This time we interviewed Alysaa, who works in the Overseas Division. We hope you enjoy it until the end!
Please give a brief self-introduction, including your career so far.
Hi, I’m Alyssa and I’m 24. I’m originally from the Philippines, and I lived in Vietnam during my middle to high school years. I’ve been based in Tokyo since 2018 when I started a Bachelor’s at The University of Tokyo. In 2024, I earned my Master’s in Interdisciplinary Information Studies from the University of Tokyo, where I focused on the intersection of innovation, AI ethics, body diversity and global governance. I also did a lot of studies related to gender and minorities.
Before joining Green Carbon, I worked at a small capacity across various fields—from launching sustainability projects with ASEAN youth, the Yale University Climate Forum, and the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), to name a few. I also was involved in curating international projects on AI fairness, doing multilingual research on AI security, technological literacy and digital inclusion. In addition, I worked a lot tutoring students online, and also in person across different prefectures in Japan to teach original English classes like Business Sustainability, AI for Good, and Introduction to AI. I’ve always been driven by a desire to connect knowledge across borders, disciplines, and communities and am very passionate about tech and digital literacy for the next generations. Besides research, I also write and exhibit art on the side!
What kind of work are you involved in? Please tell us about your job duties.
At Green Carbon, I work mainly on research, validation, and some support for business development and operations related to carbon credit methodologies. That means diving into technical standards like AWD, biochar, reforestation, carbon farming, and mangrove restoration—and figuring out how to make those methods work on the ground, from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and beyond. Aside from desk study of methodologies, applying for validation, and considering new business approaches, I also am beginning to contribute to our digital MRV system design.
The thing I enjoy the most is the flexibility across roles and helping bridge communication across teams and countries, especially when it comes to translating complex verification procedures into clear, actionable steps for our local partners. It’s also a plus to feel close to home and the rest of the world with such an international job!
What would you like to take on in the future?
I’d love to work on scaling co-benefit monitoring—whether it’s biodiversity, gender minority empowerment, or indigenous knowledge—within the carbon credit space. Carbon is just one part of the story, and I want to help tell the full picture of climate resilience and social impact.
I’m also excited about helping develop tools that make climate data more accessible to non-experts—especially in Southeast Asia. I can speak English, Filipino, French, Japanese, and Korean so I am looking forward to exchanging ideas with all the partners we come across!
Lastly, I love hiking and camping, so I hope I get opportunities to work on the actual surveys on the ground as we build more projects!
What do you want to become in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to pursue a PhD and still be working creatively and innovatively. I hope that this experience will be a great inspiration for academic works, short stories, or art that explores the intersection of technology and social justice. Ultimately, I want to be someone who empowers others—especially in the Global South—to take agency while using the right tools.
What’s something that made you happy while working at Green Carbon?
I was really happy the first time I saw the potential of AI in carbon credits. I feel like my background in AI ethics will be useful in this space, since we care about sustainable technology and not just blind use of tools without considering the social and climate impacts. All the behind-the-scenes reading, analyzing, translating, and strategizing actually will be something that can help move our project missions forward in a fair and accessible way.
But beyond that, I’ve really appreciated the trust and autonomy I’ve been given since Day 1. Whether it’s helping draft international proposals or joining field visits, I feel like my ideas are heard and valued—which is something I deeply appreciate.
Finally, please share a message for those who want to work at Green Carbon.
Green Carbon is the kind of place where you can explore every aspect of a good business. If you’re curious, adaptable, and motivated by climate action, you’ll find a lot of purpose here. Since we work closely with farmers, academics, government officials, and international validators, no two days are ever the same. The team encourages each person to bring in their own strengths and I think if you are the type of person who can offer your opinions, it is a great place to be.