Time : 9^th June, 2017;

Venue: Metro Park Lido Hotel, Beijing (Close to Jiangtai Stop on Line 14)

Organizer: Rock Environment and Energy Institute (REEI)

Background:

According to the World Bank report, by the end of 2016, about 60 countries, regions and cities around the world implemented carbon pricing, covering greenhouse gas emissions reached 7 billion tons of CO₂e, accounting for about one fourth of the global total greenhouse gas emissions. The ETS, Emission Trading System, has been established in 35 countries, 13 states and 7 cities on four continents, covering 40% of global GDP and continuing to build new carbon markets in the world.

From 2013 to 2015, seven domestic carbon trading pilot have been established, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangdong, Hubei, and Shenzhen. As for the quota scale, these seven carbon emissions trading pilots’ annual issuances of the total amount of about 1.2 billion tons, which is equivalent to about more than 12% of China's current energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The national carbon market is expected to be launched by the end of 2017, and all levels of government are in the active to organize the final stage of the allocation of quotas and related MRV (measurement, reporting and certification) work, to do the final effort for starting the national carbon market. Companies who control the emissions through this four-year multi-carbon trading pilot running, also reach a deeper understanding for the operation and performance of the market.

The EU ETS was started at 2005, it has suffered several challenges in the past, such as over allocation among member states, low allowances price, unsustainable carbon offsets, and weak economic growth. These challenges can also occur in Chinese carbon market; however, we found that there is a lack of discussion and campaign for a more sustainable carbon market in the Chinese context, namely how to include environmental and social angles to promote sustainability.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) had played an important role in the Kyoto carbon market, and the carbon offset program is also an important part of the Chinese carbon market. In 2012, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the detail rules for the record, development and management of the China Greenhouse Gases Voluntary Emission Reduction Project (CCER). CCER projects can be seen as a supplemental mechanism for allowances trading in the Chinese carbon market and to obtain carbon offsetting credits by developing projects with emission reductions or additional benefits, allowing controlled entities to use carbon offset credits to complete their own carbon emission reduction obligations. The carbon offsetting mechanism was designed to provide carbon emitters with a low-cost reduction option and to support local sustainable development while supporting emission reduction efforts in backward areas. However, the CCER projects will most probably face similar issues with CDM projects, such as lack of environmental integrity, and the ignorance of social, health and ecological impacts from project activities.

In this context, REEI organizes the ‘Workshop on Chinese Carbon Market’, with the aim to combine knowledge and advocacy power from civil society in promoting more inclusive and multi-dimensional discussion on CCER and its sustainability and impacts from social, health and ecological perspectives.  

Who Will Attend?

The workshop will mainly target civil organizations and professionals working in climate change and carbon market sectors, the number of audience is estimated to be 20-30, and we are also eager to bring people from energy, low-carbon cities, environmental law into the discussion.  

Workshop Agenda