Cap & Share as a national scheme

Climate change is a global problem, and needs a global solution. One solution would be to have single global system: Cap & Share can operate on a global level, but this would need global institutions to implement it.

Alternatively, the global solution might consist of an international framework tying together national arrangements in each country.

Such an international framework might be "Contraction & Convergence", as proposed by Aubrey Meyer and the Global Commons Institute. This is a way of apportioning entitlements to carbon emissions between countries. Different countries might adopt different systems to meet their targets, and C&S would be one system countries might choose. Aubrey Meyer has said, "As a response to C&C, this [Cap & Share] is the best I've seen." There are other possible international frameworks, such as the Greenhouse Development Rights one.

But to begin with, Cap & Share can work in a single country, before an international agreement is reached. In this case the cap for the country applies to fossil fuel suppliers bringing fossil fuels into the national economy - which now means either extracting them from the ground or importing them. In most countries, the number of companies extracting or importing fossil fuels is very small - fewer than 100.

We could bring in Cap & Share in the UK or Ireland, say, very swiftly (and for our own benefit - more people would be better off than would lose out). To begin with, we could have a mild cap, to minimise any concerns over competitiveness. Once we demonstrate that it works and that we are serious, then other countries - starting with the EU say - would be encouraged to follow suit. Then, we can all go forward together, making more serious cuts in emissions. As more countries join, we can get an international agreement off the ground. This approach can parallel and encourage formal agreements and treaties.

Efforts are under way to campaign for the introduction of C&S in Ireland, the UK, and elsewhere. See the About section for what is happening in these countries.