Operating the German Working Group on Emission Trading

The Working Group on Emission Trading (AGE) is an initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and involves the participation of private companies, federal states, environmental groups and trade unions. adelphi has managed the AGE project since 2003, providing staffing, administrative and financial management, consultation and member services. adelphi was later re-commissioned to manage the AGE project for the period 2011/2012.

Four sub-groups addressed cross-cutting factors such as links to other climate protection instruments, the implementation of the emissions trading system, legal questions and the use of project-based mechanisms (JI/CDM) in the context of emissions trading. The Working Group published the results of its consultations annually on the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

Since 2000, the Working Group has provided advice on how this new climate action policy instrument can be integrated into the German climate protection programme. Representatives from all relevant social groups took part in the Working Group, which was financed by private companies, business associations, and the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU).