Under the agreement, the parties will benefit from a formal referral relationship in which Natsource may recommend its clients to ERT’s GHG Registrysm and members of ERT’s GHG Registrysm program can utilize Natsource’s market expertise. The agreement intends to harness the market expertise of Natsource and ERT’s GHG Registrysm services to strengthen and deepen the global greenhouse gas emissions trading market. In addition, Natsource and ERT will work together to educate stakeholders on greenhouse gas emissions trading through joint participation in and hosting of conferences, seminars, and workshops.

“There is a clear need for registries as a means to enhance the marketability and value of greenhouse gas emissions reduction credits,” said Jack Cogen, president of Natsource. “ERT has the credibility our clients need for validating reductions. Their strong reputation in the marketplace comes from extensive policy expertise in the development of environmental commodities and the fact that they take no market position.”

The Letter of Intent is being used to forge a relationship between Natsource and ERT. The parties intend to finalize the agreement in the coming months. Although the final terms have not yet been negotiated, the partnership is designed to meet the mutual goals of the parties to further the development of greenhouse gas emissions markets.

“ERT and Natsource have a shared vision of a vibrant market for greenhouse gas emissions reductions,” said Thomas P. Grumbly, executive director of the Environmental Resources Trust. ”We both believe that emissions trading is the best way to secure environmental benefits at reduced cost to the economy. In Natsource, we have found a partner with a proven track record of executing transactions in the international marketplace.”

ERT’s GHG Registrysm serves as a repository for qualified emissions information that is key to healthy market development. The Registry provides producers of qualified emissions reductions with a pedigree, based on a thorough environmental review by a non-profit environmental organization that does not take a position in the market. Registration adds value in the market because potential buyers are assured that all registered net reductions can be traced back to a clear set of activities, standards, and practices.

Natsource is a pioneer in emissions brokerage and has established itself as a leader in greenhouse gas emissions trading. The company has advised a number of global companies and governmental entities on greenhouse gas emissions market development and has executed scores of transactions, including the first transatlantic trade of greenhouse gas emissions reduction credits.

Natsource® LLC is a leading broker of energy related products and participates in the power, natural gas, coal, weather hedging and emissions allowance credit markets. Headquartered in New York, Natsource’s client base includes over 600 global companies who are leaders in the utility, coal, oil and natural gas markets, as well as the investment and commercial banking communities. With its joint venture partner, Tullett & Tokyo Liberty Plc, Natsource has global reach in all of the major financial centers.

Environmental Resources Trust is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1996 with the help of Environmental Defense (formerly EDF). ERT’s mission is to harness the power of markets to meet environmental aspirations. ERT’s GHG Registrysm program is designed to spur the development of a robust GHG trading market that fosters innovation and drives down the cost of achieving GHG emissions reduction goals.