2020 Green Economy Symposium on Social & Political Cooperation
Agenda:
Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
8:30 – 9:00 | Registration | |
9:30 – 10:00 | Welcome & Introductions | |
10:00 -11:00 | Political Cooperation and Electoral Systems in (Ethnically) Divided Societies | Behavioural/Experimental Economics Insights on Cooperation and Social Learning (Ed
Cartwright) |
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break | |
13:30 – 14:30 | ||
14:30 – 15:30 | Davos-style Discussions
(Academia, Policy Makers, Civil Society, Private Sector) 1. Direct Cash Transfers from Oil Revenues –Jay Mandle This proposal, which originated as an argument for a universal basic income for the poor, has recently been extended to all households, and has been justified on many grounds, ranging from “the poor know and understand their circumstances better than anyone else, and will therefore spend more wisely and effectively than the government or any other agency” to “giving money directly to the poor reduces what is available to government to dissipate in useless if not corrupt activities.” In moderating this discussion, Jay will begin by sharing his take on the proposal that direct cash transfers might help to promote cooperation across ethnic blocs in the country. 2. An Upstream Carbon Tax (at the Wellhead) on Oil Companies in Guyana –Thomas B. Singh The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the Government of Guyana and the companies operating in the Stabroek Block contains what appears to be a loophole that will allow the public authorities, under the Environmental Protection Act, No. 11 of 1996 (Part II, Section 4(a)), to levy a tax on the carbon sequestered in each barrel of oil extracted by the operator. Thomas will explain why such a tax is in fact allowed under the PSA, and he will explain why it will achieve the same efficiency result as a carbon tax in countries that buy Guyana’s crude oil. The Carbon Tax is itself contemplated under the Paris Agreement and has also been publicly endorsed by ExxonMobil and other oil companies. |