The role of carbon markets in protecting and restoring nature

In this week's episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we bring you coverage of S&P Global Energy's Global Carbon Markets Conference, which took place in Barcelona, Spain in December 2025.

Nature was a major theme at the event, and topics of discussion included how carbon markets can be a driver of investment in nature and how new data tools can encourage investment in nature-related carbon projects.

In this episode, we sit down on the sidelines of the conference with Cain Blythe, Founder and CEO of CreditNature, a company working to make nature restoration investable.

"We've realized that what we used to do isn't fit for finance," Cain says. "So we developed a system that allows us to collect data in a standardized way ... that can be applied across multiple geographies and that can be cost effective at scale."

We also talk with Douglas Eger, Chairman and CEO of Intrinsic Exchange Group, who explains a model his company created for nature-based investments called a natural asset company (NAC). Capital invested in a NAC finances conservation, restoration, natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

"We think that engaging the private markets in an instrument that can scale, that gives the potential for a market rate of return, is what's missing from the market," Douglas tells us.

Listen to our previous coverage of S&P Global Energy's Global Carbon Markets Conference: How trade mechanisms, AI and innovation will influence global carbon markets in 2026

Read S&P Global's Top 10 Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2026

Read nature research from S&P Global Sustainable1: Companies around the world face risks from their reliance on nature | S&P Global

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