WBA Calls on COP22 Delegates to Push for Carbon Tax to Aid Paris Climate Agreement

Opinions, Policy

November 15, 2016

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(Bioenergy Insight) The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) has called on the delegates attending the 22^ndConference of Parties (COP22) at Marrakech, Morocco to push for a carbon tax to help countries achieve the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

The WBA has urged world leaders to “act now” to phase out fossil fuel use on a yearly basis.

In such a scenario, bioenergy in combination with other renewables should play a crucial role, the organisation said.

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With the current rate of emissions, the world will use up its carbon budget in the next 20 years. Some countries are still investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure which will create lock-in effects for many years. Fossil fuel subsidies still exist and policy incentives for renewables are not being promoted at the required pace. The Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC’s) are insufficient to achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement.

However, there is also a lot of positive news. The cost of renewables is falling rapidly and in some countries, they are cheaper than fossil fuels. There are many success stories from countries, provinces, cities, villages etc. where renewables working together are demonstrating a low carbon energy society which is environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially acceptable. There are certain key areas to consider for the delegates to ensure a more rapid transition:

Carbon tax is key instrument: Creating a carbon tax in each country is the most efficient way to apply polluters pay principle to the climate issue. It is the simplest way to reduce fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency and make renewables more competitive.
Change perception from greening fossils to removing fossil fuels: A fossil exit strategy for all countries with a managed reduction of fossil fuels is absolutely critical. READ MORE

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