Founding and Vision

Central to IDEACarbon’s mission was the intention to inspire confidence among institutional investors, empowering them to evaluate the risks and potential returns associated with the burgeoning asset class of climate solutions, ultimately fostering increased investment in this critical arena.

Milestones

June 25, 2008: A Momentous Launch
On this date, Lord Nicholas Stern took center stage as he launched the Carbon Ratings Agency at the venerable London Stock Exchange, assuming the role of Vice Chair within the agency.

Attracting Leading Experts
IDEAglobal Group assembled a cadre of highly motivated and distinguished experts, particularly in the domains of climate policy and the development of rigorous tools for quantifying the “environmental returns of Natural Capital.” This multidisciplinary approach allowed for the measurement of climate-related assets in a manner that could be readily compared to established standards in major asset classes like stocks, bonds, and commodities.

The Inspiring Role of Christiana Figueres
Christiana Figueres played a vital role within The Carbon Ratings Agency as Vice Chair of its Ratings Committee for several years. Her remarkable journey later led her to the helm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where she played a central role in the negotiations culminating in the historic Paris Agreement. Her efforts earned her the moniker “the woman tasked with saving the world from global warming” in recognition of her extraordinary contributions.

Lord Stern’s Benchmark Framework
Lord Nicholas Stern authored a pivotal framework entitled “The Economics of Climate Change,” which has since served as a cornerstone for global policymakers and the private sector. This framework provided a means to translate climate risk into macroeconomic terms, making it an essential reference point.