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Chief Executive Officer Michael Berends is a highly respected leader in the global carbon markets. With a decades-long career spanning North America and Europe, he has held senior positions in top energy and financial organizations, including Barclays Capital, Vattenfall Energy Trading, and ICL, in trading, origination, procurement, and sales.
Michael has successfully executed numerous global carbon product deals and devised pricing and risk management strategies for emitters in compliance and voluntary markets across more than 50 countries.
Under Michael's leadership, ClearBlue Markets has experienced remarkable growth, expanding sixfold, earning its place as a trusted partner for hundreds of corporations worldwide and launching the Vantage carbon intelligence platform. In 2023, ClearBlue Markets secured an investment of $8 million in financing led by the Royal Bank of Canada.
Michael holds a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto and a Master's in Environmental Management from the University of Amsterdam.
Nicholas is a Manager with ClearBlue, focusing on the Voluntary Carbon Market. Tasked with providing insights and in-depth analysis of supply and demand dynamics, corporate demand trends, VCM policy, and integrity standards, including international markets and regulations (Article 6, ICVCM, VCMI).
Nicholas holds a Master’s Degree in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets from the Barcelona School of Economics and has prior work experience in ESG ratings and sustainability reporting.
Dave Sawyer is a leading environmental economist with a twenty-seven-year track record in solving policy challenges for sustainable development in Canada and around the world. He has held positions with Environment Canada, Canada’s Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development and leading Canadian consultancies. He was Vice-President for Climate, Energy and Partnerships with the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD). He is currently a School Fellow at Carleton’s School of Public Policy and an Executive in Residence with the Smart Prosperity Institute at the University of Ottawa.