As world leaders continue talks in Durban on renewal of the Kyoto Protocol, which has been in place since 1997 to limit greenhouse gases emissions, Dubai-based Carbon Credit brokerage, Advanced Global Trading (AGT) reassures investors that private sector VER (Voluntary Emissions Reduction) Credits remains a strong investment option.

AGT is the world's largest wholesaler of VERs, focusing on two main elements of emissions training - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and over the counter trading (OTC) for private investors. VERs are Carbon Credits, but receive funding from the private sector rather than Kyoto Protocol sources. Driven by corporations and individuals tired of UN gridlock - there have been several failed attempts to agree the next phase on emissions cuts including conferences in Copenhagen and Cancun - VERs offer an alternative way to pay for emissions-reduction projects.

AGT's Director, Charles Stephenson, explained that investors trading in VERs have remain unaffected by the climate talks: "Our investors are savvy enough to know the difference between private sector VERs and the public sector element being discussed in Durban, so we have no concern over volume - in fact we've experienced a surge in purchases of VERs since India's airports announcement on Saturday," he says.

India's Director General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) announced on December 3, 2011, that airports may be required to purchase VERs to offset emissions. The DGCA has initiated the process of formulating emissions norms for the sector and is compiling a national carbon emission inventory in a move that comes from last year's resolution by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, calling upon members to achieve 2% fuel efficiency annually by 2050. The International Air Transport Association, a global airline body, has also committed to an average annual improvement of 1.5% in fuel efficiency and carbon-neutral growth by 2020 and halving net emissions to 2005-levels by 2050.

Mr Stephenson adds: "The price of VERs has risen 26.4% so far this year and we predict strong performance in 2012 from this commodity. Prices continue to rise based on a shortage in the market and increased corporate demand. The only risk for VER investors is if corporations are at some point in the future forced into a compliance market as a result of mass reductions in voluntary carbon commitments, which could result in a drop in prices - a highly unlikely scenario." 

CO2 figures reached 33.51billion tonnes in 2010, an increase of almost 6% on 2009, which happened despite the global recession. 

Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere are at record levels and are rising faster than ever; with experts agreeing this trend must be reversed during this decade if there is a chance of keeping the eventual temperature increase below 2C - which is believed to be the highest level tolerable. "I feel the best outcome that can be expected in Durban for the Kyoto Protocol is some sort of extension while a more suitable long term plan is negotiated between 2012 and 2015, when the current treaty expires," Mr Stephenson adds.

AGT is an industry-leader in sourcing and trading Carbon Credits to help companies and individuals offset their CO2 emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. AGT recently opened its Johannesburg operation and currently employs over 40 traders in Dubai, London, Zurich, Salt Lake City, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.