📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide

🌍 Should Countries Impose a Carbon Tax to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

The carbon tax debate touches on critical themes of sustainability, economics, and international relations.
B-school students must navigate this complexity to propose balanced and actionable solutions.

🕒 Effective Planning and Writing

• Time Allocation: Planning: 5 minutes | Writing: 20 minutes | Review: 5 minutes.
• Preparation Tips:
  • Identify countries with success stories (e.g., Sweden, Canada).
  • Note key challenges like economic strain and political opposition.

✨ Introduction Techniques for Essays

• Contrast Approach:
  “While Sweden has slashed its emissions by 30% with a carbon tax, several developing nations resist this policy due to economic fears.”
• Solution-Based Introduction:
  “A carbon tax provides a dual advantage of reducing emissions and funding green infrastructure, but its design must account for equity and global disparities.”

📚 Structuring the Essay Body

🏆 Achievements:

• Reduced emissions in Sweden and Canada.
• Encouragement of green technology adoption.
• Revenue utilization for public goods.

⚠️ Challenges:

• Socioeconomic disparity in its impacts.
• Political resistance and policy inconsistencies.
• Lack of global uniformity causing “carbon leakage.”

🚀 Future Outlook:

• Harmonization through international treaties.
• Progressive tax structures with revenue redistribution.
• Integration with renewable energy incentives.

💡 Concluding Effectively

• Balanced Perspective:
  “Carbon taxes are not a one-size-fits-all solution but offer immense potential when implemented with equity-focused policies.”
• Global Comparison:
  “Learning from Sweden and Canada, nations can adapt carbon taxes to suit their socio-economic contexts.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• Key Achievements: Emissions reduction, renewable energy growth, revenue generation.
• Ongoing Challenges: Economic disparities, political opposition, public resistance.
• Global Context: Sweden’s success vs. Australia’s challenges.

🔧 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• Introduce carbon tax rebates for low-income groups.
• Global treaties to prevent carbon leakage and ensure uniformity.
• Invest tax revenues in green energy and infrastructure.

✍️ Sample Short Essays

• Balanced Perspective:
  “The carbon tax has proven its merit globally, but its success depends on equitable implementation.”
• Solution-Oriented:
  “With adequate safeguards, a carbon tax can address climate goals and promote green energy.”
• Global Comparison:
  “The contrasting fates of Sweden’s and Australia’s carbon tax policies offer valuable lessons for other nations.”