About this episode

Dirk Forrister discusses the pivotal changes in carbon markets expected in 2026 and their implications for climate action.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast we speak with Dirk Forrister, President and CEO of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), to discuss the role of carbon markets in tackling climate change. We sat down for the interview on the sidelines of CERAWeek, the annual S&P Global energy conference that convenes stakeholders from across the energy ecosystem. Dirk explains how carbon markets in some of the world's largest economies are undergoing fundamental changes in 2026, at a time when war in the Middle East has put energy security and affordability squarely in the spotlight. "International cooperation on climate through markets has the potential of cutting the cost in half in achieving the Paris objectives ," Dirk tells us . " And in times like these when government budgets are stressed, the only way of mobilizing the kind of capital that's needed is through market-based solutions . " Despite geopolitical unrest and pushback on climate action in parts of the world, Dirk says business and industry leaders remain committed to long-term decarbonization targets. "Companies take a long view," Dirk says. "They do not start investing in climate change…

People in this episode

Host: S&P Global

Guest: Dirk Forrister

Topics covered

• carbon markets
• climate change
• energy security
• decarbonization
• international cooperation

Keywords

• carbon markets
• climate change
• CERAWeek
• decarbonization
• energy security
• international cooperation
• Paris Agreement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Emissions Trading Association, S&P Global

Books & works: Paris objectives

Places: Middle East

More episodes of All Things Sustainable

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• DC Climate Week highlights data center demands and challenges for science · May 1, 2026 · 28 min
• CSO Insights: California's biggest utility talks decarbonization, climate adaptation and AI energy demands · April 24, 2026 · 29 min
• What to expect from the inaugural Climate Week Zurich · April 17, 2026 · 14 min
• The rise of billion-dollar US weather and climate disasters · April 10, 2026 · 28 min
• How war in the Middle East is reshaping the energy landscape · March 27, 2026 · 24 min

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