In the September issue of the magazine we take an in-depth look at how the resurgence of the EU carbon market and the expected launch of China's national carbon market are boosting hopes for prices that are high enough to drive decisive climate action around the world. In our second briefing, we investigate how companies report on the SDGs
This month we look at the growing momentum around the world to put a price on CO2 emissions.
In his overview piece Mike Scott reports on how the resurgence of the EU carbon market, and an expected move by China to put a national price on carbon, are boosting hopes for prices that are high enough to drive decisive climate action around the world.
Diana Rojas reports from Washington, DC, where US business is pushing for a price on carbon as an alternative to regulation amid growing public awareness of climate change.
She also looks at how cap and trade is faring in Québec, across the border in Canada, where a knife-edge election in October threatens to derail the country’s carbon pricing revolution.
On the west coast of Canada, Kathryn Harrison of the University of British Columbia draws some lessons from BC’s widely lauded revenue-neutral carbon tax, and discusses the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Asia specialist Jill Baker talks to leading experts in China to provide a progress report on that country’s hugely important national carbon market.
I look at how Shell’s recent announcement that it will invest $100m in nature-based climate solutions, together with a launch this month of a new international platform to trade REDD+ forestry credits, could unleash a flood of finance into protecting forests.
And I also talk to Shell about criticisms from environmental groups like Greenpeace and others that offsetting should not be used as a prop to continue with a business that is fundamentally unsustainable.
Our second briefing this month is about how companies are reporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Amid concern that progress on achieving the 17 goals by 2030 is way behind schedule, Mark Hillsdon reports on efforts to hold companies to account for their SDG pledges and turn them into real action.
And he highlights how packaging company Mondi is working with partners in its bid to tackle the SDGs.
It’s a big month, with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg leading the first global climate action strike on 20 September, and Climate Week opening in New York. We hope this month’s issue will provide plenty of fresh insights for readers.