Carbon Training

Following a huge response and expressions of interest in this ambitious enterprise, IETA and Focus-Abengoa have decided to delay the staging of the Initiative until November. The postponement will enable the Initiative to ensure maximum value to participants and their supporting organisations through the restructuring of modules to truly reflect the needs and interests of the range of participants whilst incorporating exciting forthcoming developments within the carbon world.

IETA and Focus-Abengoa have been delighted with the level of interest from Non Annex I countries and EIT?s, economies crucial to the future success of the Carbon Markets. The decision to postpone the Initiative will generate additional opportunities for these participants to attend and we will continue to work with a range of financial institutions to achieve sponsorship to enable their attendance.

However, the carbon world is complex and poses a new range of challenges. Currently, political organisations, national governments and the United Nations hold responsibility for verifying the carbon quota, credit entitlements and creating carbon policies within an environment where the science and economics of carbon management are continually evolving.

All factors which leave the markets at risk of uncertainty and pricing volatility.

One of the most trusted and respected names in the carbon industry, the International Emissions Trading Association, (IETA) and Focus-Abengoa, a well known foundation with a strong commitment to combating climate change, have combined to establish the comprehensive training event for those wishing to engage with assurance within the carbon markets.

The training event will enable delegates to:

• Understand the CDM/JI and the attendant risks and opportunities
• Evaluate the impacts of the carbon markets on hedge funds and private equity provision
• Understand the principles of "cap and trade" programmes
• Evaluate project deliverables
• Evaluate International Carbon Standards and auditing thereof
• Assess the Legal and political implications of the carbon markets and
• Understand carbon in the Supply Chain

The inaugural residential training event will take place in Seville, Spain from October 6th 2008 until October 17th 2008 and will equip those involved within the carbon markets with the skills, knowledge and awareness needed to trade effectively and profitably, provide extensive networking opportunities and promote counter Climate Change measures.

In order to ensure the accurate measurement of the CO2 generated we will ask you to provide some basic information about your participation in the Carbon Market Training, for example, your country of origin and means of transport. This information will enable us to evaluate the carbon footprint of the event. With your own 'carbon account' comes the opportunity to positively contribute to this initiative and by means of a small contribution, to voluntarily compensate for your emissions.

Carbon offsetting services will be made by Zeroemissions, an Abengoa company. Zeroemissions is formed by specialists in carbon markets who bring global solutions to Climate Change, developing their activities in the promotion of emission reduction projects CDM/JI, management of carbon investment and certification of services.

The carbon offset mechanism is very simple involving the identification of the level CO2 generated by the initiative and the compensation of this by supporting projects that significantly avoid or decrease greenhouse gas effects. The projects primarily use renewable energies or forestation and are located in places with special developmental needs.