Although the “ carbon tax, ” which is based on taxing the use of oil and coal, can stem the use of fossil fuels, if the tax is set too low, its impact on business will be insufficient. On the other hand, if it is set too high, then knock-on effects can damage the whole economy, dooming the scheme to failure.
這種作法雖遭「買贖罪券」之譏，但若真能依照制度設計，達到提供開發中國家減碳、綠能等新技術和資金的目標，讓開發中國家在經濟發展的同時不必重蹈工業化國家覆轍，無疑也是一大功臣。