Flowcarbon

Join us on December 9th at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT for our next CarbonSmart Conversations webinar where we’ll dig into successful project financing stories and key strategies for scaling ventures, with leaders from Fervo Energy and Twelve – two projects that have successfully navigated the complex terrain of scaling with asset-level financing. Our panel will be moderated by COO of Flowcarbon, Caroline Klatt, and feature: ?? Martin Kessler, CBO, Flowcarbon ?? Jimmy Chuang, CFO, Twelve ?? Madison Freeman, Stanford University Graduate School of Business ?? Dawn OWENS, Head of Development and Commercial Markets, Fervo Energy Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today! ?? https://lnkd.in/eCW-UFP3

?? COP29's First Week Exposes Urgent Need For Climate Financing A new recap by Forbes covering the first week of COP29 in Baku has illuminated the critical role that finance plays in addressing global climate challenges. The conference has underscored the pressing need for unprecedented financial mobilization alongside political will to combat climate change effectively. As countries, businesses, and stakeholders convene at COP29, the focus on climate financing has taken center stage. Here are the key highlights from the report: ?? The conference discussion revolves around the New Collective Quantifiable Goal (NCQG), a framework aimed at meeting the increasing demand for climate financing, compensation for loss and damage, and support for adaptation efforts. The $100 billion annual climate finance target, established during the Copenhagen Accord, was achieved in 2022, with $115.9 billion mobilized, albeit two years later than the original 2020 deadline. ?? However, concerns have been raised by developing countries regarding how these funds are calculated and whether they truly represent new and additional support. Estimates suggest that $1 trillion per year will be required by 2030, underscoring the accelerated timeline necessary to address climate change's financial and human toll. ?? Early discussions at COP29 have proposed solutions such as solidarity levies, which could generate $200-$400 billion annually by imposing small taxes on environmentally harmful activities. The shift from grant-based financing to investment-based approaches indicates a growing emphasis on economic returns over altruism, reflecting the complex landscape of climate finance. ?? While promising initiatives like the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge and the Hydrogen Action Declaration have emerged to boost renewable energy integration and production, the financial challenge remains immense. The necessity of innovative, scalable financing solutions cannot be overstated in achieving the ambitious targets set forth at COP29. ?? As negotiations continue at COP29, the need for a robust financial roadmap is evident. Delegates must focus on realigning their efforts to secure credible financing mechanisms to drive down emissions and address the escalating economic costs of climate inaction. The time for action is now. The urgency highlighted during COP29's first week serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for global cooperation and financial commitment in combating climate change. Read the full report by Forbes here. https://lnkd.in/esNnyreb

????Carbon Finance Foundations: Emerging Innovators Unlocking Institutional Capital for Decarbonization This engaging panel discussion during #CarbonSmart, expert innovators discuss strategies in the capital stack supporting decarbonization projects, featuring? topics such as IRA tax credits, insurance for carbon projects, equipment leasing, and royalty payments. Flowcarbon CEO Dana Gibber dove into how various elements intersect and coalesce to drive sustainable long-term capital for projects and companies alongside Alfred Johnson, James Kench, Thomas Cottrell, and Rina Cerrato. The panelists emphasize the importance of flexible financing solutions to support the growth of climate solutions, blending traditional capital sources with innovative approaches for impactful results. ??? Our expert panelists each brought unique perspectives and experiences to the discussion: ?? Alfred Johnson, Crux: "The IRA opened doors for diverse companies to monetize tax credits in an open market, simplifying the process from the intricate tax Equity system." ?? James Kench, CFA, Kita: "Insurance plays a crucial role in mitigating risk for carbon projects and providing a layer of due diligence and security for investors." ?? Thomas Cottrell Jr., CSC Leasing: "Equipment leasing offers flexibility to early-stage clean tech companies, providing a cash-saving method to fund equipment purchases without depleting initial capital." ?? Rina Cerrato, BEng., MES, from Green Star Royalties: "The royalty model offers a long-term revenue share approach, creating opportunities for investors and project developers without the need for equity, thus de-risking capital." To watch the full panel? – visit Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page https://lnkd.in/gzK6bMfk

????Institutional Leaders Driving the Decarbonization Economy: Successes, Challenges, & Future Direction In an exciting and tactical conversation, Martin Kessler, Chief Business Officer of Flowcarbon, sat down with Peter Anderson, Matthew Sweeney, David Lynch and Erica Vertefeuille to discuss key strategies for evaluating clean energy investment opportunities and navigating risks in the fast-evolving world of decarbonization. Drawing from their extensive experience, these experts explored innovative approaches to unlocking greater private investment in the critical sector of carbon removals. The discussion provides valuable perspectives on overcoming barriers, scaling up projects, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy – offering actionable insights to help catalyze further growth in clean energy and infrastructure financing. Here are some takeaways from the conversation: ??Peter Anderson, LS Power highlighted the challenge of finding the right balance in investment size for clean energy projects: "smaller is better initially, but with line of sight to scale." ??Matt Sweeney, Macquarie Group emphasized the importance of starting with a sensible ticket size for investments and gradually ramping up scale. "[we] recognize the need for smaller tickets to be relevant and aim for exponential growth over time." ??Dave Lynch, Ares Management Corporation discussed the significance of evaluating risks and focusing on downside protection rather than price volatility, stating: "cost of capital is not the key focus; it's about getting our money back in a downside case." ??Erica Vertefeuille,Terra Natural Capital advocated for engagement with corporates as a key way to source investable projects in the carbon removal sector: "Develop pipeline with a focus on investability and engage corporates for screened opportunities." Watch the conversation at Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page here https://lnkd.in/eSEQwkMa

????CarbonSmart 2024:Prepare for Financing the Future: Driving Climate Action Through Collaborative Funding Models In a panel of power women at #CarbonSmart, Prepare for Financing the Future: Driving Climate Action Through Collaborative Funding Models’ panelists explored the intersection of finance, climate projects, and women's empowerment. Moderator Lara Pierpoint (Trellis Climate) and panelists Nicole Pasricha (ALMA Sustainable Finance), Shirin Jamshidi, Director (US U.S. International Development Finance Corporation), Annalise Downey (Sylvera), April Allderdice (MicroEnergy Credits) discussed innovative financial mechanisms, like the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) recent $5.1 billion in approved transactions, are advancing global climate initiatives. Panelists discussed how collaborative funding models, environmental attribute certificates (EACs), and voluntary carbon market rating platforms are driving transparency, accountability, and impact in climate finance. Highlighting how these tools incentivize clean energy investments and support the path to net-zero, offering new ways to create value in climate strategies Some memorable quotes include: ?? Nicole Pasricha, Head of Climate and Impact, Alma: "At Alma, we launched a vehicle supporting gender transactions, tying project impacts to women's empowerment, and paving the way for carbon companies to enter the public markets." ??Shirin Jamshidi, Director, Investments - Asia/MENA, US DFC: "We meet the client and investor where they are and facilitate structuring transactions to meet those financial needs." ?? Annelise Downey, Head of Climate Consulting at Sylvera: "Specialization and focus are key in scaling climate projects, with a focus on lowering barriers to entry to drive more participation in the market." ?? Lara Pierpoint, Managing Director, Trellis: ‘’Our biggest mandate is to have commercial capital mobilization so we do not intend to and never want to be replacing private investors." ?? April Alderdice,? Founder & CEO of MicroEnergy Credits: "At MEC, we empower local leaders, listen to women continuously, and evolve our programs to drive clean energy interventions and women's empowerment." To watch the full panel? – visit Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page here. https://lnkd.in/ee3ZyCdx

????CarbonSmart 2024: Catalyzing CDR Innovation: How XPrize Projects Will Scale At Carbonsmart we were thrilled to welcome to the stage 4 of the most innovative carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects, all top finalists for the world famous XPRIZE award! In a super exciting panel moderated by XPRIZE Executive Director Nikki Batchelor with Jim Mann, CEO of UNDO, Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary, Nishad Pai, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Heirloom, and Julia Reichelstein, CEO of Vaulted Deep who all shared their groundbreaking approaches to combating climate change through sustainable carbon removal solutions Exploring strategies from enhanced rock weathering to ocean alkalinity enhancement, our panelists dove into funding models for early-stage CDR projects and analyzed the impact of targeted investments on the evolution of carbon removal technologies. Our key takeaways from the conversation include ??Funding Importance: Diverse funding sources like venture capital, grants, and debt financing play a pivotal role in scaling up carbon removal projects. ??Community Engagement: Establishing trust and active community involvement are indispensable for the successful execution of carbon removal projects, underscoring tangible benefits and building valuable partnerships. ??Regulatory Needs: Overcoming permitting and regulatory obstacles is critical for expanding operations, necessitating streamlined processes for effective project deployment. Along with some favorite quotes from our expert panelists: ?? Nikki Batchelor, XPrize: "Our focus is on creating sustainable solutions that not only benefit the environment but also drive economic growth in the regions we operate." ??Jim Mann, CEO of UNDO: I think one of the biggest things that we face is having to build up the perception of the space, moving at the speed of trust is absolutely fundamental to what we do. We will not scale this space if we don't, sit down, get in the room with the bankers, and understand what they need from us.’’ ?? Julia Reichelstein, CEO of Vaulted: "Ensuring transparency in our processes is key to gaining the trust of local communities and stakeholders as we work towards large-scale carbon removal initiatives." ??Nishad Pai, ?Heirloom: "Technology is the engine that propels us forward, but partnerships and market demand are the fuel that will accelerate the growth of our carbon removal projects." ?? Mike Kelland, Planetary: ?"Our vision extends beyond being a company; we aim to be a force for positive change in environmental stewardship through innovative waste management practices." To watch the full panel? – visit Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page here. https://lnkd.in/e9reW9iQ

Congressman Ritchie Torres, and Dr. Vanessa Z Chan, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), took the stage at #CarbonSmart with CEO Dana Gibber for a pivotal and timely discussion on 'The IRA and Government's Role in Financing the Energy Transition.' During the session, Congressman Torres and Dr. Chan offered their insights on the transformative climate policy of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its implications for diverse communities. The discussion dove into the IRA's ramifications on urban areas such as New York, and the potential influence of the 2024 election on the legislation. Some key takeaways from the panel included: ?? The IRA is regarded as a significant achievement of the 117th Congress and the Biden Administration, representing the boldest climate legislation in American history, with $369 billion in tax credits for clean energy and a focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. ?? The IRA is revolutionary not just for pursuing specific policies, but for proactively prioritizing historically marginalized and underserved communities through initiatives like Justice40, ensuring that 40% of the funding for select IRA programs goes to the most environmentally burdened, underserved communities. ?? The implementation of the IRA has led to the creation of 400,000 new clean energy jobs and 800 new or expanded factories associated with the clean energy economy across the United States. ?? Congressman Torres highlighted the impact of the IRA in reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway, aiming to improve public health and life expectancy in areas like the Bronx, haunted by historic environmental injustices. ?? The IRA has stimulated the building out of the clean energy economy and has seen significant progress in areas such as hydrogen hubs and the use of clean energy technologies in AI data centers. ?? At the Department of Energy (DOE), the importance of aligning private sector initiatives with public sector equities to advance the clean energy transition. Chan highlighted the DOE's efforts to systematically align private sector actions with public sector interests, aiming to catalyze the transition through initiatives such as the pathways to commercial liftoff. ?? Dr. Chan addressed challenges such as the traditional risk-averse nature of the private sector and emphasized the need for creative and alternative financing approaches to drive the clean energy transition. She cited the potential of innovative grid technologies and virtual power plants, indicating their capacity to increase the grid's existing capacity by 30% and offset the increasing demand for energy driven by data centers. ?? There is an overall emphasis on the importance of carbon markets, driving unit economics down and the need for innovative financing mechanisms to achieve the transition to clean energy. To watch the full panel?- visit Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page??? https://lnkd.in/eCqR6GCG

?? We are live at the International Carbon Markets Summit 2024!?? Today, Flowcarbon is actively participaing in the 2nd edition of the International Carbon Markets Summit, organized by City & Financial Global. This summit unites global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to focus on the latest trends and future direction of compliance and voluntary carbon markets. By nurturing discussions on the essential connection between carbon and finance, this event plays a key role in advancing our collective understanding of this critical intersection. At the helm of the day's discussions is Flowcarbon's Chief Business Officer, Martin Kessler, leading the proceedings. Joining him on stage from the Flowcarbon team is Will Higbee, Head of Carbon Banking & Markets, along with Jeremiah Lim, CFA, Head of Carbon and Sustainable Fuels EMEA at Barclays Investment Banking, Siddarth Shrikanth, Investment Director for Carbon Removals at JustClimate, and Shilpika (Shilps) Gautam, CEO & Founder of Opna . Together, they are providing a deep dive into 'How Carbon Projects are being Financed, Learnings from the Front-Line,' shedding light on crucial finance-focused insights. If you are also attending the summit, we invite you to engage with us!

????CarbonSmart 2024: Discussion on Corporate Carbon Removals: At the #CarbonSmart Summit 2024, Ceezar and EY released their report, “Creating Value With Green Carbon.” Flowcarbon Chief Business Officer Martin Kessler took the stage with Magnus Drewelies, Ceezer, Aaron Neuville, EY, and Tomas Thyblad, NASDAQ to discuss the key themes of the report, which serves as a resource for companies looking to make informed decisions about their climate strategies. The panelists co-authored this paper to address a key question facing business leaders today: Should companies invest in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, purchase carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits, or pursue a combination of both? Some great insights include: Magnus Drewelies, CEO & Founder, CEEZER: "It's crucial to invest in CCS (carbon capture and storage)? infrastructure early to monetize CDR and gain long-term benefits in compliance markets." Aaron Neuville, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Energy & Decarbonization, EY: "Corporates should start building a CDR (carbon dioxide removal) portfolio gradually to adapt to regulatory changes and create value with green investments." Tomas Thyblad, Vice President Head of ESG Solutions, European Markets, Nasdaq: "Credibility and trust in carbon removal assets are foundational for scaling the CDR market and supporting corporate decarbonization efforts." To watch the full panel? – visit Flowcarbon’s knowcarbon page? https://lnkd.in/eY8he-x9

?? CarbonSmart Summit Recap: The Rising Significance of Carbon Removal in Carbon Markets At the #CarbonSmart Summit 2024, experts delved into the expanding role of carbon removal in a session titled "The Rising Significance of Carbon Removal in the Carbon Markets," moderated by Caroline Klatt Kaltt, COO of Flowcarbon. The panel covered critical solutions like direct air capture, biochar, soil carbon, and regenerative agriculture, all essential for achieving net zero targets. Key challenges in scaling nature-based solutions (NbS) were addressed, emphasizing the need for strong policy frameworks and building credibility across carbon removal projects. The panel featured experts and practitioners who added their own unique perspective to the conversation: - Elizabeth Lokey Aldrich, VP of Business Development at Anew Climate, emphasized the importance of addressing both reductions and removals in tackling climate change: "What do you do first in an overflowing bathtub? Turn the water off or start mopping?" Anew is actively integrating removals into the broader carbon market framework. - Joseph Kochanski, Head of Operations at Puro.earth (Americas), stressed the significance of scaling ecosystems for carbon removal and securing long-term durability of removal certificates: "Building out the ecosystem now is crucial to ensuring climate actions are recognized and rewarded." - Simon Haldrup, CEO of Agreena, focused on agricultural carbon removal through regenerative practices, underlining the need for diversification to mitigate non-permanence risks: "Changing farmer behavior is key to driving carbon sequestration at scale." - Luke Shors, President and Co-Founder of Capture6, spoke on direct air capture and the importance of delivering quality projects: "Our role is to develop strong projects and let the market reflect the diversity of removal activities." This session underscored the complex but tremendously important landscape of carbon removal: the opportunities, hurdles and innovations in the space. Watch the full panel here: https://lnkd.in/eKfKnUC3