog: Defending the GIVE Model and Our SCC Estimates
A recent analysis of the SCC—the cost to society of an additional ton of carbon dioxide emissions—ultimately supports a higher estimate of this metric.
Social Cost of Carbon 101
A more in-depth review of the SCC, from a basic definition to the history of its use in policy analysis.
View All of Our Research on the SCC
Click here to learn more about RFF's work to update the best available science on quantifying the impacts of climate change.