The Potential and Challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market

Our second episode on the voluntary carbon market is a bonus episode of a panel discussion recorded at Harvard Climate Action Week in 2024. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Joe Aldy moderates this discussion with Nat Keohane from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Donna Lee from Calyx Global, UC San Diego Professor David Victor, and Carolyn Weinberg, formerly of Blackrock. Together, they bring perspectives from policy, business, and academia. The conversation explores the role of voluntary carbon markets in mobilizing finance for decarbonization, ensuring the integrity of carbon credits, and scaling high-quality projects. They also discuss emerging standards, innovative financial products, and how companies can leverage VCMs to achieve net-zero goals while addressing climate risks.