Michael Berends

Michael Berends is a highly respected leader in the global carbon markets. With a decades-long career spanning North America and Europe, he has held senior positions in top energy and financial organizations, including Barclays Capital, Vattenfall Energy Trading, and ICL, in trading, origination, procurement, and sales. Michael has successfully executed numerous global carbon product deals and devised pricing and risk management strategies for emitters in compliance and voluntary markets across more than 50 countries. Under Michael’s leadership, ClearBlue Markets has experienced remarkable growth, expanding sixfold, earning its place as a trusted partner for hundreds of corporations worldwide and launching the Vantage carbon intelligence platform. In 2023, ClearBlue Markets secured an investment of $8 million in financing led by the Royal Bank of Canada. Michael holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Environmental Management from the University of Amsterdam.