Research Seminar - Distributing Emission Rights

Nathan Wood will be presenting for approximately half an hour, which will be followed by an informal discussion. All are welcome and there is no need to book.

Abstract
The majority of states rely on fossil fuel derived energy and there exists strong links between energy, well-being and societal participation. Taxation and personal carbon trading propose to curtail emission rights as a means of reducing emissions as part of an effort to mitigate the impacts of man-made climate change.

Many states are already subject to multiple forms of inequality, including energy inequality. The curtailing of emission rights through these means could threaten to limit access to energy necessary for well-being and thus compound existing societal inequalities.

Because of this, it is not unfeasible that well-being and societal participation could be hampered for particular groups as their emission rights are curtailed during a transition from a fossil fuel dependent society. This paper illustrates this, through drawing on Amartya Sen’s and Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach and ultimately propose a more equitable alternative.