For the third time, the ICAP Training Course on Emissions Trading brought together experts from emerging economies and developing countries to introduce emissions trading as a tool for climate protection and discuss possibilities for implementing such schemes in developing countries. The event took place in Beijing, China, from 23 May to 1 June 2011, and was the first of its kind held outside of Europe. Twenty-seven decision makers from eight Asian countries attended the course, which was led by Michael Mehling, Benjamin Görlach and Miriam Schröder.

The Training Course was the third of its kind and continues the tradition of the ICAP Summer Schools in Berlin (2009) and The Hague (2010). 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, aiming to advance international cooperation on carbon markets. The Ecologic Institute implemented the Beijing Training Course together with GIZ and Tsinghua University in Beijing. The event was funded by the EU Commission.

During the ten-day course, the 27 participants gained an in-depth understanding on 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 renowned experts of the EU Commission, different EU Member States, the International Energy Agency (IEA) as well as research organizations and think tanks from Asia, North America and Europe. Topics 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 170 applicants from certain countries in East and South Asia. The 27 selected participants came from 8 different countries: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines.

Further links:

• Ecoogic Institute Project: German-Arab Media Dialogue: Climate Change and Energy Policy in the Arab Region
• Ecoogic Institute Project: Informational Visitors Program on Climate Protection and Renewable Energy
• Ecologic Institute Project: Sino-German Training Course on Green Growth and Environmental Management
• Ecologic Institute Riverside Chat: Linking the Environment and the Economy - Opportunities for environmental cooperation following the release of China's 12th Five-Year Plan