Saudi Arabia is moving fast: top-down ambition, patient capital, and a vision to scale carbon markets across the entire Arab region.

In this episode, Erik Ringvold — Chief Business Development Officer at the Saudi Voluntary Carbon Market Company (VCM) — breaks down how the Kingdom is building the infrastructure, the demand base, and the regional alliances to make it happen.

And momentum is accelerating: VCM recently announced major partnerships with MSCI Carbon Markets to bring advanced carbon market intelligence to Saudi companies, and with BeZero Carbon to strengthen credit quality and transparency across its exchange.

What we cover:00:00 – Introduction & Tunisia Setting

01:43 – Erik’s Journey into Carbon Markets

02:55 – From McKinsey to Carbon Market Development

06:26 – Why Saudi Arabia Has the Ingredients for a Carbon Hub

11:50 – Building Integrity and Confidence in the VCM

14:46 – The Role of Corporates and Perverse Incentives28:30 – Financing, Demand Signals & Market Fundamentals

29:41 – Nature-Based vs. Durable Removals

32:19 – Regional Collaboration Across the Arab World

33:52 – The Tunis Auction & Interconnected Order Books

36:30 – Global Participation & Future Outlook