The project had the goal of levelling domestic climate policies as much as possible and integrating them at the transnational level, with a particular focus on emissions trading. Carbon market integration represents a powerful lever for the European Union and other jurisdictions to increase international climate ambition in reducing emissions. However, with only a few attempts and successful examples, carbon market integration does not have a long track record.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), established in 2005, was the world's first major carbon market and remains the leader in terms of size and prices. The LIFE DICET project's efforts aimed to increase international cooperation and mutual trust between emissions trading system regulators beyond Europe. Other major emissions trading systems the project targeted were those of California, Quebec, China, Switzerland and New Zealand. The project also produced key research about carbon market regulation and the implications of their possible integration to better inform policymakers.
The project oversaw the creation of a Core Expert Group of regulators, policymakers, academics, representatives from NGOs and the private sector with strong expertise in carbon markets; the organisation of three Carbon Market Policy Dialogue meetings to encourage the interaction among global regulators, and 63 publications on domestic and international climate policies.
Over three years, more than 5000 policymakers and stakeholders participated in the project activities. The project also produced a wide range of material, such as public reports, video lectures, video interviews and podcasts. This material provides in-depth analysis of international ETS and looks at how to strengthen international cooperation on carbon markets.
COP27 is a reminder that the current climate crisis cannot be overcome without cooperation. In this regard, the work of the LIFE DICET project is an important contribution. This year it received an outstanding impact in Egypt: Simone Borghesi, the Project Director presented LIFE DICET at two COP27 events on 11 and 17 November.
LIFE DICET is co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Commission. It started on 1 September 2019 and ran until 30 September 2022.
Learn more at LIFE DICET.