If you’re polluting, there should be a cost.” That’s the bold message from Mhairidh Evans, this week’s guest on the Net Hero Podcast – and she’s not messing about.
With more than a decade of deep dive expertise into carbon markets, Mhairidh joins Sumit Bose to unravel the tangled web of carbon pricing, carbon credits and the future of carbon trading. Representing research powerhouse Wood Mackenzie, she brings clarity to a subject often dismissed as “greenwashing” – and outlines how it might just be the unlock we need to scale net zero globally.
From COP26 to carbon credits, the chat gets right into the fundamentals: why does one tonne of carbon cost wildly different amounts depending where you are in the world? Is a global carbon price even realistic? And how do we stop dodgy projects from gaming the system?
“The voluntary carbon market is exploding,” Mhairidh explains. “But unless credits are verifiable, additional and scientifically measured, we won’t see real impact – or the billions we need flowing into proper removals.”
She predicts a massive shift. Tech-based removals like direct air capture could form 40% of the market by 2050 – yet command 80% of the value. Why? Because companies like Microsoft are willing to pay hundreds of dollars a tonne for credits they can trust.
Sumit asks the big questions: should governments take the lead by buying up carbon credits themselves? Can this sector shake off the reputation of being a climate cop-out? And could we soon see a carbon stock exchange on the FTSE?
It’s eye-opening, myth-busting and genuinely gripping stuff. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the word “offsets”, give this a listen.
This is the last episode before our summer break, so catch it now. You’ll find it on Spotify, Apple or at futurenetzero.com. And if you’ve got a net zero story to tell – get in touch [email protected]
Net Hero Podcast – Carbon pricing it’s a cost for us all appeared first on Energy Live News.