Last Updated:
February 28, 2007

GCRIO Program Overview

Library 
Our extensive collection of documents.

Privacy Policy

Archives of the
Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

Item #d99jun31

In an April press release, the International Energy Agency summarized an international workshop it held on Apr. 15-16, 1999, to exchange experiences in the design and implementation of policies and measures aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from energy poduction and use. Countries have adopted a wide range of policies that can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: energy efficiency programs, restructuring and liberalization of energy markets, fostering renewable-energy sources, negotiated agreements with industry, and economic instruments (e.g., taxes and tradable permits). Key points made at the workshop include

• The challenges faced by different countries are similar, and countries can benefit from information exchange on policies and measures.
• The gap between the present situation and Kyoto objectives requires new domestic policies and measures in the energy sector.
• The distinction between economic instruments and regulatory approaches is artificial; both are needed.
• Economic instruments, such as taxes, must account for social and competitiveness concerns.
• CO₂ emissions from transport are growing rapidly, and few policies have had any significant impact on this trend; policies addressing transport emissions must change behavior as well as technology.