Michael Grubb (1997), ‘Technologies, Energy Systems and the Timing of C02 Emissions Abatement: An Overview of Economic Issues’, Energy Policy, 25, pp. 159-72.

Climate change poses one of the biggest dilemmas for energy policy, both within governments and within industries. Among the core issues to be considered are those surrounding the timing of emission constraints: given all the uncertainties and the very long time horizon of the climate change problem and of energy systems, how much effort should be put into limiting emissions at present. This paper attempts to set out the range of economic issues that need to be considered in making a comprehensive assessment of the timing issue relating to C 0 2 emission limitations and draws a number of qualitative conclusions.