Making Sustainability Stick: The Blueprint for Successful Implementation, Premium Edition

Chapter 6. Carbon Taxes & Cap and Trade

Many companies are concerned in this economic environment and there are three things businesses do not like: uncertainty, regulation, and taxes. They are worried about climate regulation and are asking “Will we be taxed?” and “If so, how?” Just as businesses typically steadfastly resist any new tax, there will be no exception for either a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade regimen. This is especially true of companies in the extractive, automotive, transportation, and manufacturing industries because they are the biggest emitters of GHGs and therefore would be the most at risk with either a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax. While the discussion at the national and regional levels is focused on cap and trade, ...