Featured Publications

Emissions Trading Worldwide: 2023 ICAP Status Report
Check out the 2023 ICAP Status Report with the latest developments in emissions trading around the world.
The report includes:
🔹 comprehensive snapshot of the latest ETS developments
🔹 up-to-date factsheets on all systems
🔹 infographics that visualize the systems' characteristics
🔹 in-depth articles from policymakers and carbon market experts

Emissions Trading and Carbon Capture and Storage: Mapping possible interactions, technical considerations, and existing provisions
This report explores how CCS is treated in different ETSs around the world; if and how ETSs could play a role in incentivizing the development and deployment of CCS applications; and the challenges and opportunities in developing the required regulation in this context.

Offset Use Across Emissions Trading Systems
As market-based instruments, emissions trading systems are inherently flexible, as entities can decide to reduce their own emissions or buy emissions allowances from the market. Carbon offsets (or simply ‘offsets’) are a tool to further increase flexibility in reaching climate targets under ETSs, as they offer sectoral and geographical flexibility for jurisdictions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside of the scope of their ETS. This report...

Benchmark-based allocation in emissions trading systems: Experiences to date and insights on design
Benchmarking can protect against carbon leakage while setting incentives to reduce emissions, but their design entails complex trade-offs. This paper explores benchmark-based industrial allocation design and experiences, using insights from existing ETSs, and their implications for abatement and low-carbon investment incentives.

ICAP & World Bank Paper: Governance of Emissions Trading Systems
ICAP and the World Bank jointly published a paper on the governance of emissions trading systems.
-
DateCategoryReportCover ImageDateCategoryReport
Accounting for the Linking of ETSs under Art 6.2 of the Paris Agreement
Teaser + metatagsThe paper looks at internationally linked emissions trading systems, examining four approaches to account for the flow of allowances across international borders under the Paris Agreement. The findings can inform the ongoing negotiations on the Paris Rulebook, as well as bilateral agreements between jurisdictions.
-
DateCategoryHandbooks and GuidesCover ImageDateCategoryHandbooks and Guides
A Guide to Linking Emissions Trading Systems
Teaser + metatagsHow to best link emissions trading systems? This guide provides policymakers with a step-by-step for the whole process. Complete with practical experiences, how to avoid possible pitfalls, stakeholder perspectives, and much more.
-
DateCategoryPaperCover ImageDateCategoryPaper
Benefits of ETS: Taking Stock of the Impacts of ETS Worldwide
Teaser + metatagsAn accessible resource that summarizes the main conceptual and theoretical arguments for ETS, supported by a consolidated body of up-to-date empirical evidence.
-
DateCategoryReportCover ImageDateCategoryReport
Emissions Trading and Electricity Sector Regulation
Teaser + metatagsIn theory, ETS offers a cost effective tool to achieve emission reduction targets, but in practice, electricity sector regulation interacts with emissions trading in ways that may prevent or change how participants respond to the allowance price. This report provides a conceptual framework to understand this interaction.
-
DateCategoryICAP Status ReportCover ImageDateCategoryICAP Status Report
Emissions Trading Worldwide: ICAP Status Report 2018
Teaser + metatagsCheck out the 2018 ICAP Status Report with the latest developments in emissions trading around the world.
The report includes:
- Insights from international emissions trading experts
- Infographics
- Factsheets on each system in operation and under consideration