Rob Macquarie
Rob was a Policy Analyst and Research Advisor to Lord Stern between July 2021 and April 2023. His work covered the voluntary carbon market, climate and nature-positive development, and international and national climate governance.
Now working as an independent advisor and researcher, he continues to contribute to projects at the Institute on policy for a just transition and on sustainable finance, including voluntary and Article 6 carbon markets.
Background
Prior to joining the Institute, Rob was an Analyst at Climate Policy Initiative, where he led research tracking global climate finance flows and contributed data to the IPCC and the UNFCCC’s Biennial Assessment. He also developed tools to assess the alignment of institutions’ targets, policies and investments with net-zero goals, both worldwide and in the UK.
Rob previously worked as an Economist at the research and campaigning organisation Positive Money, focusing on green central banking and options to reform the UK’s monetary and financial policy framework. He holds an MSc in Comparative Political Economy from LSE and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.
Research interests
- International institutions and norms that can raise the quantity and quality of finance for climate, nature, and development
- Policy design to achieve a just transition
- Public engagement and participation to drive behavioural and technological change
- Governance of net-zero commitments, including interactions between voluntary initiatives and national and international regulation
Research
Research - 2023
There is growing awareness that actions by policymakers and international organizations to reduce poverty, and those to mitigate and adapt... Read more
Research - 2022
In: Central Banking, Monetary Policy and Social Responsibility The author would like to thank Katie Kedward (UCL) and David Barmes... Read more
Policy
Policy - 2023
The transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions needs to be socially just and politically robust if it is to succeed. This report presents a framework to guide national policymakers to prepare a coherent programme for such a transition, with a principal focus on Europe. Read more
This policy brief explores how the voluntary carbon market has the potential to pave the way to a net zero and sustainable economy and help close finance gaps in sectors that are critical to the transition. Read more
This report consists of a submission to the IOSCO consultation on how to foster well-functioning voluntary carbon markets, looking at standards, regulation and safeguards. Read more
Policy - 2022
This report of the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance provides a framework for delivering finance for climate action, following the comprehensive approach embodied in the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC. Read more
This report consists of a submission to a UK government consultation on designing business models for greenhouse gas removal technologies. Read more
This independent report sets out a rationale and possible design of a Climate Club, taking its point of departure from the June 2022 G7 Leaders’ Statement on Climate Club. Read more
A submission to the UK Treasury's consultation on the 'Proposals for Reform' under its Financial Regulation Framework Review. Read more
Policy - 2021
A submission based on work from across the Grantham Research Institute to the FCDO's recent call for evidence to inform the UK's forthcoming International Development Strategy. Read more
Books
Books - 2022
In: Central Banking, Monetary Policy and Social Responsibility The author would like to thank Katie Kedward (UCL) and David Barmes... Read more
News
News - 2024
Hans Peter Lankes, Rob Macquarie, Eleonore Soubeyran and Nicholas Stern consider the role that policy design can play in simultaneously tackling climate change and reducing poverty. Read more
News - 2023
This commentary argues that public decision-makers should integrate just transition principles into regulation and procurement policies in order to achieve climate and social equity goals. Read more
In this guest commentary, Ely Sandler and Rob Macquarie describe how a novel use of Article 6 of the Paris... Read more
Burger giant McDonald’s has claimed it will be able to offset all the carbon emissions from its logistics operations in the... Read more
This commentary explores how net climate change mitigation benefits can be achieved from using carbon credits, despite the variable and uncertain quality of credits. Read more
Linking compliance schemes to voluntary demand and supply could undermine integrity in India's new carbon market. This commentary suggests how to overcome these issues to encourage effective decarbonisation. Read more
News - 2022
International negotiations are a necessary but insufficient part of society’s response to climate change. Looking outside of the forum of COP climate conferences, Rob Macquarie and Eleonore Soubeyran review the vital contribution of voluntary initiatives. Read more
What role can and should financial regulation play in tackling climate change? The answer should guide the remoulding of regulatory... Read more
Voluntary Carbon Markets are growing rapidly but where credits or the claims made by buyers lack integrity and quality, this could undermine global climate action and development. Rob Macquarie explains how companies and policymakers who want VCMs to succeed can make them a meaningful contribution to sustainable development and a just global transition. Read more
This article discusses whether the use by companies of voluntary carbon markets to meet short-term decarbonisation targets is another form of greenwashing. The article includes quotes from Rob Macquarie. Read more
News - 2021
The UK Government’s keenly anticipated Net Zero Strategy is due to be published ahead of COP26 and one aspect for evaluation will be whether the Strategy offers a coherent plan on behaviour and engagement, says Rob Macquarie. Read more
