First  Climate  LLC,  a  global  leader  in  carbon  asset  management, investment  and  advisory services, has announced the opening of its new office in San Francisco, effectively doubling its US presence. The new office will work in conjunction with the Washington D.C. office to provide  fully  integrated  carbon  management  solutions  for  the  growing  voluntary  and  pre-compliance US carbon markets. 

California continues to lead in the development of US climate policy and First Climate is well positioned  with  offices  in  both  San  Francisco  and  D.C.  to  continue  to  deliver  effective,  high quality  emission  reduction  products  to  a  growing  pre-compliance  market.  Greg  Chambers, Managing  Director,  will  oversee  the  San  Francisco  office  and  will  prioritize  expanding  First Climate’s  capacity  in  the  US  to  effectively  respond  to  growing  demand  from  US  clients. Mr. Chambers  was  formerly  the  Director of  Sustainability  at  Sterling  Planet where  he  guided customers  in  their  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  management  programs.  Previously,  Mr.  Chambers spent  many  years  working  in  Silicon  Valley  in  the  high  tech  community  at  both  Hewlett Packard   and   Quantum   Corporation   where   he   gained   extensive   experience   pioneering corporate    environmental    programs.    Commenting    on    First    Climate’s    US    expansion, Mr. Chambers  noted  that  “activity  and  interest  in  the  US  market  is  intensifying  as  the implementation of carbon reduction legislation is now close at hand. We are excited about the opportunity to build on First Climate’s experience and leadership in international markets by continuing  to  provide  comprehensive,  high  quality  solutions  and  products  that  enable  our clients to respond effectively to both the risks and opportunities posed by climate change.”   

As negotiations continue regarding the development of future US climate policy, First Climate is   an   active   participant   in   national   discussions   while   advising   and   assisting   clients   in navigating   the   pre-compliance   landscape.   As   a   member   of   the   Coalition   for   Emission Reduction Projects (CERP), First Climate works with other industry leaders to promote the use of  third-party  verified  carbon  offsets  within  a  future  US  greenhouse  gas  regulatory  system. CERP’s  members  agree  that  an  effective  carbon  cap  and  trade  system  in  the  US  must  be market   based   and   should   allow   regulated   entities   to   employ   both   domestic   and internationally  sourced  offset  allowances  from  qualifying  projects  to  meet  their  emission reduction  goals.  A  comprehensive  US  carbon  cap  and  trade  program which  prioritizes environmental integrity through the implementation of a diverse group of carbon reduction technologies  will  address  the  immediacy  of  the  issue  by  allowing  each  regulated  entity  to support verified projects which are most relevant to their overall emission reduction goals.  

As a vertically integrated player covering the entire carbon credit value chain, First Climate is among the top companies operating in the dynamic global carbon market. Sascha Lafeld, co-founder  of  First  Climate,  noted  that  “First  Climate  continues  to  grow  to  meet  increasing demand for our products and carbon management solutions. The opening of a new office in California, where historic climate change legislation will soon be implemented, is a significant illustration of First Climate’s comprehensive global strategy.”  

First Climate’s extensive experience in European carbon markets underscores the prominent position  that  its  US  team  has  already  established  in  participating  in  current  climate  policy discussions. First Climate’s rapidly growing US presence points to the fact that more and more US  based  corporations  are  aware  of  the  need  to  take  immediate  voluntary  action  to  reduce their  own  greenhouse  gas  emissions.  These  companies  understand  the  risks  that  climate change  presents  to  their  current  business  models  and  are  looking  to  experts  who  can  assist them  in  taking  steps  to  be  recognized  and  rewarded  as  early  actors.  First  Climate’s  US  team supports  this  demand  by  providing  a  knowledgeable  and  experienced  partner  for  these forward thinking companies.


Contact:

First Climate, LLC
Aleka Seville
Manager, Sales & Marketing
315 Montgomery Street, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
USA
Tel: +1 (415) 829-4426  
Fax: +1 (415) 829-4304
E-Mail: aleka.seville@firstclimate.com


First Climate is one of Europe’s leading carbon asset management companies. With offices on four
continents and more than ten years’ experience in the market, it is one of the few intermediaries to cover the entire carbon credit value chain. First Climate develops, finances, and implements CDM, JI, and VER projects, purchases the resulting carbon credits, and customizes trading solutions for companies subject to the EU ETS. As investment advisor to several institutional investors, First Climate structures and develops carbon funds and related products. In the voluntary market, the company provides VERs verified according to the highest international standards. First Climate is one of the main sponsors of the Gold Standard Version 2.