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Lesson 3.5 Vocab

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carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)
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Definition

The technology and processes that collect CO₂ at the point of emissions to then store underground or elsewhere.

Use In A Sentence

Many power plants are investing in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology to trap CO₂ emissions and store them underground, reducing their environmental impact.

carbon tax
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Definition

A tax on emissions associated with burning fossil fuels that makes visible the “hidden” cost of carbon emissions.

Use In A Sentence

Carbon taxes also help create incentives to come up with carbon-free alternatives to save money.

green premium
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Definition

The additional cost for a clean technology over one that emits greenhouse gases.

Use In A Sentence

The green premium is a helpful tool for evaluating climate solutions and helping us decide where to focus our efforts.

net zero
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Definition

Achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed.

Use In A Sentence

The cost difference between a net-zero alternative and a traditional carbon-emitting option is called the green premium.

subsidy
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Definition

Money provided by the government to help make a product or service more affordable.

Use In A Sentence

The government introduced a subsidy for electric vehicles to make them more affordable and to encourage the transition to clean transportation.

The Cost of Decarbonizing

Driving Question: How can we manage the costs of decarbonization?

How much will consumers be willing to pay for low- or no-carbon alternatives? Examining the “green premium”—the extra cost for low-carbon products—can be a valuable way to evaluate climate solutions and guide efforts to maximize impact.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Define the term green premium.
  2. Explain the relationship between green premiums and behavior, policy, and innovation.
STEP 2

Why Does Money Matter?

Teaching Tools

How much is a plant-based burger worth? The article, infographic, and video in this lesson offer different takes on the concept of the green premium. If you’re short on time, choose one and jump straight to The Cost of Decarbonizing (3.5.4) External link . 

Why talk about money when we talk about climate change? Explore why costs matter when it comes to addressing climate change.

STEP 3

What Does the Green Premium Tell Us?

How can the green premium help decide what solutions to focus on? Explore how the concept can inform actions of government, businesses, and individuals.

STEP 4

The Cost of Decarbonizing

The green premium is a tool for understanding the cost of implementing climate solutions. Watch the video to explore how the green premium can help us determine where to focus our efforts, and then investigate the problem further in the activity.

Green Premiums: The Extra Cost to Decarbonize External link

What’s a green premium? Why does it matter? Explore the concept that has a big impact when it comes to addressing climate change.
STEP 5

Policy Analysis

What are the policies in place to make climate solutions more accessible? Explore one government policy to see what’s working, and what’s not.

STEP 6

Closer: The Cost of Decarbonizing

How can we drive demand for low- or zero-carbon technologies? It’s up to you to see if you can make a strong case.

STEP 7

Unit 3 Assessment: Climate Innovation

Teaching Tools

This is an opportunity for formal assessment and can be used as a document-based question (DBQ) assessment, a guided writing exercise, or homework.

The DBQ is based on the materials from Unit 3. While you needn’t have taught the entire unit to assign it, students will be most successful if they’ve completed Lesson 3.3: The Need for Climate Innovation External link .