About Us
Xavier Pye, Sustainable Associate, ZETA
Matthijs Kusse, Strategy Analyst, ACT Commodities
Samuel Jaudel, Offsets, iRECs & MEA Manager, ACT Commodities
Marcin Nguyen, Global Carbon Registry
Ulkar Salmanova | Climate Policy Associate, UICCA
Spyros Kouvelis, EU-GCC Green Transition Project Coordinator
The roundtable was generously hosted by the Siemens Energy Innovation Center. ZETA extends its sincere thanks to Thomas Soulas and Laura Daher for their outstanding support in facilitating the event.
The session opened with a scene-setting overview by Xavier Pye, who outlined the current landscape of global carbon markets and the growing momentum behind voluntary trading initiatives. This introduction paved the way for a series of in-depth presentations and exchanges.
ACT Commodities was represented by Matthijs Kusse, Strategy Analyst, who offered a clear explanation of how emissions are calculated and reported — key components underpinning credible carbon trading systems. His colleague, Samuel Jaudel, built on this foundation with practical insights into Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs), explaining their role in achieving corporate climate goals and supporting market growth.
Marcin Nguyen presented the expanding footprint of the Global Carbon Registry in the MENA region. His remarks highlighted how registries ensure transparency, traceability, and integrity in voluntary carbon markets, making them a critical pillar in market infrastructure.
Turning to policy innovation and strategic collaboration, Ulkar Salmanova introduced the work of the UAE Carbon Alliance in fostering an ecosystem that supports national climate targets. Her presentation emphasized the importance of coordinated private-sector efforts in building effective markets.
Spyros Kouvelis, Coordinator of the EU-GCC Green Transition Project, offered a broader view of the potential carbon markets hold for the region. He discussed the economic opportunities they can unlock, particularly in supporting diversification strategies and accelerating the energy transition.
Together, the speakers painted a rich and multidimensional picture of carbon markets — combining technical, policy, and market-building perspectives to illustrate both current progress and future opportunities.
Thank you to all the speakers for their valuable contributions and to all participants who joined the discussion — your insights will continue to guide ZETA’s advocacy for strong, transparent energy markets across the MENA region.
Watch the recording of the session.