Press Releases

October 29, 2007

Climate protection – EU and partner states establish initiative to fight global warming ICAP – International Carbon Action Partnership

At his meeting with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Sacramento on 30 August 2007, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a close California-European coordination in climate protection. Steinmeier and Schwarzenegger called for the formation of a "coalition of the willing" for global climate protection. This iniative has led to the launch of a high-level political process. ICAP is the first result of this new Transatlantic cooperation in climate protection.
 ICAP stands for International Carbon Action Partnership. The partnership is made up of countries and regions that are actively pursuing the development of carbon markets through implementation of mandatory cap and trade systems. The partnership provides a forum to share experiences and knowledge.
ICAP will contribute to the establishment of a well-functioning global cap and trade carbon market. ICAP provides the opportunity for members to share best practice and learn from each others’ experiences. State and regional programs must be in close contact with and have a clear line of sight to international programs as they design and implement their respective programs. Through this sharing, ICAP will enhance the design of other schemes by ensuring that design compatibility issues are recognized at an early stage. As a result, ICAP will make possible future linking of trading programs.

A coalition of EU countries, U.S. states, Canadian provinces, New Zealand and Norway meets on Monday 29 October in Lissabon, Portugal, to announce the formation of ICAP. Germany is respresented by its Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Due to extraordinary circumstances in his home state, Governor Schwarzenegger, who had confirmed his participation, will send a video message and will now be represented by Mrs. Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Founding Members are:
European Union Members

• European Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/emission.htm )
• France
• Germany (http://www.bmu.de/english/emissions_trading/current/aktuell/6943.php )
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Portugal ( http://www.maotdr.gov.pt )
• United Kingdom  (http://defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/trading/index.htm )

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Members ( www.rggi.org )

• Maine ( http://www.maine.gov/governor )
• Massachusetts  ( http://www.mass.gov )
• New Jersey ( http://www.nj.gov/governor )
• New York ( http://www.ny.gov/governor )

Western Climate Initiative (WCI) Members ( http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/ )

• Arizona
• British Columbia
• California
• Manitoba
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Washington

Other Members

• New Zealand ( http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/nz-solutions/reducing-our-footprint.shtml )
• Norway ( http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fin.html?id=216 )

 
ICAP will organize a first public workshop in 2008. Details regarding topic, location and timing for this workshop will be announced by the end of the year.

Find more information on

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo./en/Aussenpolitik/Globales/EnergieKlima/071029-ICAP.Gruendung,navCtx=23336.html

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