IELTS.WORK

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

IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1712203206

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

Model Answer:

In recent years, carbon trading has emerged as a potential solution to combat the adverse effects of climate change. This essay will discuss whether or not this approach is indeed effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is important to note that while carbon trading offers several benefits, it may not be the panacea for the problem.

Carbon trading operates on the principle of cap-and-trade, which sets a limit on the total amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted and allows companies to buy and sell their emissions allowances in a market-based system. This system incentivizes industries to reduce their carbon emissions by offering financial benefits for those who exceed their allocated quota and purchase allowances from other businesses. As such, proponents argue that carbon trading encourages innovation and investment in clean technologies, which can lead to a reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions.

However, critics contend that carbon trading has several shortcomings. Firstly, the effectiveness of this approach relies heavily on the accuracy of emission monitoring and reporting. As it stands, there are concerns about the accuracy of data collected, which could result in over-allocation or underestimation of emissions. Additionally, carbon trading does not address the root causes of high emissions, such as unsustainable consumption patterns. As long as these issues remain unchecked, even if carbon trading successfully lowers emissions, it may only offer a temporary and partial solution.

Furthermore, there is also the possibility of "carbon leakage," where businesses relocate their operations to countries with laxer emission regulations in order to save costs. This phenomenon would ultimately undermine the effectiveness of carbon trading as a global strategy for reducing emissions.

In conclusion, carbon trading has the potential to be an effective approach in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it is not without its shortcomings. For this system to truly make a significant impact, it must be complemented by other strategies that tackle the root causes of high emissions and ensure accurate monitoring of compliance. Until these challenges are addressed, carbon trading alone may not be sufficient to combat climate change effectively.

Overall, the argument is presented logically with appropriate counter-arguments, making use of relevant examples. This response demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and is likely to receive a Band Score of 7 or above under IELTS scoring standards.

Source: https://www.ielts.work/?id=1712203206&page=ielts-writing-practice

For more: https://www.ielts.work/?page=ielts-writing-practice