Carrbon markets have rapidly risen on government and corporate agendas in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as the region gears up to implement the Paris Agreement and pursue ambitious net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets. Governments have expressed interest in participating in international carbon markets in their most recent nationally determined contributions (NDCs), various major companies across the region have set ambitious emission reduction targets, and three GCC countries have begun developing voluntary carbon market standards or marketplaces.

Research Fellow Mari is a policy-oriented social scientist who has been studying climate change, energy transitions and sustainable development policy in the… Mari is a policy-oriented social scientist who has been studying climate change, energy transitions and sustainable development policy in the Gulf and globally for 15 years. At KAPSARC, she leads the projects on carbon markets and Paris Agreement Article 6, and the Circular Carbon Economy Index. She has worked for other leading energy, sustainable development and foreign policy research institutions, including the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (Earth Negotiations Bulletin), Georgetown University, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, and the Emirates Diplomatic Academy. Mari holds a master’s degree in political science and international politics from the University of Helsinki and a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern studies from Durham University. In addition to a broad research publications portfolio, she has substantial experience in executive training, presentations, policy advisory, and reporting services for multilateral environmental negotiations.
Expertise
- Climate Change Policy and Governance
- Energy Transitions
- Sustainable Energy Policy
- Circular Carbon Economy
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Economic Diversification and Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
Publications See all Mari Luomi’s publications

Enhancing the G20’s Climate Change Policy Agenda with the Circular Carbon Economy Index
Carrbon markets have rapidly risen on government and corporate agendas in the Gulf Cooperation Council…
22nd June 2023
Lessons from Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Participation in the Clean Development Mechanism
Carrbon markets have rapidly risen on government and corporate agendas in the Gulf Cooperation Council…
6th June 2023