About us
Sigma Global is an Australian and European based company with more than a decade of hands-on experience in environmental markets and policy. We help companies meet carbon compliance obligations, commercialise clean technologies and develop offset projects by providing independent and objective policy analysis, tailored strategies and implementation assistance.
We specialise in creating value and reducing risk from environmental markets. By doing this, the companies we work with become more actively involved in these markets and not only improve their bottom line but also make a greater contribution to sustainable development.
We were amongst the pioneers in carbon banking and the Clean Development Mechanism. We understand and work in compliance schemes and markets including:
- Emissions Trading
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Efficiency
- Carbon Projects
We apply a flexible approach to working to provide a creative and effective solution to meet your needs.
We specialise in creating value and reducing risk from environmental markets. By doing this, the companies we work with become more actively involved in these markets and not only improve their bottom line but also make a greater contribution to sustainable development.
We were amongst the pioneers in carbon banking and the Clean Development Mechanism. We understand and work in compliance schemes and markets including:
- Emissions Trading
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Efficiency
- Carbon Projects
We apply a flexible approach to working to provide a creative and effective solution to meet your needs.
Sigma Global team
Sally Burns (Managing Director)
Sally is expert in structuring and transacting projects under the Kyoto Protocol and other international environmental market schemes. Sally was part of the team that registered the 5th CDM project in the world in 2005. In Australia, she worked in market development and communications at the Sustainable Energy Development Authority in NSW. She later held a position at Origin Energy to expand their carbon projects portfolio. In Europe, Sally worked as legal counsel at The Netherlands' largest power company, Nuon, when emissions trading became mandatory in the EU. In a commercial role with Grontmij Climate and Energy she developed international carbon projects all over the world under the Kyoto Protocol. Sally holds degrees in Resource and Environmental Studies and Law
Claire Byers (Director)
Claire undertook the first carbon trade in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2003 and is expert in realising value from the international carbon markets. Co-founder and architect of the Carbon Banking concept, Claire was instrumental in setting up the multi-million Euro Fortis Bank carbon origination and trading desk. Previously, at Nuon, she worked on structuring and trading environmental products. She has also worked for Ecofys, providing energy and environmental consulting services to the European Commission, after starting her career as a production geologist working for Shell. Claire holds masters degrees in Natural Science and Environmental Technology from Cambridge and London (Imperial) Universities.
Ben Cirulis (Technical Manager)
Ben has strong expertise in reducing emissions in the resource sector. At Rio Tinto Aluminium, Ben held a number of research, technical and project management roles, including the operational activities of the Drained Cell Project, a technology development project focused on emissions reductions in primary aluminium smelting. In the food and beverage industry, Ben worked with Provisor where he assisted companies in complying with energy efficiency and emissions reporting regulations, and with voluntary carbon market activities. Now with Sigma Global, he is developing international emission reduction projects across a number of countries, with activities including technical evaluation, risk assessment and carbon strategy development. Ben has a degree in Process Metallurgical Engineering and has completed an executive education leadership programme at the London Business School.
Bridget Centenera (Head of Microfinance)
Bridget's career has 9 years experience in the Finance and Microfinance industries. Through her work in this field Bridget has established a considerable level of understanding of community development and effective poverty alleviation. Her first position was with the Australian partner of the global Microfinance Network, Opportunity International. In this role Bridget worked extensively in assessing and improving the business of not-for-profit and formal Microfinance Institutions throughout Asia and Africa, as well as managing community based projects in these regions. In 2008 Bridget founded Strategic Poverty Solutions which partners with Sigma Global to implement community development projects. These projects contribute to sustainable development through social, economic, environmental and technology benefits in developing countries and Australia. These projects combine enterprise development with other sector services to address a variety of needs in poor communities. Bridget’s experience also includes training and supporting Microfinance practitioners around the world in strategic planning and implementing related business tools. Bridget holds an undergraduate degree and Masters in International Studies and Economic Development from the University of South Australia and the University of Sydney respectively,and she also completed postgraduate studies in Accounting and Finance at the University of Technology Sydney.
Sally is expert in structuring and transacting projects under the Kyoto Protocol and other international environmental market schemes. Sally was part of the team that registered the 5th CDM project in the world in 2005. In Australia, she worked in market development and communications at the Sustainable Energy Development Authority in NSW. She later held a position at Origin Energy to expand their carbon projects portfolio. In Europe, Sally worked as legal counsel at The Netherlands' largest power company, Nuon, when emissions trading became mandatory in the EU. In a commercial role with Grontmij Climate and Energy she developed international carbon projects all over the world under the Kyoto Protocol. Sally holds degrees in Resource and Environmental Studies and Law
Claire Byers (Director)
Claire undertook the first carbon trade in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2003 and is expert in realising value from the international carbon markets. Co-founder and architect of the Carbon Banking concept, Claire was instrumental in setting up the multi-million Euro Fortis Bank carbon origination and trading desk. Previously, at Nuon, she worked on structuring and trading environmental products. She has also worked for Ecofys, providing energy and environmental consulting services to the European Commission, after starting her career as a production geologist working for Shell. Claire holds masters degrees in Natural Science and Environmental Technology from Cambridge and London (Imperial) Universities.
Ben Cirulis (Technical Manager)
Ben has strong expertise in reducing emissions in the resource sector. At Rio Tinto Aluminium, Ben held a number of research, technical and project management roles, including the operational activities of the Drained Cell Project, a technology development project focused on emissions reductions in primary aluminium smelting. In the food and beverage industry, Ben worked with Provisor where he assisted companies in complying with energy efficiency and emissions reporting regulations, and with voluntary carbon market activities. Now with Sigma Global, he is developing international emission reduction projects across a number of countries, with activities including technical evaluation, risk assessment and carbon strategy development. Ben has a degree in Process Metallurgical Engineering and has completed an executive education leadership programme at the London Business School.
Bridget Centenera (Head of Microfinance)
Bridget's career has 9 years experience in the Finance and Microfinance industries. Through her work in this field Bridget has established a considerable level of understanding of community development and effective poverty alleviation. Her first position was with the Australian partner of the global Microfinance Network, Opportunity International. In this role Bridget worked extensively in assessing and improving the business of not-for-profit and formal Microfinance Institutions throughout Asia and Africa, as well as managing community based projects in these regions. In 2008 Bridget founded Strategic Poverty Solutions which partners with Sigma Global to implement community development projects. These projects contribute to sustainable development through social, economic, environmental and technology benefits in developing countries and Australia. These projects combine enterprise development with other sector services to address a variety of needs in poor communities. Bridget’s experience also includes training and supporting Microfinance practitioners around the world in strategic planning and implementing related business tools. Bridget holds an undergraduate degree and Masters in International Studies and Economic Development from the University of South Australia and the University of Sydney respectively,and she also completed postgraduate studies in Accounting and Finance at the University of Technology Sydney.
Sigma Global associates
Sigma Global has a wide network of trusted professionals outside of the company but who are regularly called in to support specific assignments where specialist skills or deeper expertise is required. This approach allows us flexibility and enables us to structure the most effective project teams for our clients.
Additionally, Sigma Global partners with other companies for specific assignments:
Additionally, Sigma Global partners with other companies for specific assignments:
| 33 Asset Management
33 Asset Management partners with project owners in emerging markets to provide technical and strategic guidance and investment support. 33 Asset Management specialises in setting up and implementing REDD projects. |
| AECOM
AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. Sigma Global works closely with AECOM in identifying and unlocking carbon opportunities across its world-leading pipeline of engineering projects. |
| Bainton Capital Partners
Bainton Capital Partners provides specialist consultancy, advisory and advocacy services to organisations engaged in environmental markets and energy infrastructure across the world. Bainton Capital Partners is headquartered in the UK and comprises a global network of senior professionals with deep knowledge of the sector and a commitment to excellence and practical solutions. |
| Cairneagle
Cairneagle provides strategy consulting and venturing services across a range of industries. They have particular expertise in telecoms & media, carbon & climate change, and financial services & technology. Together, Cairneagle and Sigma Global jointly offer a range of services to global companies in minimising liability, avoiding risk and creating value from the rapidly growing carbon markets. |
| Cleantech Advisory
Cleantech Advisory provides strategic consulting and corporate advisory services in the global clean technology market. |
| Climate InterChange
Climate InterChange develops and implements carbon emission reduction projects. They focus on projects in developing countries that combine climate protection and the UN Development Goals through the introduction of sustainable technologies developed by their group. |
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