This Week in Carbon

In this special webinar recording of This Week in Carbon, we dive into the Indigenous Amazon Outcome Bond Initiative — a groundbreaking effort to mobilize $50 million in upfront capital for Indigenous and traditional community-led forest conservation across the Amazon.Hosted by Edward Smith (Valitera) and guided by Pamela Brazier (Everland), the discussion features powerful insights from:Puyr Tembe (Secretary of Indigenous Peoples, State of Pará): On the urgency of action, survival of humanity, and why Indigenous autonomy and direct finance are essential.Thibault Sorret (CEO, Equitable Earth): Why standing forests are irreplaceable for 2°C pathways, the role of forest conservation in the VCM, and how centralized baselines + genuine community ownership are rebuilding credibility.Fernanda Ribeiro (Panthera): The Jaguar Corridor Initiative, biodiversity connectivity, and why climate and biodiversity strategies must be integrated.Rene Velasquez (Valitera): The “time value of carbon” and what makes this initiative investable through Indigenous leadership, scale, and aligned incentives.Josh McCarron (Everland): How the outcome bond turns future carbon revenues into accessible, non-recourse capital today, plus the multi-layered quality safeguards.With strong buyer interest already shown through $160 million in letters of intent, this episode sits at the center of the carbon market’s shift toward credibility, implementation, and Indigenous climate leadership.Perfect for anyone interested in high-integrity natural climate solutions, forest protection, and innovative finance.Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.Guests: Puyr Tembe, Thibault Sorret, Fernanda Ribeiro, Rene Velasquez, Josh McCarron. Hosted by Edward Smith with Pamela Brazier.

In our new episode of This Week in Carbon, Rene Velasquez is joined by Yvan Champagne, Co-Founder and Chief Carbon Officer at Carbon AI. He is a leading expert in carbon markets with over 20 years of experience in greenhouse gas project development and high-integrity environmental commodities. This info-dense episode provides an in-depth masterclass on building trustworthy carbon credits through advanced digital MRV technology, the critical importance of data quality, and the paradigm shift needed to scale the market to gigaton levels. This episode delivers the clearest take on how to move carbon markets from analog, paper-based processes to robust, auditable digital infrastructure.Key Topics• Why high-quality data is the foundation of synthetic commodities like carbon credits — and why poor data creates poor instruments• How Carbon AI’s DMRV platform (Proof, Field, and Vue) goes beyond a digital twin to actually generate and verify high-integrity credits• The bottlenecks in verification and issuance — and how immutable data can increase throughput without compromising integrity• The powerful concept of Time Value of Carbon: why avoiding emissions today (especially methane) has disproportionately higher climate impact than future removals• Shifting carbon markets from an “art market” to professional, scalable infrastructure capable of delivering gigaton-scale results• Innovation from the Global South and building a more efficient, transparent carbon 3.0 future Whether you’re a project developer, corporate buyer, verifier, registry professional, or investor looking to understand the future of high-quality carbon credits, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and practical takeaways. If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating carbon markets in 2026! #CarbonMarkets #CarbonCredits #DMRV #ClimateTech #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #Methane #TimeValueOfCarbon #NetZero #CarbonAI #Sustainability #DigitalMRV 

In our new episode of This Week in Carbon, Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez are joined by Juan Carlos Arredondo Brun, Director of Knowledge, Policy and Advocacy at Abatable. He is a leading expert in carbon markets and aviation decarbonization. This info-dense episode provides an in-depth analysis of the CORSIA scheme, its current market status, demand and supply dynamics, and future prospects. This episode delivers the clearest, most authoritative take on where the CORSIA market stands today and where it’s headed.Key Topics• Why it took nearly 10 years to launch and what “just starting this market” really means• Abatable’s institutional modeling vs. ICAO/IATA demand forecasts (200–220 Mt in Phase 1)• The critical role of LOAs, insurance, and corresponding adjustments• Why many airlines are still in “wait-and-see” mode• Enforcement realities in the voluntary Phase 1 and what changes in the compliance phase• Outlook for supply unlocking, new eligible programs, and price evolution through 2027–2028Whether you’re an airline, carbon trader, project developer, or simply want to understand one of the most important emerging compliance markets, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating carbon markets in 2026!#CORSIA #CarbonMarkets #Aviation #Decarbonization #Article6 #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #carbon #sustainability #earth #conservation #pilots #SAF

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith sits down with Rueban Manokara from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to break down the future of carbon markets, carbon finance, and global climate policy.If you want to understand how carbon markets actually work, what’s happening with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and why blue carbon projects (like mangroves) are gaining massive global attention, this episode is for you.We dive into the role of carbon standards, the challenges of market integrity, and how organizations like WWF are shaping the future of carbon pricing systems and nature-based solutions.🚨 Key topics covered:- What is carbon finance and how does it work?- The role of standards in voluntary carbon markets- Article 6 explained (carbon trading under the Paris Agreement)- Why blue carbon projects are in high demand right now- The future of carbon pricing and climate markets- How WWF approaches carbon markets and real-world decarbonization🌍 Whether you're in climate tech, sustainability, ESG, carbon credits, or Web3 climate solutions, this conversation will give you valuable insights into where the market is heading.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more deep dives into the global carbon economy.#CarbonMarkets #CarbonCredits #ClimateChange #Sustainability #ESG #Article6 #BlueCarbon #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateFinance #WWF

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, host Edward Smith sits down to speak to Kim Gabrielli, CEO of Worldview International Foundation. Kim shares his unique perspective on the evolving landscape of carbon markets, blue carbon, and the critical role of transparency and integrity in driving climate action. Discover how Kim's extensive experience from the UN to project development is shaping innovative solutions for nature-based climate mitigation. Key topics- Article 13 and transparency framework in the Paris Agreement- Blue carbon market development and challenges- Mangrove restoration and project success metrics- Market integrity, standards, and evolving methodologies- Community engagement and local livelihoods in carbon projects

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, Rene Velasquez sits down to discuss with Stephanie Russo, Managing Director at Pollination. They delve into the complexities of carbon markets, focusing on the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) market and the Corsia framework. They discuss the evolution of these markets, the dynamics of supply and demand, and the political risks associated with compliance mechanisms. The conversation also touches on the role of insurance, project developers, and financial institutions in navigating these markets, as well as the implications of sovereignty and the intersection of Article 6 and Corsia. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of carbon markets and the importance of policy certainty.Takeaways- Australia's carbon market has evolved through various phases.The ACCU market is now predominantly driven by compliance demand.- Political stability is crucial for the durability of carbon policies.- Corsia faces challenges with supply and demand dynamics.- Insurance plays a key role in managing risks in carbon markets.- Project developers are essential for unlocking carbon credit supply.- Conditions precedent in contracts are critical for airlines.- Sovereignty impacts how countries engage in carbon markets.- The intersection of Article 6 and Corsia is complex and evolving.- Future success in carbon markets depends on clear policy frameworks.

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.TakeawaysValerio 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.TakeawaysCocoa 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 Markets01:24 Alexia's Career Journey in Climate and Sustainability09:32 Insights from Corporate Carbon Buying at Netflix20:34 The Role of ICVCM in Carbon Market Integrity27:01 Emergence of Robust Methodologies in Carbon Markets28:13 Market Dynamics and Quality Standards30:24 Article 6 and International Cooperation32:50 Challenges in Implementing Article 638:38 The Role of Voluntary Markets41:16 Future of Global Carbon Markets45:32 Building a Verified Carbon Market Coalition49:01 The Path to Net Zero and Market Integration