Green Idea

Human CO2 emissions are actually dropping.15 years ago no-one would have thought this possible, but they're just not falling fast enough.

Here's a Green policy I've been thinking about. It still needs some fleshing out, but basically it's international carbon trading, but on a domestic scale and goes like this:

1. A country is allocated a carbon footprint by an independent 3rd party.
2. Such footprint to be set each year, in accordance with the goal of stabilising global warming within a certain time, meaning the footprint will reduce year-on-year.
3. The total footprint is equally divided between each and every adult in that country.
4. Using Blockchain technology, proptietorial rights are established.
5. Each person is free to either use their personal allocation, or sell all or some of it on the open market to the highest bidder within that country.

Using this methodology, those having a low carbon footprint can make money from selling their allocation - perhaps to fund further carbon footprint reductions. Those requiring more allocation simply buy it from others. 

Public services and critical industry would have their own allocation, which is taken from the country's total before the remainder is allocated, thus ensuring they continue to run and are not subject to fluctuating market prices.

It could be argued that the total allocation should be owned by the government, with the population buying shares of it; however, those with most money would gobble up the entire allocation and such a system could result in the poorest not getting any at all.

The problem starts when you use your allocation - how would that be monitored and policed? It would have to be attached to anything you buy, like a VAT levy, which is automatically recorded, logged and subtracted from your allocation through the purchase process. An App linked to the Blockchain keeps you updated on your remaining quota.

Should international trading of your allocation be allowed?