Anna Karakitsos, senior government affairs adviser with Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group, spoke with Asia Financial about the future of voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) under President-elect Donald Trump.
“If he [Trump] pulls back federal funding for clean energy… it will slow the expansion and credibility of VCMs in the US by limiting funding for high-quality carbon projects and weakening verification standards. And that absolutely will impact the supply of credits,” Karakitsos said.
In contrast, Karakitsos said that getting “a leg up against China” could motivate Trump to strengthen US participation in VCMs.
“He could influence global trade practices by leveraging [VCMs] in international trade negotiations and integrate carbon-related trade mechanisms or standards with major trade partners like the EU, who are also tightening their carbon standards,” she added.
