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Conference “Putting a price on Carbon European & North American Experiences and Paths Forward”

17 November 2015 - Foreword of the week

bannière conférence washington

In partnership with the Embassy of France in US and the Environmental Defense Fund, I4CE- Institute for Climate Economics organized a conference on November 9th, 2015 in Washington – DC entitled “Putting a price on carbon: European & North American experiences and paths and forward”.
Just a few weeks before COP21, this conference aimed to share experiences from Europe and North America after implementing emissions trading systems. As part of the conference, I4CE also presented results from the “COPEC” research program on EU ETS developments leading to 2030.

Find below the full program along with links to presentations:

Opening remarks

Renaud LASSUS, Head of the Economic Department, Embassy of France in US

Benoît LEGUET, Director, I4CE- Institute for Climate Economics

Derek WALKER, Associate Vice-President, Environmental Defense Fund

Session one: Carbon pricing benefits: emissions reductions, growth and investment

This session explored the various climate, economic and social benefits that can be derived from putting a price on carbon. In particular, it addressed how carbon pricing policies can reduce emissions, enhance economic efficiency, foster growth and support low-carbon investments and which sectors and communities could benefit most from carbon revenues.

Chairman: Benoît LEGUET, Director, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Presentation:

Carbon Pricing and benefits: the RGGI Experience

By Nicole SINGH, Executive Director, RGGI

Benefits of Carbon Pricing in the EU: applying ETS Revenues Towards Climate Action

By Manasvini VAIDYULA, Research Associate, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Discussion:

Adrien VOGT-SCHILB, Economist, co-author of the “Decarbonizing development” report by the World Bank

Frederick TREMBLAY, Director at Quebec Government Office in Washington

Questions & debate

Session two: Carbon pricing, decarbonisation and investments: balancing ambition, risk and flexibility

This session will explore how emission trading schemes support low-carbon technology financing in line with long-term domestic climate ambition. In doing so, the session will explore the most effective way to maintain a strong price signal and how best to manage interactions with complementary energy and climate policies.

Chairman: Benoît LEGUET, Director, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Presentation:

Policy Flexibility and Durability and the Role of Complementary Policies in the North American Trading Programs

By Dallas BURTRAW,  Darius Gaskins Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future

The EU ETS Challenge: Introducing Flexibility in the Emission Cap to Guarantee a Long-term Carbon Price Signal

By Emilie ALBEROLA, Program Director, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Discussions:

Jean-Yves CANEILL, Head of Climate Policy, Electricité de France

Melissa LAVINSON, Chief of Sustainability PG&E

Session three: Carbon pricing in industry, competitiveness and leakage

In view of fragmented carbon pricing policies, this session explored how emission trading schemes can both, increase long-term competitiveness and decrease decarbonisation costs. It explored existing and potential methods that tackle the risk of carbon leakage well as detailing the importance of maintaining incentives for emission reductions that do not introduce distortions between economic sectors.

Chairman: Todd EDWARDS, Program Officer for Climate Change, Stanley Foundation

Presentation:

Competitiveness Impact and Carbon Leakage Risk:  Theory, Evidence and Policy Design

By Grzegorz PESZKO, Lead Economist – Climate Policy, World Bank

A Roadmap for the Decarbonisation of Industrial Sectors: A Tricky Equation for Europe

By Matthieu JALARD, Project Manager, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Discussion:

Tom LAWLER, Washington DC Representative, International Emissions Trading Association

Session four: Towards a carbon pricing club on the road to and through COP21?

The session  explored international efforts on climate action and focused on how COP21 could help coordinate dialogues on carbon pricing at the national and subnational level. Specifically, the session addressed how COP21 can help to facilitate these dialogues; how best to accommodate carbon clubs operating in a multilateral context; and the possible criteria that could be considered for membership.

Moderator: Todd EDWARDS, Program Officer for Climate Change, Stanley Foundation

Round Table Participants

Annie PETSONK, International Council, Environmental Defense Fund

Venkata RAMANA PUTTI, Manager, Climate and Carbon Finance, World Bank

Benoît LEGUET, Director, I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics

Dirk FORRISTER, Chief Executive Officer and President International Emissions Trading Association

Conclusion

Perspectives on Carbon Pricing in Congress: Opportunities and Challenges

Todd WOOTEN, Senior Counsel for Energy and Tax on the Senate Finance Committee

To learn more
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