Personal Carbon Budgets, Helping individuals to live in a carbon constrained world

In this chapter we introduce PCA and place it in the policy context of other suggested policies for reducing emissions from individuals’ activities. We then describe the mechanisms through which PCA would reduce emissions, and describe current thinking on PCA within the UK. We continue by laying out the rational for applying a budgeting framework as a means for understanding personal carbon allowances and as an emissions management tool. The final section discusses the prerequisites for effective carbon budgeting