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This analysis of the social cost of carbon, as estimated by the U.S. government, explores the effects of uncertainty about climate sensitivity, the shape of the damage function, and the discount rate.
The social cost of carbon – or marginal damage caused by an additional ton of carbon dioxide emissions – has been estimated by a U.S. government working group at 21 USD in 2010. That calculation, however, omits many of the biggest risks associated with climate change, and downplays the impact of our current emissions on future generations.
This re-analysis shows that the social cost of carbon is uncertain across a broad range, and could be much higher than 21 USD. In the worst case, it could be almost 900 USD in 2010, rising to 1,500 USD in 2050.
The most ambitious scenarios for eliminating carbon dioxide emissions as rapidly as technologically feasible (reaching zero or negative net global emissions by the end of this century) require spending up to 150 to 500 USD per ton of reductions in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Using a reasonable set of alternative assumptions, therefore, the damages from a ton of carbon dioxide emissions in 2050 could exceed the cost of reducing emissions at the maximum technically feasible rate.
Once this is the case, the authors argue, the exact value of the social cost of carbon loses importance: the clear policy prescription is to reduce emissions a rapidly as possible, and cost-effectiveness analysis offers better insights for climate policy than cost-benefit analysis.
Read more and see comments on the journal website»
Download the latest version (external link to PDF, 608kb)
Other publication / The Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region and SEI US have been assessing the region's climate footprint and generating solutions.
Other publication / The U.S. brief of the Lancet Countdown report gives recommendations on how the country can support public health through climate action.
Feature / A Montana judge ruled in favor of 16 youth who sued the state for the right to a "healthful environment".
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