This January 2008 policy brief by John Bailey concludes that universal dividends are a critically important tool to create the political will and public acceptance for a carbon cap. Universal dividends have the potential to hold harmless a large segment of consumers while we move to a low-carbon economy. Moreover, the universal dividend honors the principle that the sky belongs to all of us equally. Private investment in clean and efficient technologies will be driven by a carbon cap that leads to steady reductions over time of GHG emissions and carbon-based fuels.

Common to many proposals addressing climate change is a cap on carbon emissions or carbon content of fuels. A cap will generate a market value for carbon. 

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This November 2007 report by John Farrell, John Bailey and David Morris examines the impact that Minnesota’s energy policies will have on Minnesota’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. Even if fully achieved, the state’s energy policies would simply slow the rate at which GHG emissions continue to grow.

Minnesota has adopted an aggressive state-level greenhouse gas (GHG)reduction goal but Minnesota’s energy policy objectives, even if achieved, would simply slow the rate at which we are moving the the wrong direction. To significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions Minnesota must reduce energy consumption. 

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