Master's Theses

Department

Geosciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Effects of climate change are appearing each day therefore proactive steps need to be made to reduce these effects. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that humans producing greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide are the main reason the Earth’s overall temperature is rising (NASA 2019). A policy analysis was done on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) along with comparisons to the United States’ emissions policies that are in place currently. The European Union (E.U.) itself is both an economic and political union of 27 countries in the continent of Europe (European Union 2019). The goal of this research was to analyze what aspects of emission trading programs worked well, and where future implementations can be upgraded. This study provided suggestions for a nationwide policy to be created for the U.S. Analysis of the EU ETS was done via the EU ETS Handbook provided by the E.U.’s public website. Analysis of both the California Cap and Trade Program (CCTP) and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) were done via the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions policy hub. The study provided evidence that a nationwide emission cap and trade program would be both feasible and economically beneficial to the United States (U.S.). The two emission trading programs currently in effect in the U.S. do not cover aircraft emissions. The proposed nationwide emission program could target aircraft and become just the second country to enforce a policy which limits aircraft emissions.

Keywords

Policy analysis, climate change, cap and trade, emissions, EU ETS

Advisor

Dr. Keith Bremer

Date of Award

Spring 2021

Document Type

Thesis

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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