About ICAP

The International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) is an international forum for governments and public authorities that have implemented or are planning to implement emissions trading systems (ETS).

ICAP facilitates cooperation between countries, sub-national jurisdictions and supranational institutions that have established or are actively pursuing carbon markets through mandatory cap and trade systems. 

Founded in 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, by leaders of more than 15 governments, ICAP provides the opportunity for member jurisdictions to share best practices and discuss ETS design elements with a view to creating a well-functioning global carbon market through linking ETS.

The work of ICAP focuses on the three pillars of technical dialogue, ETS knowledge sharing and capacity building activities.

ICAP’s objectives are:

• Share best practices and learning from each other’s experience of ETS
• Help policymakers recognize ETS design compatibility issues and opportunities for the establishment of an ETS at an early stage
• Facilitate future linking of trading programs
• Highlight the key role of emissions trading as an effective climate policy response
• Build and strengthen partnerships amongst governments

The partnership currently counts 33 full members and 8 observers.