Join us in Lisbon this early Spring for the 5^th edition of this IETA-led European Climate Summit (ECS 2023), taking place 28-30 March at the Four Seasons Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.  

The ECS 2023 brings together leading private sector experts and policymakers from both the carbon and energy world, to analyse and discuss the current developments, pressing challenges. The summit provides a discussion and networking forum for policymakers, business leaders and innovators involved in building, scaling, and collaborating on markets for net zero. It’s your opportunity to further move the needle on climate action through carbon markets in Europe and beyond.

As an in-person hybrid event, ECS will feature high level plenaries, cross-cutting deep dives, interactive side events, and quality networking opportunities.

WHY ATTEND

• Keep up with carbon markets policy development
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of current and forecast carbon market drivers
• Get a full picture of transition to a net-zero economy, both on the ground and through policy
• Understand the pricing evolution, risk profile, and investment opportunities across the compliance and voluntary carbon markets
• Engage your peers and build new connections across business, government, and civil society
• Get provoked and inspired by new ideas and opportunities

BE VISIBLE

We are delighted to offer a limited number of Partner Sponsor Packages, allocated on a first come first served basis. These provide:

• Branding and visibility opportunities
• Private meeting room access
• Individual display counters located at the heart of ECS in the ‘Carbon Market Lounge’
• Possibility to host your own side event session

Full package details available HERE.

MORE INFORMATION

Interested in speaking opportunities, hosting your own session or event, partner sponsorship packages, contact Lisa Spafford, [email protected] 

Want to attend as a delegate, contact Christian Mosquera, [email protected] 

For any ICAP-related inquiry, contact Stefano De Clara, [email protected]

Summit Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Lisbon, R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88, 1099-039 Lisbon 

Preferential hotel room rate at the Four Seasons for ECS 2023 participants available HERE. Limited availability.

17:00 – 17:30

Registration & Welcome Coffee

12:30 – 14:00

Welcome Lunch

14:00 – 17:30

Closed Door Invite Only: EU WG Meeting

14:00 – 15:30

Closed Door Invite Only: Aviation WG Meeting

15:00 – 18:00

Closed Door Invite Only: ICROA Executive Committee Meeting

15:30 – 17:00

Closed Door Invite Only: DCM WG Meeting

17:00 – 17:30

EXCLUSIVE Opened Event 1: In-person Launch Briefing of the Emissions Trading Worldwide ICAP Status Report 2023

International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) will deliver an in-person launch and presentation of their annual Emissions Trading Worldwide Status Report 2023. This is a cornerstone publication for the carbon market community. The 2023 edition provides a comprehensive snapshot of the latest ETS developments from around the world from systems that are in operation, scheduled, or under consideration.

17:30 – 19:30

European Climate Summit Welcome Reception & Concert (opened to all ECS delegates)

08:00 – 08:30

Registration & Welcome Coffee

08:30 – 09:00

Opening Ceremony – Climate Change, Carbon Markets & Exploration – Pushing Boundaries

09:00 – 09:15

Short Break

09:15 – 10:30

Plenary 1 – The EU ETS by 2030 and Beyond

The EU has just adopted a historic package of climate laws that paves its way to climate neutrality. The “”Fit For 55″”package puts the EU ETS on track to become net carbon-negative by the end of next decade, introduced the world’s first carbon border taxation and established new funds to drive the low-carbon transition. The EU’s next big step is to agree on 2040 climate target, to be proposed next year. How will the EU ETS evolve by 2030 and beyond? Is further ETS sector expansion inevitable? What are the key challenges with the EU ETS cap reaching zero by 2040?

10:30 – 11:00

Tea & Coffee Time

11:00 – 12:00

Deep Dive 2 – EU ETS Extension to the Maritime Sector

Maritime emissions will be included in the EU ETS between 2024 and 2026. Vessel journeys within the EU will be required to pay for 100% of their emissions, while journeys to or from a non-EU destination will be covered to 50%. The EU ETS cap will be increased to account for the inclusion. Join this discussion to understand the challenges facing the sector and what the extension of EU ETS to maritime sector means for the EU’s carbon market.

11:00 – 12:00

Side Event Session 1: Lessons from the Voluntary Carbon Market for European Carbon Removals Certification 
Organised by Verra

The voluntary carbon market has pioneered the growth of crediting as a driver of CO2 removal projects, with years of developing standards and methodologies and early real-world experience in financing action on the ground. This panel discussion will explore what can be learned from the voluntary removals market – its successes and its challenges to date – and what tools can be carried across to help build the framework for carbon removals certification in Europe.

12:00 – 12:15

Short Break

12:15 – 13:15

Plenary 2 – What’s on the Horizon for Financial Institutions and Carbon Markets? Dialogue on Navigating the Emerging Asset Class

The financial sector has long been an active participant in the world’s carbon markets and has used its skills to find new and more efficient ways of driving finance into the market. Amid mounting corporate interest and engagement in the carbon market – and with growing public scrutiny – how can financial institutions best serve the market?

13:15 – 14:15

Networking Lunch

14:00 – 15:15

Plenary 3 – Revving up Removals Roundtable: The ‘Net’ of Net Zero

Meeting the 1.5-degrees goal means we need to do more than just cutting emissions – we also need to remove them. The nascent market for emissions removals encompasses both nature-based and technological solutions. This plenary will take a close look at where the market for removals is at, where it’s going, and what initiatives are driving it forward, with a special spotlight on Europe’s carbon removal certification framework.

15:00 – 15:30

Short Break

15:30 – 16:30

Deep Dive 3 – The Future of Aviation in the EU ETS

At the end of last year the EU decided to maintain the reduced scope of its carbon market to cover intra-EU aviation. A future decision to include international flights in the ETS will be based on a 2026 Commission assessment of CORSIA’s alignment with the Paris Agreement. Join this session to discuss the impact of the EU ETS on the aviation sector and the prospects for extending its scope to international flights, following the example of the maritime sector.

15:30 – 16:30

Deep Dive 4 – Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): A New Era for Global Trade Order

The discussion around climate, trade and competitiveness is reaching a fever pitch on both sides of the Atlantic, as the long-debated CBAM is set to become a reality in Europe. This session will look at the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the European Green Deal Industrial Plan, and will delve into the details of the EU’s CBAM. It will tackle how to protect export-oriented industries from potential carbon leakage, look at ways to prevent circumvention risks, compatibility with WTO regulations, and the global community’s response to the world’s first carbon border tax.

15:30 – 16:30

Side Event Session 2: Incorporating CCPs into VCM Trading and Sustainability Programs
Organised by Xpansiv

This panel will discuss how market participants are fine-tuning the use of carbon offsets in their sustainability strategies, and how they are planning to integrate new information sources and paradigms, including the soon-to-be-released IC-VCM Core Carbon Principles.

16:30 – 17:00

Aperitif Happy ‘Half Hour’ – Grab a coffee or a drink and join us for our closing plenary of the day

17:00 – 18:00

Plenary 4 – The Evolving Voluntary Carbon Market

The Evolving Voluntary Carbon Market” Paper (being launched at ECS) provides an overview of current uncertainties, concerns, and potential outcomes that can shape the market in the coming years. The panel will discuss current net-zero guidelines and the need to expand the use case for offsetting, consolidation versus proliferation of crediting approaches, potential changes to the market following the implementation of Article 6 as well as possible risks from over-regulation of the VCM.

20:30 – 23:30

IETA Nightcap Reception (for IETA Members only)

08:30 – 10:00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

08:45 – 09:45

Side Event Sessions 3: Information Infrastructure – The Key to Scaling the VCM and Accelerating Net Zero?
Organised by BeZero

Scaling and broadening access to information sit at the heart of an efficient Voluntary Carbon Market, helping participants to make better decisions that accelerate the transition to Net Zero. This side event will explore the key role that information infrastructure has as carbon markets evolve, from information on carbon efficacy and risk to increasing marketplace accessibility.

09:45 – 10:00

Short Break

10:00 – 11:00

Plenary 5 – Global Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Dialogue

11:00 – 11:30

Tea & Coffee Time

11:30 – 12:30

Deep Dive 5 – EU ETS Enhanced Market Oversigh?

Last year the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recommended enhancing EU ETS market transparency and assessing the merits of introducing position limits for EUA derivatives and establishing centralised carbon market monitoring at EU level. The updated EU ETS Directive empowers ESMA to monitor more closely the volatility and evolution of prices, market liquidity and volumes, including speculative activity. At the same time an ongoing review of regulations on enhanced market data transparency (MIiFID and EMIR), is considering the introduction of EUA position and holding limits. This panel will discuss how such limits would affect the EU ETS and what enhanced market monitoring will mean for market participants.

11:30 – 12:30

Deep Dive 6 – Natural Climate Solutions (NCS): Opportunities in the EU & Beyond

Natural climate solutions (NCS) will contribute significantly to meeting net zero goals. NCS also offer significant co-benefits, for local communities, economies, and biodiversity. Regions around the world, including the EU, have identified NCS as a key part of their climate strategies. The private sector has also realised the potential NCS have to offer. What are some of the key opportunities on the horizon for NCS? What role can carbon markets play in capturing the benefits of NCS?

11:30 – 12:30

Side Event Session 4
Organised by Carbon Finance Labs & 1PointFive

Part 1: Scaling the Carbon Market Through an Effective Risk Framework (11:30-12:15)

2022 was a record year for carbon removal financing but could be accelerated even further with an enhanced understanding and treatment of risk. In order to reach gigatonne scale, carbon markets must reduce uncertainty, separate risk responsibilities and strive for fungibility. This session brings together an insurance body, rating agency, project developer and buyer of carbon removal to share perspectives on fostering an effective risk ecosystem across the VCM and beyond.

Part 2: Low Carbon Products, Supply Chains and Corporations Processes (12:15-13:00)

Low carbon products are hidden, locked in supply chains and corporations processes. New tools can discover carbon advantages products and processes. CBAMs, net zero, scope 1,2,3 and buy clean policies are going to electrify the demand for low carbon attested products. New tools can link low carbon certificates and carbon instruments to capture value. Hear about how a multi billion $ chemical company is leverging these tools to open new markets, and create new products as it reduces carbon on its net zero journey.

12:30 – 13:30

Networking Lunch

13:30 – 14:30

Plenary 6 – Carbon Credits in the Media: Separating Facts from Fiction?

With a growing number of companies committing to net-zero, interest in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) to help meet these targets has surged. Despite well documented and science-based recognition of the benefits that the VCM can deliver, criticism of carbon credits in the media has been on the rise. Concurrently, a group of well-established and new initiatives have been working to strengthen the market’s integrity and lay the groundwork for greater transparency and regulation – yet these activities have failed to garner the same attention. Does the VCM have a communication problem? How can carbon market stakeholders communicate more effectively to new entrants, observers, and the media and debunk the myths and misconceptions?

14:30 – 14:45

Short Break

14:45 – 15:45

Deep Dive 7 – Transparency thru Digitalisation: Enabling More Impactful Climate Action

Since their inception, carbon markets have enabled innovation to deliver and certify emissions reductions and climate impacts around the world. New technologies and better use of data offer new solutions to enhance transparency and integrity in the market. The panel will explore and discuss the latest developments from organisations that work to improve transparency and address pressing challenges and opportunities to move the digitalisation of carbon markets forward.

14:45 – 15:45

Side Event Session 5: ICVCM – Core Carbon Principles Launch Briefing (In-person only)
Organised by Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market is unveiling the Core Carbon Principles and Assessment Procedure. Developed as a global threshold for carbon credits, the CCPs and AP set out a science-based criteria for crediting programs and supporting assessment procedure to accelerate the just transition to 1.5°C.

15:45 – 16:05

‘High Tea’ Time – Grab a coffee and or a glass of bubbles, and join us for our closing plenary

16:05 – 17:30

Plenary 7 – The Road to COP28 Roundtable: Global Stocktake and the Role of Carbon Markets

This closing session will take stock of the state of climate negotiations in the wake of COP27 and what is on the agenda for the rest of 2023. A global panel of distinguished speakers will reflect on the role of carbon markets in the context of the Global Stocktake and what challenges lie ahead.

17:30 – 18:00

Closing Addresses – Bringing it Home & What’s Next

The European Climate Summit brings together business leaders from energy, industry and transport, investors, traders, analysts, lawyers and project developers, along with legislators and government representatives. Media and news agents, as well as academia will also be present.

It offers valuable opportunities to interact with a variety of experts on how climate change is affecting their businesses, what the major challenges are and what solutions should be implemented. Discuss, debate and network with climate leaders from across the continent.

Located in the heart of Lisbon, our historic Hotel wears the cultural heart and soul of Portugal on its sleeve. Inside, art-deco sensibilities mingle with an updated Louis XVI style, and a collection of important contemporary local artwork fills our halls. Outside, views of the city’s rolling hills and brightly tiled exteriors spread out before you.

Preferential hotel room rate at the Four Seasons for ECS 2023 participants available HERE. Limited availability.

Four Seasons Hotel Lisbon
R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88,
1099-039 Lisboa, Portugal

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OUR GREEN and SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
Vegan and vegetarian menu items available
Linens and towels replaced every third day, unless otherwise requested

ENERGY, CARBON AND WATER REDUCTION
Energy-efficient guest room controls and building systems
Excess heat from refrigeration is recovered and channelled to heat the swimming pool
Water-efficient landscaping

WASTE REDUCTION
Elimination of single-use plastic water bottles and straws
Recycling program in place that includes cardboard, paper, plastics, glass, aluminum, cooking oil and toner cartridges
Linen-less tables at CURA and Ritz Bar
Reusable/recyclable coasters used in all outlets

SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Local, sustainable and seasonal menu items available at CURA, which supports small, local and sustainability-focused artisan farmers
Cage-free eggs
Food waste reduction program in place
Endangered species banned from all menus

COMMUNITY
Guests can engage in educational tours at local natural, cultural, historical or heritage sites to learn more about the local community
Excess food donated to the local community through partners Junta de Freguesia Campolide and Centro da Sagrada Família
Linens and other items donated to the local community, including duvets, pillows and hangers
Employees complete annual Human Trafficking Awareness training

PURCHASING PRACTICES
Focus on partnering with sustainable suppliers for hotel purchasing and products
Suppliers are encouraged to reduce unnecessary packaging
Bulk purchasing preferred for increased transportation efficiency

All of this information can be found on our website