The book explains that the SCC is not one concept but four, each of which is addressed to a distinct task in climate economics. Moreover, these concepts can be sorted into two families that correspond to the two branches of welfare economics, social choice theory and general equilibrium theory. Kelleher draws on these radically different theoretical frameworks to explain how a mathematically identical pair of SCC concepts can emerge from each. He then argues that the analytical power of each SCC concept is limited by its inability to fully capture the ethical considerations that bear on responsible climate policy.
The book concludes by explaining how some SCC concepts can and should be put to work in real-world climate change policy analysis-providing practical advice for translating the SCC into tangible change.