The Environmental Markets Association recently held its annual meeting in person for the first time in three years, and JLN interviewed the EMA chairman, Jack Velasquez, about the meeting, the EMA and its plans.

Velasquez talked about how the EMA promotes market based solutions for environmental problems and seeks to decarbonize the economy. 

He mentioned that the EMA was lucky to get a terrific keynote speaker in Kathleen Barrón, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Constellation. 

He said it was great for the EMA to meet in person and the organization had a lot of energy at the conference, with a record 165 people in attendance. 

The agenda featured the usual panels and keynotes about environmental products, but it also featured a deep dive into what the next generation of environmental markets is going to look like, Velasquez said. The market of the future is going to feature a 24/7 model where customers can really match their energy needs to the market, down to the minute. 

The EMA has traditionally attracted trading firms, law firms, government officials and policymakers. Velasquez would like to see more corporate participation from universities as well. 

Velasquez spoke about his plans for the organization in his role as chairman, having been re-elected at the meeting. He said he wants to get more people involved, especially from corporations, universities and law firms. There are challenges for environmental markets from those who are unbelievers in market based solutions, and he wants people who can help get the market message out.