Publications by Joshua Schneck
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Distribution of Emissions Permits to the U.S. Pulp and Paper Sector under Alternative Output-Based Allocation Schemes
December 2011 - by Joshua Schneck and Gale Boyd
Under a cap-and-trade climate policy, emissions allowances—tradable rights to emit a fixed amount of greenhouse gases—become scarce and valuable resources that change the economic incentives to implement more energy-efficient processes and energy management practices, and to select fuels with lower carbon content. A key question accompanying the design of any such policy is how to allocate these allowances. This paper examines how key design elements and industry characteristics affect the distribution of allowances to U.S. pulp and paper firms under three variations of a proposed output-based allocation program—the American Power Act’s emissions allowance rebate program.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nitrogen Use in U.S. Agriculture: Historic Trends, Future Projections, and Biofuel Policy Impacts
October 2011 - by Justin S. Baker, Brian C. Murray, Bruce A. McCarl, Steven K. Rose, and Joshua Schneck
Agriculture is among the world’s largest sources of greenhouse emissions and is the largest source of certain types of anthropogenic nitrogen pollution. But as a source of renewable fuels production and carbon sequestration, agriculture could also be part of the solution to energy security and climate change problems. Similarly, improved management of agricultural nitrogen use could be the key to managing nitrogen pollution in surface- and groundwater systems. If policy makers are to determine how best to develop and implement effective policy interventions to correct environmental problems in agriculture, the critical linkages among demand, supply, land use, nitrogen use, and greenhouse gas emissions must be captured. This paper projects greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen use from agricultural and forestry practices under baseline and alternative biofuel scenarios in the United States, while accounting for land use competition, production heterogeneity, and a full suite of biofuel production possibilities.
Funding International Climate Adaptation: Supporting Developing-Country Needs in the Absence of a Federal Climate Bill
April 2011 - by Josh Schneck
On February 24, 2011, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), together with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, presented a workshop on U.S. funding for international climate adaptation. Last year’s collapse of the effort to enact comprehensive federal climate legislation, together with a change in congressional priorities following the 2010 elections, have created a difficult funding environment for all international aid, including funds for climate adaptation. This workshop was an opportunity for NRPE members and allied partners from within the faith-based environmental movement to hear about the state of U.S. support for international adaptation and to learn about major proposals that have been put forward for raising additional resources. This workshop report summarizes key points that were made by the presenters—a group that included policy experts and key US government representatives involved in the funding and implementation of international climate adaptation work—and identifies areas for continued engagement going forward.
Demand for REDD Carbon Credits: A Primer on Buyers, Markets, and Factors Impacting Prices
February 2011 - by Joshua D. Schneck, Brian C. Murray, Christopher S. Galik, and W. Aaron Jenkins
This paper provides an overview of the demand for forest carbon, including potential buyers and their objectives, markets for forest carbon, and forces that affect the price of forest carbon. It is intended for parties and organizations who are considering developing forest carbon projects, as an aid to understanding the changing market and demand for forest carbon credits. While the primary focus of the paper is on markets and demand for REDD credits—credits arising from projects that reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation—much of the information is applicable to afforestation and reforestation projects, as well as improved forest management.
Financial Market Reform and the Implications for Carbon Trading
January 2011 - by Joshua Schneck and Jonas Monast
Concerns about regulating carbon markets became an increasingly integral part of the climate policy debate in the aftermath of recent episodes of market abuse and failure. In the absence of an existing comprehensive system of market oversight for carbon trading, policymakers drafting market-based climate legislation started including a range of market oversight provisions to help ensure that a new market, potentially valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars a year, would function properly.
Estimating the Employment Impacts of Energy and Environmental Policies and Programs: Workshop Summary Report
December 2010 - by Josh Schneck, Brian C. Murray, Etan Gumerman, and Suzanne Tegen
With U.S. unemployment rates hovering near 10 percent, new energy and environmental policies are being scrutinized more and more for their ability to create jobs. Yet, the information provided concerning these policies’ impact on jobs is widely variable, is often conflicting, and can confuse policymaking efforts. This policy brief summarizes the key points of a workshop the Nicholas Institute convened in October, which examined how to best estimate and convey the employment impacts that may result from enactment of energy and environmental policy.
The Impact of Environmental Policy on U.S. Job Growth and Unemployment
June 2010 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Update on U.S. Efforts to Address Climate Change – Regional Programs, ACELA, and EPA Action
May 2010 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Options for Raising International Adaptation Funding
April 2010 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
NI Summary of the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act (CLEAR)
February 2010 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Overview of Mexico’s Green Fund Proposal
January 2010 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
NI Summary of COP 15 Outcomes
December 2009 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Protecting Energy-Intensive Trade-Exposed (EITE) Industry
October 2009 - by Joshua Schneck, Brian Murray, Jan Mazurek and Peter Manilof
Nicholas Institute Brief Comparing EITE Allocation Under S. 1733, The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009, and H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Financing for International Adaptation in S. 1733 and H.R. 2454
October 2009 - by Joshua Schneck
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo Prepared for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Protecting Energy-Intensive Trade-Exposed Industry
October 2009 - by Joshua Schneck, Brian Murray, Jan Mazurek, and Gale Boyd
Nicholas Institute Discussion Memo on H.R. 2454 American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
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