Merrill Lynch, with support from ICF International, has launched Merrill Lynch Green & Gold, an innovative full-service climate change solution with a strong focus on sustainability.

Merrill Lynch Green & Gold is intended for companies that do not currently face a regulatory requirement to reduce carbon emissions but that wish to proactively develop a carbon strategy that identifies financial opportunities and enhances their brand in light of growing concerns about climate change.

“Its aim is to help companies identify potential win-win opportunities that simultaneously reduce emissions and costs. Companies seeking to attain a carbon-neutral position by offsetting any residual emissions can protect their reputation through procuring carbon credits with the highest sustainability attributes in the voluntary carbon market,” a statement said.

ICF International will support the implementation of Merrill Lynch Green & Gold and assume responsibility for identifying and assessing each client’s carbon footprint and total emissions and will work with these clients to identify potential opportunities to reduce emissions through measures such as improving energy efficiency.

Abyd Karmali, managing director and global head of carbon emissions, Merrill Lynch, said: “We are delighted to be working with ICF International to launch Merrill Lynch Green & Gold. Our view is that the carbon market, now worth $70 billion, has demonstrated that it provides the most cost-effective approach for companies to reduce and offset their emissions of greenhouse gases. The market must, however, continue to grow on a foundation of environmental integrity. Demand in the rapidly growing voluntary carbon offsets market is shifting towards emission reductions that provide stakeholders with an independent guarantee of environmental sustainability and credibility. Our decision to finance and distribute carbon credits with a strong hallmark of sustainability is aligned with our objective of promoting environmental stewardship. Merrill Lynch is firmly committed to providing innovative solutions to our clients in the carbon market.”

Merrill Lynch will provide clients with the highest sustainability carbon emission offsets (carbon credits) and access to its full suite of proprietary carbon finance products. Carbon credits offered include those that meet the Gold Standard VER, Gold Standard CDM, and Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) standards which carry the endorsement of leading environmental and conservation NGOs.  Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading liquidity providers to the global carbon markets and provides clients with a range of risk management and carbon finance solutions.

Sudhakar Kesavan, chairman and CEO of ICF, said: “We are extremely pleased to work with Merrill Lynch on Merrill Lynch Green & Gold. ICF relishes the opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading financial institutions to address perhaps the most critical issue of our time—climate change.  Through our collaborative efforts, we will help companies obtain high quality, cost effective carbon credits in the developing global carbon market.” – TradeArabia News Service