Demystifying Carbon Markets and Credits in Africa

Demystifying Carbon Markets in AfricaSeptember 2024 | Digital Workshop

PARTNER WITH US

6+

COUNTRIES

25

CLASS SIZE

10+

FACULTIES

8+

MODULES

6

CASE STUDIES

4

WORKSTREAMS

Maximizing Carbon Value

To accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, policymakers are increasingly turning to market-based solutions. Central to these efforts are carbon markets and their pricing mechanisms, which are being implemented globally to incentivize emissions reductions. By internalizing the cost of carbon, these markets drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and attract investment in clean technologies.

In this context, corporations and other stakeholders in carbon markets have increasingly focused on Africa. This attention stems from the continent’s vast potential for projects that can generate investable and tradable carbon credits. However, these projects are significantly shaped by country-specific and governance risks, especially given the provisions of Article 6. This programme will explore the role of carbon markets and credits in promoting low-carbon investments, raise government revenues, and support economic growth across Africa.

Programme Themes

Voluntary carbon market

What strategies are African pension funds employing to protect and grow their portfolios in an environment characterized by increasing interest rates, elevated inflation, and decelerating economic growth?

Carbon Market Segments

How are African asset owners leveraging global diversification across asset classes, market caps, and investment styles to enhance risk management and return potential?

Uncertainty

Finding balance with retirement ‘values vs. value’ — how, and when ESG considerations should, and should not, drive pension fund investments.

South Africa Domestic Carbon Offset Market

Pension funds are increasingly integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria into their investment decisions as investor preferences evolve. However, there are diverse perspectives on whether, how, and when ESG criteria should influence pension fund investments. This debate revolves around the fundamental question: "ESG to what end?" How can pension funds ensure they comprehend their stakeholders' expectations while balancing these preferences with their goals of enhancing investment performance, mitigating portfolio risk, and delivering desired retirement outcomes?

Carbon Trading

While Africa offers vast potential in this space, concerns regarding its future trajectory are emerging. This session delves into the key considerations for African countries to navigate their carbon markets effectively. How can Africa effectively leverage carbon markets for sustainable development?

Clean Development Mechanism

Blended finance is emerging as a transformative approach to mobilizing capital for climate and nature-related projects, which often face challenges in attracting traditional investment. This session will explore the practical strategies and innovative mechanisms through which blended finance can bridge this gap, enhancing institutional allocation at scale.

Voluntary Carbon Market

Green hydrogen could play a critical role in addressing climate change. In Africa, it offers an alternative to the fossil fuels that currently power most economies. However, realizing the benefits of hydrogen requires overcoming key challenges, particularly in de-risking institutional investments. What are the pathways to de-risking and commercializing Africa hydrogen?

gender-responsive finance

Gender-responsive climate action has the potential to increase the overall effectiveness of adaptation finance and foster system-level resilience. In this session, we will explore how bridging this gap can enhance climate action, scale capital for sustainable innovations and enhance systemic value creation.

Sustainable banking

Banks are navigating the complex landscape of climate-related financial risk. As the low-carbon transition accelerates, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to understand and manage the physical and transition risks posed by climate change. This session brings together leading sustainable banks to explore best practices for identifying, assessing, and mitigating these risks while seizing emerging opportunities.

climate risk and financial valuation

Climate change has reshaped the investment landscape. Its impact on business, supply chains, and markets is significant. As investors seek to make informed decisions, understanding and quantifying climate-related risks becomes paramount. How can investors effectively integrate climate risk into their investment processes to identify opportunities and mitigate potential losses? What strategies can be employed to capitalise on the emerging climate-related business opportunities?

REGULATION AND climate RISK

Climate change poses financial risks that can impact the safety and stability of financial institutions, as well as the real economy. These risks can affect multiple sectors of the economy and may lead to a lack of access to financial services, and unfair treatment of customers. This session examines how industry regulators are collaborating with financial institutions to address these challenges and safeguard financial stability.

reporting frameworks

The proliferation of voluntary reporting regimes and diverse standards has created significant complexity and confusion. What are the prospects for convergence in sustainability reporting? Additionally, how do reporting standards not originally developed in Africa but adopted by African markets impact the region materially

Nature Finance

How can we effectively incorporate the value of natural resources and ecosystems into financial decision-making processes? What are the true costs and benefits of considering environmental impacts? What mechanisms can be deployed to redirect investments to support conservation, enhance corporate sustainability, and mitigate ecological risks?

comprehensive platform for senior executives

SASFI is a platform for financial and investment professionals, corporate executives, policy makers, and regulators. It also caters to institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), development finance institutions (DFIs), pension funds, endowments, family offices, and insurance companies. Additionally, consultants in sustainability, environmental scientists, legal and compliance professionals, and green tech entrepreneurs will benefit from the SASFI ecosystem.

Boost your brand's visibility and reach

A platform for senior executives

Unfettered Debate on Critical Matters

Benefits for your organisation and you >

Stability, Growth and Long-term Savings: How can central banks help catalyse long-term savings?
Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Investment strategies for today’s challenges.
Safe Havens in Developed and Emerging Markets?: Navigating markets amidst geopolitical tensions.
Fixed Income: Maximising returns for pension funds in the new yield environment.
ESG to What End?: This session examines finding balance with retirement ‘values vs. value’
Private Credit: Assessing opportunities and challenges in private credit markets.

Sponsors & Partners

60+ Speakers Featuring

James Brice

EY

Nadège Hopman

EIB

David Wood

Wadappt

Sanisha Packirisamy

Momentum Investments

Kershia Singh

FSCA

Lucky Pane

PIC

Saphira Patel

BII

Tania Swanepoel

OMAI

Will Pearson

USAID

Mike Peo

Nedbank CIB

Jesmane Boggenpoel

AIH Capital

Janice Johnston

Edge Growth Ventures

Gabrielle Hussain

JSE

Shameela Soobramoney

NBI

Belaina Negash

GEPF

Vukile Davidson

South African National Treasury

Make Your Mark: Be Seen, Be Heard

Please do not hesitate to contact Peace Natachy via email at pnatachy@asfi.africa or by phone at 447763 566 145 to discuss how can be part of this initiative. Our aim is to maximize your return on investment by offering in-person, virtual, and on-demand access to our programmes. We strongly encourage you to reach out for further information.

Organising Partners

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In a market inundated with sustainability and ESG conferences, it's truly refreshing to engage in a carefully curated program that not only offers relevance and practical insights but also highlights investment opportunities that investors can actively allocate capital to today.

Nicole Martens

ASFI Forums consistently offer comprehensive content and a diverse audience that addresses pertinent industry issues. Having participated in the South Africa program for three years, I can attest to the inclusion of all key stakeholders necessary for driving progress in the industry.

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Shameela Soobramoney

The ASFI South Africa Forum, with its intimate curation and thoughtful delivery, has been a consistent part of my event calendar for a couple of years. It represents a departure from the typical talkshow format and corporate jargon, making it a unique and valuable experience.

Charles Buchanan

I had the privilege of chairing the ASFI Namibia 2023 Forum, and it proved to be an enriching learning experience. ASFI organized a highly relevant program and delivered it in a relaxed atmosphere, allowing us to delve deeply into the issues that truly matter to Namibia.

Jason Kasuto

As catalysts for the advancement of sustainable finance in Namibia, we are continuously in search of platforms that offer us the opportunity to educate, inform, and positively influence our ecosystem. Being a part of the ASFI Community brings us great satisfaction.

Industry-led, solution-oriented, and transaction-focused.

A 13-panel agenda was meticulously designed and co-curated in collaboration with leading ESG, sustainable finance, and climate finance experts. This agenda reflects the latest insights and best practices from the foremost practitioners in these critical fields. The event has two stages, each hosting concurrent sessions to promote in-depth discussions and robust audience participation. The formats are crafted to facilitate detailed conversations and actively engage participants in meaningful contributions.

Chatham House Rule

SASFI is closed to media and strictly adheres to the Chatham House Rule. This rule permits attendees to use the information shared during the sessions but prohibits revealing the identity or affiliation of any speaker or participant. Recording panels and roundtables is strictly prohibited to maintain confidentiality and integrity.

Featured Sessions

Finding balance with retirement ‘values vs. value’

Carbon Markets

Unlocking blended finance