Key Documents

Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition Official Launch and Work Plan Report

The Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition official launched on November 30, 2015, the opening day of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 21st Conference of the Parties as one of the first deliverables of COP21. The coalition seeks to expand the use of effective carbon pricing policies that can maintain competitiveness, create jobs, encourage innovation, and achieve meaningful emissions reductions.

Executive Guide to Carbon Pricing Leadership

To help companies put their carbon pricing commitments into action, the UN Global Compact and World Resources Institute, together with Caring for Climate partners, released the Executive Guide to Carbon Pricing Leadership. The guide, which features insights from more than 100 companies from around the world, is designed for individuals who are now completing due diligence on carbon pricing of behalf of their companies.

States and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2015

With the countdown on to the Paris climate change conference, there is clear evidence of growing momentum to put a price on carbon. The growth of carbon pricing around the world has been substantial. Since January 2012, the number of carbon pricing instruments already implemented or scheduled for implementation has almost doubled, jumping from 20 to 38. Moreover, the share of emissions covered by carbon pricing has increased threefold over the last decade.

Principles for Successful Carbon Pricing

The case for climate action has never been stronger. Current weather extremes, including storms, floods and drought, affect millions of people across the world. Climate change is putting water security at risk; threatening agricultural and other supply chains as well as many coastal cities. The likelihood of severe pervasive and irreversible impacts will grow without action to limit and reverse the growth of GHG emissions globally.

Background Notes

Background Note: Carbon Pricing Readiness

As countries construct their 2030, 2040, and 2050 greenhouse gas mitigation scenarios, they have increasingly identified cost-efficient policies, including carbon pricing instruments, as essential elements of proposed climate action. Countries’ activities in this regard differ based on their unique circumstances, and range from improving “carbon pricing readiness” to designing and piloting various carbon pricing instruments. This note provides updates on countries' activities.

Background Note: Corporate Action for Putting a Price on Carbon

Companies in a diverse range of sectors see carbon pricing as the most efficient and cost-effective means of tackling the climate challenge. Many companies are voicing support for government action to put a price on carbon. Many also assign a price on carbon internally.

Background Note: ETS

An ETS is an explicit carbon pricing instrument that limits or caps the allowed amount of greenhouse gas emissions and lets market forces disclose the carbon price through emitters trading emissions allowances.