In a notable collaboration, CarbonClick teamed up with COP29 to launch a carbon offsetting platform to mitigate the environmental impact of travel to the summit. This partnership began with an initiative from the COP29 presidency, highlighting Azerbaijan’s commitment to sustainability. This interview explores CarbonClick’s contribution to COP29 and perspectives on new developments like the Article 6 Rulebook, which shapes the future of the voluntary carbon market.
CarbonClick partnered with COP29 to launch an offsetting platform to mitigate the carbon emissions of global travel to the summit. Can you discuss the impetus for CarbonClick's involvement and the process of establishing this partnership?
CarbonClick was involved in building trust in the offsetting options and process promoted by COP29. The process of establishing this partnership began with the presidency contacting them with a view to COP29 being the most credible from a sustainability front of all the COPs.
Azerbaijan took this seriously as a message to the world that they would lead by example—and they certainly did. CarbonClick and its credentials were rigorously scrutinized to ensure that they would not jeopardize this ambition by complicating the program with greenwashing accusations, poor-quality offset projects, or any other foul play. We were very grateful to be selected in such a highly competitive field.
What were the key objectives you aimed to achieve through this collaboration?
Firstly, we aimed to engage and educate delegates and attendees of COP29 on reducing their travel footprint wherever possible. Secondly, we encouraged meaningful offsetting measures to ensure that the environmental impact of flights to COP29 was at least counterbalanced. This approach aligns with the original purpose of offsetting—to mitigate the damage caused by travel.
The Article 6 Rulebook, which sets guidelines for international carbon markets, was finalized at COP29. How does CarbonClick view the finalized Article 6 Rulebook and its potential impact on the voluntary carbon market?
We could not have been happier with the pace of the adoption of full operationalization of Article 6 - surprisingly, within the first day at COP, it was agreed at a high level, with text being negotiated on the first night.
The impact on the voluntary market will be fantastic. It will give investors certainty to initiate projects and countries certainty that they can use these projects to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with predictability. It allows for a flow of funds into least-developed countries that are in a position to generate carbon credits in a manner that replaces some of the shortfalls from the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) that were insufficient for a 1.5 °C climate change world to be achieved.
What opportunities and challenges does it present for companies like CarbonClick?
Companies and individuals can confidently offset with credits that will contribute to fairly mitigating climate change, with clear guidance around who will claim those benefits and how to cancel those benefits from one country's NDCs when transferring to a private organization or another country.
For us, it means the credibility of offsets will increase, and minimum standards will wipe out some projects that cause much disrepute to the whole sector. This is great for business, as faith is restored to consumers who demand climate action wherever possible. For hard-to-abate industries like aviation and travel, this is where offsets make great sense to everyone. As a result, we see significant growth on the horizon.
Discussions surrounding the Loss and Damage Fund increased at COP29, particularly regarding its governance structure, funding sources, and eligibility criteria. What is CarbonClick's perspective on the Loss and Damage Fund progress at COP29?
The loss and damage fund of $731 million per annum did not come close to the goals of the least-developed countries, which do not have the resources to tackle their losses and damage caused by climate change. It is particularly harsh in many of these least-developed countries, where they have had little to no tangible emissions or contribution to climate change from which they are suffering.
There was progress toward operationalizing this and helping to ensure that those funds reach the communities and countries affected so that this fund directly helps those suffering the most.
How can the voluntary carbon market address the loss and damage caused by climate change?
Naturally, every bit we do to remove carbon from the atmosphere or prevent carbon from entering it helps prevent the situation from worsening. This is a start, and it is immediate when you purchase carbon credits to offset your activities. But we can go further. The loss and damage can be repaired by financing new ways of life that can be afforded with the sale and creation of carbon credits. This can replace the ways of life that are no longer sustainable in a changed climate, but it falls more under adaptation finance than loss and damage.
Financing with carbon credits can also fall into the mitigation category. Projects such as mangrove planting along coastlines can prevent storm surges from further eroding coastlines and causing salt infiltration to damage crops while also restoring ecosystems that supplement food for coastal communities. There is a lot that the carbon markets can solve where other climate finance is failing us.
Considering the limited progress on increasing national climate action pledges (NDCs), what role can technological innovation play in bridging the gap between current pledges and the goals of the Paris Agreement?
As a private-sector company, CarbonClick can be essential in encouraging greater ambition by providing scalable solutions that help businesses and governments meet their climate goals. By making carbon offsetting accessible and transparent, we can help businesses and individuals demonstrate their commitment to climate action, which can, in turn, increase pressure on governments to raise their ambitions.
Technological innovation will be key in bridging the gap. Advancements in data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) can provide new ways to measure and track emissions reductions more accurately, allowing us to create more effective carbon offset projects. CarbonClick is already investing in technology to ensure that our platform is user-friendly and capable of delivering high-impact solutions.
Developing countries expressed frustration over developed countries' lack of financial support at COP29. How can CarbonClick's platform and initiatives facilitate the flow of climate finance to developing countries? Are there specific project types or regions that CarbonClick prioritizes to address this need?
Solar light projects reduce reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning from kerosene to solar lighting and improve health outcomes by eliminating exposure to kerosene smoke in households. Reducing health risks lowers healthcare costs and redirects savings toward positive community development. For example, Indonesia's Rimba Raya Reforestation Project protects and enhances native forests, directly benefiting Indigenous landowners.
Through CarbonClick’s advanced monitoring and influence, we actively campaigned to support landowners when they temporarily were not receiving payments from project developers. This highlights CarbonClick’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of carbon credits and delivering financial benefits to least-developed countries and their communities.
Concerns were raised about the influence of fossil fuel interests on COP29 negotiations, which hinders progress on ambitious climate action. How can we effectively counter this influence? What strategies can CarbonClick and other organizations employ to advocate for an equitable transition away from fossil fuels?
Fossil fuel interests have long played a significant role in shaping climate negotiations, often creating barriers to progress. At CarbonClick, we recognize the importance of driving an equitable and just transition to renewable energy. The private sector must take the lead by adopting tools like renewable energy solutions, carbon pricing, and carbon offsetting to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
We also emphasize the need for collaboration across sectors—governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private stakeholders—to establish policies that incentivize cleaner technologies and disincentivize reliance on fossil fuels. Transparency and strong climate policies ensure this transition benefits all communities, particularly those most impacted by fossil fuel extraction.
Given the significant role of nature-based solutions in achieving climate goals, how can CarbonClick integrate biodiversity considerations into its carbon offsetting platform? How can you encourage businesses and individuals to invest in projects that deliver both climate and biodiversity benefits?
All our nature-based solutions prioritize biodiversity, and we also support community-led projects centered around it. While some of these projects may not qualify for carbon credits or are too small to do so, they still make a meaningful contribution to carbon reduction and climate action. We consider these efforts additional value and encourage our customers to include them in a well-rounded carbon offset and reduction strategy.
Image Credit: Black Salmon/Shutterstock.com
What is CarbonClick's vision for the future of carbon offsetting, and how will the company adapt to evolving climate policies and market dynamics?
Our vision for the future of carbon offsetting is to make it as simple, transparent, and impactful as possible. We want to create a world where offsetting is not seen as a "nice-to-have" but an essential tool for businesses and individuals to meet their climate goals.
As climate policies evolve, we will adapt by staying ahead of regulatory changes and ensuring that our platform meets the highest standards of transparency and effectiveness.
What key developments or trends do you anticipate in the voluntary carbon market in the coming years?
In the coming years, we anticipate continued growth in the voluntary carbon market, driven by regulatory pressures and consumer demand for sustainable products. We also foresee greater technology integration in the market, enabling more accurate measurement and verification of carbon credits. As the market matures, we expect increased collaboration between governments, businesses, and carbon credit providers to create a more unified, effective global carbon market.
Where can readers find more information?
Website: https://www.carbonclick.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carbonclick/
About Dave Rouse
Dave Rouse is a Kiwi-born entrepreneur and angel investor who co-founded CarbonClick in 2017. This game-changing carbon offsetting initiative helps businesses offset their carbon in a simple, transparent, and meaningful way. The goal is to slow down global warming and keep the planet cool.
Now, as CEO, Dave Rouse is dedicated to bridging the gap between people and the natural world that sustains us.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited (T/A) AZoNetwork, the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and Conditions of use of this website.