Episode
156

The Future of Carbon Certification with Cercarbano

August 14, 2025
|
Duration:
1718000
Apple Podcast Icon
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Spotify icon
Listen on Spotify

In This Episode:

Join Dave, John, Lyssandra, and special guest Alex Saer, CEO of Cercarbono, as they delve into the essentials of carbon certification, renewable energy credits, and evolving carbon markets in emerging economies. This episode covers the importance of transparent and verifiable certification processes, the methodologies used, major global standards, and insights on COP 29's outcomes and the significance of COP 30 in Brazil. A must-watch for anyone interested in climate action and carbon market mechanisms.

Highlights

  • Cercarbono is one of the largest global certification standards for carbon, biodiversity, and circular economy credits.
  • Certification ensures carbon projects deliver real, measurable, additional climate benefits with transparency and accountability.
  • The certification process involves project registration, public comment, third-party validation, verification, and credit issuance with blockchain tracking.
  • Several global standards exist, with Cercarbono ranked among the top five alongside Verra, Gold Standard, and others.
  • COP 29 finalized Article 6 rules, establishing new international carbon market mechanisms fostering country collaboration.
  • COP 30 in Brazil will emphasize nature-based solutions and biodiversity’s role in climate mitigation, spotlighting Latin America’s climate leadership.
  • Political dynamics influence COP negotiations, but many countries remain committed to advancing carbon markets and climate goals.

Key Insights

  • Certification is foundational for market trust: Alex emphasizes that certification provides transparency, credibility, and traceability. This is key to preventing double counting and reputational risks, ensuring that carbon credits represent genuine emissions reductions or removals.
  • Methodologies tailor certification to project types: Different projects require specific methodologies that define baselines and calculate emission reductions or removals. This specificity ensures that credits are accurately accounted for, whether from renewable energy, reforestation, or biochar projects.
  • Technology enhances certification efficiency and security: The use of blockchain and digital registries like Cercarbono’s Eco Registry ensures each credit has a unique serial number, preventing double issuance or reuse.
  • Diversity and choice of standards matter: With hundreds of standards worldwide, buyers must evaluate standards based on transparency, governance, accreditation, and methodology relevance to their region and project type.
  • Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is a game-changer: The rules finalized at COP 29 introduce two main carbon trading mechanisms – bilateral cooperation under Article 6.2 and a multilateral centralized mechanism under Article 6.4.
  • Integration of biodiversity and climate action is rising: COP 30’s focus on nature-based solutions and biodiversity highlights the increasing recognition that climate mitigation projects must avoid harm and ideally benefit ecosystems.
  • Latin America’s strategic position in global carbon markets: The region has historically issued a significant share of carbon credits and has developed local market mechanisms and regulatory frameworks.
  • Politics influence but do not halt progress: While geopolitical uncertainties, such as the uncertain participation of key countries (e.g., US, Russia), affect COP negotiations, the momentum built around Article 6 and national commitments suggests that carbon markets and climate cooperation will continue evolving.
Prev
Loading...
Next
Loading...