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IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Is carbon trading an effective strategy reducing emissions?

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Task 2: "Is carbon trading an effective strategy for reducing emissions?"

Model Answer:

Carbon trading has emerged as a prominent tool in the fight against climate change, with the primary aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this essay, we will evaluate the effectiveness of carbon trading as a strategy for tackling global warming and discuss its potential drawbacks.

Firstly, one of the main advantages of carbon trading is that it provides an economic incentive for companies to reduce their emissions. By imposing a cap on emissions and allowing companies to buy and sell allowances, it encourages businesses to find more efficient ways of operating. This market-based approach has been successful in reducing emissions in some regions, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Here, emissions have generally fallen since its inception in 2005, although recent years have seen a rise due to increased demand for energy and reduced efficiency.

Another benefit of carbon trading is that it promotes innovation in clean technology. As companies strive to reduce their carbon footprint, they are incentivized to invest in research and development of new technologies. This can lead to the creation of eco-friendly products and services, such as electric vehicles or renewable energy sources, which ultimately help to decrease overall emissions levels.

However, there are several drawbacks to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of carbon trading. One major concern is that carbon markets can be manipulated by powerful corporations, leading to a distortion in the market and potential increases in emissions. For instance, in 2013, it was discovered that companies in the EU ETS were using carbon allowances for speculative purposes rather than reducing emissions, which undermined the system's objectives.

Furthermore, the success of carbon trading relies heavily on the effectiveness of regulatory bodies. If these institutions fail to enforce strict regulations and monitor compliance, the market can become ineffective in achieving its goal of reducing emissions. Additionally, carbon pricing is not universally applied worldwide, which means that companies can simply move their operations to countries with laxer regulations or no cap at all.

In conclusion, while carbon trading has demonstrated some success in reducing emissions and promoting innovation in clean technology, it is not a panacea for the complex issue of global warming. The effectiveness of this strategy is contingent on robust regulatory frameworks, strict compliance measures, and international cooperation to ensure that companies cannot exploit loopholes or transfer their emissions to less regulated regions.

Scoring:

- Task Response: 9 (The response addresses all aspects of the question, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the topic.)
- Coherence and Cohesion: 8 (The answer is well-structured and logically organized, with relevant points clearly connected.)
- Lexical Resource: 7.5 (The vocabulary used is precise and varied, though there may be occasional errors in word choice or grammar.)
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 8.5 (The essay demonstrates a range of complex grammar structures and is mostly accurate, with few minor errors affecting clarity.)

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