The Tribune

Leaders in the Global Carbon Markets (GCM) arena descended upon Barcelona, Spain from December 24th, for S&P’s Global Carbon Credit Conference. Heralded as the premier gathering point for industry leaders at the forefront of carbon markets, fostering vital connections among project developers, traders, and end-buyers, the conference offers crucial insights for various industries.

The annual conclave, strategically held immediately after COP, boasts a diverse group of global representatives coming together to discuss numerous pressing issues and regulatory agendas that will impact the space in the coming months.

The focus of this year’s meeting centres around the mandatory implementation of ICAO’s Carbon Offset Reduction Scheme for Intl Aviation (CORSIA) and, ways to effectively implement, track and create eligible carbon emissions (credits).

Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), a local company engaged in live flight tracking, crash search and rescue coordination and advanced, real-time meteorological weather services - with a related focus on the detection, assessment and real-time calculation of U.S. certified aviation carbon emissions by users operating within The Bahamas sovereign archipelagic territory - was invited by Standard & Poor’s to speak at this year’s global conference.

Group financial advisor, Michael Strachan, participated on a panel of industry leaders regarding CORSIA’s implementation. Strachan enlightened the audience regarding BACSWN’s ground breaking Aviation Carbon Credits Programme, assisting airlines reduce emissions by providing, amongst other services, long range notice of potentional areas of turbulence to airline dispatchers as well as to an aircraft’s flight deck. Speaking on being named a “breakout innovative partner”, Mr Strachan explained that “BACSWN continues to expand on what the National Center for Atmospheric Research refers to as ‘revolutionary plans for establishing The Bahamas and Caribbean’s first NextGen Meteorlogical Watch Office.(MWO) The Carbon Credits programme is an extension of our $427M project and, is once again, a “first-of-its-kind’ initiative aimed at reducing diversions, flight extensions, ATC holdings and spacings. Through this project, we are assisting in bringing Prime Minister Davis’ climate changed mandate one step closer to fruition. In fact, S&P’s global recognition of our project is a testament to this.”

Joining Mr Strachan at the GCM was Mr. Quincy Rolle, President and CEO of Tribune DigitalLabs, (TDL) an affiliated company of Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network Ltd. TDL has been tasked with the development of this ground-breaking programming.

Mr Rolle is the chief project developer of this programme and spoke on the technical implentation of the programme - which combines BACSWN’s IP with the products and services of its strategic partners such as US National Centre for Atmospheric Research. Commenting on his participation at this global forum, Mr Rolle said: “Our aviation-based carbon credits platform offers a powerful tool to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, particularly in the airspace of island nations like The Bahamas, which are highly sensitive to the ever increasing effects of global climate change.”

“By allowing airlines and other related entities to offset their carbon emissions through the purchase of U.S. certified carbon credits the platform can incentivise the adoption of more sustainable practices within the aviation industry. For The Bahamas, this means contributing to global climate goals and potentially generating hundreds of millions in new revenue for our cash strapped treasury.

On a global scale, platforms such as this help drive de-carbonisation across the aviation sector, one of the more challenging industries to address in terms of emissions”, explained Mr Rolle. Further lauding such endeavours, Professor Bruintjes, stated that “bringing BACSWN’s propertiary workflows together with products and services from U.S. National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will result in unique creations that have never been envisioned and, in many cases, far surpass those of industrialized nations.”

“Ultimately, this initiative not only supports the Prime Minister’s climate efforts but encourages a worldwide movement towards a greener, more sustainable aviation industry. And I, am certainly glad to be a part of that”, said Mr. Rolle.