IETA NETWORK CONNECTION
In touch with global carbon markets

Working together to take ambition to the next level

The call to action at the upcoming Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco is, appropriately, titled “Take Ambition to the Next Level”. Since the signing of the Paris Agreement, actors at all levels (states, cities, countries, companies, and individuals) have been focused on how to turn commitments into reality. Much has been achieved - yet much more needs to be done. The GCAS will be an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, and to galvanise our efforts to achieve more.​ 

There are headwinds, to be sure. The recent announcement from the new government in Ontario that it is abandoning the WCI cap-and-trade programme, US EPA’s rollback of the Clean Power Plan regulations, and word that North American emissions have increased in the past couple of years are all reminders that there is much to do. 

Despite these challenges, the recent WCI auction saw strong demand for California and Quebec allowances despite the uncertainty created by Ontario. States and cities across North America continue to push ahead and explore opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, companies throughout North America continue to price carbon internally and to commit to reducing their emissions. 

And there is ample good news as well. The EU ETS price has hit a 10-year high - while the New Zealand ETS reaches record highs – as countries around the world step up their efforts to tackle climate change. Well designed and appropriately ambitious market-based mechanisms have proven themselves to be resilient and effective. North American jurisdictions have much worldwide experience to draw on, from the soon to be expanded RGGI in the north-east US to the comprehensive WCI in the west, to the emerging market in Mexico, there is a solid base to build on. IETA and its members continue to work around the Americas, and across the world, to fight climate change, protect vulnerable populations and build more resilient low-carbon economies. IETA, through its members, continues to strive to take ambition to the next level.

Katie Sullivan
Managing Director

Meet IETA

2-9 September: Dirk Forrister and Stefano De Clara will be attending the Bangkok Climate Change Conference

11 September: IETA, in partnership with the EU, Canada and the State of California, will be hosting a carbon pricing and markets event in San Francisco

12-14 September: Catch several members of the IETA team at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco

12 September: Kordula Mayr will be attending EU ETS: Implementation of the funding mechanisms in Brussels

21-22 September: Meet Dirk Forrister and Katie Sullivan at the G7 Carbon Market Platform dialogue in Halifax, Canada

25 September: IETA will be hosting a climate week roundtable in New York City, focusing on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and RGGI

26 September: Katie Sullivan will be in Calgary for the Alberta Climate Summit 2018

17-18 October: EU Policy Director Simon Henry will be attending Carbon Forward in London

IETA Member's Corner

How is Arbor Day involved in the carbon market?

The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest non-profit conservation and education organisation dedicated to planting trees. With more than one million members, more than 300 million trees planted, and a global network of dedicated partners, we use trees as a solution to solve complex local and global issues such as reversing climate change, improving water and air quality, stabilizing soil, creating high-quality jobs, and restoring wildlife habitat.

Specific to the voluntary carbon market, we focus on verified forestry carbon credits via reforestation/afforestation, avoided conversion, and improved forest management. Our Mississippi Alluvial Valley Project is a reforestation model that is receiving historic carbon verifications. Because one third of all human-caused global carbon emissions derived from deforestation, we believe the time for trees is now.

Why did you join IETA?

The Arbor Day Foundation believes that IETA shares our values. We both understand the role that natural climate solutions, like reforestation, play in removing carbon from the atmosphere. Both IETA and the Arbor Day Foundation believe that natural climate solutions have been overlooked by many investors, corporations, and governments as a cost-effective and scalable technology to help reverse climate change. Trees are not the only way to solve local and global issues. However, trees may be the simplest solution. Becoming an IETA member is a tremendous opportunity to expand our networks to build more dynamic partnerships at global scale.

Jeremy Manion
Carbon Development Manager, Arbor Day Foundation

IETA Publications

IETA Insights 2018, edition 2

Edition 3 coming soon, with a focus on carbon pricing across the Americas

Follow us