It is also important to distinguish between economic instruments at the domestic level and at the international level. Domestically, the centre's analysis revealed that a carbon tax would be an effective instrument, albeit not a sole instrument, to modify behaviour. The mechanism for the provision of credits at the international level should also be explored by South Africa. Poor households could also be catered for under the carbon pricing policy by using instruments such as Free Basic Energy and direct transfers to households, which had proven effective in Brazil. It is important to have a carbon price and mitigation programme, and this must be duly taken into consideration in budget proposals. The answer to the critical question of the other alternatives to carbon pricing would need to take cognisance of the issue of the electricity price to consumers. Overall, there should be a clear indication of where carbon pricing and emission trajectory will go in the long term, as this information would be extremely important to investors.