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Carbon Compass

Carbon Compass

By: Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard
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Carbon Compass is a podcast by Brundtland that breaks down the fast-evolving world of carbon markets and carbon finance. Rooted in South Africa but globally relevant, we explore how carbon credits can be leveraged as a catalyst for meaningful climate action. Through expert-led conversations, we unpack the mechanics, opportunities, and challenges of navigating a carbon-constrained world — for policymakers, project developers, and the climate-conscious.Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard Earth Sciences Economics Science
Episodes
  • Carbon Credits Are Changing — Unpacking Verra’s VCS 5 Update

    Carbon Credits Are Changing — Unpacking Verra’s VCS 5 Update
    Jun 23 2026
    In this episode, we discuss Verra’s recently released VCS Standard 5.0 and what it means for carbon project developers.

    The carbon credit rulebook is changing. VCS 5 introduces important updates to how carbon projects are developed, registered, renewed, and verified — with a stronger focus on integrity, clearer rights, earlier planning, and more meaningful stakeholder engagement.

    Hosted by Emma Reinecke, this roundtable discussion brings together Henk Sa, Partner and Head of Carbon Finance at Brundtland, Nimesha, Sustainability Consultant at Brundtland, and Dylan, Sustainability Consultant at Brundtland, to break down the VCS 5 overhaul in practical, accessible terms.

    Key points of discussion:
    • Why Verra’s VCS 5 update matters for carbon project developers
    • When the new requirements start to apply, and why developers should prepare early
    • How project timelines, registration, and crediting periods are changing
    • Why legal rights, ownership arrangements, and rights to carbon reductions and removals need to be clearer from the start
    • What stronger stakeholder engagement requirements could mean in practice
    • How changes to additionality may affect project evidence and financial planning
    • Why Verra’s new approach to project eligibility could open opportunities for certain project types
    • Other changes developers should keep on their radar as the carbon credit market evolves

    VCS 5 is more than a technical update. It signals a broader shift in the carbon market toward stronger governance, clearer rules, and higher-integrity credits. For project developers, the message is simple: start planning early.

    Want to keep the conversation going or learn more about what we do?
    📧 Get in touch at info@brundtland.co.za
    📞 Call us on (0)11 44 77 892
    🌍 Explore our work at https://www.brundtland.co.za/
    🔗 And follow us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brundtland/posts/?feedView=all 🌍 Explore our work · 🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and more
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    33 mins
  • Championing a Just Transition with Carbon Credits (with TransEnergy)

    Championing a Just Transition with Carbon Credits (with TransEnergy)
    Dec 8 2025
    In this episode, we sit down with one of our clients, TransEnergy Global, to explore the incredible work they’re doing. We unpack their journey in implementing a first-of-its-kind project, hear their perspective on South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, and discuss the role carbon credits can play in accelerating it. We also dive into the progress made so far in developing their methodology and we wrap up with a quick conversation on the Global Citizen Now event held on 21 November 2025.

    Key takeaways of discussion:
    • How carbon credits can be reinvested for even greater impact
    • What a Just Energy Transition truly means, according to TransEnergy
    • How the Coal Abatement for an Energy Transition methodology addresses key sticking points such as permanence and leakage
    • What major learnings TransEnergy have from their journey so far
    • Why platforms such as the Global Citizen Now matter for climate action

    Stay tuned for an exciting announcement towards the end of the episode!

    Please also make sure to keep up with TransEnergy:
    🌍 Find out more about TransEnergy and Project Mzansi https://transenergy-global.com/
    🔗 And follow for exciting updates https://www.linkedin.com/company/transenergyglobal/

    And as always, connect with us on the following:
    📧 Get in touch at info@brundtland.co.za
    📞 Call us on (0)11 44 77 892
    🌍 Explore our work at https://www.brundtland.co.za/
    🔗 And follow us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brundtland/posts/?feedView=all 🌍 Find out more about TransEnergy and Project Mzansi · 🌍 Explore our work · 🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and more
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    26 mins
  • Carbon 101 – Demystifying Carbon Credits

    Carbon 101 – Demystifying Carbon Credits
    Sep 29 2025
    Carbon credits play a critical role in global climate action, yet their complexity often makes them challenging to understand.

    In this episode, Joseph Freimond, Sustainability Consultant at Brundtland, speaks with Henk Sa, Partner and Head of Carbon Finance at Brundtland, who brings over 20 years of experience in the global carbon industry. Together, they unpack the full carbon credit journey, from conception to commercialisation. Henk explains what carbon credits are, how they’re created and verified, and why concepts like additionality are key to ensuring real climate impact. He also shares why project developers should start carbon credit planning early, and addresses common concerns about quality and credibility in this evolving market.

    Whether you’re new to carbon markets or looking to deepen your expertise, this episode helps build a foundational understanding of one of the most important tools for driving emissions reductions.

    Key points of discussion:
    • What carbon credits are and how they offset emissions
    • The role of carbon standards, rules, and methodologies
    • Step-by-step process of registering, monitoring, and verifying carbon projects
    • Typical timeline and costs involved in generating credits
    • Understanding additionality and why it matters
    • Common challenges and misconceptions about carbon credits
    • Practical advice for integrating carbon credits into project development
    If you’re ready to navigate the world of carbon credits with confidence, this episode is your essential starting point.

    Want to keep the conversation going or learn more about what we do?
    📧 Get in touch at info@brundtland.co.za
    📞 Call us on (0)11 44 77 892 🌍 Explore our work · 🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and more
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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