What is the Clean Air Act? July 25, 2016 The Clean Air Act was a bill passed by the United States Congress in 1970 with major revisions in 1977 and 1990. The act outlines regulations for air quality and the ozone layer above American territory and the role of the responsibilities of the United States Protection Agency about maintaining those laws. The revisions in 1977 and 1990 outlined new targets for air pollution and recognized new air pollution threats such as acid rain and damage…

What is the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)? July 25, 2016 The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is the world’s first, and North America’s only, voluntary and legally binding greenhouse gas trading market. Since 2003, it has been the trading center for six greenhouse gases between businesses, who have committed themselves to reducing their emissions by six percent by 2010. In the time since it started, the CCX has become associated with other similar exchanges including the European Climate Exchange, Chicago Climate Futures Exchange, Montreal Climate Exchange…

What are Certified Emissions Reductions (CER)? July 25, 2016 A Certified Emissions Reduction, also known as CER, is a certificate issued by the United Nations to member nations for preventing one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. These are usually issued to member states for projects achieving greenhouse gas reductions through the use of Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM). CDMs make it possible for these projects to occur and set a baseline for future emission targets. Countries with developed or traditional economies (recognized as Annex 1 under…

What is Carbon Trading? July 25, 2016 Carbon Trading is a market-based system under cap and trade programs that aims to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In this system, countries with high carbon dioxide emissions can purchase the right to produce more from other nations with lower emissions. In theory, this will help to reduce the overall emissions by adding a price tag to pollution. The use of this system was born out of the Kyoto Protocol. In the early 1990s, all member states of the…

What is a Carbon Sink? July 25, 2016 Carbon Sinks are natural parts of the carbon cycle that absorb carbon from the atmosphere. These sinks are made up of oceans, soils and plants. Plants rely on carbon as a part of a process called photosynthesis and release some of the contained carbon into the ground when they die and decompose. Oceans are significant in carbon storage as carbon is not only needed for marine life but also breaks it down in seawater. Carbon sinks are…