The most successful market-based mechanisms support programs that invest directly in energy efficiency. At a two-day workshop held in Beijing, RAP’s David Crossley, Max Dupuy, and Eoin Lees were among the international speakers who explored the effectiveness of market mechanisms in achieving China’s climate change goals.

Experts from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia and Japan discussed cap-and-trade policies and energy efficiency certificate trading schemes (“white certificates”). The second day of the workshop covered detailed design and implementation issues. Most of the speakers were hands-on practitioners who had personally been involved in designing and/or implementing market-based approaches.

More than 100 people registered for the workshop, organized by the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, in association with the China Sustainable Energy Program. RAP arranged for most of the international speakers.