In order to stimulate a discussion about a new international climate regime wherein carbon finance can be an integral component of investment, on 16-17 October 2006 the State Secretary for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment in the Netherlands, Mr Pieter van Geel, will be hosting the International Conference Make Markets Work for Climate.

Climate change is no longer questioned. It warrants a long-term commitment from the international community to substantive action. An effectively functioning carbon market is critical in mobilizing climate friendly investment in the energy sector. Meeting goals for greenhouse gas reductions and energy for development will require investing tens, if not hundreds, of billions of euros annually in both the developed and developing world. Existing carbon, energy, and financial markets will not produce the required level of investment in energy infrastructure and technology or in greenhouse gas mitigation, without assistance. This conference will focus on how to create incentives that will encourage the carbon, energy, financial, and technology markets to expand investment in climate-friendly energy projects in the developing world.

The conference itself will consist of five sessions in which there will be a limited number of speakers followed by a discussion among panelists and the opportunity for discussions between the panel and the participants.  It will be held in the historic Tuschinski Theater in the heart of Amsterdam and is being jointly organized with the World Bank Group, Shell, ABN-AMRO and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), with additional support from the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA).

Confirmed speakers include, among others, Mr Rijkman Groenink, CEO of ABN AMRO; Mr Claude Mandil, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency; Prof. José Goldemberg, Secretary of the Environment for the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil and Mr Prodipto Ghosh, Secretary to Ministry of Environment of India. A complete programme of speakers and panellist is available at www.makemarketswoork.com.

The conference is open to senior level decision makers from both the developed countries and the developing countries, particularly to high ranking officials and CEOs from the energy, environment and financial sector, of governments private and financial organisations.Policymakers, high level experts and other relevant stakeholders are welcome to attend. There is no registration fee for this conference and interested individuals are encouraged to register their interest via the conference web site www.makemarkteswork.com.