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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST

Western Carbon-Market Linkage

Coverage from Columbia Insight, Stateline, and others

Washington, California, and Québec are working to connect their carbon markets through shared auctions, common trading rules, and cross-border use of emissions allowances.

The arrangement builds on more than a decade of California–Québec cooperation and Washington’s Cap-and-Invest program, established under the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Supporters expect a larger market to improve trading and reduce price volatility, while analyses point to consequential trade-offs involving Washington allowance prices, public revenue, emissions reductions, and localized pollution. The linkage’s significance lies in how regional market design shapes both climate outcomes and the costs and benefits borne by governments, businesses, and communities.

Looking Back
180 Day Timeline
Apr 1Apr 29Jun 10Jul 8Aug 19Sep 16
All Articles7 articles
Important1 article · CI Score 60 and above
Columbia Insight / Nathan Gilles
Washington Finalizes Rules To Link Carbon Markets With California And Québec
Following a summer agreement, Washington completed rulemaking to align its cap-and-trade program with California and Québec, advancing a potential three-jurisdiction carbon market.
9/28/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Interesting3 articles · CI Score 45–59
Stateline / Alex Brown
California And Washington Merge Carbon Markets As New York Delays Climate Plan
California and Washington are preparing to link cap-and-trade systems as New York Governor Kathy Hochul delays a similar program over emissions deadlines and affordability concerns.
4/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Environmental Defense Fund / Caroline Jones
Why California Should Link Its Carbon Market With Washington
California, Quebec, and Washington agreed in June to develop a linked carbon market that could reduce regional emissions through 2045.
9/9/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General
Environmental Defense Fund / Caroline Jones
Washington Carbon Auction Prices Fall After California-Québec Linkage Deal
Washington's Department of Ecology sold 2.8 million carbon allowances at $39.50 each in the latest quarterly auction as Washington, California, and Quebec advance market linkage toward November 2027.
9/9/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General
Additional3 articles · CI Score below 45
The Seattle Times / Conrad Swanson
Washington, California And Quebec Move To Link Carbon Markets
Washington, California, and Quebec agreed on a carbon market linkage plan, aiming to finalize negotiations on Thursday and reduce allowance price volatility.
6/23/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General
Heatmap / Katie Brigham
Washington’s Carbon Market Linkage Will Lower Prices And Revenue
Washington agreed in June to link its cap-and-invest program with California and Quebec's carbon market, with joint operations expected across the Western Climate Initiative before November 2027.
8/20/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General
EDF / Alison Wenzel
Washington Cap-and-Invest Auction Sells Out As Linkage Advances
Washington Department of Ecology released results for the second Cap-and-Invest quarterly auction in Washington, USA, after linkage rulemaking with California and Québec advanced in June.
6/10/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General