Synopsis
CarbonSmart proposes a carbon-emissions tax on large emitters and divides the resulting revenue between two grant programs: support for Ohio students pursuing renewable-energy and sustainability fields, and support for small businesses developing clean-energy or sustainability operations.
The problem it responds to
Climate policy often treats emissions reduction, workforce preparation, and local economic development as separate projects. That fragmentation weakens both political durability and implementation capacity.
What the work contributes
- Targets high-volume emitters while exempting small and mid-sized operations from the initial tax threshold.
- Reinvests revenue equally in education and small-business development.
- Prioritizes underserved and high-emission regions.
- Connects student support to post-graduation work in Ohio’s clean-energy economy.
Development
- Developed as a complete tax-and-grant program concept.
Keywords