What price should be put on the “right to pollute”? Carbon markets will play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving investment in low-carbon technologies and services. In 2007, global carbon trading activities were valued at around €65 billion; by 2020, trading volume could grow to €2 trillion. Environmental entrepreneur and semifinalist in the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Doug Smith discusses how preparing for a low carbon economy will involve nations, companies and individuals, and the expertise of places like JPL.

Doug Smith is an environmental entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience in the business sector. He is the founder and CEO of Village Green Global Inc., and was a semifinalist in the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Village Green Global Inc. provides online energy reporting and carbon emission analysis to companies worldwide. Doug has recently lectured Environmental Pollution Management at the University of California, Irvine and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia.