In July 2011, the Fourth ICAP Summer School on Emissions Trading brought together experts from emerging economies and developing countries to introduce emissions trading as a tool for climate protection and to discuss the options of implementing such schemes in developing countries. The Summer School in Madrid was the fourth of its kind and continues the tradition of previous ICAP events in Berlin, The Hague and Beijing. It was attended by 24 mid-career professionals from 15 countries. Michael Mehling, Benjamin Görlach and Miriam Schröder led the course.

The Ecologic Institute organized the course, which was carried out under the auspices of ICAP, in close cooperation with the ICAP Secretariat, GIZ and the Spanish Ministry of Environment. ICAP – the International Carbon Action Partnership – is a forum of 29 national and regional governments and jurisdictions, including several EU countries, the EU Commission, as well as a number of US and Canadian Federal States, Australia and New Zealand, aiming to advance international cooperation on carbon markets. The course was funded by the EU Commission.

During the two-week course, the 24 participants gained an in-depth understanding of the design and implementation of carbon trading systems as a tool to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Participants had the opportunity to discuss various aspects of emissions trading with experienced practitioners of the EU Commission, different EU Member States and the Canadian province Ontario. The faculty also included experts from academia and think tanks in North American and Europe, as well as business representatives. The course included a visit to the Spanish emissions trading registry and the trading platform for carbon allowances, and a visit to one of Spain’s largest refinery operations. Topics of the course included the science and economics of climate change, choosing and combining policy instruments for climate protection, design and scope of emissions trading, allocation mechanisms, monitoring, reporting and verification, GHG inventories and registries, the link of domestic ETS to the international climate regime, price formation and carbon market dynamics, and many other aspects. In discussing these issues, the course relied on interactive formats and group work, and made ample use of first-hand experience gained with the existing trading schemes in Europe, North America and the Asia / Pacific region.

The course was attended by decision makers and future leaders from government, NGOs, academia and the private sector. Training Course participants were selected from more than 200 applicants world-wide.

Further Links:

• ICAP Training Course on Emissions Trading, Beijing 2011
• ICAP Summer School for Emerging and Developing Countries, Berlin 2009
• ICAP Summer School for Emerging and Developing Countries, The Hague, 2010
• German-Arab Media Dialogue: Climate Change and Energy Policy in the Arab Region
• Informational Visitors Program on Climate Protection and Renewable Energy