How did the Emissions Trading Scheme in Europe privatize a public good?
A)The system sold off government-owned firms to more efficient private owners.
B)European governments became less involved in offsetting goals for pollution reduction,allowing private citizens and firms to determine the appropriate levels of pollution.
C)European governments gave away environmentally friendly technology that had been developed using public funds.
D)The system divided up and distributed a pollution allowance to individual firms that were contaminating clean air.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Emission Trading Scheme in Europe divided up and distributed a pollution allowance to individual firms, which allowed them to trade the right to emit pollutants. This privatized the public good of clean air, as it allowed for the ownership and trading of the ability to pollute.

Answer: B
 The Emissions Trading Scheme in Europe shifted the responsibility of offsetting pollution reduction goals from European governments to private citizens and firms. In doing so, it allowed private entities to determine the appropriate level of pollution, which could be seen as a form of privatization of the public good of clean air.

How Did the Emissions Trading Scheme in Europe Privatize a Public