ZETA Sustainability Expert Xavier Pye told OilPrice.com that voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) are gaining renewed momentum in global decarbonization efforts. Once seen as fragile, VCMs are now better integrated with compliance markets and supported by clearer quality standards and international frameworks like CORSIA and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Xavier emphasized that VCMs are evolving rather than collapsing, highlighting their growing role in mobilizing private finance and bridging the gap to net-zero. He noted that early movers in the VCM space stand to benefit as these markets develop further.
ZETA CEO Jan Haizmann shared with Zawya how blockchain technology could boost cross-border trade in energy commodities and carbon certificates in the MENA region. He highlighted that while markets are crucial for renewable and low-carbon commodities, trust and standardization are currently lacking. Blockchain can bridge this gap by providing transparent audit trails where no single regulator exists. Though early blockchain models were slow, innovations like stablecoins offer scalable solutions. ZETA is developing a pilot blockchain-powered certificate registry in the GCC in partnership with the Kaspa Industrial Initiative, aiming to build a secure and competitive regional energy market.
In a recent Oil Price article, ZETA Secretary General Jan Haizmann emphasized that rising oil prices make green hydrogen a promising opportunity for the MENA region. He stated that despite abundant renewable resources, success depends on building domestic demand rather than waiting for international buyers. Haizmann stressed the need for clear government policies, binding targets, and prioritizing local industry development. Moving beyond hydrogen hype requires creating sustainable internal markets. By focusing on practical market-building at home, MENA can unlock its full potential and become a global leader in green hydrogen production and trade.
At the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA, joined a panel discussing the emerging low-carbon and green hydrogen markets. The panel highlighted challenges like the gap between producers seeking long-term offtake agreements and offtakers waiting for lower prices. Jan emphasized the chicken-and-egg problem of infrastructure and demand, pointing to Europe’s evolving regulatory frameworks as a useful example. He praised Oman’s leadership in green hydrogen exports and electricity market development but stressed that MENA countries must build their own markets with clear rules and targets to realize their vast hydrogen potential.
At FLAME 2025, ZETA Secretary General Jan Haizmann moderated a panel on building Europe’s renewable and low-carbon gas markets. Industry experts from Vattenfall, SEFE, Sedigas, and EDF Trading discussed key challenges like achieving market liquidity, overcoming regulatory fragmentation, and developing trading tools such as hubs and price indexes. The panel emphasized the importance of Guarantees of Origin for market transparency and explored global hydrogen trends impacting Europe’s competitiveness. Innovative solutions to help biomethane producers transition from subsidies to market-based trading, including Biomethane Power Purchase Agreements, were highlighted as vital for integrating more renewable gas and reducing fuel imports.
ZETA Secretary General Jan Haizmann’s recent Op-Ed in ZAWYA warns that the Gulf risks losing its chance to lead in carbon markets. Highlighting the closure of Abu Dhabi’s AirCarbon Exchange as a missed opportunity, he notes Saudi Arabia’s early but limited steps with the RVCMC. The article contrasts fragmented Gulf efforts with coordinated systems in Brazil, Singapore, and the EU, stressing that pricing carbon as a tradeable asset is vital for financing decarbonization in the Global South. Haizmann calls for stronger regional collaboration to build a credible, liquid MENA carbon market before the Gulf falls behind.
At the Dii Desert Energy Partner Meeting in Abu Dhabi, ZETA’s Jan Haizmann moderated a panel on developing carbon markets in the Middle East. Speakers highlighted the need for incentives, strong governance, and trusted certification systems to stimulate demand for carbon instruments. With no regional carbon price yet in place, the panel stressed the importance of innovative price discovery and a unified framework. Jan emphasized that the region cannot wait for power market reform to act. ZETA remains committed to supporting the creation of transparent, credible carbon markets that can finance local decarbonization and strengthen the region’s global leadership.
At Intersolar & ees Middle East, Jan Haizmann, Secretary General of ZETA, presented a clear vision for advancing clean energy trade in the MENA region, with a focus on low-carbon hydrogen. He highlighted Europe’s import targets, CBAM reporting obligations, and key EU requirements like RFNBO compliance and temporal matching. Emphasizing regional challenges such as the absence of a spot electricity market, Haizmann called for stronger price discovery mechanisms, digital trading platforms, and harmonised certification systems. With Oman already taking steps toward a hydrogen hub, ZETA continues to promote transparent, standardised frameworks to support a competitive, cross-border hydrogen economy in the region.
The Secretary-General of the ZETA Alliance, Dr. Jan Haizmann, recently gave an interview to Attaqa, the Washington-based specialized energy platform, where he explained ZETA’s mission and discussed the mechanism for adjusting new carbon limits and their impact on Egyptian industry and trade. In this dialogue, he highlighted the objectives of the Alliance, its activities in different countries, and its role in supporting regional efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
ZETA CEO Jan Haizmann explores how Egypt can turn Europe’s carbon tariffs into an opportunity in his latest op-ed. He breaks down CBAM’s mechanics and its dual impact—introducing new costs for Egyptian exporters while creating potential advantages for those who adapt early. The piece highlights steps Egyptian companies can take to prepare and examines how the country could emerge as Africa’s carbon trading hub. Haizmann also connects Egypt’s rapid advancements in renewable energy to future carbon credit systems. Drawing insights from ZETA’s meetings in Cairo, the op-ed offers a strategic outlook on CBAM readiness. ZETA is now working on a CBAM-compliant PPA and invites interested companies to collaborate.
ZETA joined the Argus Clean Ammonia IMEA Conference in Abu Dhabi, where Secretary General Jan Haizmann addressed CBAM limitations and their impact on MENA green hydrogen producers. He questioned whether Europe’s strict requirements make it too challenging for exporters while highlighting regional opportunities in green ammonia. In a panel with Frank Wouters (MENA Hydrogen Alliance) and Bakul Pant (Ocior Energy), Haizmann explored why ammonia is the preferred hydrogen derivative for hard-to-abate sectors. As regulatory frameworks evolve, ZETA continues shaping the discussion on clean energy trade and compliance in the MENA region.
ZETA kicked off 2025 at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), participating in the World Future Energy Summit and Carbon Forward Middle East 2025. At the IRENA Green Hydrogen Workshop, experts discussed low-carbon hydrogen’s future, while a closed-door session gathered major offtakers to address cost challenges. ZETA CEO Jan Haizmann stressed the need for carbon pricing and compliance markets to drive demand for new fuels. At World Hydrogen MENA 2025, industry leaders explored hydrogen transport costs and natural hydrogen extraction, reinforcing the region’s role in the clean energy transition.
OilPrice.com delves into carbon’s potential to become a trillion-dollar asset class by 2037, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Egypt leading the way. ZETA CEO Jan Haizmann is quoted in the article, emphasizing the critical need for regional cooperation and mandatory carbon markets to drive significant emissions reductions. While voluntary carbon markets are a promising first step, Haizmann stresses they must pave the way for future mandatory emissions trading schemes to achieve lasting impact.
The final ZETA Roundtable of 2024 took place at the Siemens Energy Innovation Center in Abu Dhabi, focusing on the role of technology in sustainable trading practices. The session highlighted blockchain's potential for creating efficient, transparent markets and featured Mohamad El Nahi’s presentation on the NGX platform, which tracks emissions and supports green energy projects with carbon credit revenue. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A and a thank you to Siemens for hosting. ZETA looks forward to continuing these discussions in 2025.
ZETA, in collaboration with IRESEN, co-hosted a webinar on December 5, 2024, focusing on the impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Morocco’s industries. Experts discussed the financial implications of CBAM, solutions like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and solar self-production, and the Moroccan carbon tax. The webinar provided practical insights for Moroccan industries to navigate the evolving CBAM landscape and stay competitive in a decarbonizing global market.
ZETA recently co-hosted a seminar with Chapter Zero Egypt in Cairo, led by Dr. Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA. The session focused on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its impact on Egyptian industries, particularly aluminium, cement, iron & steel, and fertilizers. Dr. Haizmann emphasized the need for Egyptian businesses to adapt quickly, starting carbon accounting and ensuring CBAM compliance by 2026. He also highlighted the opportunities CBAM presents for innovation and aligning with global carbon regulations. The seminar concluded with a discussion on the importance of private sector investment and collaboration to navigate CBAM successfully.
Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA, delivered a key presentation at the Egypt Energy Conference in Cairo, discussing the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its potential impact on Egyptian industries. He explained how CBAM requirements, set to take full effect in 2026, will affect Egypt’s trade with Europe, particularly in sectors like iron & steel, fertilizers, and aluminium. Jan highlighted the success of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and stressed the importance of carbon pricing in Egypt, framing CBAM as both a challenge and an opportunity for Egyptian industries to align with global decarbonization efforts.
We are excited to partner with the Türkiye Energy Summit—one of the key platforms where strategic developments and innovations shaping the future of the energy sector in Türkiye are discussed. The 14th Türkiye Energy Summit hosted engaging discussions on green energy markets, with Kutalmış Ersoy from ZETA sharing insights on the importance of standardization and regional collaboration. He highlighted Türkiye’s upcoming Emissions Trading System (ETS) as a key step toward aligning with global green markets.
ZETA’s Kutalmış Ersoy recently participated in the Regional Oil and Gas Conference, where he presented Türkiye’s potential to become a natural gas trading hub and a regional clean energy leader. The presentation covered Türkiye’s strong infrastructure, including LNG terminals and pipeline networks, as well as ZETA’s efforts to integrate carbon pricing mechanisms and develop green energy markets. It also emphasized the need for market and regulatory reforms to foster investment and create a competitive energy hub. ZETA expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to advancing these important discussions.
ZETA participated in the 1st EU-GCC Investment & Finance Green Transition Forum in Abu Dhabi on November 26, 2024. Secretary General Jan Haizmann joined a panel on "Building a Green Finance & Investment Ecosystem in the GCC," discussing the role of carbon markets in financing the region's green transition. The event brought together experts to explore innovative financial tools and regional strategies to drive low-carbon investment, emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks for engaging the private sector in GCC carbon markets.
ZETA was proud to partner with Commodity Sustainability Online on November 25, 2024. Our Secretary General, Jan Haizmann, moderated a panel on how boardrooms are shaping the future of sustainable commodities. The discussion explored key challenges in attracting sustainable investments, bridging regulatory compliance with practical implementation, and ensuring supply chain awareness on sustainability costs. Industry leaders shared insights on investment strategies, the role of technology, and balancing regional and international standards to create a sustainable and resilient future for the commodities sector.
At COP29 in Baku, global leaders advanced the global carbon market by adopting new standards under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. ZETA Secretary Türkiye Kutalmış Ersoy participated in discussions on transitioning existing projects and launching new initiatives within this framework, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in low-emission markets. While critical technical aspects still need to be developed, this marks a significant step towards scaling climate actions and creating reliable price signals for future investments in green markets.
ZETA’s Secretary General, Jan Haizmann, joined the ADIPEC 2024 Hydrogen Conference in Abu Dhabi, contributing to a pivotal panel on clean hydrogen standards. The discussion emphasized the need for unified global certifications to enhance trust and scalability in hydrogen markets. Drawing parallels with LNG, Jan highlighted the importance of flexible contracts and international frameworks to drive investment and accelerate the energy transition.
ZETA proudly hosted its inaugural gathering of early-mover companies in Vienna under the leadership of newly appointed Chairman, Peter Terium, CEO of ENOWA. The event marked a key step in advancing clean energy markets, with insightful discussions on building sustainable commodity markets in the MENA region. Led by Jan Haizmann and Paul van Son, participants set the strategic focus for ZETA’s future, emphasizing collaboration and innovation in the clean energy transition.
ZETA proudly supported the Dii Leadership Summit, held on October 15-16 at the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, Austria. The summit focused on scaling up green electrons and molecules projects while fostering energy security and local value creation. On the second day, ZETA's Secretary General, Jan Haizmann, moderated a panel on carbon markets, discussing challenges and opportunities alongside industry leaders. ZETA also hosted a roundtable on the Clean Energy Hub in the GCC, emphasizing the transformation of Market Prices into Market Places.
ZETA is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Terium, CEO of ENOWA, as its new Chairman. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Peter's leadership will drive ZETA's mission to create markets for clean energy products, focusing on sustainable commodity markets in the MENA region. His vision emphasizes collaboration and innovative solutions to advance the clean energy transition. ZETA looks forward to a successful partnership under Peter's guidance.
ZETA participated in the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, where Secretary General Jan Haizmann presented an Innovation Showcase on Clean Energy Hubs in the GCC. He emphasized the need for regional sustainable markets and effective regulatory frameworks to drive decarbonization efforts. Additionally, ZETA was represented in a panel on “Forging a Sustainable Regulatory Roadmap,” discussing the alignment of policies with net-zero ambitions and the importance of adapting to changing energy systems.
ZETA partnered with Commodities People at the Energy Trading Week conference on September 24th-25th in London, Europe’s largest energy trading event, which welcomed over 1,000 attendees. ZETA's Secretary General, Jan Haizmann, participated in the Net Zero Section, discussing the development of a clean energy hub in the GCC region and sharing insights into ZETA’s initiatives. The panel focused on "Developing a Clean Energy Hub in the GCC Region," where he shared valuable insights into ZETA’s initiatives in the area under the moderation of Peter Styles.
In a recent ZAWYA interview, Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA, discussed the pivotal role of regional carbon markets in advancing the GCC’s sustainable fuel ambitions. He emphasized the need for a unified approach, similar to Europe’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), to address the current fragmentation in carbon trading efforts. Haizmann highlighted that creating a regional clean energy market could support green fuel projects, improve carbon pricing, and help the GCC become a leader in sustainable fuels, fostering both regional cooperation and financial growth in the clean energy sector.
In a Khaleej Times article, ZETA Secretary General Jan Haizmann advocates for establishing the GCC as a regional hub for green fuels. He highlights that while new low-carbon fuels like green hydrogen are gaining traction, projects in the region face delays due to high risks and lack of long-term agreements. Haizmann calls for the creation of regional clean energy hubs with effective risk management and green certificate trading, similar to successful models in Europe and the US. He believes this approach will help the GCC leverage its potential as a major green fuel exporter and drive significant investment in clean energy.
On June 20, 2024, the CleanTech Business Club (CBC) and ZETA (Zero Emissions Traders Alliance) announced a strategic partnership during CBC’s 10th anniversary in Munich. This collaboration aims to develop a 'Clean Energy Hub' in the MENA region, enhance market mechanisms, support policymakers, and promote green hydrogen and certificates. By combining ZETA’s market expertise with CBC’s international network, the partnership is set to advance clean energy markets and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA, was quoted in Oil Price’s article by Alan Mammoser, discussing the future of hydrogen trading. Haizmann emphasized that trading sustainable energy is crucial for meeting carbon reduction goals and highlighted the EU's success with the ETS. He expressed confidence that the MENA region, though currently in its early stages, could become a major player in green fuel production and export. Haizmann stressed the need for regional markets for green certificates and sustainable investments to bridge the gap between carbon targets and reality.
At the 20th International Conference on European Energy Markets (EEM24) in Istanbul on June 10, 2024, ZETA's Kutalmış Ersoy presented on 'Hydrogen Exports to the EU and the European Regulatory Environment,' emphasizing the effects of CBAM on Non-EU countries. His talk on the clean energy hub concept and the role of renewable and low-carbon products sparked meaningful discussion and showed a strong regional interest in coordinated strategies. ZETA remains committed to advancing net-zero markets and looks forward to ongoing collaboration with Turkish partners.
On June 6, 2024, ZETA co-hosted a webinar on the 'CBAM Indirect Emissions Impact on the Turkish Renewable Energy Market'. The event attracted 166 participants from 14 countries. Discussions covered CBAM indirect emissions calculation, PPA definitions, and challenges for exporting countries, highlighting the relevance of renewable energy certificates and the benefits of standardized CBAM-compliant PPAs for Türkiye's market. The discussions were led by Kutalmis Ersoy and Jan Haizmann.
The Clean Energy Business Council's event on May 28th, 2024, featured a panel discussion titled "Carbon Markets: Driving Sustainable Change in MENA." With contributions from Jan Haizmann, the panel explored the pivotal role of carbon markets in accelerating the MENA region's green transition. The panelists discussed the opportunities and challenges of carbon trading, emphasizing regional cooperation and learning from global experiences to develop effective carbon markets in the GCC.
ZETA Secretary General Jan Haizmann has written a personal letter where he shares his experiences and impressions of the GCC. In his letter, he discusses the significant progress and potential being made in building regional markets for low-carbon and carbon-free commodities. He expresses optimism about the ongoing developments and emphasizes our commitment to supporting these initiatives.
Dr. Jan Haizmann, CEO of ZETA, is developing transparent clean energy markets in the MENA region with a Clean Energy Hub in Dubai. ZETA aims to create standardized contracts and frameworks for low-carbon energy trading. By forming partnerships and workshops, they seek to make the region a global leader in zero-emission trading.
In this week's interview, the EAH team speaks with Jan Haizmann, co-founder of the Zero Emissions Traders Alliance (ZETA). He shares insights into how ZETA aims to expand European market tools and structures to the MENA region, enabling global trade of net-zero energy carriers like hydrogen. Haizmann also discusses ZETA's mission to help regional traders and investors manage risks while stimulating sustainable investment.
ZETA CEO, Jan Haizmann led a masterclass at World Hydrogen MENA Conference on the implications of CBAM and moderated a panel session about Regulation and Standards for International Trade of Green Hydrogen
ZETA's participation at the Dii Partner Meeting in Saudi Arabia: Insights on clean energy hubs and transparent price discovery for sustainable investment, as discussed by Jan Haizmann of ZETA and Taimoor Zaman of NEOM.
ZETA Global invites you to the second ZETA Roundtable on November 27 at W Dubai - The Palm, coinciding with the 13th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit. This event will focus on establishing a GCC Clean Energy Hub, discussing market-driven solutions for net zero emissions and featuring key speakers from the energy sector.
ZETA Global successfully introduced its initiative at the IREC ISTANBUL Meeting, engaging in key discussions about the upcoming climate law and carbon trading in Turkey. A working group, led by Kutalmış Ersoy, was established to integrate energy traders' input into Turkey's future carbon trading framework.
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