On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, Andrew Gilmour, a visionary entrepreneur, discussed how capital markets can transform the way we approach environmental sustainability.

The global carbon market is a trillion-dollar opportunity waiting to be realized, yet it remains inefficient and fragmented. By leveraging financial innovation, Andrew Gilmour believes we can create scalable, investable assets that will not only fight climate change but also generate wealth for developing nations.

His insights shed light on the current barriers, the revolutionary potential of financial instruments, and why bold action is necessary to disrupt the status quo.

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Andrew Gilmour on the Broken State of Carbon Markets

Carbon credits were originally designed as a solution to global emissions, allowing companies and governments to offset their carbon footprint by investing in environmental preservation. However, as Gilmour explains, the current system is deeply flawed. The voluntary carbon market, which should be a powerful tool for change, is dramatically undersized. In 2024, it only accounted for about $3 billion in trade volume, a minuscule amount compared to the estimated $4-5 trillion in annual demand​.

One key reason for this inefficiency is the absence of liquidity. Unlike traditional stocks or commodities, carbon credits are not structured as financial instruments that can be easily bought, sold, or held as assets. Many companies treat them as a charitable expense rather than a tradable commodity, further limiting the market’s potential. Andrew argues that to unlock real value, we must introduce market structures that allow investors to buy, hold, and even short carbon credits—just as they would with any other financial asset.

A Capital Market’s Approach to Environmental Change

Andrew Gilmour believes that the only way to make carbon markets work is to integrate them into the global financial system. By structuring carbon credits as assets with clear ownership, transparency, and liquidity, the market can become attractive to a wider range of investors.

"The beauty of capital markets is that they harness enlightened self-interest. It’s not for the benevolence of the butcher, the baker, or the brewer that we owe our daily bread, but to their own self-interest."

— Andrew Gilmour​

His approach has already yielded groundbreaking results. In a deal with Bolivia, $5 billion worth of carbon assets were structured and made available for trade, equivalent to 11% of the country’s GDP​. This transaction not only helps reduce emissions but also creates an economic lifeline for developing nations. Through financial innovation, Andrew is proving that environmental sustainability and economic growth are not mutually exclusive.

Andrew Gilmour on the Path Forward: Disrupting the Status Quo

For decades, climate action has been largely dominated by NGOs and government initiatives. Although they are well-intentioned, these efforts have failed to create scalable solutions. Andrew argues that the key to meaningful change lies in disrupting the existing model and adopting a fully market-driven approach.

His vision for the future includes turning forests, kelp beds, and other natural carbon sinks into structured financial assets. By leveraging AI, satellite data, and advanced trading mechanisms, he is building a platform that ensures transparency and accountability in carbon trading. This approach not only benefits the environment but also attracts investors who might not have previously considered sustainability as a viable financial opportunity.

As the world moves toward a net-zero future, the need for innovative, market-based solutions has never been greater. Andrew Gilmour’s bold vision challenges conventional thinking,