markets for a Sustainable Future
About Us
Helping clients harness carbon markets to meet their climate objectives is our mission. Ensuring environmental integrity and business prosperity go hand in hand is our goal. By collaborating closely with our clients, we can achieve our goals and advance towards a low-carbon economy, leaving a lasting positive impact for future generations.
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We Are climate-action focused
Carbon Markets Are A Tool For Global Climate Action
Climate change poses an urgent global challenge, and carbon markets are a potent tool for addressing it. Regardless of where an emission takes place, every tonne of carbon reduced, removed, or avoided makes a meaningful contribution to the overall decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
We Are Market Centred
Leveraging Market-Driven Mechanisms for Emissions Reduction
We advocate for market-driven mechanisms, such as carbon trading systems and compliance flexibility tools, as practical solutions for emissions reduction.
Our role is to guide industries in transitioning towards emission-conscious practices today while assisting them in anticipating and preparing for future increases in carbon prices. By decisively embracing these mechanisms, entities can not only mitigate risks but also capitalize on growth opportunities.
We Are Solutions Driven
Environmental Integrity and Business Prosperity are Interconnected
Our commitment is unwavering: We support clients in effectively utilizing carbon markets to achieve sustainability goals while safeguarding the vitality of their businesses.
We surmount obstacles to propel climate initiatives, pinpointing strategies that significantly impact emissions reduction and business growth. We objectively evaluate emission mitigation strategies in terms of cost, reputation, co-benefits, and timeframe, advising based on our clients' specified priorities.
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Chief Executive Officer Michael Berends is a highly respected leader in the global carbon markets. With a decades-long career spanning North America and Europe, he has held senior positions in top energy and financial organizations, including Barclays Capital, Vattenfall Energy Trading, and ICL, in trading, origination, procurement, and sales.
Michael has successfully executed numerous global carbon product deals and devised pricing and risk management strategies for emitters in compliance and voluntary markets across more than 50 countries.
Under Michael's leadership, ClearBlue Markets has experienced remarkable growth, expanding sixfold, earning its place as a trusted partner for hundreds of corporations worldwide and launching the Vantage carbon intelligence platform. In 2023, ClearBlue Markets secured an investment of $8 million in financing led by the Royal Bank of Canada.
Michael holds a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto and a Master's in Environmental Management from the University of Amsterdam.
Nicolas Girod, Chief Technology Officer at ClearBlue, boasts an extensive background in energy and carbon markets, fortified by over two decades of experience in risk management, trading, and market analysis at prominent companies such as Barclays, Vattenfall, Eneco, and Evolution Markets. His academic achievements include a master's degree in electrical engineering from ESME Sudria Paris, specializing in environmental studies, alongside a diploma in machine learning and data science. Moreover, Nico holds a Series 3 certification from the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), authorizing him to trade commodities and futures. He is also a certified trader with the European Energy Exchange (EEX).
Nico’s innovative contributions have been pivotal in developing the proprietary analytical models that underpin ClearBlue’s award-winning Market Intelligence (MI) practice. These models form the foundation of ClearBlue Vantage, our AI-enabled carbon intelligence platform, which benefited significantly from Nico's strategic vision.
In addition to advancing ClearBlue's industry-leading technology, Nico actively assists clients in navigating the complexities of emerging emissions trading systems, with a particular focus on Latin American carbon markets. Nico is a key figure in our global operations, playing a critical role in the ongoing success and industry influence of ClearBlue.
With a global footprint, Michiel has worked on emission reduction projects spanning various technologies, including industrial energy efficiency, renewable energy, landfill gas, and biogas. His expertise earned him recognition as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Clean Development Mechanism Small-Scale Working Group for seven consecutive years, where he contributed to the approval of numerous projects and provided guidance to countless others.
Michiel played a pivotal role in building Barclays Capital emission reduction origination capabilities and developed CDM baseline methodologies and projects for EcoSecurities B.V. At Vattenfall, he led the Global Emissions desk, pioneering transactions in the Chinese domestic carbon market and managing a portfolio of over 200 offset projects, generating more than 100 million offsets.
Michiel holds a Master's in Economics and International and European Law from the University of Groningen and an SII Level 3 Certificate in Investments from London's Securities & Investment Institute. He continues to drive carbon and offset strategy and implementation for entities in Europe, leveraging his wealth of experience and expertise to create impactful solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of environmental sustainability.
Chief Carbon Trading Officer Michiel ten Hoopen brings over 20 years of extensive policy and practical trading experience to ClearBlue, providing clients with invaluable insights and strategic guidance.
Michiel has worked on emission reduction projects spanning various technologies, including industrial energy efficiency, renewable energy, landfill gas, and biogas. He was a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Clean Development Mechanism Small-Scale Working Group for seven consecutive years, approving numerous projects and providing guidance to countless others.
Michiel played a pivotal role in building Barclays Capital's emission reduction origination capabilities and developed CDM baseline methodologies and projects for EcoSecurities B.V. At Vattenfall, he led the Global Emissions desk, pioneering transactions in the Chinese domestic carbon market and managing a portfolio of over 200 offset projects, that generated more than 100 million offsets.
Michiel holds a Master's in Economics and International and European Law from the University of Groningen and an SII Level 3 Certificate in Investments from London's Securities & Investment Institute.
Prior to joining ClearBlue, Jennifer was the Lead Analyst for Low-Carbon Markets at S&P Global Platts, responsible for collaborating across commodity teams to develop and communicate market outlooks. Jennifer also helped build the newly founded environmental practice as Director of Emissions and Clean Energy for PIRA Energy Group, which was acquired by S&P Global in 2016. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Cornell University and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Drew University.
"In addition to maintaining an enjoyable team to work with, ClearBlue Markets provides quality analysis with the detail and sophistication we require. Their broad global coverage of carbon across both the compliance and voluntary markets is a unique advantage to working with ClearBlue."
"My gratitude for our good cooperation in our 10 years of working together."
“ClearBlue Markets has been a critical part of Pala Investments’ activities in carbon markets. ClearBlue was part of initial education on carbon markets and continues to provide us ongoing market monitoring and due diligence support on new investments. Throughout the investment lifecycle, ClearBlue has provided both detailed analysis as well as broader market context across global environmental markets.”
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