Commodities in Asia Episode 7 | Peter Zaman, Partner, HFW Singapore
Nov 25, 2023
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Peter Zaman, Partner at HFW in Singapore specializing in climate finance and the environmental markets, discusses the current state of carbon markets in Asia, the challenges of transitioning to a Paris Agreement framework, the impact of CBAM on the shipping sector, and the expectations for COP 28 in meeting the decarbonization challenge.
Acknowledging limitations and working towards feasible solutions is crucial in climate action.
Restoring buyer demand and addressing challenges is vital to revitalize voluntary carbon markets.
The integration of shipping into the EU ETS and CBAM raises concerns and risks unfair treatment.
Deep dives
Challenges in Achieving the 1.5 Degree Objective
The podcast discusses the reality that the planet is not ready to meet the 1.5 degree objective due to challenges in sectors like shipping and aviation. The absence of zero-carbon solutions for these sectors hinders progress. While it is necessary to aim for 1.5 degrees, the pragmatic approach should also consider settling for two degrees to avoid setting unrealistic expectations. It is crucial to acknowledge our current limitations and work towards feasible solutions.
Voluntary Carbon Markets Struggles
The podcast highlights the struggles faced by the voluntary carbon markets. The loss of demand, increased inflationary costs, and concerns about the integrity of voluntary carbon units have contributed to the decline. Corporations engaging in voluntary carbon markets are also facing criticism for greenwashing. Restoring buyer demand and addressing these challenges is crucial to revitalize the voluntary carbon markets.
Compliance Markets and CBAM
The podcast discusses the integration of shipping into the EU ETS and the introduction of CBAM. The EU Commission's effort to include shipping faces complexities due to the structure of the industry. CBAM aims to protect EU industries by imposing taxes on imports of certain products. However, the lack of differentiation based on common differentiated responsibilities raises concerns, while encouraging higher carbon prices, it risks unfair treatment of countries with different circumstances.
Asia-Pacific's Role in the Voluntary Carbon Markets
The podcast explores Asia-Pacific's role as a supplier of voluntary carbon credits. Countries in the region, especially those in the global South, play a significant role in supplying carbon finance from emitting countries to those capable of implementing cost-effective carbon abatement measures. However, the weakening demand for voluntary carbon units poses a challenge, and unblocking buyer demand is crucial for the flow of carbon finance.
The Need for a Change in Mindset
The podcast emphasizes the requirement for a change in mindset regarding climate action. While acknowledging the challenges of meeting ambitious targets, it is important to avoid setting ourselves up for failure by being unrealistic. Instead, a pragmatic approach that appreciates the efforts of willing participants and encourages collaboration among countries is crucial. Shifting the focus towards constructive discussions and solutions is vital for progress in combating climate change.
Our Commodities in Asia series rolls on this week with Peter Zaman. Peter is a Partner at HFW in Singapore and has been practicing law in climate finance and the environmental markets since 2004. SmarterMarkets™ host David Greely sits down with Peter to discuss what’s been happening in the carbon markets this year, how it’s been affecting countries and companies in Asia, and the change in mindset that we all need to find the path forward.
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