If the future were known with certainty, then the economic implications of Cap and Share would equal the economic implications of a carbon tax with lump sum recycling—that is, the carbon tax revenue would be used to send every household a cheque in the post. Some argue that lump sum recycling is an inferior way to recycle the revenue of environmental taxes, and that this has been repeatedly confirmed for Ireland.
If the future were certain, then the economic consequences of Cap and Share would match those of a carbon tax with lump sum redistribution—that is, the carbon tax proceeds would be distributed to each household as a check. Some contend that lump sum redistribution is an inferior method for handling environmental taxes' revenue, and this has been consistently validated in Ireland.