Global Carbon Trade and Local Externalities

The burning of fossil fuels not only causes CO2 emissions but at the same time impairs local environmental condition such as ambient air quality. The present paper analyzes the distortion arising from international trade in carbon permits when local externalities persist. It is derived that the distortion is determined by the difference in factor endowment and population density of the trading regions. Moreover, an empirical illustration for Switzerland shows that a rich country buying emission rights sustains a welfare loss.