In the framework of the program Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) in Mexico, the European University Institute (EUI) in cooperation with the General Directorate of Policies for Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH organized a series of executive trainings on international carbon markets, an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives on fundamental elements for the implementation of emissions trading systems. The project is funded by the European Union’s Partnership Instrument and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in the context of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

During the four webinars, experts from SEMARNAT, National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), the European Commission, EUI’s School of Transnational Governance (STG) , Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, Environmental Defense Fund and Climate Strategy 2050 Institute, discussed and deep dived on the different aspects of international carbon markets, from their implementation to their operation, particularly related to allocation of emission rights, competitiveness of regulated companies, avoidance of carbon leakage as well as offsets, including the role of protected natural areas and feasibility of blue carbon projects. The first three workshops involved Mexican experts from the public sector, while the fourth webinar was open also to the private sector, academics and environmental NGOs.

The Mexican and European experts foreseen continuing the dialogue, focusing on concrete areas of cooperation and establishing relevant linkages with other aspects of the strategic partnership between Mexico and the European Union.

Jean-Pierre Bou, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union in Mexico, stressed the following: “Mexico is paving the way in Latin America as the first country in the region to implement at national level an Emission Trading System. We have an excellent opportunity to discuss with our Mexican colleagues the challenges of putting a price on carbon, and, very importantly, the role of an ETS in supporting National Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement”.

For his part, Professor Jos Delbeke, European Investment Bank Climate Chair at STG and former Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action from its creation in 2010 until 2018, highlighted that: “Bringing experts together from the EU and from Mexico provided a useful opportunity to compare notes – especially now that Mexico has started to roll-out its pilot carbon market. Both parties have an interest in building a robust system that addresses greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner”.

Marita Brömmelmeier, Regional Director of GIZ in Mexico made the following remarks: “The collaboration with SEMARNAT in the design and implementation of the Mexican Emissions Trading System has created opportunities to encourage the transfer of knowledge and international dialogue which were the main objectives of these webinars”.

The series of virtual seminars concluded with the intention of continuing to collaborate and exchange enriching experiences and lessons learned with countries such as Mexico, which is in an early stage of development of its Emissions Trading System, regarding situations that European Union has already experienced and, in this way, strengthen the system’s implementation.

The ‘Executive Dialogues on International Carbon Markets’ initiative is led by the EUI’s School of Transnational Governance (STG) and the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC).