Geres is supporting the development of “Carbone 13”, a community carbon scheme for the Aix–Marseille Provence Metropolis, designed to strengthen local climate finance and help accelerate the Green and Just Transition. The pilot explores whether a locally anchored mechanism can better connect potential carbon credit financiers with high-integrity local projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, while also ensuring transparency and credible governance.
Work is progressing on three interconnected fronts. First, the pilot is mapping local demand by benchmarking existing studies and commissioning a survey through a specialised agency to better understand how potential local financiers make decisions — including the main obstacles, expectations, and levers that could increase engagement in local climate finance. In parallel, the pilot is assessing the local supply of eligible carbon projects by reviewing certification frameworks, identifying the most relevant project types for the area, and engaging with project developers to support early thinking around carbon credit certification processes.
A third core stream focuses on governance and operational design. The initiative is being shaped as a scheme formally set up by the Metropolis, with Geres and local stakeholders, supported by relevant experts. The pilot is benchmarking comparable structures in France and Europe, testing a membership process, and selecting an operational and financial model designed to remain limited to a transaction role — while maintaining strong integrity and transparency standards.
Next steps include gathering a sufficient number of survey responses and sharing results, refining the forecast of local emission reduction/removal potential using Geres expertise, identifying the most suitable certification frameworks (including project co-benefits), and supporting developers to initiate certification where relevant. In parallel, partners will finalise the set-up of Carbone 13, further define sustainable operational arrangements, and promote the initiative to both financiers and project developers.
Early lessons highlight that awareness of carbon finance mechanisms remains limited on both the demand and supply sides, and that stakeholders often lack time and resources to navigate complex climate finance processes. The pilot therefore also serves as a structured learning and coordination effort, helping clarify whether local carbon finance can become a meaningful lever—especially in a context of decreasing public budgetary support for climate action.
