Greenhouse gases (GHGs) cause climate change by trapping heat. This results in extreme weather events like storms, more forest fires, shifting wildlife populations, rising seas and a range of other impacts. The EU Emissions Trading System is the cornerstone of the EU’s policy to combat climate change. It is a key tool for reducing GHG emissions cost-effectively. EU ETS is the world’s first and biggest major carbon market.

Article 6 of the 2016 Paris Agreement on climate change calls for more international cooperation on climate policies, including emissions trading. The EU ETS has a key role to play in reaching these goals. Each year, the EU ETS puts a price on carbon and lowers the cap on emissions from various economic sectors. Last month, the European Commission proposed lowering the overall emission cap even further. Search for available translations of the preceding as part of its Fit for 55 packages.

The LIFE Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme aims to develop and implement innovative ways to respond to climate challenges. The EU ETS is one of its key priorities. LIFE DICET, meanwhile, is deepening the mutual understanding of carbon markets among regulators and policymakers across the world. We caught up with Albert Ferrari, who is a research associate at the Climate Area of the Florence School of Regulation, to find out more about the project.

How did LIFE DICET start?

LIFE DICET is bringing global carbon credit markets together through a combination of research, training, communication and networking. LIFE DICET builds on the LIFE SIDE project, which helped European policymakers develop and implement the EU ETS legislation. At the time, we felt there was a need for more dialogue and cooperation between ETS regulators, policymakers and others, not just in Europe but beyond – this is how LIFE DICET started.

What are its goals?

We aim to deepen carbon market cooperation and integration between the European Commission and regulators of other major ETSs in California-Quebec, China, Switzerland and New Zealand. We also provide policymakers in the EU, Americas and Asia with crucial information and offer training on the regulation of carbon markets and the implications of their possible integration.

We have developed an international network of carbon market experts, including regulators, civil society, and national organisations. And we are creating support and raising awareness of carbon markets and their role domestically and internationally. Our intensive research will result in a comparative assessment of the ETSs in five reports.

Any communication tips for other LIFE projects?

  • Instead of building an audience from scratch, try to take advantage of any existing network you have. For example, our Twitter posts are featured on the @FSR_Energy and @EUI_Schuman.
  • Always use a dedicated hashtag when mentioning your project on social media.
  • Try to include external contributors in your blog posts. They tend to take ownership of the process, and they can expand your network.
  • Use Cleanfeed for high quality and professional podcasts.

Source: European Commission

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash