The Zurich CMA was delighted to welcome about 40 participants from the players of Zürich’s important Financial Hub and (other) Carbon Market Experts to discuss Investment Risks and Opportunities in the Carbon Market.

After a somewhat provocative start by Stefan Rüegg, Manager Sustainability Consulting, PriceWaterhouse Coopers mostly focusing his intervention around three thesis, as depicted in the picture:

.. three challengers intervened:

• David Bresch, Head Sustainability & Political Risk Management, Swiss Re
• Tuomas Rautanen, Head Regulatory Affairs and Consulting, First Climate
• Maximilian Horster, Managing Partner, Climate Neutral Investments / South Pole Carbon.

The vivid discussion that followed was moderated by Richard Vögeli, Member of the Board and Senior Advisor, Brugger und Partner AG and focused mainly on the required distinction between the regulated and the voluntary carbon markets, the broader picture of internalizing externalities, the relative significance “carbon” is going to take in the overall “cake” of sustainability issues (such as water, etc) and the role of carbon markets (especially in mitigation of volume risks (vs. carbon projects developed in-house)).

We thank all participants for their coming and contributions and especially  Bank Vontobel for hosting the event and sponsoring a light lunch (sandwiches)! More pictures are available on our flickr account or in the widget on the right.

We look forward to seeing you all again latest during our next event on “Durban outcome – prospects for the carbon markets in 2012″ (Jan 10th 2012). If you would like to contribute to this event,  please do not hesitate to contact axel.michaelowa(at)zurich-cma.org.