IISD - International Institute for Sustainable Development

02/19/2026 | Press release | Archived content

The Political Economy of Carbon Pricing

In 2025, there were 80 carbon pricing instruments in operation around the world covering around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions-a huge increase from only a few years ago. However, in many jurisdictions, particularly those in the Global South, carbon prices are very low; globally, only 3.2% of emissions are priced at the level recommended by the High Level Commission on Carbon Prices.

There has long been criticism by some of the effectiveness of carbon pricing due to the political economy challenges of implementation. This webinar will provide a forum for leading researchers, practitioners, and policy professionals to engage with the latest thinking about these challenges, to share lessons learned from real-world implementation, and to identify opportunities for politically feasible solutions.

Speakers

  • Michael Lerner, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Kuki Soejachmoen, Executive Director, Indonesia Research Institute for Decarbonization
  • Philip Gass, Director, Energy Program, Just Transitions and Canada, International Institute for Sustainable Development
  • Mai Duong, Policy Advisor, Tax, Climate, and Nature, International Institute for Sustainable Development
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