Groups Divided On Carbon Trading Plan

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

By Ed Joyce and KPBS Public Broadcasting

Audio

Aired 4/19/09

The Western Climate Initiative released its final draft recommendations in San Diego today for reducing global warming pollution. The group favors a regional carbon trading system called "cap-and-trade." Environmental groups are divided. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The cap is a limit on the pollution that's linked to global warming.

The trade part creates a market with incentives for companies to reduce pollution, including trading credits for reducing emissions to other companies that exceed those limits.

California is considering several strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including a carbon trading plan.

Derek Walker with the Environmental Defense Fund supports that system.
Walker: This is a great step forward and it will have a tremendous impact on our ability to pass national global warming legislation.
But other environmental groups are against the carbon-trading plan.

Leo Miras with the Environmental Health Coalition in National City says a carbon tax or fee is a better way to reduce pollution.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.

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