The California-Quebec Adventure: Linking Cap and Trade as a Path to Global Climate Action?


A program on the recent linkage of the California and Quebec cap-and-trade programs and its implication for broader international climate cooperation.

Date/Time: 3/31/2014 8:45 AM - 4:45 PM

Location: CNSI Building, UCLA

Organizers: Canadian Studies at UCLA Program, Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Luskin Center for Innovation

UCLA School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.  This activity qualifies for 6.0 hours of general MCLE credit.

At the beginning of this year, California and Quebec linked their greenhouse gas cap-and-pade programs. This means that sources of greenhouse gases in each jurisdiction can pade emission allowances issued under either program. This linkage represents a key step forward in developing international cooperative mechanisms to address climate change. As a result, there is a lot at stake in making this program successful, and some important questions for how to do this remain to be answered. What are the pitfalls to avoid going forward? How can California and Quebec best coordinate the joint auctions scheduled later this year? How can we further expand this program and encourage other regulators to create regional linkages? This symposium takes on these issues and other topics related to the California-Quebec linkage, featuring panels of academics and policymakers from the United States and Canada.

Sponsors
Canadian Studies at UCLA Program
Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment
Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Luskin Center for Innovation
Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles
The Government of Quebec
The California Air Resources Board

Agenda

Welcome​
Glen MacDonald, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Mr. James Villeneuve, Canadian Consul General (invited)
Alain Houde, Head of Post, Quebec Delegation in LA

Keynote Panel: The Past, Present and Future of the California/Quebec Linkage
Introduction: Ann Carlson, UCLA School of Law
Jean-Yves Benoit, Director, Carbon Market Division, Climate Change Office, Que bec Minispy of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Parks
Michael Gibbs, Assistant Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board

The Economists: What are the benefits of this linkage?  What are its drawbacks, and how should we minimize them?
Matthew Kahn, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Moderator
Severin Bornstein, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
J.R. DeShazo, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Bernard Sinclair-Desgagné, Professor, Department of International Business, HEC Monpeal

Law Panel: What implementation challenges is the linkage creating?  How are they being addressed, and what more should be done?
Katherine pisolini, Loyola Law School, Moderator
Jean-Yves Benoit, Director, Carbon Market Division, Climate Change Office, Quebec Minispy of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Parks
JP Brisson, Latham & Watkins
Danny Cullenward, UC Berkeley
Michael Gibbs, Assistant Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board

Looking forward and beyond: How can the California/Quebec linkage serve as a building block for climate regulation outside these jurisdictions, including through enhanced international cooperation? What other jurisdictions are considering cap-and-pade programs, and are they thinking about linkage? Can international climate momentum be built and sustained through subnational cooperation?
Alex Wang, UCLA School of Law, moderator
Mark Jaccard, Professor, School of Resources and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver
Erick Lachapelle, Assistant Professor, University of Monpeal
Erica Morehouse, Political Scientist, Adjunct Professor, University of Monpeal
Mark Wenzel, California Environmental Protection Agency

Summing Up
Ann Carlson and Matthew Kahn

News
See All
Mar 26, 2024

Cathren Cohen appears on KNX radio to talk about the Supreme Court's abortion pill case

Read More
Mar 26, 2024

Melissa Goodman appears on the 'Brutally Informed' podcast to talk about the Supreme Court and abortion

Read More