Plan B? The prospects for personal carbon trading

To avoid dangerous climate change, deep cuts in carbon emissions will be needed. These cuts will have to be made in all parts of the economy, including in emissions produced directly by individuals. Just over 40 per cent of UK carbon emissions result from the behaviour of individuals, from heating and powering our homes and making personal journeys by car and plane. However, there is currently no sign of any decline in emissions from residential energy use, car use or aviation.

This report examines the cases for and against personal carbon trading as a policy to help reduce personal carbon emissions in the UK, and sets out the conditions under which this approach might become a realistic proposition.