GEF/World Bank report

I recently finalized my report on International Experience with SO2 Emissions Trading Mechanisms for the GEF China Thermal Power Efficiency Project. As the title makes clear, it focuses on international – rather than Chinese – experience, but does include a few recommendations for the programs in Shanxi & Shandong provinces. I’ll be receiving the domestic consultants’ reports over coming months, & look forward to continuing work on this project.

China has been actively exploring emissions trading mechanisms over recent years – and recently added Shenzhen as a seventh pilot trading area for its carbon reduction program. (You might remember that I met with — and made a presentation for — the Shenzhen folks last summer.) Meanwhile, as the attached report indicates, the Chicago Climate Futures Exchange will be closing down after the first quarter of 2012. As someone who started off as an emissions broker in Chicago in 1981, it has certainly been more than a little depressing to watch the U.S. simply walk away from both the environmental ideas and ideals it pioneered years ago.