What Does Meaningful Change Look Like? A Conversation With John Colas From Oliver Wyman

At COP30, we spoke with John Colas from Oliver Wyman about what meaningful progress now looks like - beyond new pledges and political statements. 

Here are three takeaways that stood out from John’s interview: 

Alignment now matters more than ambition

The next phase of climate action depends on shared international understanding and the rapid spread of best practices. Without convergence, fragmentation will continue to slow scale. 

Interoperable carbon markets are essential infrastructure

Carbon markets must work across borders to become credible, liquid, and investable at scale — not remain fragmented policy instruments. 

The Paris Agreement's Article 6 can unlock efficient global capital flows

By enabling the trading of high-quality carbon credits between those who can supply them and those who need them, Article 6 has the potential to accelerate global decarbonisation at the lowest possible cost. 

Watch John's full interview here:

https://vimeo.com/1147699159

John Colas, Vice Chair, at Oliver Wyman Financial Services Americas Leader, Global Climate & Sustainability Platform

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John T. COLAS serves as Vice Chair of Oliver Wyman Financial Services Americas and is the leader of the firm’s Global Climate & Sustainability Platform. With over 30 years of experience, he provides strategic counsel to senior management within the financial services sector and public entities, focusing on strategy, regulation, sustainability, and climate risk. His extensive global experience includes significant engagements in major financial centers, and he actively participates as a member of Marsh McLennan’s Climate Leaders Council.

At Oliver Wyman, John spearheads cutting-edge climate risk and sustainable finance initiatives designed to tackle pressing environmental challenges while promoting long-term resilience and growth. He is deeply committed to guiding organizations through the complexities of climate change in crafting commercially smart transitions towards a sustainable future.

John co-authored the influential UNEP FI report “Extending Our Horizons,” which establishes a robust methodology for assessing climate risks in accordance with TCFD recommendations. His recent collaborations with the World Economic Forum and the First Movers Coalition have aimed at financing the transition to a net-zero economy, alongside his contributions to the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) in the MENA region. He has also served as a knowledge partner to GFANZ and as a strategic advisor to the TCFD Secretariat. His expertise gained further recognition through his role on the CFTC’s Climate-Related Market Risk Subcommittee, which produced the pivotal report “Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System.”

John has presented at prominent events, including Climate Week NYC, COP27, and COP28. Recognized as a 2022 NACD Directorship 100 Honoree, he is also a member of the Economic Club of New York and the Foreign Policy Association. John graduated magna cum laude with a BSE in finance from the Wharton School and was awarded a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to study at SciencesPo.