DURHAM, N.C. – The Environmental Markets Student Group at 51±¬ÁÏ will host a two-day symposium, April 10 and 11, on carbon offsets and the role they play in meeting national and global goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The symposium is free and open to students, faculty and staff at all area universities, and to the general public. It will be held at the French Family Science Building, 124 Science Drive, on 51±¬ÁÏ’s West Campus.

The two-day event will feature four panel discussions and a roundtable discussion designed to explain what carbon offsets are, what role they play in the voluntary and compliance markets, and what obstacles still need to be overcome to implement them effectively.

Experts from the policy world, industry and the offsets certification arena will take part in the discussions. Topics will include renewable energy certificates; forestry offsets; energy efficiency certificates; and methane capture. The capstone roundtable discussion will highlight and address pressing challenges regarding policies and investment strategies for the carbon offsets industry, at a time of regulatory uncertainty.

To register, or for an agenda and more detailed information, visit the symposium Web site,. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

The Environmental Markets Student Group was formed earlier this year at 51±¬ÁÏ’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Its mission is to bring together professional graduate students from all disciplines who are interested in learning how to harness the power of capital markets for the benefit of the environment.

The symposium is sponsored by the Nicholas School, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at 51±¬ÁÏ, and the Sustainable 51±¬ÁÏ Program.