Crossing the Bridge to a Carbon-neutral Society

Mark Halle comments on the progress toward a transition to a carbon-neutral society and the need for a policy framework that favours it.

The transition to a carbon-neutral society is proceeding at a frustratingly slow pace due to policy frameworks in place that give encouragement to industry and to the consumer to prefer carbon-based production and consumption over the alternatives. He identifies a few key examples including: fossil fuel subsidies; and energy pricing regimes, monopolies over energy distribution, and preferences for domestic producers that discourage investment in clean energy.