'Cap-and-trade system' proposal for global health funding

In a PLoS Medicine "Policy Forum" article, Luis Carrasco, Richard Coker, and Alex Cook of the National University of Singapore propose "a cap-and-trade system" for global health funding that is based on "global carbon permit markets to mitigate climate change." The authors note, "Under this system, high-income and middle-income countries should contribute, respectively, 74 percent and 26 percent of the additional $36-$45 billion annually needed to attain the health [Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)]." They conclude, "If the health MDGs are to be realized, collectively we should be ready to implement the most powerful strategies to manage global commons," adding their model "offers the potential to increase the efficiency of global health investments while, at the same time, promoting international obligations to the pursuit of an agreed global common good" (2/19).