This Week in Carbon

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, Rene Velasquez sits down to speak to Valerio Magliulo, CEO and co-founder of Abatable. They discuss the evolution of carbon markets, the role of airlines in compliance, and the challenges and opportunities within the Corsia framework. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders to navigate the complexities of carbon procurement and pricing. Valerio shares insights on how Abatable has adapted its business model to focus on demand and the need for a more structured approach to carbon supply and pricing in the market.

Takeaways

• Valerio Magliulo is the CEO and co-founder of Abatable, focusing on carbon markets.
• Abatable was founded to address inefficiencies in the voluntary carbon market.
• The company has evolved from aggregating supply to focusing on demand in carbon procurement.
• Airlines are increasingly engaged in carbon markets to meet compliance obligations.
• Corsia is a critical framework for airlines to purchase carbon credits.
• There are significant bottlenecks in the carbon supply chain, particularly in project accreditation.
• Price discovery in carbon markets is still developing, affecting procurement strategies.
• The shape of carbon supply is influenced by the types of projects that receive accreditation.
• Airlines are looking for quality and community engagement in their carbon procurement.
• The future of carbon markets depends on effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith and co-host Rene Velasquez sit down with Charles Bedford, Chief Impact Officer at Carbon Growth Partners (CGP). They discuss various aspects of carbon markets, including the recent collapse of Cocoa Networks and its implications for the industry. They explore the importance of permanence mechanisms in nature-based solutions and the complexities of measuring biodiversity credits. The dialogue also touches on the contrasting perspectives of the Global North and South regarding carbon markets, with a particular focus on China's emerging role as a significant player in the global carbon landscape. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of carbon markets and the need for clear regulatory frameworks to support their growth.

Takeaways

• Cocoa Networks' collapse highlights the fragility of carbon markets.
• The demand for carbon credits is still significant despite setbacks.
• Permanence mechanisms are crucial for the success of nature-based solutions.
• Biodiversity credits are complex and localized, differing from carbon credits.
• The Global North often misunderstands the needs of the Global South.
• China is emerging as a significant player in global carbon markets.
• Investment in the Global South is essential for climate solutions.
• Regulatory frameworks need to evolve to support carbon markets.
• The intersection of insurance and buffer pools can enhance project viability.
• Future success in carbon markets depends on clear pathways and demand signals.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smithand regular guest Rene Velazquez sit down with Patrick Flynn, founder of Switchboard,former head of sustainability at Salesforce and a leader in corporate climateaction. He discusses his career journey and the evolving role of ChiefSustainability Officers. He emphasizes the importance of influencing changewithin organizations, making a business case for climate action, and addressingscope three emissions. Flynn also highlights the significance of corporateadvocacy in climate policy and the need for companies to engage with financialinstitutions to drive sustainability efforts. The discussion concludes withreflections on the importance of speed and scale in climate strategies and thepersonal journey of finding purpose in climate action.

Takeaways

·     The Chief Sustainability Officer acts as theplanet's advocate within a company.

·     Influencing change requires understandingcolleagues' motivations and building relationships.

·     Climate action is not just about environmentalresponsibility; it also makes good business sense.

·     Scope three emissions represent the largestshare of corporate emissions and require focused strategies for reduction.

·     Corporate climate policy advocacy is essentialfor aligning business practices with sustainability goals.

·     Engaging with financial institutions cansignificantly impact a company's carbon footprint.

·     Speed and scale are critical in climatestrategies to achieve meaningful change.

·     Companies should leverage their unique strengthsto drive climate action effectively.

·     Building coalitions among companies can amplifythe impact of sustainability efforts.

·     Awareness of the environmental impact offinancial decisions is growing, but more action is needed.

Chapters

·     00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup

·     02:58 Patrick Flynn's Career Journey

·     05:45 The Role of Chief Sustainability Officer

·     09:11 Influencing Change in CorporateSustainability

·     12:10 Making the Business Case for ClimateAction

·     15:03 Scope Three Emissions and Value ChainDecarbonization

·     18:07 Corporate Climate Policy Advocacy

·     21:03 Switchboard and Topo Finance Overview

·     23:58 Engaging with Financial Institutions forClimate Action

·     27:07 Speed and Scale in Climate Strategies

·     30:00 Conclusion and Reflections on ClimateAction

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith and regular guest Rene Velasquez sit down with Alexia Kelly. Alexia shares her extensive journey in the field of carbon markets, discussing her experiences in both public and private sectors. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities of carbon markets, the role of the ICVCM in establishing standards, and the future of global carbon markets, particularly in relation to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities within the carbon market landscape, including the need for better communication and the significance of voluntary actions in driving climate initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

• Alexia's journey in environmentalism began in her childhood during the timber wars.
• She emphasizes the importance of working in both public and private sectors for a well-rounded perspective.
• The carbon market is evolving, with significant changes in standards and methodologies.
• Communication in the environmental space needs to be simplified for broader understanding.
• The ICVCM is crucial for establishing quality standards in carbon markets.
• Voluntary actions can lead to significant innovations in climate policy.
• The future of carbon markets is promising, especially with the upcoming compliance markets.
• Investment in capacity building is essential for developing countries to engage in carbon markets.
• The complexity of carbon markets presents both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders.
• A portfolio approach to carbon credits can enhance the effectiveness of climate action.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Context of Carbon Markets

01:24 Alexia's Career Journey in Climate and Sustainability

09:32 Insights from Corporate Carbon Buying at Netflix

20:34 The Role of ICVCM in Carbon Market Integrity

27:01 Emergence of Robust Methodologies in Carbon Markets

28:13 Market Dynamics and Quality Standards

30:24 Article 6 and International Cooperation

32:50 Challenges in Implementing Article 6

38:38 The Role of Voluntary Markets

41:16 Future of Global Carbon Markets

45:32 Building a Verified Carbon Market Coalition

49:01 The Path to Net Zero and Market Integration

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith engages with Clinton Libbey, founder of Kumi Analytics, to explore the transformative role of satellite imagery and AI in carbon markets. Clinton shares his extensive background in remote sensing, detailing his journey from working with NASA's early image processing systems to founding Kumi Analytics.

The conversation delves into the complexities of using satellite data for environmental monitoring, particularly in carbon projects, and highlights the importance of deep learning in extracting valuable insights from satellite imagery.

Clinton emphasizes the need for accurate environmental intelligence to improve the integrity and transparency of carbon credits, especially in light of past scandals in the carbon market.

Key highlights:

• Satellite imagery is the richest source of information.
• Deep learning is crucial for extracting value from complex satellite data.
• Combining different satellite types enhances data accuracy.
• Mangroves are critical for carbon sequestration but face significant threats.
• High-resolution data is essential for accurate carbon monitoring.

Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:14 - Clinton Libbey's Journey in Remote Sensing

05:08 - Deep Learning and Satellite Imagery

07:11 - The Shift to Carbon Markets

10:53 - Types of Satellites for Environmental Monitoring

16:29 - Data Fusion and Ecosystem Variations

19:27 - Blue Carbon and Mangrove Restoration

25:08 - Challenges in Blue Carbon Projects

28:56 - Estimating Below Ground Carbon

31:14 - Kumi's Approach to Mangrove Restoration

34:26 - Collaboration with Private Developers

36:24 - The Future of Digital MRV

40:23 - Interoperability and Standardization in Carbon Markets

46:08 - Conclusion and Key Insights

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith and regular guest Rene Velasquez sit down with Marc Stuart, founding managing partner of Allotrope Partners. He shares his extensive journey in the carbon markets, beginning in 1993 and leading to the founding of EcoSecurities. He discusses the evolution of carbon markets, the challenges faced during boom and bust cycles, and the intersection of compliance and voluntary markets. Marc emphasizes the importance of decarbonizing supply chains for corporates and the role of storytelling in the voluntary market. He also highlights the potential of digitalization and AI in improving efficiency in carbon credit issuance, while acknowledging the complexities of agriculture in decarbonization efforts.

Key takeaways:

• Marc Stuart's journey in carbon markets began in 1993 during his PhD.

• EcoSecurities was founded to create a third-party certification system for carbon credits.

• The carbon market has experienced significant boom and bust cycles due to supply and demand imbalances.

• Compliance markets are evolving, and there's a growing intersection with voluntary markets.

• The future of carbon markets will depend on consistent demand signals and innovative financial instruments.

• Decarbonizing supply chains is crucial for large corporates in the current market.

• The role of third-party ratings in carbon projects is complex and evolving.

• Digitalization and AI are expected to improve efficiency in carbon credit issuance.

• The agriculture sector presents unique challenges for decarbonization efforts.

• The importance of storytelling in the voluntary carbon market cannot be underestimated.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith and weekly guest Rene Velasquez, sits down with Gerald Prolman, Executive Chairman of Everland, who brings decades of experience in carbon markets to the conversation. They dive deep into the groundbreaking Indigenous Amazon Outcome Bond—a innovative initiative designed to channel upfront capital into Indigenous-led forest conservation projects across the greater Amazon. The discussion covers Everland's critical role in supporting and marketing these high-integrity REDD+ efforts, the often polarizing impact of media narratives on voluntary carbon markets, and the enduring potential of REDD+ as a powerful tool against climate change. Gerald highlights the essential role of community leadership and benefit-sharing, the urgent need for immediate action to safeguard the world's remaining forests, and the rapidly evolving dynamics of carbon credits in today's market.

Takeaways

·       Gerald Prolman has over 46 years of experience in sustainability.

·       Everland connects forest communities with capital for conservation projects.

·       The Indigenous Amazon Outcome Bond aims to fund indigenous-led projects.

·       Media narratives have significantly impacted the perception of carbon markets.

·       REDD+ projects are essential for immediate climate action.

·       Trust and transparency are crucial for the success of carbon markets.

·       Indigenous communities play a vital role in forest conservation.

·       The future of carbon markets will involve both avoidance and removals.

·       Equitable Earth was created as a response to market challenges.

·       Indonesia's approach to carbon markets may serve as a model for other countries.

If you would like to watch the full video of the concert, you can find it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSRE5Lv60q4&t=9s

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith and weekly guest Rene Velasquez, sits down with Gerald Prolman, Executive Chairman of Everland, who brings decades of experience in carbon markets to the conversation. They dive deep into the groundbreaking Indigenous Amazon Outcome Bond—a innovative initiative designed to channel upfront capital into Indigenous-led forest conservation projects across the greater Amazon. The discussion covers Everland's critical role in supporting and marketing these high-integrity REDD+ efforts, the often polarizing impact of media narratives on voluntary carbon markets, and the enduring potential of REDD+ as a powerful tool against climate change. Gerald highlights the essential role of community leadership and benefit-sharing, the urgent need for immediate action to safeguard the world's remaining forests, and the rapidly evolving dynamics of carbon credits in today's market.

Takeaways

·       Gerald Pullman has over 46 years of experience in sustainability.

·       Everland connects forest communities with capital for conservation projects.

·       The Indigenous Amazon Outcome Bond aims to fund indigenous-led projects.

·       Media narratives have significantly impacted the perception of carbon markets.

·       REDD+ projects are essential for immediate climate action.

·       Trust and transparency are crucial for the success of carbon markets.

·       Indigenous communities play a vital role in forest conservation.

·       The future of carbon markets will involve both avoidance and removals.

·       Equitable Earth was created as a response to market challenges.

·       Indonesia's approach to carbon markets may serve as a model for other countries.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, hosts Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez are joined by Robert Höglund, manager of the Milkywire Climate Transformation Fund, co-founder of CDR.fyi, and policy advisor on carbon removal (including SBTi and EU expert groups).Robert brings deep expertise from his NGO background to managing one of the most catalytic corporate climate funds, sharing candid insights on scaling impact across durable CDR, decarbonization, and nature protection.We discuss: • Robert’s journey: From Oxfam climate policy to co-founding CDR.fyi and leading Milkywire’s fund • Milkywire Climate Transformation Fund: $17M+ allocated across 60+ projects, catalytic pre-purchases, and internal carbon fees • 2025 CDR trends: VC slowdown, concentrated buyers (Microsoft dominance), and the gap between needed scale and financing reality • Corporate demand dynamics: Push for near-term operational net-zero, scope 1-2 incentives, and why long-term arguments fall flat with CFOs • Removals vs. reductions debate: Durable CDR for willful fossil continuation (e.g., aviation), cost-effectiveness of avoidance/nature, and balanced portfolios • SBTi net-zero draft critique: Steps forward on beyond-value-chain mitigation but delays and weakening of durable CDR requirements • EU 2040 target & policy signals: Massive potential demand via international credits, buyers club prospects, and risks of delayed supply • Outlook & incentives: Tough years ahead for durable CDR, the need for labels/claims restoration, and barriers that must fall to avoid lost momentum Essential listening for anyone shaping corporate climate strategy or tracking carbon removal markets—this episode cuts through the hype with pragmatic analysis and forward-looking views.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, hosts Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez are joined by Dale Hardcastle (Partner, Bain & Company – Singapore, Energy Transition & Asia) and Henning Huenteler (Partner, Bain & Company – Amsterdam, Sustainability & Carbon Markets), two of the sharpest minds tracking corporate climate action and carbon markets globally. Coming off a chaotic 2025, Dale and Henning pull no punches on what actually changed this year—and what it means as we head into 2026.We discuss:• 2025 in review: from ESG backlash and Larry Fink’s silence to the biggest Climate Week ever and a surprisingly pragmatic COP30• Bain’s AI-powered analysis of 35,000+ CEO statements: sustainability mentions are down, but business-value framing has doubled since 2018• The global marginal abatement cost curve: ~25% of emissions already profitable to cut today, another ~33% get there by 2035• Policy whiplash: US 180° pivot, EU walking back overreach, Asia’s quiet but relentless march on energy security and green growth• AI’s terrifying power hunger: data centres potentially adding 800+ Mt CO₂e/year by 2035 and why efficiency gains aren’t even close to keeping up• Carbon removal reality check: 60 Mt of committed corporate demand by 2030 vs. only ~20 Mt credible durable supply without urgent off-take signals• The hyperscaler bottleneck: why Microsoft, Google, Stripe & co. can’t scale CDR alone—and what it really takes to unlock the next wave of buyers and capital• Asia’s emerging carbon-market leadership: Singapore’s hub ambitions, Indonesia reopening its market, Vietnam unlocking direct PPAs• 2030s outlook: the countdown to 2030 targets is now real for CEOs, the slow-but-steady maturation of carbon markets, and why both guests remain genuinely optimistic