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

Program

Opening remarks

• Renaud LASSUS, Head of the Economic Department, Embassy of France in US
• Benoît LEGUET, Director, I4CE
• 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

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

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

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 
• 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