ICE Exchanges Recognized For Leadership In Global Environmental Markets

IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of regulated global futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, was recognized by Environmental Finance and Carbon Finance Magazine in its 11th Carbon Finance Annual Market Survey.

ICE Futures Europe was voted "best exchange" for its suite of ECX products in the following markets:

-EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS)
-Kyoto Project Credits (Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism)

Chicago Climate Futures Exchange was voted "best exchange" in:

-Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide (SO₂/NOx) Markets

And Chicago Climate Exchange was voted "best exchange" in:

-North American Mandatory Markets (Mandatory & Pre-compliance)

ICE acquired Climate Exchange, the parent company of the leading environmental markets in Europe and the U.S. in July of 2010, which includes the European Climate Exchange (ECX), Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE).

ECX products trade on ICE Futures Europe, ICE's London-based, regulated futures exchange for global energy and emission markets. Open interest in ICE's ECX products is more than 1 billion tonnes with average daily volumes of 24,000.

David Peniket, President and COO, ICE Futures Europe said: "ICE Futures Europe has seen continued growth in our emission volumes and the further development of risk management products for climate markets. We appreciate the support from our customers and look forward to continuing to serve these dynamic markets."

In the U.S., CCFE lists a broad range of carbon, acid rain and renewable energy contracts, including mandatory regional greenhouse gas market products.

Satish Nandapurkar, President and CEO, Chicago Climate Futures Exchange said: "In the absence of federal legislation in the U.S., we continue to see development of the regional carbon markets and growth in renewable energy products. As the leading U.S. environmental exchange, we look forward to continuing to work with market participants to respond to evolving market demands."

ICE's Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary market for carbon credits, will launch a new offsets registry program following the conclusion of its emission reduction program, with verification and compliance completing in 2011 as scheduled under Phase II. CCX's offsets registry program will commence in 2011 and will register offsets through 2012.