The Limit of Global Carbon Tax and its Climatic and Economic Effects

Global carbon tax has been widely studied for a long time. However, its economic feasibility in specific countries and sectors has not been taken seriously. This study focuses on the limit of carbon tax in carbon reduction and its economic and climatic impacts. To accurately predict the economic impact of carbon tax for assessing its feasibility, a climatic-economic IAM named CIECIA is applied and improved by adding a carbon tax module. In this model, two levy types of carbon tax with an adjustable revenue distribution mode are designed. On the basis of this, the emission reduction limits of carbon tax and its economic and climatic effects are simulated. The results indicate that carbon tax reduces emissions in two ways: directly, by reducing the output of high-emission sectors, and indirectly, by promoting the adoption of low-carbon technologies. Global carbon tax can achieve the $$2\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ 2 ∘ C climate mitigation target under a national independent mode, whereas under a global uniform mode, the limit of temperature control is around $$2.46\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ 2.46 ∘ C . As the cost of carbon reduction, the economic loss is also significant, especially in developing countries. Investing R&D by using carbon tax revenue is an effective way to both reduce emissions further and ease economic loss. On the basis of this, we propose a Pareto improving scheme that both ensures the economic benefits of all participating countries and achieves climate mitigation targets.