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Insights from the IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue 2025

As part of the IETA Regional Carbon Market Dialogue Series, the Global Carbon Council (GCC) was honored to participate in the IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue, held on January 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. This premier gathering brought together carbon market practitioners, industry experts, and government officials from across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. The Dialogue provided a unique platform for attendees to deepen their understanding of the evolving carbon pricing landscape and share insights on the latest market trends, regulatory developments, and carbon market opportunities.

IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue 2025

Key Insights from the Dialogue

The IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue served as an important opportunity for participants to explore the latest trends in the carbon market, particularly those impacting the MENA region. The event featured discussions on:

  • The evolving carbon pricing landscape
  • Latest market trends in MENA and globally
  • Key regulatory developments
  • What to watch through COP30 Belém and beyond

One of the highlights was the session titled “Project Developer & Standards Views,” which provided in-depth insights into regional project and standards trends, with a special focus on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects, Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies, and the significant opportunities emerging in the MENA region. The session was moderated by Katie Sullivan, Managing Director of IETA, and featured expert speakers including:

  • Steve Kelly, President & General Manager, 1PointFive
  • Kishor Rajhansa, COO, Global Carbon Council
  • Paul Zakkour, Director, Carbon Counts
  • Philip Moss, CIO, ClimeFi
IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue 2025

Kishor Rajhansa’s Insights on CCS and GCC’s Methodology

During the session, Kishor Rajhansa, COO of the Global Carbon Council, shared valuable insights on the role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in the MENA region. One key topic of discussion was the GCC’s methodology for Project Activities Involving the Capture, Transport, and Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide, which was published by GCC in April 2024. This methodology facilitates projects focusing on Biogenic Emission Capture and Storage (BECCS) and point-source carbon capture, such as capturing CO2 emissions directly from chimneys at industrial facilities and storing it underground.

He further explained that the methodology provides a framework for industries to capture and store their carbon emissions, creating a significant mitigation opportunity, especially for the MENA region. The methodology’s provisions ensure that the process is aligned with environmental integrity, avoiding the fossil fuel lock-in while enabling carbon capture at point sources. He clarified that the methodology allows industries, such as existing coal-fired power plants, to implement carbon capture, but only in countries/corporates that have committed to phasing out coal as a power source. This ensures that the methodology contributes to long-term energy transitions, rather than sustaining fossil fuel dependence. Kishor also noted that the methodology includes conservative baseline calculations to ensure that emissions reductions are accurately estimated, and the integrity of the carbon market is maintained.

He also pointed out that there has been significant interest in the methodology from various stakeholders in the Middle East, including industries in Oman and the UAE, as well as from international markets like the US, Russia, and East Asia. This highlights the growing recognition of the MENA region’s potential as a hub for carbon mitigation projects.

A key distinction of the methodology is its exclusion of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects. As Kishor explained, the GCC’s methodology does not allow carbon revenues to be used to incentivize oil production, reinforcing the council’s commitment to low carbon future.

Finally, Kishor highlighted that the methodology can also be leveraged for blue hydrogen production, which requires the processing of natural gas and CO2 storage. This aligns with global efforts to promote cleaner energy sources and provides a new avenue for carbon revenue generation through CCS.

A Vision for a Sustainable MENA Future

The discussions at the IETA MENA Carbon Market Dialogue emphasized the growing momentum in the region towards embracing innovative carbon market solutions. As governments and industries in the MENA region continue to prioritize sustainability, the insights shared by experts like Kishor Rajhansa provide invaluable guidance for navigating the complex landscape of carbon mitigation and environmental responsibility.

The Global Carbon Council remains committed to advancing the region’s efforts to achieve bold climate action and support the transition to a low-carbon future. Through launching methodologies, GCC is helping to shape the future of carbon markets, ensuring that sustainability and environmental integrity remain at the forefront of carbon reduction strategies.

📌 Access the Documents: For detailed information, refer to the methodology for Project Activities Involving the Capture, Transport, and Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide document and guidance document available on our website: