Environmental policy-makers and stakeholders from the non-governmental, academic and private sectors from 19 countries gathered in Berlin from 27 July to 7 August 2009 in the first ICAP Summer School for Emerging and Developing Countries. The intensive two-week training event, designed and organised by the Ecologic Institute on behalf of and in collaboration with the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), provided insights into the complexities of emissions trading systems to enable participants' countries to harmonise their environmental policies for full participation in a future global carbon market. A second summer school will be held in the Netherlands in 2010.

The two-year project ICAP Summer School for Emerging and Developing Countries supports Ecologic’s mission as a convener of knowledge exchanges to promote global participation in compatible emission trading systems for the carbon market. With funding from the European Commission and from the governments of Germany and the Netherlands, the project was carried out on behalf of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) to promote ICAP’s outreach activities to emerging and developing countries. The project will result in a second summer school in the Netherlands in 2010.

From more than 300 applicants, a selection committee chose 29 policy makers as well as stakeholders from the non-governmental, academic and private sectors of emerging and developing countries. Participants attended the two-week intensive training from 19 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

The programme emphasised providing know-how about best practices in designing, implementing, and administering national and regional emission trading systems. Workshop courses included the history, technical design, implementation and operation of greenhouse gas emission trading systems, as well as linkages to offsets and between carbon markets.

Designed by the Ecologic Institute in collaboration with ICAP, the curriculum also included a number of simulations and interactive group exercises, culminating in participants elaborating and presenting appropriate climate policies and trading systems for a range of fictitious scenarios. Faculty was drawn from the Ecologic Institute and experienced decisions makers, including representatives of ICAP members and of established educational and research institutions in the area of emissions trading and climate policy.

A video address by John Yap, British Columbia’s Minister of State for Climate Action, opened the programme. Gernot Erler, State Minister at the German Federal Foreign Office, hosted a farewell reception on the final day of the Summer School. With the goal of cultivating an active network of climate policy experts in developing countries, the programme also included social and cultural events arranged by Ecologic’s conference team, including visits to the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Renewables Academy.