ESG Decoded is the podcast powered by Global Affairs Associates, a ClimeCo company to share relevant updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a manner that is clear and actionable.

In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen talks with Chris Parker, Director of the Plastics Program at ClimeCo. Chris joined ClimeCo in 2021 with 20+ years of experience in energy and commodity markets, sustainability, conservation, and ESG. He leads ClimeCo’s plastic market program, which partners with projects worldwide to recover and recycle plastic waste. This program expands financing mechanisms to scale the transition to a closed-loop economy while providing companies with ESG & CSR solutions that support ecosystem restoration. Before joining ClimeCo, Chris consulted and led projects in both the corporate and environmental non-profit sectors to create business solutions for a sustainable economy.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance & Investment Management from the University of Alabama.

Plastic credits are an exciting new environmental commodity meant to clean up oceans! Plastic credits allow companies to offset their plastic footprint as they represent the recovery and recycling of one ton of plastic material, which can be transferred between companies and organizations. Through ClimeCo Green, individuals can even purchase their own plastic credits to offset their household’s plastic use. Listen as Kaitlyn and Chris talk about the projects and certifications supporting plastic currency, the positive social co-benefits for communities, and why this should matter to companies and investors.

This may be a new topic for even the most season ESG professional, so there are several resource boosts for this episode:

--Verra - https://verra.org/

--Ocean bound plastics certification by Zero Plastic Oceans - Certifications for Oceans' Protection - Ocean Bound Plastic Certification (obpcert.org)

--TonToTon – Vietnam plastic credits project TONTOTON - Neutralize Plastic Footprint, ONE TON AT A TIME !

--ClimeCo Green – offset your own plastic footprint ClimeCo Green - Carbon offsets | Carbon footprint | Carbon calculator

When Chris takes a break from being a true thought leader and innovator in the ESG space, he enjoys his time at home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife, two daughters, and two rescue dogs. He also practices Kendo and looks forward to free time spent surfing, climbing, fishing, and playing chess.

Subscribe to ESG Decoded where you consume your podcasts and connect via social media to share your feedback and topic suggestions. Enjoy this episode!

Vermeer – Interview mit Harald Uenzelmann