Karolien is South Pole's Regional Director for Climate Policy, Finance and Carbon Markets in Asia. She oversees South Pole's advisory work for public and private sector clients relating to carbon policy, climate finance, Article 6 and quickly evolving compliance carbon markets in the region. She has 18 years of experience in climate and development finance, including with the Belgian Foreign Ministry, the United Nations, and the Global Green Growth Institute. Karolien has lived and worked across Africa and Asia advising governments on policy and investment opportunities relating to clean energy, waste, transport, sustainable supply chains, NDCs, and more. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Leuven with a Masters in Philosophy and holds a Masters in International Relations from Sciences Po Paris.