High Tide Foundation Announces New Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative

The High Tide Foundation is pleased to announce the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (“CPMI”). The CPMI accelerates ambitious climate action and capital mobilization through robust rules and guidance for voluntary corporate action and disclosures, and by building the next generation of high integrity carbon and environmental services markets.

Alexia Kelly has been appointed as Managing Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative, under the leadership of High Tide Foundation’s Principals, Richard and Dee Lawrence. The program will build on the longstanding work of High Tide to advance solutions to the climate crisis, including as a core funder of the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (IC VCM), as well as its pioneering work on Carbon Mapper, the Viriya Indonesia Climate Foundation, C-Trees, and the Global Methane Hub, a multi-stakeholder initiative addressing all aspects of methane and natural gas pollution.

“High Tide Foundation exists to advance the most impactful solutions to address the climate crisis. Unlocking ambitious voluntary action from the private sector is a critical tool in the fight to mitigate climate change and we are pleased to expand our investment in this important area of work.” said Richard Lawrence, High Tide Foundation’s founder.

The initial focus of the program will be on advancing strong frameworks in two main areas: 1) rigorous and transparent emission reduction accounting standards for greenhouse gas inventories and corporate climate targets and 2) building the next generation of voluntary carbon and environmental services markets. These channels will be essential for increasing trust and transparency and mobilizing new climate finance and action in this critical decade.  

“We know that standards for corporate greenhouse gas accounting and target tracking, alongside the voluntary carbon markets, will direct billions of dollars of investment in the coming years, and will likely inform emerging regulatory systems. The Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative will help ensure we have all of the pieces of the puzzle in place for transparent, high integrity, and scaled voluntary climate action in the coming decade.” said Alexia Kelly of her new role.

Ms. Kelly has worked across the public, private and non-profit sectors for more than 17 years on the net zero economy transition. Most recently, she served as Director of Net Zero + Nature at Netflix, where she directed the company’s inaugural Net Zero+ Nature program and led its efforts to implement its Science Based Target, greenhouse gas inventory, and global carbon credit portfolio. Previously, she has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of State, the World Resources Institute, The David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and in private equity.

High Tide Foundation co-founder Dee Lawrence shared, “We have experienced first-hand the beneficial impact that well-designed carbon credit projects can have for local communities and ecosystems and are proud to expand the Foundation’s work advancing high-quality carbon credit rules and programs[GU1]  through our support of the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets and the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative.”

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About the High Tide Foundation

High Tide Foundation

Founded in 2004 by Richard and Dee Lawrence, High Tide Foundation is a private philanthropy that has a long-standing commitment to fighting climate change and protecting our planet.  The Mission of the High Tide Foundation is to have a significant, measurable impact on climate change through the monitoring, mitigation and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. The Foundation partners with a wide variety of actors to make change, including non-profits, other foundations and philanthropists, companies, universities and governments.