Mandatory Global Carbon Pricing for Ecosystem Restoration Act

Legislative Proposal: Mandatory Global Carbon Pricing for Ecosystem Restoration

Preamble

Recognizing the unprecedented and accelerating ecological crisis, encompassing climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation, which collectively threaten the stability of Earth's life-support systems and humanity's well-being;

Acknowledging the scientific imperative to operate strictly within planetary boundaries, particularly concerning climate change, biosphere integrity, and biogeochemical flows;

Emphasizing the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the critical role of healthy, resilient ecosystems in providing essential services, sequestering carbon, regulating climate, and sustaining life;

Affirming the fundamental 'polluter pays' principle, which dictates that those responsible for environmental damage must bear the costs of preventing and remediating it;

Calling for a unified, equitable, and effective global effort to finance ambitious ecosystem restoration and carbon reduction initiatives;

Therefore, the World Parliament hereby enacts the following legislation:

Article 1: Establishment of Mandatory Global Carbon Pricing

1. Global Carbon Price: A mandatory, globally uniform carbon price shall be levied on all anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
* Initial Price: The World Parliament, advised by the Global Planetary Health Commission (GPHC), shall set an initial carbon price at a level scientifically determined to incentivize rapid decarbonization and generate substantial funds for ambitious ecosystem restoration efforts, subject to regular review and upward adjustment to meet planetary boundary targets.
* Scope: This carbon pricing mechanism shall be universally applicable to all nations, corporations, and entities whose annual GHG emissions exceed a defined threshold, ensuring comprehensive global coverage.
* Polluter Pays Principle: This mechanism directly implements the 'polluter pays' principle, internalizing the environmental and societal costs of emissions and ensuring accountability for ecological impacts.

Article 2: Establishment of the Global Ecosystem Restoration Fund (GERF)

1. Dedicated Revenue Stream: All revenues generated from the Mandatory Global Carbon Price shall be exclusively directed to the Global Ecosystem Restoration Fund (GERF), an independent financial instrument under the World Parliament's oversight.
2. Mandate of GERF: The GERF shall be dedicated to financing projects globally that prioritize:
* Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration: Protecting endangered species and critical habitats, restoring degraded ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands, oceans, grasslands, soil) with a strong emphasis on native species and ecological integrity.
* Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration: Supporting scientifically validated nature-based solutions that enhance natural carbon sinks while simultaneously boosting biodiversity and ecosystem services (e.g., reforestation with diverse native species, blue carbon initiatives, regenerative agriculture).
* Ecosystem Resilience: Building and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems against the impacts of climate change, pollution, and other anthropogenic pressures.
* Sustainable Livelihoods and Just Transition: Empowering and supporting local and indigenous communities in their stewardship and restoration efforts, ensuring projects contribute to sustainable livelihoods and a just transition for all affected populations.
3. Allocation Criteria: Funds shall be allocated based on transparent, scientifically rigorous criteria, including:
* Demonstrable positive impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
* Quantifiable carbon sequestration potential.
* Engagement and benefits for local and indigenous communities.
* Alignment with global environmental targets and the imperative of respecting planetary boundaries.
* Priority shall be given to projects in high-biodiversity areas, critical ecological corridors, and regions most vulnerable to climate change and ecosystem degradation.

Article 3: Governance, Transparency, and Accountability

1. Global Planetary Health Commission (GPHC): The World Parliament shall establish the Global Planetary Health Commission (GPHC) as an independent oversight body to govern the GERF, ensuring its mandate is fulfilled with integrity and effectiveness.
2. Transparency and Public Access: All financial transactions, project proposals, evaluation reports, and outcomes of GERF-funded projects shall be publicly accessible through a transparent, open-source online platform.
3. Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV): Robust, independent, and standardized MRV systems shall be implemented for both carbon emissions (to ensure accurate pricing and compliance) and the ecological impact of funded restoration projects (to ensure effectiveness, biodiversity gains, and adherence to scientific best practices).
4. Scientific Advisory Panel: The GPHC shall be guided by a multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Panel, comprising leading experts in climate science, ecology, biodiversity, social sciences, and economics, ensuring all decisions are evidence-based.

Article 4: Enforcement and Compliance

1. Compliance Mechanism: Nations and entities failing to implement the mandatory carbon pricing or remit their due contributions to the GERF shall face escalating penalties, which may include trade tariffs, financial sanctions, restrictions on international cooperation, and public disclosure of non-compliance.
2. Incentives: Mechanisms shall be explored and implemented to recognize and reward nations and entities demonstrating exceptional commitment to rapid decarbonization and exemplary ecosystem restoration efforts, potentially through preferential access to GERF grants, technical assistance, or other international benefits.

Article 5: Integration with International Frameworks

1. This legislation shall complement, strengthen, and provide a critical financing mechanism for existing international agreements, including the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, ensuring their ambitious goals are adequately resourced and achieved.

Article 6: Review and Amendment

1. This legislation shall be subject to comprehensive review by the World Parliament every five years, with potential amendments based on scientific advancements, global progress towards respecting planetary boundaries, evolving socio-economic conditions, and the effectiveness of the GERF in achieving its mandate.