Perspectives Autumn Newsletter

In this autumn edition of our newsletter, discover Perspectives' latest highlights including our presence at COP29 in Baku where we will be co-organizing a multitude of events! We would also like to highlight our expertise regarding carbon credit due diligence where our experts will support you in assessing the viability, risks, and credibility of carbon projects – which is vital for ensured decision-making of investors or credit buyers. Another exciting announcement is the publication of Verra's Modules for DAC, Transport, and Storage Modules under the CCS+ Framework Methodology for high-integrity carbon accounting. We also feature our experts engaging in projects and events worldwide, from a green hydrogen conference in India to a capacity-building workshop in Niamey.

Featured: Unlock Carbon Market Confidence with Perspectives’ Due Diligence Services

Due diligence plays an important role in securing your investments! It’s about selecting the right (type of) projects and carbon credit vehicles that have a high chance of delivering what they promise.??

Perspectives offers independent due diligence services tailored for private sector companies aiming to purchase carbon credits or invest in companies/projects. Our expert team conducts in-depth assessments, covering environmental integrity, the?likelihood of achieving project registration and carbon credit issuance, ESG risks, and reputational factors. From desk-based research to stakeholder interviews and site visits, we ensure your carbon investments meet the highest standards, mitigating risks and enhancing project credibility.??

Building on 20 years of?experience in developing and reviewing carbon projects in different sectors around the world, we can support plenty of practical and independent competence. For further information, contact: [email protected] ?

Perspectives at COP29: Join us for our Side Events and the Annual Post-COP Webinar!

Perspectives is excited to be part of COP29! We’re co-organizing events where our experts will engage on key topics throughout the conference.

Key UNFCCC Side Events:

Governance and research of Solar Radiation Modification - challenges, questions and concerns – Nov 11︱18:30-20:00 UTC+4︱Room: Side Event 3

Transitioning away from fossil fuels: Technology and market-based instruments for net-zero actions – Nov 12︱16:45-18:15 UTC+4︱Room: Side Event 1

Nordic perspectives: Paving the way to mobilise climate finance – Nov 15︱18:30-20:00 UTC+4︱Room: Side Event 1

Towards the implementation of Article 6.4 activities – Nov 19︱11:30-13:00 UTC+4︱Room: Side Event 2

Find the overview of UNFCCC Side Events here .

Our Pavilion Side Events:

Paris Alignment of Export Credit Agencies: Lessons learned from the Nordics and other OECD countries – Nov 14︱16:00-16:45 UTC+4︱Nordic Pavilion

The latest updates and additions to our side events schedule can be found on our COP page on our website , which is coming soon.

Post-COP Webinar:

Be sure to attend our Post-COP Webinar on Nov 28, from 10:30-12:00 & Dec 2, from 16:30-18:00 UTC+1

Register for Nov 28: 10:30-12:00 UTC+1: HERE

Register for Dec 2: 16:30-18:00 UTC+1: HERE

Axel Michaelowa participates in Pre-COP in Baku as a representative of the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO) constituency

Our Senior Founding Partner, Axel Michaelowa, attended the Pre-COP on behalf of the RINGOs, which took place on 10 and 11 October in Baku. The pre-COP is an important meeting to discuss the key political aspects of the negotiations, find solutions to outstanding issues, and set the tone for the COP. Axel discussed with the COP President the challenges regarding accommodation and the allocation of observer accreditations with the UNFCCC Secretariat. In addition, he participated in the official agenda items of the Pre-COP and met with government representatives from countries with which Perspectives works.

Axel was also interviewed by Azerbaijan State TV concerning international climate finance and funds for countries seeking to engage with carbon markets. View the live-streamed interview from Oct 11, at 12:05 pm.

Qatar government invites Axel Michaelowa to a workshop discussing pathways to COP29

We are pleased to announce that our renowned negotiation expert Axel Michaelowa was invited by the government of Qatar to speak at a workshop titled “Strategic Pathways for COP29 ”. Drawing on 30 years of experience in the UNFCCC process, Axel offered authority insights into the key negotiation topics at COP29, such as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on international climate finance and international carbon markets under Article 6.

Axel spoke alongside a distinguished panel, which included Dr. Amr Osama Abdel-Aziz from Integral Consult and Kenichiro Yamaguchi from the Mitsubishi Research Institute, both of whom have been deeply involved in climate negotiations for decades.

The NCQG: Entering final stage before COP29

This is a crucial year for climate finance, with the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) set to be finalized in a few days at COP29. The deliberations over the past two years have clarified that divergences will likely not be resolved at the technical level, suggesting difficult political discussions ahead to reach an ambitious goal. In August, Perspectives, in collaboration with ECBI, published a briefing note on Finding Common Ground on the NCQG . Our colleagues Sherri Ombuya, Igor Shishlov, and Axel Michaelowa summarise the negotiation process, Parties’ priorities, key areas of contention (e.g., the sources of finance), and propose an approach for structuring the goal.

Axel Michaelowa Shares Key Insights at BeZero Webinar on Scaling ITMO Markets Ahead of COP29?

Axel Michaelowa recently participated in a BeZero Carbon webinar on scaling the market for Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6, alongside Sebastien Cross (BeZero) and Dr. Alexandra Soezer (CACE). The session explored the critical role of ratings in ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of ITMOs, particularly in the context of the different quality of “unilateral” Letters of Approval currently emerging. The recording of the webinar is available here . Further, Axel’s insights were featured in a CarbonPulse article , highlighting the potential for rating agencies to assess government-issued Letters of Authorization (LoAs) for Article 6 projects.??

Verra Publishes Modules for DAC, Transport, and Storage Modules, Marking Major Milestone for CCS+ Initiative

The CCS+ Initiative has just reached a major milestone with Verra, the latter having approved and published the first modules under the CCS+ Framework Methodology, including the modules on Direct Air Capture (DAC), Transport, and Storage in Saline Aquifers and Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs. Now publicly available , these modules enable project developers within the DAC value chain to certify their projects using a high-integrity, flexible carbon accounting framework. Approved by Verra, the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program, the CCS+ framework methodologies and its modules ensure tailored solutions for complex industrial processes and value chains worldwide, paving the way for high-quality industrial carbon management solutions. Additional modules for capture, utilization, and storage are planned for release!

Green Climate Fund approves US $45 million for solar water pumping in Ethiopia

On October 24, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved Ethiopia’s project for climate-resilient water access powered by renewable energy , whose funding proposal was developed by Perspectives Climate Group. Led by the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance as the Direct Access Entity, the initiative targets drought-prone areas in the Kobo-Girana Valley (Amhara) and Borena Zone (Oromia), installing solar water pumps to secure sustainable water for agriculture and consumption. The $50 million project, primarily funded by returnable grants, promotes inclusive, community-led development. Co-benefits include job creation, food security, and gender empowerment. Thanks to extensive collaboration, implementation is set to enhance resilience for Ethiopian communities.

Building Nordic capacity on high-integrity voluntary carbon markets

The Nordic Dialogue team, led by Perspectives, has successfully concluded a series of events for building capacity for the voluntary carbon market, drawing on the Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation. According to the feedback, participants valued the updates on the?latest developments, the diverse range of perspectives and concrete positive examples. They stressed the continued need for knowledge-sharing and cooperation. Key insights from the events have been summarised in a report , and recordings, posts and other material from the events are available on the Nordic Dialogue website ; most of the material is in English.

Perspectives Climate Research’s collaboration with academia

In September and October, our colleague Max Schmidt contributed as a guest lecturer at Sciences Po Rennes, delivering lectures on ‘Energy: Transition & Transformation’ to students in an International Relations master’s program. Max also presented Perspectives' export finance work to PhD students at the University of Amsterdam's CLIFF project, focusing on climate change and fossil fuels (both online).

Additionally, Perspectives’ team members contributed two blog posts for HEC Lausanne’s Faculty of Business and Economics, addressing the need for fossil-free energy futures and the importance of integrating climate change into business school curricula.

Blog: Beyond dichotomy: why business schools must integrate climate change into their curricula

Blog: Towards fossil-free energy futures: Why (and where) we need to look beyond the UN climate regime

Greening Export Finance and Investment Treaties in Africa

Perspectives Climate Research is collaborating with Friends of the Earth Mozambique and the legal researcher Lea di Salvatore to illuminate the hidden effects of investment treaties and export finance on fossil fuel projects in Africa and the implications for the energy transition in the region. Research results will be published in a report, a policy brief, and a case study on Mozambique’s gas projects in the first half of 2025. The project is supported by the Africa-Europe Foundation .

International Conference on Green Hydrogen, India

In mid-September 2024, Sonja Butzengeiger and Chandan Kumar Sah attended the International Conference on Green Hydrogen in New Delhi, drawing over 6,000 participants. The event highlighted India's growing role in the global green hydrogen transition, with discussions on policy frameworks, technological advancements, and international standards. In different round tables and panel discussions, Sonja emphasized the importance of carbon markets in enhancing the financial viability of green PtX projects, particularly in ammonia, fertilizer, and steel industries. Key takeaways included India's potential leadership in green hydrogen production, the role of carbon credits in NetZero strategies, and the global push for regulatory transparency under Article 6. Learn more about Perspectives' Hydrogen for Net Zero Initiative .

Perspectives develops a new Article 6 methodology for green fertilizers

Supported by the German H2UPPP programme, Perspectives begins the development of a new carbon methodology for "green fertilizer", where renewable ammonia replaces natural-gas-derived ammonia. This replacement can substantially reduce carbon emissions and enhance the?environmental sustainability of global food production. This methodology will be aligned with the new Article 6.4 standard approved by SBM014.

We are looking for industry partners to contribute to this work. Please contact Sonja Butzengeiger at [email protected] for collaboration.

Paris-Aligned Export Finance in Nordic Countries

In its case study series on the Paris Alignment of export credit agencies (ECAs), Perspectives Climate Research published reports on three Nordic ECAs. ECAs in Sweden and Finland were assessed as ‘Paris-aligned’ and the Danish ECA scored ‘Transformational’. These high scores are based on the successful phase-out of fossil fuel finance, strong financial support for renewable energy, and the active engagement in international climate initiatives by Nordic actors.

Max Schmidt, the lead author of the ECA reports on Finland and Sweden, discussed the importance of ECAs ending their fossil fuel finance in an episode of the podcast ‘Shaken, Not Burned’ .

Axel Michaelowa and Igor Shishlov featured in an anthology of Sustainability Narratives

In Sustainability Stories: The Power of Narratives to Understand Global Challenges , our colleagues Axel Michaelowa and Igor Shishlov offer two distinct and thought-provoking contributions. Axel, a veteran of international climate negotiations, unpacks the often opaque process of shaping global policy. Meanwhile, Igor illustrates how music can become a force for climate action: through the lens of his co-founded rock band, The Colour Fools , he addresses themes like overconsumption and environmental disruption. The diversity of insights collected in the book provides a rich tapestry of perspectives on sustainability.

Empowering Niger's climate action with Article 6: Capacity Building Workshop in Niamey

As part of the ongoing NDC Partnership project, Perspectives Climate Research hosted its first workshop in Niamey, Niger, on September 5 and 6. Led by Axel Michaelowa, the two-day in-person capacity-building sessions brought together approximately 40 key stakeholders from government and civil society organizations to deepen their understanding of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and explore practical steps for national implementation.

The project aims to develop a comprehensive national Article 6 implementation strategy for Niger, enabling the country to engage in international carbon markets while aligning with sustainable development goals.

Perspectives’ 4th year at the Fridays For Future Global Climate Strike

Another year, another success! We are so proud that our colleagues participated in the September 2024 Global Climate Strike. Colleagues from Brussels, Berlin, Hamburg and more created posters and joined in at their local strike advocating for stronger climate legislation and climate action. In our Hamburg office, our team hosted a poster-making session, allowing colleagues at their co-working space to design meaningful slogans and creative posters to showcase at the strike.

Join our team at Perspectives Climate Group - exciting opportunities await!

We are thrilled to announce that Perspectives Climate Group is expanding its team and looking for exceptional individuals to join us in making a positive impact on the climate sector. We currently have multiple positions available, and invite you to be part of our passionate and dedicated team.

If you or someone you know is eager to make a difference in the climate sector, we invite you to explore the job postings below and share them within your communities:

• Werkstudent:in (m/w/d) im Bereich Legal

Join us at Perspectives and be part of an inspiring team committed to creating a sustainable future.

Thank you for your continuous support and engagement. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our planet.

We wish you a wonderful autumn!

Warmest regards,

The Perspectives Climate Group Team