Employee Spotlight series

Varun Saxena - Commercial Lead, Carbon Credit Business

1. How would you sum up your work?

Client-centricity is at the heart of my work, as I ensure our clients navigate their net-zero journey with clarity and actionable solutions. In the often-opaque world of market activities and information asymmetry, I focus on bridging the gap between decision-makers' understanding of their net-zero journey and providing executable solutions. Day-to-day, I monitor market prices in both Voluntary and Compliance Carbon Markets, interact with various market participants, engage in discussions with end-buyers and project developers, and strive to fulfill requests from European trading hours, all while being based in Asia.??

2. What inspired/motivated you to pursue your current career???

For almost 15 years, I have been involved with various asset classes, managing Profit and Loss (P&L) generating business lines. From 2014 to 2016, I was engaged in trading and portfolio management within the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), specifically with the European Union Allowances (EUAs). For me, the current Voluntary Carbon Credits market resonates with the initial phases of the EU-ETS (pre-Market Stability Reserve (MSR) phase), which not only evokes memories but also presents an opportunity to add value and assist clients. The sense of familiarity and the chance to make a meaningful impact are what inspired and motivated me to pursue my current career.??

3. What aspect of your job brings you the most satisfaction, and why??

Delivering customer delight in the ever-evolving and challenging international carbon and financial markets brings me the most satisfaction. Knowing that I can help clients navigate complex market dynamics and achieve their goals is incredibly fulfilling.?

4. Can you share a piece of advice for newcomers to this industry??

Embrace the grind, learn continuously, take calculated risks, and execute relentlessly to create a positive impact. You will inevitably face both successes and setbacks. The key is to ensure that your right decisions outweigh the wrong ones, as the impact of correct choices resonates far beyond the impact of mistakes.? Stay resilient and focused, and remember that persistence and learning are crucial to long-term success.?

5. If your life had a theme song that played every time you walked into a room, what would it be, and why??

It would be the iconic 'Gonna Fly Now' by Bill Conti, also known as the 'Rocky theme’. This song serves as a powerful reminder for me to keep grinding and moving forward, no matter the challenges I face. Its energy and spirit encapsulate the perseverance and determination I strive to embody every day.?