Location London
Job-type Permanent
Salary £Competitive
Reference 18172

Acre is supporting a vertically integrated carbon business and partnership platform for net zero. It has a carbon pipeline focusing on the highest quality nature-based solutions, and is actively putting new deals in place to expand supply over the next 5-10 years. As such, the business works with forward-leaning companies who recognise the sustainability imperative and want to lock in supply to meet their mid to long-term goals. It is wholly owned by a leading commodities trading firm that actively manages the risks associated with these types of investments, structures deals to meet buyers' specific needs, and offers full transparency on costs and pricing (unlike many conventional carbon retailers). This access allows the business to use a significant balance sheet to launch new ventures in the energy transition space and make major investments into carbon project development.

We are looking for a Policy & Advocacy Lead to drive the business' regulatory analysis and positioning related to global carbon markets. The aim of this role is to analyse and engage on relevant climate policy developments in the voluntary and key compliance markets to provide corresponding recommendations on how they inform overall business positioning, client engagement and global development. In this role, you will analyse the global policy spectrum, including country-level policies as well as global, Article 6 and all IETA/ICROA/policy organisations' engagement and their demand implications.

To excel in this position, you will need significant experience in the climate and carbon policy landscape, with a demonstrated ability to analyse large amounts of information and provide succinct, commercially-relevant recommendations. You will also coordinate policy positions and lead on all external engagement related to market-shaping (e.g., stakeholder consultations).

Typical responsibilities:

  • Keep abreast of key policy developments across the voluntary carbon market (VCM) - particularly on matters related to NBS, as well as EU ETS, California, RGGI, and Australia compliance schemes (with others potentially forthcoming).

  • Enhance connectivity to carbon standards, relevant regulatory bodies, and government agencies internationally to remain apprised of climate policies and programmes that may have implications for investments.

  • Lead the preparation of internal briefings and external position papers on relevant policy developments. Provide clear recommendations regarding policy positions and commercial implications.

  • Oversee the development and implementation of a communication strategy, including participation in external events such as conferences, workshops, speakers series etc.

  • Support the business' executive team in communicating its positions on different policy topics externally.

  • Represent the business externally to lead working groups, and stakeholder consultations, and cement its position as a leader that is helping to shape and develop the voluntary carbon markets.

  • Coordinate overall participation in market policy development: determine where to play advocacy roles versus partner with others or take more passive positions.

  • Build and lead the development of broader policy capabilities in-line with business and market growth.

Preferred skills and experience:

  • Master's degree in environmental sciences, climate, energy, or related studies, preferably with demonstrable knowledge on VCM or carbon markets.

  • A minimum of 10 years of related experience in the areas of carbon and climate change.

  • A deep understanding of climate and carbon policy, ideally coming from a regulatory and/or legal background.

  • Commercial acumen and the ability to link regulatory developments with business strategy.

  • A strong network of contacts in key industry groups, initiatives, alliances, and NGOs, as well as relevant government bodies.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills.

  • Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills.

This position is open to different geographies and remote working; however, a preference in the UK, the EU, Switzerland and/or the USA would be advantageous due to office presence.

Please apply directly to express your interest in this role. If you have any questions about the search or this partnership, get in touch with Lewis Murray at lewis.murray@acre.com.