cap and trade - Mahony Partners

Mar

2021

Enlisting Blockchain in the Fight Against Climate Change

Sometimes the most important news gets the least attention. Yesterday, to little fanfare, IHSMarkit, a financial data company, announced it would introduce a global registry for carbon credits using distributed ledger technology. It would link various registries around the world and provide a single data set for all projects and credits. Why is this so important? First, it has the potential to solve the two biggest problems that have haunted the carbon-offsets market for decades – verification and additionality. Or, in other words, ensuring that offset projects ... Read More

Sep

2020

The Quiet Growth of the Carbon Market

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

We’ve written about the carbon market over the years. We’ve asked, for example, whether blockchain technology could boost its growth. We’ve highlighted the success of California’s cap-and-trade system, and we’ve suggested that the carbon market shares a lot of similarities with another asset class that grew from humble beginnings - emerging-market debt.... Read More

Nov

2017

Could Blockchain Spark the Carbon Market?

Uncategorized

Democratic victories in last week’s elections have given new life to efforts to combat climate change through cap-and-trade systems. Advances in distributed ledger technology could kick them into high gear. (more…) Read More

Dec

2013

Our Hits and Misses in 2013

Friday Risk Reading, Taking & Managing Risk

It’s the time of year to reflect on life, business – and our best and worst posts. Your diligent scribe here at the Risk Matters blog had a few observations that proved prescient. Oh yes, there were some clunkers, too. (more…) Read More

Nov

2012

California Smokes It: A Carbon Success Story

Climate Change, Taking & Managing Risk

Although largely overlooked by the media, California recently launched its ambitious carbon-trading program, holding a successful auction of carbon permits that raised nearly $300 million. Of course, had the auction failed it likely would have made the front pages, but its little-noticed triumph shouldn’t obscure its significance as a major step forward for the carbon market. It is a success story with lessons for both policy-making and risk communication. (more…) Read More

Nov

2012

What’s the Next Act for Investment Banks?

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

Three recent deals involving investment banks suggest a reshaping of the industry is underway, but beyond the perfunctory coverage of their press releases the deals haven’t drawn much attention. But each says something significant about where the industry has been – and where it might be headed. (more…) Read More

Oct

2012

Carbon, the Next Emerging Market

Climate Change, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

It’s easy to dismiss the carbon market as a passing fad or an artifact of a more optimistic, pre-recession world. Yet carbon trading continues to grow, following a trail blazed by another asset class that once seemed obscure and risky but is now a cornerstone of the investing world: emerging market bonds. (more…) Read More

Oct

2012

The Six Myths About the Carbon Market

Climate Change, Taking & Managing Risk

I participated in a conference this week on the outlook for the carbon market. Yes, there really is a carbon market, and it has made big strides this year, though you wouldn’t have known it from the press. Most of the media – and our elected officials – ignore the issue. They’re blinded by outdated views and misconceptions – what we call the Six Myths of the Carbon Market. (more…) Read More

Oct

2011

Update: Climate risk

Uncategorized

Here's a brief update to my post on climate risk: Today's New York Times reports on the disappearance of climate change from the US policy agenda. Abandoned by President Obama and scorned by Republicans, climate-change policy is dormant in the US, even while other nations take patient steps to control carbon emissions. The Times piece observes: "This fading of global warming from the political agenda is a mostly American phenomenon. True, public enthusiasm for legislation to tackle climate change has flagged somewh... Read More

Oct

2011

While politicians dither on climate risk, companies act

Friday Risk Reading

Climate change has all but disappeared from the headlines, aside from serving as a popular punching bag for Republican presidential candidates. But while politicians are busy denying the problem, businesses are taking action. There’s ample evidence that corporations recognize the risk of climate change and are factoring it into their investment planning. According to media reports today, Starbucks is already seeing a drop in coffee yields because of weather ... Read More