Untangling Climate Finance

Season 4, Episode 3: Building a Culture of Doing Good with Ignacio Barriendos HoppichlerIn this episode, Jay connects with Ignacio Barriendos Hoppichler, CEO and Founder of DoGood People, to explore why employee engagement is one of the most underleveraged tools in the climate transition, and how activating people inside companies can turn sustainability strategies into real, daily action.Ignacio shares how DoGood works with enterprises like Amazon Web Services, Mastercard, Victoria’s Secret and more to translate complex ESG commitments into simple, trackable habits for employees, why disengaged workforces are a bigger threat than a bad sustainability report, and what it takes to build a genuine culture of doing good from the inside out.He also shares his vision for taking DoGood global, including a newly launched program with KPMG Canada.Give it a listen to learn why people are a key piece in climate finance.Resources:DoGood People: https://www.dogoodpeople.com/Ignacio Barriendos Hoppichler: i.barriendos@dogoodpeople.com --About:Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Season 4, Episode 2: Mark McPherson on City Forest Credits and Human ImpactIn this episode, Jay connects with Mark McPherson, Founder and Executive Director of City Forest Credits, to explore why urban forests are one of the most undervalued forms of climate infrastructure, and how carbon finance can help protect them before they’re lost.Mark explains how urban forests deliver climate, health, and equity benefits directly where people live and how City Forest Credits developed human-centered “Carbon+” protocols to address that gap. They also discuss why preserving existing urban forests - and avoiding emissions today - is just as critical as long-term carbon removals.They touch on who is buying urban forest carbon credits - including companies like REI and Airbnb, as well as professional sports teams such as the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins - what makes these credits premium despite their smaller volumes, and why demand certainty remains one of the biggest barriers to scaling impact. Mark also shares real-world examples of projects where carbon finance helped preserve threatened forests near cities - projects that may not have survived otherwise.Give it a listen to learn how urban forests connect climate action to human well-being, and what it will take to mobilize capital at the scale cities need.Resources:City Forest Credits: https://www.cityforestcredits.org/Preservation Protocol: https://www.cityforestcredits.org/carbon-credits/carbon-protocols/Project Portfolio: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6404da1948fc4b43b7dc463f961b0005If you are interested in purchasing Carbon+ Credits, please message Jay at: jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com--About:Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025Sliced 56: Empowering Communities Through Private CapitalIn this edition, we look at how private capital is emerging as a critical force for empowering disadvantaged communities in the wake of COP30. From impact investing and microfinance to blended finance and carbon markets, the landscape of community-focused investment is evolving fast. These mechanisms are becoming a live case study in how climate goals, finance architecture, and social equity intersect, and why mobilizing private capital at scale is essential to building resilient, inclusive economies in a destabilizing world.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠.Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Madeleine Carnemark, Director, VCM+ Coalition, Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative at the High Tide Foundation, about the shift from a voluntary carbon market to a verified, high-integrity global market.Madeleine explains how the VCM+ Coalition is working across stakeholders to strengthen market rules, improve transparency, unlock corporate demand, and build durable trust in carbon markets. She also highlights why integrity and scale must go hand-in-hand.Tune in to learn how the verified carbon market is taking shape, and what it will take to mobilize billions in credible climate finance.Resources:VCM+ Coalition Website - https://www.vcmcoalition.orgVCM+ Coalition Email - info@vcmcoalition.orgHigh Tide Foundation Website - https://www.hightidefoundation.org--About:Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

In this episode, Jay speaks with Valentin Lautier, founder and CEO of Homaio, about how they are helping compliance carbon markets become accessible to everyday investors. Valentin explains how Homaio turns European Union carbon allowances (EUAs) from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) into investable climate assets that blend impact with return.They discuss the global rise of compliance markets, investor access, and why financial innovation is key to accelerating decarbonisation.Give it a listen to learn how investing in carbon is evolving and why climate action now comes with a balance sheet.Resources:Homaio Website: https://www.homaio.com/--About:Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

In this episode, Jay speaks with Sebastian Leape, CEO of Natcap, about how nature intelligence is transforming corporate sustainability and climate finance. Sebastian explains how Natcap helps companies turn nature data - from deforestation and water use to ecosystem dependencies - into business strategy that drives resilience and growth.They discuss why nature risk is financial risk, the rising influence of TNFD and CSRD, and why biodiversity offsets aren’t the silver bullet many hope for.Give it a listen to learn why nature belongs on the balance sheet and how businesses can prepare for a nature-positive future.Resources:Natcap Website: https://natcapresearch.com/--About:⁠Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2025Sliced: Financing Community-Led Early Warning SystemsThis edition of Sliced dives into early warning systems (EWS) — one of the smartest, most cost-effective tools for climate adaptation. From saving lives to safeguarding supply chains, EWS are powerful, but financing still lags. Can scaling them close the gap between climate risk and resilience?--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025Sliced: Inside the Minds of Impact Investors – Surprising Secrets to Screening Climate DealsThis edition of Sliced dives into a hidden bottleneck in climate finance – screening. From gut-instinct deal reviews to weeks-long internal debates, investors admit their biggest challenge isn’t deal flow, it’s filtering what matters. Enter Traro, a new platform built by Gordian Knot Strategies to bring clarity, consistency, and speed to the messy middle of climate impact investing. Can smarter screening unlock billions for climate solutions?Resources:Guide: Smarter Climate Investing: 7 Strategic Filters Before Your First Impact DollarEmail us at: traro@gordianknotstrategies.com--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Jodi Manning, CEO of Cool Effect, to explore how transparency, integrity, and hands-on project diligence are reshaping the voluntary carbon market. They dive into what it takes to build trust in carbon finance, from rigorous vetting to field visits, and why individual action still matters in the fight against climate change.Jodi shares how Cool Effect has reviewed over 10,000 carbon projects but selected just 64, emphasizing scientific credibility, financial additionality, and real community impact. She also explains where demand is rising, including carbon removals and blue carbon to methane and HFC reductions, and how Cool Effect’s radical price transparency is setting a new bar for accountability.Tune in to learn why climate finance needs more than good intentions, how individuals can make a measurable difference, and what the next 10 years of carbon markets could look like if integrity leads the way.Resources:If you have a project, message Cool Effect at: business@cooleffect.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cool-effect-carbon-offset Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooleffect2/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooleffect_/X: https://x.com/cool_effect --About:⁠Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠--Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, August 12, 2025Sliced: The Potential Role of Football in Climate FinanceThis edition of Sliced explores an unexpected climate finance player - football ⚽. From Qatar 2022’s carbon neutrality claims to the massive footprint of World Cup 2026, football’s role in climate finance is growing, and complex. Can the world’s most beloved sport become a force for climate action?--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Maria Filmanovic, Co-Founder and Director of Abatable, to explore how risk, transparency, and trust are helping reshape the voluntary carbon market. They dive into why carbon market integrity must go beyond quality, and how a more rigorous approach to risk is key to scaling credible climate finance.Maria explains how Abatable is helping organizations navigate carbon procurement with better data, stronger due diligence, and tools like the VCM Investment Attractiveness Index. She also shares insights into how political, operational, and methodological risks shape project viability, and what it takes to build investor confidence in a complex and fast-evolving landscape.Tune in to learn why risk is the missing piece in many climate finance conversations, and how Abatable is working to turn carbon markets into engines of real, lasting impact.--About:⁠Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025Sliced: Grants in Climate FinanceThis edition of Sliced dives into an unsung hero of climate finance - grants. From supporting frontline communities to unlocking innovation, grants are powering some of the most importat, but often overlooked, climate solutions.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025Sliced: Climate Finance and Extreme HeatThis edition of Sliced dives into how climate finance can help cities adapt to extreme heat - with insights from Europe’s record-breaking summer and innovative solutions like Seville’s ancient-inspired cooling project.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Eric Wei, Carbon Credit Program Director at the Global Water Center, to explore how carbon finance is being used to scale safe water access in some of the world’s most underserved regions. They dive into how water-based carbon credits are emerging as a powerful, if underutilized, tool in the climate finance toolkit.Eric explains how Global Water Center (GWC) is helping small and mid-sized water project developers access the voluntary carbon market, generate long-term operational funding, and build resilient, community-owned infrastructure. He also shares details about GWC’s new Carbon Aggregation Platform (CAP), designed to lower the barriers for smaller developers and accelerate project deployment.Give it a listen to learn why water is more than a co-benefit in climate finance - and how carbon credits can help turn a global crisis into a scalable solution.Resources:Eric Wei - ewei@GlobalWaterCenter.org Global Water Center - https://globalwatercenter.org/--About:⁠Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2025Sliced: How to Volunteer for the Planet and CommunitiesThis edition of Sliced explores how to volunteer for the planet and your community - from local cleanups to virtual organizing. Wherever you are, there's a role for you in the climate movement.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025Sliced: Protecting Grasslands with Climate FinanceThis edition spotlights grasslands - vital yet vanishing ecosystems that store carbon, support biodiversity, and feed over a billion people. We explore how climate finance is helping restore them, from carbon markets to catalytic capital. and highlight the Savory Institute’s groundbreaking EOV model driving outcome-based impact on the ground.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025Sliced: Why Smart Investments Start with Ecological UnderstandingIn this edition, we explore the hidden risks of planting the wrong trees in the wrong places. Using Galicia’s wildfire-prone eucalyptus forests as a case study, we dive into why due diligence is essential in nature-based investments. Not all green solutions are created equal - ecological context matters.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Chris Slater, CEO & Founder of Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company, to explore how insurance is becoming a cornerstone of climate finance and a key enabler for carbon project development. They discuss how carbon insurance is reducing financial risk, unlocking investment, and helping climate projects scale faster and more securely.Chris breaks down how Oka’s insurance products - like Pre-Payment Protect and Non-Payment Protect - are designed to work alongside banks, investors, and impact funds to structure deals and support capital flow into high-quality carbon projects. He also talks about why project developers carry most of the risk in today’s markets, and how Oka is shifting that burden through tailored coverage.Give it a listen to learn how risk mitigation is driving climate finance forward, and why insurance might be the unlock the carbon markets have been waiting for.--About:Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠. 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025Sliced: Biomass StorageIn this edition, we explore Biomass Storage - an emerging solution in carbon dioxide removal. With innovations in terrestrial and marine storage, biomass is quickly becoming a player in the path to net-zero.--Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click ⁠here⁠. Sliced is produced by ⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠. It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠Jay Tipton⁠. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by ⁠Coma-Media.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Kelly Cain, Senior Program & Policy Strategist for the National Indian Carbon Coalition, to explore how Indigenous communities are leading the way in carbon markets and climate finance. They discuss how carbon projects can support land reclamation, community infrastructure, and long-term stewardship - all while reinforcing tribal sovereignty and sustainability.Kelly shares the story behind the Tribal Carbon and Co-Benefit Tool, a powerful GIS-based platform that helps quantify the ecological and social impacts of carbon projects. He also talks about the importance of data sovereignty, trust-building, and why tribal nations are uniquely positioned to lead in nature-based climate solutions.Give it a listen to learn how Indigenous-led carbon projects are impacting climate finance and delivering real impact on the ground!Show Resources:The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa is Stewarding Healthy Forests: https://youtu.be/-8Rpd6DHxaw?si=LObAFg7R__w6Tn6O--About:⁠Untangling Climate Finance⁠ explores the dynamic field of climate change finance through conversations with industry experts about topics including climate solutions, global carbon markets, carbon projects, novel technologies such as AI and distributed ledger, and much more.If you have any questions, comments, a future guest recommendation, or are interested in joining Jay for an episode, please shoot him a message at: ⁠jtipton@gordianknotstrategies.com⁠Credits:The podcast is produced by ⁠⁠Gordian Knot Strategies⁠⁠.It is written, narrated, and edited by ⁠⁠Jay Tipton⁠⁠.Music is by ⁠⁠Diamond_Tunes⁠.