Abstract: A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting more efficient energy use, by establishing a measure of efficiency, defined as a ratio of a measure of energy use to a measure of production; establishing a reduction schedule that sets limits on the energy efficiency ratio, with the schedule covering a series of compliance time periods and requiring efficient energy use during those time periods; establishing a transferable credit representing an amount of energy and establishing a tradable financial instrument representing a number of energy efficiency credits; issuing a plurality of energy efficiency credits to the entities; establishing a trading system to facilitate the sale and purchase of the financial instruments; and requiring entities to comply with the reduction schedule by making operational improvements or acquiring and surrendering credits to thus increase the efficiency of energy use in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: Computer-based methods for promoting sulfur dioxide futures contracts trading are described. The methods include creating a sulfur financial instrument for use by approved parties to trade sulfur emissions allowances and selling the sulfur financial instrument to an approved buyer who desires to acquire the amounts of the sulfur dioxide emissions allowances. The sulfur financial instrument represents allocated amounts of sulfur emissions allowances that include a future year sulfur dioxide allowance vintage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating trading of emission allowances and offsets among participants are described. In some embodiments, methods of facilitating such trading include establishing an emissions reduction schedule for certain participants based on emissions information provided by those participants and determining debits or credits for each participant in order to achieve the reduction schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating trading of emission allowances and offsets among participants are described. In some embodiments, methods of facilitating such trading include establishing an emissions reduction schedule for certain participants based on emissions information provided by those participants and determining debits or credits for each participant in order to achieve the reduction schedule.