The International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) held its first Alumni Conference in Berlin, Germany, from 22 to 24 March 2023. The conference brought together alumni from more than 20 ICAP Summer Schools and Training Courses on Emissions Trading, which have been implemented since 2009.

The conference aimed to share experiences and discuss how emissions trading systems can best be tailored to the specific circumstances and perspectives of emerging economies and developing countries. It was participatory in nature, with attendees expected to actively contribute.

During the conference, participants shared practical experiences and lessons learned in implementing carbon pricing in emerging economies and developing countries over the last 14 years. Topics discussed included the practical challenges of setting up administrative systems and legal frameworks to implement emissions trading systems, navigating the politics of emissions trading system implementation, adapting emissions trading systems to suit local conditions, and the role of analysis in informing emissions trading system design and building support.

The conference also included opportunities for networking and informal exchange, including social activities. Overall, the ICAP Alumni Conference was a successful event that provided a platform for emissions trading experts to exchange ideas and experiences and to contribute to the development of emissions trading systems in emerging economies and developing countries.

The Conference was held as a hybrid event - in Berlin and online. Ecologic Institute was responsible for designing and organising the event. In addition to the conference program, social activities were planned for the evenings of all three conference days.

Background
Emissions trading is a market-based instrument for climate change mitigation. The last two decades have seen emissions trading systems (ETS) for greenhouse gas emissions evolve from existing only in theory, to 2023 where 26 systems have entered force worldwide — covering around 17 percent of global emissions. Emissions trading plays a central role in climate policy mixes of a growing number of jurisdictions, with many emerging economies and developing countries taking steps towards developing such systems and increasing global emissions coverage.

Since 2009, training and capacity building for participants from emerging economies and developing countries have been a core part of the work by the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP). In more than 20 Summer Schools, regional Training Courses, ETS Masterclasses and other formats, participants have received in-depth training to design and implement emissions trading systems as a tool for climate mitigation.