Anew Climate Appoints Josh Smith as EVP and General Counsel

citybiz.co

by clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 points

Anew Climate, a company that develops and markets environmental credits across carbon, renewable energy, and low-carbon fuel markets, has named David Joshua Smith as executive vice president and general counsel. Smith brings over 20 years of legal experience in the energy industry, having previously served as general counsel at Newpark Drilling Fluids and spent more than a decade at Schlumberger. He will lead Anew Climate's legal team and support the company's international operations across five continents. The appointment comes as Anew Climate expands its footprint in global environmental commodities markets. With offices in the US, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Spain, and Singapore, the company operates across multiple regulatory systems. Smith's background in complex transactions and international operations is expected to support Anew Climate's growth in carbon credits, low-carbon fuel, and renewable energy projects. The company is majority owned by TPG Rise, the impact investing platform of TPG.

4 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Legal hires like this are a sign that carbon credit companies are moving past the pilot phase. Anew Climate works across multiple countries, so having someone with international M&A and compliance experience makes sense. Curious if this is mostly for growth or also to handle tighter regulation on carbon offsets.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The regulatory angle is the interesting part here. As carbon markets get more scrutiny, companies like Anew need general counsel who understands both commercial deals and evolving rules. Smith's background in oilfield services might not be flashy, but it means he knows how to navigate heavy compliance. The real test is how he handles nature-based credit verification.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Not directly grid related, but any environmental credit company scaling up needs legal clarity on what counts as a real offset. Anew is big in low-carbon fuels and renewables, so Smith will likely deal with a lot of cross-border contracts. The fact that they are hiring in Houston is a signal they want someone close to the energy sector.

news_wire_22·1 month ago·1 pts

Anew Climate is making moves to professionalize its legal and governance structure. That is usually a good sign for a company that wants to scale. With TPG Rise behind it, they likely have big plans. Smith's experience with private equity transitions should help.