After three editions online, hosting this 9th edition of the annual Climate Conference in presence at the EUI again was a satisfactory achievement for the Florence School of Regulation. The conference covered climate policies at EU, national and subnational levels, with speeches and plenary sessions on emissions trading, environmental taxation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. The conference, that took place on 27 and 28 November, was timely scheduled just prior to start of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
Key insights from the conference underscore the significance of climate pledges, highlighting their tangible impact on other commitments. Despite the essential role of adjustments and geopolitical considerations in the process, acknowledging and addressing these factors is crucial for effective outcomes. Additionally, the efficacy of Emission Trading Systems (ETSs) is becoming increasingly evident. However, they must be accompanied by other climate policies, such as energy efficiency measures that will remain crucial to reach a decarbonised economy. Rather sobering results emerge from the studies on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which underlines the need for better international cooperation on the matter.
The keynote speech was delivered by Andreas Lange (University of Hamburg). Other distinguished speakers included Ben Hobbs (Johns Hopkins University and California ISO), Carmen Arguedas (Autonomous University of Madrid) and Aude Pommeret (University of Savoie-Mont-Blanc), contributing to a highly insightful conference with the participants.
It is not over just yet: videos highlights and slides will be uploaded in the following weeks, and we invite you to stay tuned for the 10th edition of this conference in 2024.
Follow the live updates of FSR at COP28 here.