Virtus: Closing the Year with Climate Action - Highlights from 2024
Gordian Knot Strategies
We are Igniting Climate Solutions: Mobilizing $1 Billion Per Year in Impact Investment by 2030!
Welcome to the December edition of the Virtus newsletter!
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an impactful year while looking ahead to the opportunities 2025 will bring. This month, we’re sharing highlights from our recent GKS company retreat, new collaborations, and insights into climate finance progress.
In Our Take, we recap our 11 original, in-depth articles from 2024, covering key topics like carbon markets, credit enhancement, and natural climate solutions. We invite you to revisit these pieces and share your thoughts as we prepare for the year ahead.
In What We’re Absorbing, we explore EY’s report on the evolving carbon market, ICAO updates on CORSIA’s Phase 1, and Netflix’s “Our Oceans” mini-series, which dives into the beauty and importance of ocean conservation.
Our Climate Finance Deals section highlights big December initiatives, including Barbados’ $125M debt swap for climate adaptation, Brazil’s emissions trading law, and Bolivia’s $1B lithium plant deal — all paving the way for innovative global climate solutions.
Finally, our Opportunity Showcase returns this month, featuring exciting projects from the American Forest Foundation, ReSeed, the Savory Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
Thank you for joining us in December as we close out the year with gratitude and look forward to advancing bold strategies for a sustainable future.
All the best,
Gordian Knot Strategies
We are Igniting Climate Solutions: Mobilizing $1 Billion Per Year in Impact Investment by 2030!
In early December, the Gordian Knot Strategies team came together for an in-person retreat at the breathtaking Finca Luna Nueva Lodge in Costa Rica. As a fully remote team, we valued the opportunity to strengthen our connections, build team synergy, and focus on shaping our strategy for 2025 and beyond.
Set amidst lush rainforest surroundings, the retreat was also a time to reflect on the transformative role of climate finance in driving global impact. We engaged in deep discussions about how to amplify our efforts in supporting innovative solutions and scaling projects that address climate challenges. The week reinforced our commitment to creating meaningful change and advancing bold strategies for a sustainable future.
We’re excited to announce that Gordian Knot Strategies has joined the Climate Collective community! This dynamic network brings together nonprofits, investors, and businesses united by a shared vision: unlocking climate and nature action at scale. We’re excited to contribute to this vibrant community and collaborate with like-minded organizations on our shared mission of driving meaningful action to improve the world.
Learn more about the Climate Collective Community here.
Throughout 2024, we published 11 in-depth “Our Take” articles, exploring key topics such as carbon markets, credit enhancement, natural climate solutions, impact investing mechanisms, carbon dioxide removal, and more. As the holiday break approaches, we invite you to revisit these pieces and dive into the insights we’ve shared.
To access the articles, click here. If any of the articles resonate with you or spark ideas, we’d love to hear your thoughts — don’t hesitate to reach out for a conversation!
??? In December, we are taking a moment to pause and reflect on an incredible year for Untangling Climate Finance. While we didn’t release a new episode, we celebrated the highlights of 2024 by showcasing the amazing lineup of guests who shared their expertise and insights throughout the season. From climate finance and carbon markets to impact investing and policy, our guests brought invaluable perspectives to some of the most pressing topics in our space.
As we look back with gratitude, we’re also looking ahead with excitement for 2025. Thank you for being part of this journey, and stay tuned for more excellent conversations in the new year!
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Below is a curated selection of standout opportunities brought to you by GKS’s valued clients.
American Forest Foundation: Nature Based Carbon Credits
The American Forest Foundation will hold the first auction for the Family Forest Carbon Program’s carbon credits in February 2025.
The American Forest Foundation Carbon Auction — the first of its kind for a U.S. nature-based carbon project — will offer buyers a transparent and streamlined way to secure high-quality carbon credits while supporting rural communities and family forest owners.
To read the full announcement, click here.
To view information on the auction, click here.
ReSeed: Agriculture Carbon Credits
ReSeed.farm partners with smallholder farmers globally, helping to improve livelihoods, protect vital lands, and ensure ecosystem services are properly recognized and rewarded. Through these efforts, ReSeed generates agricultural carbon credits that drive sustainability. Click here to explore their projects.
Savory Foundation: Carbon Removal Credits - Uruguay Grasslands Regeneration Project
The Savory Foundation along with the Savory Institute , Pampa Oriental , and Cultivo are now offering nature-based carbon removal credits from their Uruguay Grasslands Regeneration Project. This groundbreaking project spans 140,000 hectares across 166 privately held properties, employing Savory’s Holistic Management framework to restore grasslands while supporting local communities and ecosystems.
The project, under Verra’s VM0032 Methodology for Sustainable Grasslands, anticipates an annual issuance of around 152,000 credits, beginning in 2026, and addresses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 13: Climate Action, 15: Life of Land, and 17: Partnership for the Goals.
To learn more about this project and its impact, click here.
If you want to connect about the project, email us?at [email protected]
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Impact Investing Opportunities
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities Endowment (supported by Gordian Knot Strategies) will be hosting an informational webinar about their Impact Investing Program on December 18, 2024 at 12pm PST. This webinar will provide an overview of the program in general, including its purpose, past investments, and goals for future rounds. Interested participants should register here (a recording will be made available to registrants).
?? We’ve covered CORSIA extensively this year, and with recent updates from ICAO on eligible carbon credit standards and the launch of Phase 1, the program continues to gain momentum. Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company? recently hosted a webinar titled “Navigating CORSIA,” designed to help project developers navigate the complexities of the CORSIA market. Experts from organizations like Gold Standard, Philip Lee, and IETA shared practical advice on preparing for and complying with CORSIA rules, including Letters of Authorization (LoA). For anyone interested in understanding CORSIA better, this webinar is a valuable resource.
?? 安永 recently published a report titled “Essential and Still Evolving: The Global Voluntary Carbon Market Outlook 2024,” offering insights into the future of carbon markets. The report emphasizes that carbon credits remain central to global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the emissions reductions outlined in the Paris Agreement. As businesses intensify their decarbonization efforts, EY predicts that carbon credits will continue to serve as a flexible and powerful mechanism to reduce emissions and meet sustainability goals. However, EY believes that cost of carbon credits will rise, with prices projected to reach up to $125 per tonne by 2035. This report provides a solid look at potential carbon market realities beyond 2024 and is a highly recommended read.
?? Netflix released a five-part mini-series called “Our Oceans,” narrated by the great former President of the United States Barack Obama. This series takes viewers on a deep dive (pun intended) into the majestic oceans of our beautiful world.?For those with extra time on their hands, it is worth a watch!
Here are some of the big climate finance deals from December. Click the article title for the full story!
Barbados completed a debt-for-climate resilience swap, redirecting $125 million to water, sewage, and environmental projects. The deal replaces costly debt, enabling infrastructure upgrades without new expenses, and sets a model for climate adaptation funding in developing nations.
Brazil has enacted an emissions trading system (ETS) law, establishing one of the world’s largest regulated carbon markets. The system, fully operational by 2030, will require major emitters to report and offset emissions using tradable carbon reduction certificates. The law integrates voluntary and regulated markets, connecting carbon credits to financial markets and boosting investor confidence.
Bolivia plans two lithium plants in the Uyuni salt flats with a combined annual capacity of 35,000 tons. Boasting the world’s largest lithium reserves, Bolivia aims to become a key player in setting global prices. Deals with Russia’s Uranium One and potential agreements with China’s Citic Guoan Group highlight the country's push to expand lithium production. Parliamentary approval is pending.
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Interested in connecting? We would love to hear from you!
Contact us?at [email protected]