Josh Burke

The authors of this paper identify three risks associated with using carbon markets as the sole, or main, policy lever to encourage the deployment of greenhouse gas removal (GGR) techniques. Read more

In the lead up to the COP26 in Glasgow this article outlines the challenge of ensuring that countries meet their commitments to the Paris Agreement at a time of economic slowdown triggered by COVID-19. Read more

This report provides insights to inform the UK Government’s review on expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, focusing on three sectors that might fall within the scope of future policy changes. Read more

The UK's net-zero commitment assumes the use of greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies, but there is little understanding of how they might be funded and who will bear the cost. This study prepared for the National Infrastructure Commission analyses how the distribution of costs for funding these technologies impacts society across income deciles. Read more

This submission was made by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the ESRC Centre for... Read more

There has been a resurgence in the debate around Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) and the role they may play in preserving the effectiveness of climate action in high ambition countries. This report explores how the European Union’s CBAM, announced to come into force by the end of 2022, might affect the UK. Read more

This report argues that carbon pricing alongside complementary policies can help Taiwan reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in a fair and cost-effective way. It assesses the options and identifies a clear path to carbon pricing in Taiwan. Read more

To tackle the challenges of climate change, more investment needs to be mobilised in low-carbon technologies and capital assets. This report examines the implications for firms as they diversify into the green marketplace. Read more

This brief argues that once the immediate rescue has been secured and countries move towards recovery from COVID-19, carefully implementing carbon pricing while reducing fossil fuel subsidies should be at the core of any stimulus package. Read more

This study explores the distributional impacts of a net-zero-consistent carbon price across different household types and income deciles in the UK; and examines which combination of interventions may reduce carbon consumption and still be progressive. The authors find that it is possible to design a revenue recycling scheme that leaves fuel-poor and low-income households better off while driving the transition to net-zero emissions in the UK by 2050. Read more

This submission was made to the Environment Agency's consultation on its draft strategy for flood and coastal risk management in England, and draws on the Grantham Research Institute's work and expertise over many years in this area. Read more

The Grantham Research Institute’s response to the Commons Select Committee inquiry into decarbonisation of the UK economy highlights the Treasury’s unique position in government to drive the transition towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a focus on economic growth. Read more

This policy brief analyses global trends in carbon taxation and differences in tax design around the world to draw out lessons for the design of a possible new carbon tax for the UK, as the country plans how to meet its ambitious new net-zero emissions target and how it prices carbon after Brexit. Read more

This written evidence was submitted on 12 July 2019 to the joint consultation into ‘The future of carbon pricing’, being carried out by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland. Read more

This report explains the importance of pricing carbon as a key component of any strategy to reach net-zero emissions in the UK, setting out how the price may differ sector to sector and how to incentivise negative emissions. Read more

Conflicting evidence has been presented on carbon leakage, caused largely due to misconceptions over the term’s meaning. The confusion is worth disentangling because it is obscuring the debate on how to act, argue Misato Sato and Josh Burke. Read more

this magazine article Josh Burke discusses the implementation of emission-trading schemes and carbon taxes. Read more

In this BBC News Channel interview Josh Burke discusses the announcement by 40 countries at COP26 of their intention to phase out the use of coal. Read more

This news article considers different options for carbon taxing in the UK. Includes a quote from Josh Burke who outlines... Read more

People are most likely to support climate policies that they consider to be fair. With the recent rise in alarmist rhetoric around the ‘cost’ of net-zero and the need to ensure a just low-carbon transition, Josh Burke explores the case for recycling the proceeds of a carbon tax back to households. Read more

In this news article Josh Burke responds to reports that the UK Government is considering offsetting the cost of higher... Read more

Carbon pricing should be part of nothing less than a significant and broad package of post-COVID fiscal reforms, say Esin Serin and Josh Burke, as they outline what these reforms should look like. Read more

News report concerning the launch of a report, titled Carbon pricing options for Taiwan that was published by the Grantham... Read more

Policy Fellow, Josh Burke, discusses research finding that half of the UK's true carbon footprint is created abroad. In his response he says that policies such as border carbon adjustments (carbon taxes on imports) could provide an elegant economic solution. Read more

The impact of COVID-19 on the price of carbon illustrates just how important it is to build flexibility into cap-and-trade systems and this is something policymakers should remember for the design of the UK’s post-Brexit emissions trading system, argue Josh Burke and Luca Taschini. Read more

Josh Burke examines the costs, opportunities, advantages and disadvantages of different carbon capture and negative emissions technologies. Read more

Josh Burke discusses (in this article for EU Observer) what Brexit will mean for UK climate policy and considers options for carbon pricing if it withdraws from the EU ETS. Read more

In this article looking at the decline of coal use in the UK Josh Burke says a confluence of market drivers & regulatory interventions (in particular the introduction of a carbon price support scheme in 2013) have steered the UK away from coal. Read more

Reports that the British Government will reveal plans to cut fuel duty in this week’s pre-Budget announcement are dismaying just four months after it committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, says Josh Burke, especially when there is consensus on how to cut emissions from the transport sector. Read more

This article reflects on comments made by the government’s chief environment scientist on the UK's net zero target. In the article Josh Burke refers to research by the Grantham Research Institute which shows how achieving net zero and maintaining economic growth are not mutually exclusive. Read more

Josh Burke and Rebecca Byrnes discuss new research into global approaches to carbon pricing. Read more

Josh Burke argues that using the metaphor of war could be detrimental to communicating the climate message – but may help encourage the investment in innovation and structural changes we need. Read more

Carbon pricing could form the policy bedrock for a net-zero target, argues Josh Burke Inaction on climate change puts the... Read more

What does ‘net-zero’ emissions mean and what are the challenges – from technological to moral – to achieving it, in the UK and worldwide? Read more

The UK’s coal phase-out may be proceeding apace but there remains a gap where ‘just transition’ plans should sit – for coal and for other fossil fuel industry – argues Josh Burke. Read more

To tax or to trade – that is the question. Following the October Budget, and as Brexit looms, Josh Burke assesses the policy landscape around carbon pricing in the UK. Read more