About the AETF

There is a need to promote open, well-informed public and business debate about emissions trading. Such debate helps provide the foundation and stimulus to progress the development of effective market-based solutions to the climate change issue. The AETF was conceived to meet this need by providing a source of information and analysis concerning emissions trading policy and market developments. The AETF does not lobby for particular policies, but rather aims to provide a vehicle for education and informed debate on emissions trading and related issues, and thereby to promote efficient market operation.

Objectives

The objectives of the AETF are to provide:

• information on regional and international emissions trading developments and research;
• exposure of and debate on issues through the Business Roundtable and AETF Review;
• a neutral ground forum where a wide spectrum of views can be accommodated; and
• considered analysis of global developments from a range of perspectives, but with a particular focus on matters of significance forthe Asia-Pacific region.

Activities

The AETF pursues these objectives through a range of ongoing activities, including:

• Business Roundtable - provides a unique opportunity for companies to discuss emissions trading issues, network with key emissions trading players, and explore emerging issues with policy makers and peers under Chatham House rules.
• AETF Review - provides commentary and analysis of national and international emissions trading developments, and is published six times per year.
• Board briefings - offer high-level and tailored board briefings to companies facing emissions trading liabilities, as well as those organisations wishing to position themselves or restructure to make the most of opportunities arising from a future carbon price.
• Ad hoc publications - at least two special publications are published each year, providing commentary on and analysis of international and national emissions trading and related developments.
• Website resources - contains valuable emissions trading material, available for download.
• Member event discounts - provide members with a discounted rate on certain emissions trading and carbon market events held in Australia.

History

The Asia-Pacific Emissions Trading Forum (which started out as the Australasian Emissions Trading Forum) was originally founded in 1998 under the auspices of the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE). From 1998 to 2000 the AETF provided an active program to disseminate information and foster discussion on both Australasian and international emissions trading developments. With the SFE directing its priorities away from emissions trading in 2000, it facilitated the continuation of the Forum by transferring the rights to pursue its ongoing operation to Beck Consulting Services and Analytic Outcomes. Under their management the AETF was relaunched as a sponsored information service in 2001. 

The AETF Review (the AETF's bi-monthly journal) was launched in 2001, and has been published since then. In late 2003 the AETF's Business Roundtable was started for companies seeking a more interactive involvement with emissions trading developments, policy makers and market participants.

In 2007, the AETF was brought under the umbrella of the Allen Consulting Group to facilitate its further development and expansion of services in the region. To reflect this wider focus the name was changed, replacing 'Australasian' with 'Asia-Pacific'. Dr Tony Beck, who was closely involved in the Forum from the outset, is now the chairman of the AETF.