Events

The Masterclass in International Carbon Markets equips professionals with a deep understanding of the complexities and evolving dynamics of reaching global net zero through use of market mechanisms.  It will review the latest developments in international carbon markets, including Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, providing insights into both the current trajectory and likely evolution of the international carbon market ecosystem.

This Masterclass will provide an overview of the state of play of international voluntary and compliance carbon markets, explore the intersections between the two, and critically assess the opportunities and barriers to achieving net zero alignment within these systems. It will further introduce a variety of tools to inform assessments of carbon market projects, policies and practices, including as they relate to distinct jurisdictions and sectors.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a key driver of innovation in sustainable finance, offering new ways to understand the impact of complex global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. By enabling faster, more accurate analysis of vast and diverse datasets, AI can help identify sustainability risks, uncover responsible investment opportunities, and enhance corporate accountability in near real-time. From general-purpose tools like ChatGPT to bespoke models tailored to organisation’s workstreams, AI is already being adopted across the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

While AI holds enormous potential for advancing sustainable finance, not all AI applications deliver meaningful value. Understanding the difference between potential and practical impact is essential. For instance, while AI can automate sustainability and financial analyses, it may struggle with poor data quality, lack of transparency, or context-specific nuances, particularly in emerging markets or underserved communities. Similarly, predictive models for climate risk can be powerful decision-support tools, but only when built on robust, inclusive data and interpreted with care.

For public and third sector professionals working at the intersection of finance and sustainability, it is crucial to move beyond buzzwords and critically assess where AI can genuinely add value, and where it may fall short or even introduce new risks. These sectors have a unique responsibility to ensure that AI is used ethically, inclusively, and in alignment with long-term public interest. This masterclass is designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and critical perspective needed to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, and to lead with confidence in a future where data and algorithms increasingly shape how we define and deliver sustainability.