Carbon Hunters: Reflections and Forecasts of Climate Markets in the 21st Century

In this Energy Policy Seminar, Richard Sandor, CEO of Environmental Financial Products and Aaron Director Lecturer in Law and Economics at the University of Chicago Law School, will join Professor Joseph Aldy for a fireside chat to discuss Sandor's latest book (with Paula DiPerna), Carbon Hunters: Reflections and Forecasts of Climate Markets in the 21st Century.

Carbon Hunters is a unique overview of the launching of carbon markets worldwide, and the evolution of those markets as critical tools to manage climate change and other environmental problems. The book also presents uniquely personal narratives of the authors, who have each led unconventional and exciting professional lives, meeting by coincidence, and then working together on the largest environmental and economic problems of our times — addressing climate change with flexibility and maximum potential. Given the unique backgrounds of the authors as pioneers in their respective domains, the book is likely to have no comparable or "competitive" books. Carbon Hunters also situates the evolution of carbon markets as a journey of invention, imagination, and creativity, bringing to life in real-world terms the academic and intellectual underpinnings of an exceptional and rewarding journey — inventing and activating new markets to save our planetary home. Finally, the book offers catalytic "Food for Thought" and Forecasts on how carbon markets can shape the future of environmental stewardship.

Q&A to follow. Buffet-style lunch will be served.

Registration: RSVP required. A Harvard University ID is required for in-person attendance; all are welcome to attend via Zoom.

Recording: The seminar will be recorded and available to watch on the Belfer Center's YouTube channel.

Accessibility: To request accommodations or who have questions about access, please contact Elizabeth Hanlon (ehanlon@hks.harvard.edu) in advance of the session.

Co-Sponsors: Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability

About the Speaker

Richard L. Sandor (Ph.D., Dr. sc. h. c.) is CEO of Environmental Financial Products (EFP), which was the incubator to the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and the American Financial Exchange (AFX).

Among Dr. Sandor’s academic roles, he is currently the Aaron Director Lecturer in Law and Economics at the University of Chicago Law School and an honorary Professor at the School of Economics at Fudan University and the University of Hong Kong. He formerly taught at graduate and undergraduate levels at several universities throughout the United States and lectures widely throughout Europe and Asia.

Known world-wide as the “Father of Financial Futures,” in 2002 he was named by TIME Magazine a “Hero of the Planet.” In 2007 as one of the magazine’s “Heroes of the Environment” for his work as the “Father of Carbon Trading.” And in October 2013, Dr. Sandor was awarded the title of Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in France, for his accomplishments in the field of environmental finance and carbon trading.

He served on the board of directors of leading commodities and futures exchanges such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Intercontinental Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange and Tianjin Climate Exchange, as well as several philanthropic and non-for-profit organizations.

He authored and co-authored numerous academic and popular press publications and books on finance and environmental subjects. His most recent books include As I Saw It, a compilation of 5 years of monthly articles from Environmental Finance, and Electronic Trading and Blockchain: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, published by World Scientific in February 2017 and April 2018, respectively.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota. In addition, he holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH).