Last week, Microsoft signed one of the world’s largest carbon removal deals with carbon credit firm Rubicon Carbon, purchasing 18 million tonnes of carbon removal credits. But will investing in carbon markets necessarily reduce the urgency of reaching net zero emissions, and how large of a role should they play in the fight against climate change?

In a special edition of the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Dr Daniel Klier, CEO of the climate consultancy South Pole, which describes itself as the world’s leading carbon project expert.

Together they discussed the current progress in tackling global carbon emissions, as well as the findings of South Pole’s Net Zero survey of 350 financial institutions worldwide. You’ll also hear more about:

• How investors are currently engaging in "financial cakeism" by continuing to invest in fossil fuels alongside green assets 

• The case for why investing in carbon markets is such a vital tool in the toolbox against climate change, and how to do so without relaxing the urgency of delivering net zero

• South Pole’s message to sustainability professionals on what they should be doing at company level to realise the green transition 

• What Article 6 of the Paris Agreement means in practice, and why it was only ratified after nine years at COP29 in Baku last year 

• The consultancy’s verdict on how well existing Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) worldwide are working 

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