Free Event to Showcase Emissions Trading Achievements & Lessons Learned
The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today announced it will host a set of panel discussions on emissions trading in celebration of Climate Week NYC. Emissions trading, also known as cap-and-trade, is a market-based pollution reduction measure aimed at protecting public health and the environment. Now in its 10th year and run by the Climate Group in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC occurs annually during the UN General Assembly to highlight leading climate action being taken by governments, businesses, academic and other institutions throughout the world.
“From its inception in 1968 to today, Battery Park City was born green – from its 32 acres of parkland to the development of environmentally-responsible construction guidelines and practices that set the standard for sustainable development,” said BPCA President and Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “But as a residential waterfront community our work is far from done, and must accelerate if we are to successfully combat the dual threats of climate change and sea level rise. In keeping with this imperative, we’re thrilled to host some of the world’s leading experts on emissions trading as part of NYC Climate Week, and look forward to continue engaging stakeholders as we make Battery Park City resilient for the next 50 years and beyond.”
“The true costs of fossil fuels do not fall on the producers and users, they fall on all of us in the form of warmer temperatures, rising seas, and damage to our environment and our health. Emissions trading is a way to make sure the costs of greenhouse gas emissions are paid by those who profit from them,” said BPCA Board Member and Resiliency Working Group Chair Catherine McVay Hughes. “Living and working on the waterfront, and at the epicenter of global markets innovation, Battery Park City is uniquely situated to lead the way in finding new and effective responses to the threat of climate change.”
In partnership with the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and the Under2Coalition, BPCA is hosting an emissions trading dialogue on Wednesday, September 26 at Battery Park City’s community space at 6 River Terrace. Titled “Emissions Trading in Action: Trading, Transport, and Linking Lessons,” the event will bring together governments, business leaders, and universities involved in emissions trading. The session includes:
Opening Remarks | 2:30-3:00 PM
– B.J. Jones, President & CEO, Battery Park City Authority
– Marc Allessie, the Netherlands – on behalf of ICAP
– Jared Snyder, Deputy Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – on behalf of the Under2 Coalition
Panel 1: Emissions Trading Around the World and Lessons Learned | 3:00-3:45 PM
Emissions trading has emerged as a key policy tool in the fight against climate change for governments on both the regional, national, and subnational level. With 20 systems in operation worldwide, these systems operate in divergent economic and policy conditions yet all play a role in driving cost effective emissions reductions. This panel will reflect on the key achievements and challenges in operating their systems, as well as look to the future regarding the role of emissions trading in long-term decarbonization strategies.
Panel 2: Transport and Emissions Trading | 4:15-5:00 PM
Emissions from the transport sector account for a significant share of emissions in many jurisdictions that have or are considering emissions trading. Including transport fuels under an emissions trading system, combined with strategic investments in low-carbon transport options through programs funded by the auctioning revenue is one means of addressing this sector. This panel will examine current approaches to pricing emissions in the transport sector. Other avenues of reducing transport emissions in a manner that complements the emissions trading system will also be considered.
Panel 3: Linking Guide for Emissions Trading | 5:00-5:45 PM
The ICAP Guide to Linking, also being released for the first time Wednesday, is a practical handbook for policymakers interested in cooperating with other jurisdictions to reduce emissions. It distills lessons from linked markets operating in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific, showcasing the achievements of emissions trading in different parts of the world. When systems are linked, they can also drive more cost-effective emissions reductions, which may make it easier for jurisdictions to ratchet up ambition to help keep global temperatures below 2°C. The panel will discuss their practical experiences with linking, as well as the role linking can and have played in ensuring reduction targets are compatible with the 2°C target.
For complete event details, see: www.climateweeknyc.org/event/ets-action
Climate Week NYC runs from September 24-30, 2018. For more information, along with a full schedule of events, see: www.climateweeknyc.org
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