Navigating Net Zero with Alexia Kelly

In this episode of the Navigating Net Zero: In Focus mini-series on Developments in Climate Standards & Guidance, Alexia Kelly is joined by Amy Merrill, CEO of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). Amy outlines how the independent governance body is creating an auditable, regulatory-style floor for credit quality through its Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). They unpack the mechanics of ICVCM's "double-tick" framework – evaluating both program governance and project-level quantification methodologies – to explain how 13 CCP-eligible programs representing 96% of the market are now providing comparable, high-integrity carbon credits to institutional buyers and corporate procurement teams.Highlights from the Discussion:The Mechanics of the "Double-Tick" Assessment: Amy breaks down how ICVCM evaluates carbon registries on governance, transparency, and grievance handling (Tick 1) alongside methodology-specific assessments of additionality, conservative baselines, and reversal risk (Tick 2).Pre-Market Conditioning and Governance Reform: How publishing strict threshold requirements has driven carbon crediting programs to proactively upgrade their internal governance and risk management frameworks before undergoing formal review.Continuous Improvement and the Rule Architecture: An inside look at how stakeholder-led Continuous Improvement Work Programs (CIWPs) and the new Rule Architecture allow the ICVCM to clarify, interpret, and deepen quality standards over time without stranding market investments.

In this episode of the Navigating Net Zero: In Focus – Developments in Climate Standards & Guidance, host Alexia Kelly is joined by Chris Davis, Senior Fellow at the High Tide Foundation and lead for the Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency (TCAT). Chris unpacks the fundamental challenges facing corporate sustainability leaders as legacy carbon accounting standards fail to keep pace with modern market instruments. They discuss TCAT’s practitioner-led framework – including the Mitigation Action Accounting & Reporting Guidance (MAARG) and Targeted Action Reporting Guidance (TARG) – which provides the scaffolding companies need to report mitigation actions credibly, satisfy financial auditors and assurability requirements, and navigate complex global disclosure regulations amidst anti-ESG scrutiny.Highlights from the Discussion:Bridging the Third-Party Assurability Gap: Chris explains how TCAT fills a critical void by creating auditable, rule-based methodologies that allow accounting firms to assure active mitigation investments with the same rigor applied to financial audits.The Architecture of the MAARG Logic Structure: A breakdown of TCAT’s multi-statement "sorting hat" framework, which applies strict logical tests to categorize corporate climate interventions inside or outside direct value chain footprints.Standardizing Regulatory Disclosures via TARG: How TARG translates granular mitigation data into audit-ready reporting templates, easing administrative friction for multinationals navigating complex global disclosure mandates.Differentiating Caused Mitigation from Footprint Volatility: Why net inventory changes fall short, and how TCAT isolates direct corporate investments so companies receive credit for intentional decarbonization rather than macro-economic shifts.

In this episode of the Navigating Net Zero: In Focus mini-series on Developments in Climate Standards & Guidance, host Alexia Kelly is joined by longtime climate policy expert Kim Carnahan. Kim shares the story behind launching the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), which led to the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) and informed the development of the new AIM Platform Standard and Guidance.Together, Alexia and Kim explore:Why Scope 3 accounting remains such a challengeHow buyer alliances and book-and-claim systems workThe launch of the new AIM Platform StandardWhy accounting rules are shaping the speed of climate actionThe balance between environmental integrity and scaling investmentA thoughtful conversation about the future of corporate decarbonization and the market infrastructure needed to reach net zero.

What happens when the world’s most widely used carbon accounting rules evolve from a voluntary framework to being crucial regulatory infrastructure? In this episode, host Alexia Kelly sits down with Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Executive Co-Chair of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Dominic maps out the massive institutional transformation currently underway at the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, as carbon data moves directly into the sightlines of CFOs, global regulators, and international standard-setters like the ISSB and ISO.Highlights from the Discussion:Born in Chaos: Dominic reminds us of the protocol's unique DNA, tracing back to the mid-1990s when Dow Chemical, General Motors, and BP sat down with WRI and WBCSD to design the Scope 1, 2, and 3 framework at a moment when nothing else existed.The Structural Evolution of the GHG Protocol: A behind-the-scenes look at the professionalization of the protocol, including the creation of an Independent Standards Board, a new steering committee chaired by Geraldine Matchett, and the appointment of Tim Mohin as CEO.The Global Regulatory Leap: How the voluntary framework is being hardcoded into mandatory laws, from California's climate legislation to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) alignment across 38 jurisdictions—including China’s 2027 alignment journey.The ISO & Global Collaboration Milestone: Celebrating the major alignment launched at COP30 in Brazil, uniting greenhouse gas accounting with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) across 174 countries.

How do we pivot global corporate behavior from making broad climate commitments to deploying capital for deep decarbonization? In this episode of Navigating Net Zero’s In Focus mini-series on Climate Standards and Guidance, host Alexia Kelly sits down with Amy Brachio, the newly appointed CEO of Carbon Measures. Leveraging nearly three decades of institutional experience at EY—including serving as its Global Vice Chair for Sustainability—Brachio argues that the roadblock to global net zero isn't a lack of corporate ambition, but a lack of functional market structures that incentivize scaled finance for low-carbon commodities.This deep-dive conversation explores the origin and theory behind Carbon Measures, a new greenhouse gas accounting initiative backed by some of the world's heaviest emitters. Brachio outlines their strategy to move past enterprise-wide risk disclosure toward product-level carbon intensity standards for globally traded commodities like steel, cement, and fuels. By standardizing accounting at the "cradle-to-gate" asset level, Carbon Measures aims to help lawmakers design trade-compliant curves that naturally retool the upstream market supply signal.

How do we move carbon accounting from an administrative paperwork exercise to the literal balance sheets of global commerce? Host Alexia Kelly sits down with Greenhouse Gas Protocol CEO Tim Mohin to dissect the technical and institutional evolution required to make greenhouse gas data ready for Wall Street.Mohin highlights the critical role of third-party assurance, detailing the massive effort to mature and align global emissions tracking systems. They also discuss the transition of emissions accounting from voluntary corporate public relations to hard financial regulation. He explains how the landmark partnership between the GHG Protocol and the International Standards Organization (ISO) will harmonize standards worldwide, paving the way for legally binding climate disclosures across seventy jurisdictions representing the vast majority of global GDP.Featured Episode Quote:"The ultimate goal here is to incorporate climate into our financial system so that we can flow capital to sustainable business practices. That's what investors want, that's what all the capital markets want, because climate change is real and it's here." — Tim MohinKey Discussion Points:The Push for Assurability: Why working with major audit firms at the front end of standard development ensures carbon data can withstand regulatory and legal scrutiny.Dismantling the Silos: Shifting environmental reporting away from a segregated corporate side-show and fully integrating it into mainstream financial reporting.Capital Allocation Dynamics: How reliable, comparable climate metrics empower institutional investors to fund sustainable portfolios on global markets.

In Focus: Developments in Climate Standards and GuidanceA special mini-series from Navigating Net ZeroGreenhouse gas accounting is changing rapidly. New standards are emerging, established frameworks are being revised, and organizations everywhere are trying to understand what these changes mean for climate action and investment.In this special In Focus mini-series, host Alexia Kelly speaks with the leaders behind the world’s leading greenhouse gas accounting frameworks about the work they’re doing to shape the future of climate action. Together, they unpack the latest developments, explain how different standards fit together, and explore what's coming next.Hear directly from leaders representing:The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP)Carbon MeasuresThe AIM PlatformThe Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency (TCAT)The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM)And moreWhether you're a sustainability professional, climate strategist, ESG leader, or simply trying to understand where greenhouse gas accounting is heading, this mini-series will help you better understand the standards that underpin credible climate action.In Focus: Developments in Climate Standards and Guidance is a special mini-series from Navigating Net Zero—the podcast exploring what's working, what's not, and what's next in the global transition to net zero.Episode 1 launches on July 21st 2026

After a year of conversations with the people shaping climate action, Navigating Net Zero’s host Alexia Kelly steps back to reflect on what she's learned.This isn't a collection of Season One highlights. It's a thoughtful exploration of the ideas that surfaced again and again across thirteen remarkable conversations: why climate action is ultimately about people before policy; why today's accounting rules are struggling to keep pace with tomorrow's ambition; why markets, trust and transparency remain essential to scaling solutions; why meaningful progress depends on engaging across political, corporate and ideological divides; and why taking care of ourselves may be just as important as our work.Throughout its first season, Navigating Net Zero has looked beyond headlines and net zero pledges to examine where real decisions are made—in boardrooms, supply chains, finance teams and communities. In this closing episode, Alexia draws those conversations together into something more enduring: a field guide for navigating complexity with curiosity, humility and hope.As the first season comes to a close, Alexia reflects on why, despite the scale of the challenge, she remains optimistic—not because the road ahead is easy, but because of the extraordinary people committed to walking it.

Host Alexia Kelly sits down with Richard Lawrence, founder of Overlook Investments Group and co-founder of multiple climate-focused organizations, to discuss carbon markets, climate philanthropy, and what has driven his work in both over the decades. Richard shares how a medical mission to Honduras transformed into a 20-year journey of installing more than 400,000 fuel-efficient cookstoves and how high-integrity carbon finance makes it possible.Key Topics Discussed:The Origin of Proyecto Mirador: How an 11-year-old girl identified a public health crisis that led to a massive climate solution.Continuous Improvement: Why technical innovation—like a simple $1 ash wiper—is the key to project durability.The "Top of the Pyramid": Comparing high-performance investment portfolios to high-integrity carbon projects.The Future of the Market: The role of transparency, the ICVCM, and transitioning from "voluntary" to "verified" carbon markets.Tripling Down on Climate Philanthropy: Why the ultra-wealthy need to increase their payout ratios to address the climate crisis.

Let’s be honest—climate messaging isn’t landing the way it needs to.In this episode, Alexia Kelly is joined by Kalee Kreider, one of the world’s leading climate communicators, to talk about why… and what we can do about it.From working with Al Gore on An Inconvenient Truth to advising global organizations, Kalee has spent decades figuring out what actually connects with people—and what completely misses the mark.They dive into:Why your climate message probably isn’t reaching the people you think it isThe danger of “smart-sounding” language (and how to simplify without dumbing down)How methane went from overlooked to a “climate moment”Why people need hope + solutions—not just dataThe surprising real reason An Inconvenient Truth resonatedHow TikTok, LinkedIn, and AI are changing the gameWhy even experts need communication trainingPlus, Kalee shares her top 3 tips for becoming a better climate communicator—no matter your role.If you work in or are passionate about climate, this episode is a must-listen.

Alexia Kelly interviews Dr. Lea Borkenhagen, SVP at Environmental Defense Fund, about her career spanning economics, NGOs and corporate sustainability. Dr. Borkenhagen traces her path from studying orangutans in Borneo to exploring how markets shape resource use, then working with WWF and earning a PhD before joining Oxfam to help launch the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. They discuss Dr. Borkenhagen’s experience at Nike, and what it really takes to “win hearts and minds” as a sustainability professional. Dr. Borkenhagen’s work at EDF focuses on sustainability as a driver of business value—and she shares her expert perspective on how emerging topics like CBAM, climate impacts on supply chains, innovation, methane action, and more are reasons for hope in corporate climate progress, despite political headwind.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by Tisha Schuller, founder of Adamantine Energy and strategic advisor to Stanford's Natural Gas Initiative. She’s the author of four books: Accidentally Adamant (2018); The Game Changers Playbook: How Oil and Gas Leaders Thrive in an Era of Continuous Disruption (2020); Real Decarbonization: How Oil and Gas Companies Are Seizing the Low-Carbon Future; and The Myth in the Moment: From Polarization to Progress in the New Energy Landscape.Tisha shares her journey from environmental activism to environmental leadership in the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and pragmatism in achieving net zero. They discuss the challenges of the energy transition, the polarized climate debate, and the crucial role oil and gas companies are playing and should continue to play in reducing global carbon intensity. Tisha outlines the need for engagement, innovation, and incrementalism, urging the climate community to work constructively with the oil and gas sector. This dialogue highlights the complexities and opportunities in driving forward a sustainable energy future.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly speaks with Dr. Britt Wray, a leading voice on climate resilience and mental health, about the emotional challenges associated with the climate crisis. Dr. Wray, author of 'Generation Dread' and director at Stanford University’s CIRCLE initiative, shares her journey and work in addressing climate anxiety. They discuss the significance of acknowledging and processing climate grief and its role in driving purposeful action. Various supportive resources, including the Good Grief Network, are highlighted for those seeking community and coping mechanisms. The conversation also touches on the integration of emotional and technical approaches in the climate movement, especially in balancing professional and personal spheres. Tune in for an engaging discussion on navigating the emotional landscape of the climate crisis and the importance of mental resilience.

In this special review episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly reflects on her conversations with leading climate action and sustainability experts in 2025. With eight episodes featuring influential leaders from companies like Salesforce, Meta, Microsoft, Mars, Target, Oatly, and more, the podcast dove into critical issues such as internal change management, carbon accounting standards, market-based mechanisms, and the need for intellectual flexibility in tackling climate change.Key themes include the importance of engaging hearts and minds for deep decarbonization, the financial and logistical challenges of new technologies, and the role of corporate influence in driving systemic change. This episode underscores the urgency of climate action, the need for collective impact, and a focus on progress over perfection.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by Holly Lahd to discuss the intersection of carbon accounting and energy strategy. Holly shares her experiences working on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Scope 3 standard, her transition to corporate decarbonization efforts, and insights on regulated and wholesale energy markets. The discussion covers the evolution of electricity markets, the complexities of corporate climate strategies, and the challenges of Scope 3 emissions. Holly emphasizes the importance of large-scale renewable energy projects and the crucial role of corporate purchasing in driving decarbonization. The episode examines the interaction between financial structuring, market dynamics, and the need for both attributional and consequential accounting practices in corporate climate action. Tune in to explore how companies can navigate the transitional period of ambiguous guidelines and make impactful decisions.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly welcomes Liz Willmott, a climate and sustainability expert with over 20 years of experience across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, including a pivotal role at Microsoft. Liz shares her journey from a childhood tree hugger to leading Microsoft's carbon negative strategy and founding Earth Rise Consulting. The discussion covers the importance of market-based solutions like Microsoft’s internal carbon fee, the challenges and strategies for mainstreaming sustainability in corporations, and the need for intellectual flexibility and practical progress over perfection. Liz emphasizes the role of collaboration, the adaptation of climate solutions, and the mental resilience required for sustainability professionals. The conversation provides a comprehensive look at the multidimensional efforts needed to navigate the path to net zero.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly welcomes Peter Freed, a seasoned clean energy strategist with over two decades shaping the future of corporate clean energy and climate strategy. Peter, who has led energy strategy at Meta and now advises companies through Near Horizon Group, shares his journey from early work at Terra Pass to advancing corporate renewable energy initiatives. The discussion delves into the evolution of clean energy strategies, from initial carbon offsets to current greenhouse gas accounting practices.Peter highlights the importance of practical sustainability measures and the role of voluntary targets in driving corporate action. The conversation also covers the economic shifts in renewable energy procurement, noting a transition from a buyer’s to a seller’s market, and addresses the complexities of international markets, particularly in developing countries. They explore the significance of precise greenhouse gas accounting and the potential of AI to revolutionize grid management and materials science for clean energy. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) are identified as crucial for managing fossil fuel emissions amidst the clean energy transition.The episode concludes with reflections on maintaining corporate commitment to sustainability amidst evolving market and policy landscapes. Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities in achieving net zero, offering valuable insights for professionals navigating the complexities of corporate sustainability and clean energy innovation.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly talks with Jenny Morgan, a climate strategist, author, and climate champion. Jenny discusses her debut book, 'Cancel Culture and Climate,' which addresses how polarization, blame, and fear are impeding progress on sustainability goals. She shares her experiences at Microsoft and Tradewater, highlighting the challenges and successes in promoting sustainable actions. Jenny emphasizes the importance of empathy and collaboration in driving collective impact and offers insights on how to turn criticism into accountability and continuous improvement. The conversation delves into the role of voluntary climate action, the significance of short-lived climate pollutants, and the need for more transparent and detailed sustainability reporting. The episode concludes with strategies for fostering a collaborative and action-oriented climate community.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly is joined by Chris Davis, a seasoned climate and sustainability expert. They discuss Chris's extensive career in climate action spanning government, industry, and civil society, highlighting his recent work at Amazon and as a senior fellow at the High Tide Foundation. The conversation delves into the complexities of corporate climate action, the intricacies of greenhouse gas accounting, and the newly launched Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency (TCAT). They explore the need for and launch of two new corporate climate action guidance documents — the Mitigation Action Accounting and Reporting Guidance (MAARG) and the Target Accounting and Reporting Guidance (TARG) — and their role in helping companies navigate and report their climate actions transparently and consistently.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly interviews Lyrica McTiernan, a sustainability expert with over 15 years of experience. Lyrica shares her journey from her early days at Facebook, where she helped establish the company's sustainability program, to her time leading sustainability partnerships at WeWork. She discusses the evolution of corporate climate action, the challenges of setting and meeting sustainability targets, and the importance of transparency and internal alignment. The conversation highlights the need for adaptability in the face of evolving standards and the critical role of effective change management within companies.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by CSO Copilot’s Ashley Allen, whose career has spanned climate leadership at the United States Department of State, spearheading climate and land use initiatives at Mars, and serving as Oatly’s Chief Sustainability Officer. They discuss the challenges and strategies of setting ambitious net zero goals, the complexities of tackling supply chain emissions, and the vital role both large multinationals and smaller startups play in driving lasting change. The conversation also covers the impact of recent political shifts on global sustainability efforts and the promising future of nature-based solutions.

In the pilot episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly connects with Patrick Flynn, climate expert and former Head of Sustainability at Salesforce. Patrick and Alexia discuss his experience at Salesforce, where a strong culture throughout the entire organization – from teams in every part of Salesforce all the way to CEO Marc Benioff – was so important to embedding sustainability throughout the company, even to the point of establishing sustainability as a core company value. They also dive into the challenges of tackling supply chain emissions, the importance of customer pressure, and how incentives and market-based instruments drive and enable real-world impact. They also discuss Patrick’s experience leading Switchboard, an organization aimed at building new climate leaders and harnessing collective action, and his upcoming masterclass on how to architect and execute your organization’s most impactful climate action strategies.

Navigating Net Zero is a new podcast dedicated to highlighting practitioners and experts navigating the complex realities of corporate decarbonization and sustainability. Hosted by international climate leader Alexia Kelly & The High Tide Foundation’s Carbon Policy & Markets Initiative, this series explores what really works from the people who do the work.Through candid conversations, we aim to address challenges, uncover opportunities, and empower listeners—whether they’re corporate sustainability professionals, policymakers, or engaged members of the public—to take meaningful action in their own spheres of influence.Season 1 of Navigating Net Zero focuses on dynamic, eye-opening conversations with corporate sustainability leaders. What is it actually like to lead a Fortune 500 company’s sustainability efforts? What do people not fully understand about the past, present, and future of corporate climate action? What comes next? Tune into Navigating Net Zero to hear and learn from the smart, effective professionals trailblazing the crucial but challenging work of finding effective climate solutions. Episode 1 is set for release on August 27th.