Kickster is a consultancy company highly specialized in cliamte-related, ESG and sustainability topics. With headquarter in Milan, Italy, and branches in Bucarest (RO) and Athens (GR), Kickster is a leading Italian consultancy company highly specialized in carbon markets mechanisms (EU ETS, ETS, VCM). Kickster’s Management Partners are part of the first practitioners within the EU ETS in Italy with 18+ years of experience, comprising carbon market trading, hedging, MRV and compliance for Italian EU ETS installations.
Kickster has +200 clients in the EU and a wide experience in tailored projects. Furthermore the company has developed several assessment methodologies on ESG, alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement and greenwashing.

MANGEMENT

PIETRO VALAGUZZA

Pietro gained a Master of Science in Economics at the Bocconi University. After spending a few years abroad, he started his business in the field of energy environment and climate change. Since 2007 he has gained experience in climate and sustainability policies, with particular specialization on carbon markets, energy efficiency, energy production from renewable sources and ESG performance. He was included among the green entrepreneurial excellences in the book “Green Economy 2.0”. He is an expert on European energy and climate policy, on markets and financial instruments as well as on innovation and sustainability. Over the years he has given life to various entrepreneurial projects related to the green. Furthermore, he is a member of WEMC (World Energy & Meteorology Council), of ISSP (International Society of Sustainability Professional) and of EAPPP (European Association of Public-Private Partnerships) and of the Advisory Board of the ESP (Environmental Science and Policy) Department of the University of Milan. He has been recently appointed as Ambassador of the European Climate Pact.
He is an accredited consultant for EBRD (GET-Registry), ADB, RCREE and an accredited expert for the EAA.
Pietro is:
– involved in EU Climate Policies (including EU sustainable finance framework, market mechanisms, efficiency and renewable energy national and international incentives) with an extraordinary knowledge of the sector and understanding of the energy and climate-related challenges, since 2007. Extensive knowledge of international frameworks in the area of low carbon energy and a particular understanding of International Financial Institution mechanisms in the energy and climate sector;
– an experienced Manager and Consultant and well known Italian national specialized in the EU climate change regime and corporate climate governance (materiality, double materiality, CSDR, TCFD, EU Taxonomy, etc.) for public entities, utilities and industrial clients, especially in Italy; as manager included in the book “Green Economy 2.0”, as an innovative entrepreneur in the Italian climate sector (https://www.v-finance.it/media/eventi/aspettando-expo-2015-green-economy-2-0/);
– a strategic innovator (developer of “efficiencycloud” a web-based platform to match energy projects and green finance);

– a recognized expert in the Italian “green economy” and an experienced founder and manager skilled in negotiation, management, corporate finance, energy, sustainability and climate change, both for private and public sector.

Pietro’s expertise comprises:
– policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks, economic and financial conditions or requirements for RE investments, assessment of capacity building needs, formulation of programs and Road Maps, with clear identification of specific interventions in support of sustainable energy,
– economic and financial requirements/condition for climate-related investment, for banks, financial institutions and final clients.
– assessment of capacity building needs,
– techno-economic assessment of climate-related projects, with experience in several sectors, including SMEs,
– green finance instruments and green finance structured products (energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc.),
– disclosure (GRI, SASB, TCFD, etc.),
– techno-economic and financial assessment of RE and Energy Efficiency projects, within multidisciplinary teams,
– management and coordination of energy experts
– engaging with leaders of government and energy industry and multi-stakeholders’ platform,
– development of energy and environmental market models and investments as well as methodologies for preparing bankable-investment energy and environmental programs,
– drafting high-quality technical reports and strategic assistance to different stakeholder in the field of sustainable development and sustainable finance (preparation of papers, discussion notes on controversial issues; contribution to building the corporate body of knowledge by systematically sharing with all stakeholders in the form of presentations).

RAMONA CARIA

Ramona, since 2013, has gained experience in climate and sustainability policies, with specialization on ESG metrics and criteria, carbon markets, energy efficiency, energy production from renewable sources. She is an expert on European climate and sustainable finance policies. Over the years she gained and extensive knowledge of ESG frameworks.
Ramona’s expertise comprises:
• policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks, economic and financial conditions or requirements for ESG investments,
• economic and financial requirements/condition for climate-related investment, for banks, financial institutions and final clients.
• assessment of capacity building needs,
• techno-economic assessment of climate-related projects, with experience in several sectors, including SMEs,
• green finance instruments and green finance structured products (energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc.),
• disclosure (GRI, SASB, TCFD, CSRD, etc.).