This time, we interviewed Farah, who is working as a Business Development Associate in the Global Sourcing Unit! We invite you to learn about how Farah developed her interest in sustainability and her passion for projects in Africa.
Name: ZRIBI Farah
Position: Business Development Associate
Specialization/Responsibilities: Market expansion & Projects Listing
Reason for Joining Green Carbon: Passion for creating positive impact
Career Background: USA-Canada Country Junior Sales Manager
Major/Studies: Business Administration & International Trade
Hobbies/How I Spend My Days Off: Exploring around, Nature Walk & Hiking and meeting friends
SNS: (Linkedin etc.) linkedin.com/in/farah-zribi
Q.Could you please provide a brief self-introduction, including an overview of your career to date?
My name is Farah (فرح), which means “joy” and “happiness” in Arabic. I’m originally from Tunisia, where I began my career at one of the country’s leading olive oil exporters. I worked across international sales coordination and blockchain-based traceability, supporting operations in the U.S. and Canada. This experience sparked my interest in sustainability, especially after I was tasked with calculating the product carbon footprint—a moment that completely shifted my career path.
To deepen my expertise, I moved to Japan to pursue an MBA at Doshisha University, where I focused on value-driven and impact-oriented business. During my studies, I completed internships in ESG reporting and carbon credit project implementation under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). These experiences confirmed my commitment to advancing nature-based solutions and inclusive climate finance, which led me to join Green Carbon.
Q. What kind of work are you involved in? Could you share more about your roles?
At Green Carbon, I support the development of nature-based carbon credit projects across Southeast Asia and Africa. My role spans market research, project registration under standards like Verra, Gold Standard, and JCM, as well as partnership development with different stakeholders.
Q. What led you to pursue your current job?
My first real encounter with sustainability came when I was assigned to calculate the carbon footprint of products at my previous company. That experience completely changed the trajectory of my career, I fell in love with the field of sustainability and made the decision to shift paths entirely. That passion is what brought me to Japan, with the goal of working in this field and contributing to meaningful, long-term change.
Q. What do you find most rewarding or fulfilling about your work?
After joining Green Carbon, I realized that the company’s focus is primarily on research and development. It’s very much based on new technologies and innovation, which I find incredibly interesting and challenging.
Being involved in various departments, including R&D, is a significant source of motivation and an exciting challenge. This is because I’ve had to deeply understand new technologies I knew nothing about before, which requires extensive research, reading numerous papers, and collaborating with experts. While demanding, this process of experiencing new things and mastering new technologies genuinely fuels my drive.
Another appealing aspect is the diverse range of nature-based solution projects, such as AWD, biochar, and reforestation. Each is distinct, so learning how things are done and understanding requirements and certifications like Gold Standard or the JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism) is both a challenge and a great motivation.
Q.What challenges have you faced so far?
As startup, the work pace is incredibly fast. Initially, I felt like, “What should I do? I need to learn so much. I need to be efficient. I need to make progress.” Adapting to this rapid pace with effective time management is certainly a challenge. However, what keeps me motivated is that the work is far from monotonous, there are constant challenges and learning opportunities that drive both personal and professional growth.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 10 years, and what are the challenges you’re excited to take on ?
In 10 years, I see myself taking on a leadership role as Regional Lead for Africa, driving both R&D and business development initiatives. I want to be involved from both the front-end and back-end, contributing to strategy while also staying close to project implementation.
As someone from Tunisia, I’m deeply passionate about expanding Green Carbon’s presence across the African continent. My goal is to help build inclusive carbon projects that not only meet certification standards but also deliver tangible value to local communities. Bridging innovation and impact in Africa is the challenge I’m most excited to take on.
Responsible Investor Tokyo 2023
Attending my first Responsible Investor conference in Tokyo was a milestone moment. It deepened my understanding of sustainable finance and global ESG trends, and gave me the opportunity to connect with thought leaders driving responsible investment strategies worldwide. Thanks to this experience, I was able to build a strong professional network, meet leading operators in the field, and ultimately secure my internship in the carbon market space. It was a key stepping stone in launching my career in sustainability and climate finance.