This Week in Carbon

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, hosts Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez sit down with Marco Albani, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Chloris Geospatial. Marco has spent his career at the intersection of forestry, climate science, and carbon markets - from building the forestry portion of McKinsey's Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, to running the Tropical Forest Alliance, to co-founding Chloris with his former forestry classmate Alessandro Baccini, the scientist whose spaceborne LIDAR research underpins what the company does today.This is a conversation about what it actually takes to measure forest carbon at scale, and why the tools the industry has relied on for decades aren't up to the job.Key topics covered:- Why measuring forest cover is the wrong metric, and why carbon stock is what actually matters for climate outcomes- The fundamental problem with the definition of "forest" and how it creates blind spots in policy and carbon accounting- How Chloris built a carbon time series going back to the year 2000 and the technical limitations that make historical data so hard to reconstruct- Why there is no such thing as "direct measurement" of biomass, and what that means for how we should think about field data vs. remote sensing- The cost reality of satellite data: a $17 million quote for imagery on a project worth $3 million in credits- The three types of customers Chloris serves: carbon market infrastructure (Verra, MSCI, Equitable Earth), project developers under VM47, and corporations tracking Scope 3 supply chain emissions- The Geo AI wave: what foundation models like Google's Alpha Earth get right, where they fall short, and why accuracy assessment is the missing piece- Who should be building the test beds needed to validate these new tools and why philanthropic capital is the right fit- How better measurement translates into more capital flowing to forests, and what consistent measurement across project, subnational, and national scales means for Article 6- Why humility matters as powerful algorithms replace human judgment in landscape decisionsA technically rich, intellectually honest conversation about the infrastructure the carbon market needs to actually work.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.

One of the world’s leading scientists on natural climate solutions joins us on This Week in Carbon. In this episode, Rene Velasquez sits down with Dr. Susan Cook-Patton from The Nature Conservancy. Susan has spent the last decade leading research on reforestation, agroforestry, and unlocking the climate potential of nature-based solutions.This is a rich, science-driven conversation about how we can scale high-integrity natural climate solutions faster and smarter.We explore:• Why natural climate solutions must be part of a broader portfolio — not in competition with engineered removals• The important shift from “permanence” to “durability”• Rethinking buffer pools, insurance, permanence trusts, and innovative risk management tools• The false nature vs technology binary• How to manage reversal risks using data-driven approaches• The urgent danger of inaction and missed opportunities in this critical decadeSusan shares practical insights on how we can reduce uncertainty, build better portfolios, and use nature now while buying time for technological solutions to scale.A thoughtful, optimistic, and deeply informed discussion on the role of forests, nature, and science in the future of carbon markets and climate action.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, Rene Velasquez sits down with Fritz Troller, founder of Therm, to unpack one of the most overlooked challenges in climate: super pollutants.Often described as the “hidden gigaton,” these gases — including refrigerants, methane, and fluorinated gases — are responsible for a disproportionate share of near-term warming. As Fritz explains, nearly half of global heating to date has been driven by super pollutants — yet they remain largely invisible in mainstream carbon market conversations. The critical difference?Unlike CO₂, super pollutants cannot be removed once released into the atmosphere. That makes prevention — not removal — the only viable strategy.The conversation dives into:Why refrigeration systems are a massive, under appreciated emissions sourceThe “leaky infrastructure” problem across global food supply chainsHow carbon finance is being used to incentivise avoidance at sourceThe rise of super pollutant credits — and why buyers like Google and JPMorgan are paying attentionThe growing role of insetting across supply chains (upstream and downstream)Why this category is consistently receiving top-tier ratings from agencies like BeZero and CalyxThe opportunity — and urgency — of scaling solutions across Article 5 (Global South) marketsFritz also outlines Therm’s multi-channel strategy across voluntary markets, compliance systems, and insetting — offering a rare look at how to build resilience in a still-evolving carbon market.This is a timely discussion on a category that may lack the storytelling appeal of nature-based solutions — but from a pure climate impact perspective, may be among the most important levers we have.

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, 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 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 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 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 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 Background02:14 - Clinton Libbey's Journey in Remote Sensing05:08 - Deep Learning and Satellite Imagery07:11 - The Shift to Carbon Markets10:53 - Types of Satellites for Environmental Monitoring16:29 - Data Fusion and Ecosystem Variations19:27 - Blue Carbon and Mangrove Restoration25:08 - Challenges in Blue Carbon Projects28:56 - Estimating Below Ground Carbon31:14 - Kumi's Approach to Mangrove Restoration34:26 - Collaboration with Private Developers36:24 - The Future of Digital MRV40:23 - Interoperability and Standardization in Carbon Markets46:08 - Conclusion and Key Insights

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, 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

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, hosts Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez are joined by Siddhanth Jayaram, Sricharann Seshadri and Neelesh Sachdeva, co-founders of Equilibrium, together with a legendary surprise appearance from carbon market OG Nick D’Alleva (co-founder of APX/Vera). From late-night Skype auctions worth millions to building India’s most diverse high-integrity removal portfolio — this one’s packed with history and forward vision.We discuss: • Surprise drop-in from Nick D’Alleva: Wild stories from the early VCM days, near-miss million-dollar transfers, and why he’s calling the end of the 2022–2025 down-cycle • Nick’s market forecast: Next explosive up-cycle starts late 2026, peaks 2028–2030 — bigger than 2020–2022 — driven by lower rates, removal demand, and high-quality supply • Equilibrium’s origin story: Two ex-VC/finance guys betting everything on smallholder-led carbon removal in India • Going full-stack: How they layered capital markets thinking + carbon science + on-ground ops with 125 million smallholder farmers at the core • Portfolio deep-dive: Regenerative ag (VM42), agroforestry (VM47), mangroves (VM33), biochar (Puro + Isometric), and live enhanced rock weathering pilots • Why tech alone failed on integrity — and what actually works • Capital stack wars: Inverted pyramid vs. forest ecosystem metaphors, blended finance breakthroughs, and India’s first major USAID-backed CDR transaction • Registry evolution: For-profit registries (Isometric, Puro, Rainbow) forcing innovation and better developer experience • Buffer pools need a full rethink — insurance as buyer of first resort? • Voluntary → compliance bridging: Who bears liability when credits go compliance-eligible? • The massive Series A/seed funding gap in carbon — and how Equilibrium convinced top-tier VCs anyway • Advice to buyers still on the sidelines: “Shoot bullets now before you have to fire cannons later” • Why early corporate action today is the smartest risk-mitigation play for tomorrow’s compliance reality.

In this episode of This Week in Carbon, hosts Edward Smith and Rene Velasquez are joined by Chris Leeds, Head of Carbon Markets Development at Standard Chartered Bank and board member of the Integrity Council (ICVCM) — a 20-year veteran who helped launch the EU ETS and co-founded Climate Impact X.Chris delivers a masterclass on scaling carbon markets with integrity, finance, and policy. We discuss: • Chris’s journey: From trading CDM credits at Merrill Lynch to supporting Standard Chartered’s CEO on the Taskforce to Scale Voluntary Carbon Markets • ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles (CCPs): The “two-tick” assessment driving a race to the top amid proliferating standards (Gold Standard, GCC, Puro, Isometric, and more) • Blurring voluntary & compliance lines: Singapore’s tax offset, EU ETS crediting mechanisms, and the shift to “project-based” (not voluntary) credits • Standardization as rocket fuel: Why fungible contracts, indices, and liquid secondary markets unlock institutional debt at 70% LTV• Bankability unlocked: Off-take agreements, portfolio aggregation, and turning carbon projects into infrastructure-grade assets (not VC bets) • Finance masterclass: Debt needs revenue certainty — fixed-price/floor offtakes, digitized MRV, and replacement cost clauses for risk management • Asia’s carbon boom: Singapore’s deliberate ecosystem, Indonesia’s presidential decree, Vietnam’s dual supply/demand play, and China’s 5GT ETS eyeing international credits • Global momentum: Brazil, Japan (GX League → ETS), Australia, and the Coalition to Grow Carbon Marketslaunching shared principles at COP • Cost-effective abatement: Why chasing $200/ton in Europe is illogical — methane, avoided deforestation, and clean cooking need priority • Scale & speed: Forward purchase agreements, private sector filling the $1.3T gap, and carbon as a proxy for biodiversity & nature finance• Market resilience: Surviving hype cycles, entering the slope of enlightenment, and gearing up for 2030 demand surge