But the legislation has been thwarted by a coalition of opponents — climate-change skeptics, greens who think too much has been surrendered to local coal interests, and others who believe the trading scheme is technically flawed.
While on the surface ArcelorMittal like to appear a responsible company they have been very active opponents of climate change regulations in Europe.
He added that, "now that the science is increasingly clear," opponents of climate change measures are shifting the debate to economic models "which are easier to manipulate".
In Congress, even the most determined opponents of climate change legislation now frame their arguments in economic terms rather than on the science – including Inhofe.
The survey included various statements about the effects of RPS policies on greenhouse gas emissions and about whether or not supporters and opponents believe climate change to be a serious problem.
One of America's most powerful and outspoken opponents of climate change regulation received election campaign contributions that can be traced back to senior BP staff, including chief executive Bob Dudley.
But the encyclical's criticism of market forces, and its references to sacrificing economic growth to protect the environment, could have the unintended consequence of strengthening the arguments of opponents of climate change policy.
For years, opponents of climate change policy have argued that a global push to cut fossil fuel pollution will impede economic growth, particularly in poor countries that are heavily dependent on cheap fossil fuels.
Opponents of climate change action often cite the cost of breaking our addiction to fossil fuels.
Despite record global temperatures and ice caps shrink in recent months opponents of climate change suggest the measurements are not accurate or humans are not involved.
But recently, tactics to discredit the opponents of climate change have expanded into efforts to intimidate them into silence as climate denial pitches itself to a right-wing, populist audience.
