A glaring unspoken dynamic orbits around the myth of carbon pricing as an economically effective means to address climate change. The assumption that carbon pricing works to avoid catastrophic climate chaos takes on a mythical quality, even as the data and science show that temperature overshoot, which is not an option, has moved from the horizon to the foreground, and that the market is clearly not achieving the necessary results.
On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Gary Hughes, Co-Director and Americas Program Coordinator wth Biofuelwatch, about why the fact that carbon pricing is inadequate to get needed results is never discussed amongst most regulators and elected officials.
Here are links to web pages Gary mentions in the interview:
Washington Climate Partnership (WA State Depts of Commerce and Ecology): https://waclimatepartnership.org/en/
Washington Cap-and-Invest Program: https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest
Biofuelwatch: https://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/
and the article: https://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2025/rebranding-of-california-carbon-market-as-cap-and-invest-is-a-cynical-ploy/
This link is for a pro markets but factually very useful recounting of the legislation reauthorizing California cap-and-trade/invest:
- KBOO