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Risk in Context Podcast: Identifying risks and opportunities as carbon credit markets grow

Listen to Marsh specialists discuss the increased use of carbon credits, how the market is evolving, and the role of insurance in supporting continued growth.

Carbon credit markets are evolving from a largely sustainability-focused mechanism into a more complex financial market shaped by risk, regulation, and capital needs. Major banks, institutional investors, and global corporates are taking a more active role, while quality standards are increasingly shaping buyer and lender expectations.

The market is also shifting from lower-cost nature-based projects toward more engineered carbon removal solutions, such as direct air capture and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, which may offer greater permanence and measurability but require far more upfront capital.

And as investors and lenders become more involved in the financing of these projects, the importance of insurance solutions tailored to this market is growing.

In this episode of Risk in Context, Aaron Bailey, Global Energy and Commodities Group Leader within Marsh’s Credit Specialties Practice, speaks with Lara Whitmore, who leads the Carbon Credit Insurance Practice within FINPRO, Marsh Risk’s Financial and Professional Liability Practice. They discuss the increased use of carbon credits in carbon projects, how the market is evolving, and the role of insurance in supporting continued growth.

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Key takeaways

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Insurance can help turn future carbon revenue into bankable cash flow

As project developers seek financing before credits are issued, insurance can help protect against delivery risk and give lenders greater confidence in future carbon credit revenue streams.

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Higher-quality carbon removal projects bring greater financing needs

Engineered carbon removal projects may offer greater permanence and measurability, but these capital-intensive and less proven technologies increase the need for robust financing and insurance solutions.

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Compliance deadlines are accelerating demand for carbon credits

As schemes move from voluntary participation toward mandatory compliance, organisations and their supply chains are being pushed to engage with carbon markets in a more immediate and structured way.

About our speakers

Lara Whitmore

Lara Whitmore

Carbon Credit Insurance Practice Leader

  • United Kingdom

Laura Whitmore leads the Carbon Credit Insurance Practice within FINPRO, Marsh Risk’s Financial and Professional Liability Practice, and is a Carbon Credits Strategic Advisor. Much of her work is focused on increasing business understanding of risks associated with the global carbon credit markets and scaling related insurance solutions for carbon credits.

Aaron Bailey

Global Energy and Commodities Group Leader

  • United Kingdom

Aaron Bailey is the Global Energy and Commodities Group Leader within Marsh’s Credit Specialties Practice. He is a strategic risk advisor with experience working across multiple industries, from private equity investors to integrated energy companies, focusing on bespoke payment, performance, and country risk solutions that can help mitigate volatility, secure finance, increase sales, and enable sustainable returns.

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