Jeff Swartz
Jeff graduated from Pacific in 2006 with a double major in International Relations and a self-designed major in Chinese Studies and a minor in Pre-Law. Following his graduation, Jeff accepted a position with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, LA where he was instrumental in the clean-up and rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
In 2008, Jeff completed an MA degree in Policy Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS). He was offered a position with Evolution Markets in Beijing, China and worked as a carbon/emissions broker from 2009-2011. He was the youngest person to join the staff and the third permanent position in the Beijing office.
Jeff recently accepted a new position as the International Policy Director with the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). It is the largest organization dedicated to promoting market mechanisms that reduce emissions. He will be responsible for all aspects of new markets in emerging economies such as China, Korea, India, etc. and will also be focusing on the next global carbon market and issues related to carbon emission standards and monitoring, reporting, and verification and will continue to monitor all regional and domestic carbon markets in Asia.
In a recent email, Jeff said, "After 3 interesting and exciting years in Beijing, I will be relocating to IETA's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland by the end of 2011. It will be an interesting work environment as the carbon markets go through a transition period.
Living in China has provided me with a lifetime of stories and a terrific real-world education in business and cross cultural issues. While I will miss life here tremendously, I will have the opportunity to come back several times a year in my new position as I will be responsible for China--and I am very glad for that.
Geneva and Switzerland are quite possibly the polar opposite of a city and country than Beijing and China and it will be an interesting and challenging transition.
I hope to update you again in a few months after I have made the move and let you know how things are progressing."
Jeff
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Jeff Swartz
石杰雄
NOTE: Picture above is Jeff Swartz and colleagues at Evolution Markets in Beijing, China.
Beijing, August 3, 2009
Just a quick note to update you on my life here in China since finishing grad school last December. I've been living in Beijing since early February, and as some of you already know, working with Evolution Markets. Over the past week, the CEO was out here meeting with our Chinese and Asian partners, and also offered me a permanent position as a carbon/emissions broker with the firm's team in Beijing. I'll be the youngest person to join Evolution's staff and the 3rd permanent position in the Beijing office.
Evolution Markets is the world's largest environmental and energy brokerage firm. The firm began trading SO2 and NOx emission credits before moving into trading coal, natural gas, biofuels, uranium, renewable energy credits (REC's) and ultimately, carbon. Evolution assisted in the first trade of emission rights under the Kyoto Protocol back in 2004. I'm really looking forward to joining this company and starting a career in environmental finance. I'm doing exactly what I want to do professionally and doing it exactly where I want to located.
The Beijing staff (my boss, an Italian energy economist and my colleague, a Chinese mathematician) has to date primarily originated Kyoto carbon credit projects and then brokered them with the help of the firm's London and New York offices. I will be responsible for continuing this business as well as originating new business streams such as arranging debt and equity finance for clean energy and energy efficiency projects in China. We will also be brokering other commodities in China, and our positioning the firm to be at the forefront between carbon transactions between the U.S. and China once legislation is in place and U.S. emitters and funds are activated.
Life in China at this point in time is difficult to describe in any e-mail. I suppose I could describe it as nothing short of incredible. As an American, I'm finding that China-like New Orleans-is a place of unlimited lessons.
Hope to see you in Beijing soon and that you can experience part of the Chinese century as well.
Jeff