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

IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1711255218

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

Model Answer:

Carbon trading, or cap-and-trade systems, have been proposed as a market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. In this essay, I will argue that while carbon trading has some merits, it is not the most effective strategy for reducing emissions in the long run.

Firstly, carbon trading offers the potential for economic efficiency by allowing companies to choose the least-cost methods of meeting emission reduction targets. This flexibility encourages innovation and cost-effective solutions, which can result in lower overall emissions reductions. For example, a company that can reduce its emissions more cheaply than another can sell any excess allowances on the market, thereby incentivizing the most efficient practices.

However, there are several significant drawbacks to carbon trading. One of these is the risk of "hot air," or the situation where emission reductions in one country or company are offset by increases elsewhere. This is particularly problematic if the overall cap on emissions is too lenient, as it allows for an increase in total emissions rather than a genuine reduction.

Additionally, carbon trading can lead to a moral hazard, where companies may prioritize purchasing allowances over implementing effective emission reduction strategies. In other words, it can become more cost-effective for a company to simply buy allowances instead of investing in cleaner technologies or practices. This is particularly concerning as it may result in minimal actual reductions in emissions levels.

Furthermore, carbon trading can create opportunities for profiteering and market manipulation, which can undermine the system's effectiveness. For example, if a company holds onto its allowances and then releases them at a later date when prices are higher, it can significantly increase its profits without making any genuine emission reductions.

In conclusion, while carbon trading does have some merits in terms of economic efficiency and flexibility, it is not an effective long-term strategy for reducing emissions. The potential issues of "hot air," moral hazard, and market manipulation create a system that can be exploited rather than one that effectively drives down overall emissions levels. Therefore, alternative approaches to climate change mitigation should be explored, such as renewable energy incentives or direct regulation of emissions.

Overall, the writing task is well-structured, coherent, and presents a clear argument with relevant evidence. The writer provides a balanced perspective on carbon trading and offers alternative strategies for emission reduction. This essay would likely receive an overall band score of 7 or 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2 due to its clarity, coherence, and effective use of evidence.

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