South Pole

South Pole is a Zurich-based carbon finance consultancy founded in 2006 by graduates of ETH Zurich, originally emerging from the non-profit myclimate before rebranding as South Pole Carbon, then South Pole Group, and finally South Pole in 2018. The firm provides project and technology finance, sustainability risk data and advisory, and the development of environmental commodities including carbon and renewable energy credits.

With a team of over 1,200 experts operating across 30+ offices globally, South Pole serves more than 1,000 corporate clients and has channelled finance to over 850 projects worldwide. Core services include climate strategy and disclosure, net-zero transition planning, renewable energy procurement, Scope 3 supply chain engagement, and high-integrity carbon credit procurement. Clients range from the ALDO Group to the New York Yankees.

In 2021, global impact investor Lightrock acquired a 10% stake in the company in a deal reported at over €20 million. Dr. Daniel Klier became CEO in May 2024. South Pole attracted significant controversy in 2023 when media reports questioned the integrity of its flagship Kariba, Zimbabwe carbon credit project; the company severed ties with the project in October 2023 after it failed to meet standards.

Innovations in carbon market integrity, verification methodologies, and climate data tools are highly relevant to South Pole, given its central role in structuring and selling carbon credits and advising corporations on credible net-zero transitions.