IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Is carbon trading an effective strategy reducing emissions?
IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1713276282
Task 2: "Is carbon trading an effective strategy for reducing emissions?"
Model Answer:
In recent years, there has been a growing consensus among scientists, policymakers, and the general public that urgent action is needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Carbon trading, or cap-and-trade systems, have emerged as one potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This essay will discuss whether carbon trading is an effective strategy for reducing emissions by examining its historical context, benefits, and drawbacks.
In order to understand the effectiveness of carbon trading, it is essential to delve into the origins of this market-based approach. Carbon trading was first introduced in the early 1990s as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. The Kyoto Protocol, which was established in 1997, provided a legal framework for countries to commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Under this protocol, the concept of carbon trading was further developed and refined through the creation of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2005.
One of the primary benefits of carbon trading is its potential to reduce emissions cost-effectively by encouraging industries to invest in cleaner technologies or more efficient production processes. This, in turn, can stimulate innovation and drive down the costs associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, carbon trading provides a flexible approach to emission reduction, as it allows companies to meet their targets in various ways, such as through the purchase of carbon credits generated by other organizations or through investment in renewable energy projects.
Despite these benefits, critics argue that carbon trading is not an effective strategy for reducing emissions due to several factors. Firstly, there is a concern that carbon trading may lead to "hot air," where companies receive permits to emit more than they actually need and sell them on the market, thereby undermining the overall effectiveness of the system. Moreover, some argue that carbon trading does not incentivize real emissions reductions, but rather allows companies to maintain their current levels of production while simply purchasing credits from others who have reduced their own emissions. This, in turn, can result in a lack of genuine innovation and a reliance on market mechanisms over meaningful regulation.
In conclusion, carbon trading has the potential to be an effective strategy for reducing emissions by promoting cost-effective solutions and driving innovation in cleaner technologies. However, it is important to recognize its shortcomings, such as the risk of "hot air" and the potential for companies to simply shift their production rather than making genuine reductions. Therefore, a combination of carbon trading with other climate policies, such as renewable energy incentives and stricter emission regulations, may be necessary in order to effectively tackle the global issue of climate change.
Scoring:
- Task Response:
9 (The candidate has provided an adequately detailed response to the topic, demonstrating a clear understanding of the question.)
- Coherence and Cohesion:
8 (The essay is well organized, with a logical flow of ideas. However, there are some minor lapses in cohesion and coherence.)
- Lexical Resource:
9 (The candidate demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary, with accurate use and varied sentence structure.)
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy:
8 (There are only a few grammar errors, which do not significantly impact the overall clarity of the essay.)
- Spelling/Punctuation:
9 (The candidate demonstrates a high degree of accuracy in spelling and punctuation, with only minor errors.)
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