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Going Greener Won't Cut Much* Into Bottom Line: Study
*If governments are smart with policies
By Caroline Zimmerman
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Posted Apr 3, 08 7:54 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions will put a dent in the world's bottom line, but the damage could be minimal with the right economic policies, the International Monetary Fund forecasts. A 60% reduction of 2002 emission levels will reduce global growth by 2.6% come 2040, but the world's economy would still double in size, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The right international system of carbon credits and taxes would keep business happy, the Journal notes; most important, the IMF says, is setting a global price for emissions in a "long-term and credible" plan that will attract investors. An inexpensive way for companies to cut back on emissions is to help factories in China and India become more energy-efficient.