WHY WE ENGAGE
We believe that carbon markets and the multilateral cooperation in the UNFCCC plays the critical role in the global fight against climate change.
While voluntary corporate action remains important, it will lack the scale and accountability that a global framework of oversight by sovereigns in the UNFCCC can provide.
Under the UN framework first countries fasten their regulatory frameworks to kick off markets. With emerging demand and supply centres the carbon universe expands, gets richer and complex. The expected nationalisation of standards and decisions will change the face of voluntary carbon markets. Weighing chances and hedging risks call for informed decisions.
We worked in the carbon markets for over a decade and were piloting ground rules of Article 6 with developer and governments. We are convinced that, despite the perceived complexity, it is possible for countries, investors, developers and technology providers to navigate carbon markets successfully.
REFERENCES
On the regulatory front, Classen has been involved in technical work on Article 6 and carbon market transactions with the Government of Gambia, and is currently engaged in Zambia to scope the country’s carbon market policy, addressing challenges and obstacles to the implementation of carbon market frameworks.
Mischa Classen has extensive experience in transactional support, as he notably established the procurement process and negotiated the first forward Mitigation Outcome Purchase Agreement for the KliK Foundation. This expertise forms the cornerstone of Classen's work in business proofing advisory. The company provides comprehensive support through financial modelling and project proofing, encompassing project documents (MAIN, MADD, MOPA) review, improvement, and drafting, across diverse topics such as informal palm oil production or renewable energy. The transactional support can also be combined with policy advisory work, as is the case with a coal phase-out project in the Philippines.
Classen also provides targeted capacity-building trainings, ranging from deep-dive technical sessions with clients engaged in Article 6 transactions to thematic sessions (e.g., REDD+ and Article 6), as well as full-day workshops on Article 6 implementation with government officials. To ensure a seamless engagement in carbon markets under Article 6, the training component is combined with a continuous and reactive Q&A process between the client and Classen.
WE ARE CLASSEN
Mischa Classen
Mischa Classen has over 15 years of experience with carbon markets in different positions. For the KliK Foundation, he developed the acquisition process to procure ITMOs and the eligibility criteria. This includes the establishment of the MOPA template and the negotiation of first MOPAs for KliK. He was part of the negotiations of the first bilateral agreement between Peru and Switzerland and had close relation with the Governments of Senegal to define the requisite procedural elements to underpin the project development and approval processes under the bilateral agreement. From his engagements, he is acquainted with the competent government bodies of sovereign buyer and seller countries and entertains continued relations. As accredited auditor for Swiss mitigation activities with SGS Switzerland, he has an in-depth understanding of the Swiss carbonmarket framework and its requirements for projects.
Morgane Kundert
Morgane Kundert has specialised in carbon markets since her time at the Embassy of Switzerland in Thailand. There, she supported the implementation of the Swiss-Thai bilateral agreement, through the KliK e-bus project. This provided her with valuable insights into implementation and authorisation processes from both the buyer's and seller's perspectives. After her tenure with the Swiss Government, Morgane joined IETA, where supported the organisation of the first-ever West Africa Carbon Market Hub in Abidjan, thereby expanding her network of public and private regional stakeholders. Additionally, she was closely monitoring developments under the UN framework of Article 6, notably the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body's work. Morgane has joined Classen in 2024, leveraging her knowledge of Article 6 policies to enhance advisory solutions across the three core pillars: policy advisory, business proofing, and training.