A comparative analysis of the EU emission trading system and California’s Cap and Trade Program
Master Thesis
Author
Giakounti, Eleni Anna
Γιακουντή, Ελένη Άννα
Date
2024-06Advisor
Roukanas, SpyridonΡουκανάς, Σπυρίδων
View/ Open
Keywords
EU ETS ; California’s Cap and Trade Program ; GHG emissions ; Mitigating climate change ; Comparative analysis ; Legal frameworks ; Economic impact ; Socio-political implicationsAbstract
The present thesis commits to a detail-driven comparative analysis between the European Union Emission Trading System and California’s Cap and Trade Program, intending to juxtapose these two eminent market-driven systems with the common aim of tackling greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. This research showcases their scope, coverage, cap-setting methods, allowance allocation mechanisms, compliance flexibility, price regulation strategies, and international linkage dynamics. The focal point lays out the evaluation of the efficiency and efficacy of the two emission reduction tactics, considering the multiple regional contexts and policy agendas. This multidimensional approach based on data, policy documents, academic papers, and academic literature, examines both systems' strengths and limitations. It aims to contribute valuable insights to the discussion on market-driven environmental governance schemes and functions as a source of knowledge for important stakeholders of the energy and environmental sector like policymakers, researchers, scholars, and entities involved in climate change mitigation, aiding them in the understanding of these systems, evolve from their experiences, and identify the arising challenges and potential improvements.