By Manuel Pulgar-Vidal Global Leader, Climate & Energy, WWF, Yannick Glemarec President of Gold Standard, Veronica Scotti Gold Standard Board member, Preety Bhandari Former Senior Advisor, Global Climate Program and the Finance Center, World Resources Institute (WRI), Matt Spannagle Director, Climate change, Palladium, Luc Gnacadja President of GPS-Dev (Governance & Policies for Sustainable Development)
In this fireside chat, Board members join CEO Margaret Kim to explore the evolving climate and nature agenda, and why integrity, inclusivity, and credibility are key to delivering real-world impact. The conversation will also introduce the conference’s two streams: the Corporate Stream, supporting companies in taking high-integrity, science-aligned action; and the Impact Stream, focused on helping project developers, VVBs, and market actors improve measurement, access markets, and unlock finance.
Corporate stream
Sustainable Impact stream
10:15 - 11:00
Plenary | How to ensure Climate Impact delivers for People & Nature
By Hadika Jamshaid NDCs and Climate Finance Advisor, NDC Partnership, Philippe Varin Chair, International Chamber of Commerce , Feisal Hussain Senior Director, Innovative Finance, Clean Cooking Alliance
Turning ambition into real-world outcomes means tackling complex questions about what credible impact truly means. This panel brings together diverse voices to explore how corporate climate action can deliver not just emissions reductions, but transformational benefits for communities and ecosystems. Expect a candid conversation on defining credible impact, navigating risks, and advancing strategies that ensure climate action is both equitable and effective.
Corporate stream
Sustainable Impact stream
11:00 - 11:30
Networking break
11:30 - 12:30
Panel | Expanding frontiers: How Project Developers can position themselves for new markets
By Daniel Tutu Benefoh Lead, Mitigation, GHG Inventory and Reporting Program, Ghana Environmental Protection Agency , Carl-Magnus Kjellman Policy Advisor, International Climate Cooperation, Swedish Energy Agency
, Pablo Fernandez Chief Executive Officer, Ecosecurities
, Karolien Casaer-Diez Global Senior Director - Article 6, South Pole
, Juan Carlos Arredondo Brun Director of Knowledge, Policy and Advocacy, Abatable
The past few years have seen the emergence of new carbon credit demand from compliance markets, across Article 6, CORSIA and national carbon taxes. This panel will explore recent developments and prospects for compliance demand globally, how market leaders are responding, as well as key considerations for project developers seeking to supply credits into these markets.
Sustainable Impact stream
11:30 - 12:30
Masterclass | Designing Climate Strategies in a Changing Landscape - Navigating evolving guidance from SBTi, GHG Protocol & CSRD
By Benja Faecks Expert on Global Carbon Markets, Carbon Market Watch
, Andres Casallas Climate Accounting and Standards, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Hanna-Mari Ahonen Senior Consultant, Climate Policy and Carbon Markets,
Perspectives Climate Group
With evolving guidance from SBTi, GHG Protocol, and CSRD, companies face new complexity in crafting climate strategies. This masterclass offers insights, practical approaches, and strategic considerations to help corporates move beyond compliance and deliver real impact.
Corporate stream
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 - 14:30
Showcase | Innovating for Integrity - Digital Tools for the Carbon Market
Digitisation is at the forefront of Gold Standard's plans to drive efficiency, accuracy and impact through our work. In this session, Gold Standard will present its latest digital tools and preview future innovations under its GSIQ digitisation programme, and invite first movers under its digital MRV programme to showcase their work.
Sustainable Impact stream
14:00 - 15:30
Panel | Demystifying removals - the role and use cases for removals in your corporate strategy
By Delia Meth-Cohn Integration Director, Rethinking Removals, Kaya Axelsson Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford, Mathilde Mignot Director of Nature and Technology-based Solutions, EcoAct
Explore the evolving role of carbon removals in corporate strategies. This panel will unpack the opportunities, challenges, and best practices for integrating removals into credible climate action plans
Corporate stream
14:30 - 15:30
Workshop | Deepening digitisation for efficiency, accuracy and impact
In the era of artificial intelligence and disruptive technology, digital solutions can play a critical role elevating impact and reducing friction across the carbon market. In this session, experts will explore the next frontiers of digitisation across the carbon value chain, highlighting solutions that can boost efficiency, accuracy and connectivity for project developers and other market actors.
Sustainable Impact stream
15:30 - 16:00
Networking break
16:00 - 17:15
Plenary | Carbon Markets and Corporate Strategy
By Esther Finidori Head of public affairs, Schneider Electric, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal Global Leader, Climate & Energy, WWF, Russell Karas Senior Vice President, Strategic Market Solutions, Xpansiv
As expectations for corporate climate action evolve, companies have been uncertain about how carbon markets should play a credible role in their strategies. This moderated session unpacks what “high-impact” means at the intersection of corporate strategy and evolving carbon market frameworks. Expect an honest discussion of tensions, shared principles, and pathways toward credible net-zero strategies that deliver positive impact for people and nature.
If the convergence of climate and nature priorities is underway, delivering measurable, equitable impact becomes both more urgent and more complex. This panel brings together business and project leaders to explore what this convergence means in practice and what “good” looks like for those seeking to lead. Speakers will discuss practical tools, pathways, and innovations that can help corporates, investors, and project developers respond effectively, drawing on lessons from the field and reflecting on common barriers and challenges. The session will also introduce Gold Standard’s new framework for corporate nature strategies as a resource to support integrated, high-integrity action for communities and ecosystems.
Corporate stream
Sustainable Impact stream
10:45 - 11:30
Networking break
11:30 - 12:30
Plenary | Frameworks of the future: Trends in host country action
By David Ongare Director, Environmental Compliance, Kenyan National Environment Management Authority , Saurabh Diddi Director, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India
, Dr. Wei-nee Chen Head of Carbon Market, Bursa Malaysia
Across the world, governments are adopting new frameworks for carbon market activity within their borders, with a growth in new regulations, local standards and national infrastructure. This panel will explore the motivations for national and regional action, perspectives on the international market, and the implications of a transition to more localised market frameworks.
Corporate stream
Sustainable Impact stream
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break and Workshops
14:00 - 15:45
Workshop | Unlocking Finance for projects: Tools and Strategies
Against a challenging economic backdrop, financing remains a critical barrier for many projects. This workshop will explore common financing challenges, available options, and targeted solutions, including for small-scale projects. It will also examine how a shifting market landscape is reshaping project financing and carbon credit valuations.
Sustainable Impact stream
14:00 - 15:45
Panel & Workshop | Good Business and how companies can deliver for nature
By Megan Simpson Senior Consultant, Shared Planet
, Conor Mc Mahon Global Net Zero & Nature Lead, Nestlé, Scarlet Benson Senior Director, Systemiq, Giulia Carbone Director, Nature for Climate, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development
This interactive session invites participants to engage with Gold Standard's new framework for corporate nature strategies through expert insights, a case study, and panel discussion. Roundtable discussions will give participants the chance to explore what the framework means for their organisation, identify barriers and next steps, and provide feedback to help shape and strengthen the framework going forward.