Carbon Pricing
Economists around the world consider carbon pricing the most economically efficient climate policy option. RFF experts are informing the design and examining the impacts of carbon pricing to help leaders better understand the fiscal and environmental costs and benefits.
Highlights
Countries, states, provinces, and regions around the world—including a number of US states—are driving down carbon dioxide emissions by putting a price on carbon through cap-and-trade programs or carbon taxes. To design carbon pricing policies that minimize harm to the economy and individual livelihoods, however, policymakers need credible information on how these policies affect greenhouse gas emissions, vulnerable households, and the nation’s energy mix.
The goal of RFF’s Carbon Pricing Initiative is to provide rigorous analysis and a nonpartisan, objective voice to help leaders understand the impacts of their decisions and pave the way for the design of pragmatic and equitable policies.
Topics
Border Adjustments
Examining the design, implementation costs, and policy impacts of border adjustments
Cap and Trade
Analyzing and advising on policies in the United States and elsewhere
Carbon Taxes
Examining potential impacts, revenue use options, and more.
Clean Energy Standards
Working with policymakers to provide economic analysis on potential legislation
Climate Policy in California
Evaluating climate policy in California, beginning with Assembly Bill 32.
RGGI
Analyzing programs in place through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- News
- Resources Magazine
Media Highlight — Nov 15, 2021
As Climate Change Policy Takes Shape, Will the US Ever Put a Price on Carbon?
As Climate Change Policy Takes Shape, Will the US Ever Put a Price on Carbon?
Press Release — Nov 10, 2021
What Would Expanding the EU’s Emissions Trading System Mean for Consumers and Climate Goals?
What Would Expanding the EU’s Emissions Trading System Mean for Consumers and Climate Goals?
Journal Article — Nov 10, 2021
Should the EU ETS be Extended to Road Transport and Heating Fuels?
An article published in Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy outlines the benefits, costs, and policy design considerations of expanding the European Union’s Emissions Trading System to cover road transport and heating fuels—a move that would c
Explainer — Nov 10, 2021
Border Carbon Adjustments 101
An introduction to border carbon adjustments, their components, benefits and costs, and the role of the World Trade Organization in their implementation.
Journal Article — Nov 10, 2021
Should the EU ETS be Extended to Road Transport and Heating Fuels?
An article published in Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy outlines the benefits, costs, and policy design considerations of expanding the European Union’s Emissions Trading System to cover road transport and heating fuels—a move that would c
Explainer — Nov 10, 2021
Border Carbon Adjustments 101
An introduction to border carbon adjustments, their components, benefits and costs, and the role of the World Trade Organization in their implementation.
Working Paper — Oct 25, 2021
Carbon Pricing and the Elasticity of CO2 Emissions
This paper examines the impacts of carbon pricing on CO2 emissions across various sectors in 39 countries over time.
Working Paper — Oct 21, 2021
Determining the Greenhouse Gas Index for Covered Products of Specific Manufacturers
This working paper explores the GHG index, a central concept used to determine border tax adjustments for covered products.
RFF Live — Nov 9, 2021
Carbon Border Measures: Policies to Combat Leakage and Encourage Climate Ambition
A panel discussion will explore recent border measure proposals in the European Union and United States
RFF Live — Nov 3, 2021
Carbon Border Measures: What Happens with Ambitious Climate Policies?
Examining whether net-zero policies cause emissions leakage—and how effectively border measures can mitigate it
Advanced Energy Technologies Series — Jul 30, 2021
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
Clean Energy Innovation: How Beneficial is Government Funding?
Policy Leadership Series — May 11, 2021
Policy Leadership Series with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
A conversation with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on the airline's decarbonization strategy and the future of the industry
Media Highlight — Nov 15, 2021
As Climate Change Policy Takes Shape, Will the US Ever Put a Price on Carbon?
As Climate Change Policy Takes Shape, Will the US Ever Put a Price on Carbon?
Press Release — Nov 10, 2021
What Would Expanding the EU’s Emissions Trading System Mean for Consumers and Climate Goals?
What Would Expanding the EU’s Emissions Trading System Mean for Consumers and Climate Goals?
Media Highlight — Nov 5, 2021
The Trade Tool That Could Unlock Climate Ambitions
The Trade Tool That Could Unlock Climate Ambitions
Media Highlight — Oct 29, 2021
To Lead the World on Climate, Biden Needs a Carbon Price
To Lead the World on Climate, Biden Needs a Carbon Price
Common Resources — Oct 21, 2021
Accounting for Emissions in Global Trade with a Greenhouse Gas Index
RFF’s Brian Flannery explains how a greenhouse gas index can account for the emissions of internationally traded goods, and he discusses its potential applications in the design of border adjustments.
Common Resources — Oct 19, 2021
Designing Border Carbon Adjustments When Carbon Is Not Explicitly Priced
Implementing border carbon adjustments can be a challenge when the countries involved don’t have a carbon price. Recent RFF research considers how to design border carbon adjustments around local variations in carbon pricing policy.
Common Resources — Sep 16, 2021
Under Construction: The Build Back Better Act
RFF experts assess early committee drafts of the Build Back Better Act, a far-reaching bill designed around the Senate’s unique reconciliation process that addresses clean energy and infrastructure spending.
Resources Radio — Sep 14, 2021
Border Tax Adjustments, with Brian Flannery
Brian Flannery describes the challenge of imposing border adjustments on goods from countries whose climate policies aren’t sufficiently ambitious.
