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French Firm Cashes In Under U.N. Warming Program

Publication Date: July 24, 2008
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Author: Charles Forelle

Professor David Victor is quoted in a Wall Street Journal story about the unintended consequences of a carbon credit trading program instituted by the United Nations that was designed to help poor nations develop climate-friendly energy sources:

"Markets are incredibly powerful institutions," says David Victor, a Stanford University professor who studies climate policy. But in some cases, he says, "you cannot create the right kind of market forces."

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Critics say the system that funnels money to companies in places like South Korea is partly to blame. It sends signals that "are exactly the opposite of what we should be sending," says Mr. Victor, the Stanford professor. For South Korea -- a relatively wealthy nation -- emissions cuts should be an obligation, not a windfall, he says. "It's just part of being a responsible citizen."

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