The CDR Procurement Guide

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Stacy Kauk, Head of Science at Isometric.

Isometric is a carbon credit certification platform with a mission to rebuild trust in carbon markets.

Stacy is responsible for leading their science team. This includes ensuring that rigorous science underpins all of Isometric’s carbon crediting decisions.

Stacy was previously Head Of Sustainability at Shopify where she was responsible for building Shopify’s $55M+ CDR portfolio and was a founding member of Frontier.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• Build on existing knowledge rather than starting from scratch
• Forward-thinking companies are already engaging with CDR
• Learn from experienced buyers and join purchasing groups
• Carbon budget management poses major challenges
• Maintain rigorous quality standards when evaluating suppliers

-Relevant Links-

• Stacy Kauk’s LinkedIn
• Isometric

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Myles Allen, Professor of Geosystem Science in the Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment and the Department of Physics, University of Oxford.

He is known for his work on understanding and quantifying the drivers of climate, and he has been referred to as 'the physicist behind net zero' by the BBC.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• Evolution and importance of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in addressing climate change.
• Connection between the finite carbon budget and the need for CDR to achieve net-zero emissions.
• Public communication on the dual challenge of emission reduction and responsible carbon disposal.
• CDR framed as a waste disposal issue, essential for long-term climate stability.
• Producer responsibility principle: fossil fuel industries should be accountable for carbon cleanup.
• Difference between carbon capture at the source vs. carbon removal; advocating for integrated strategies.
• Carbon removal industry as a significant driver of job creation and economic growth.

-Relevant Links-

• Myles Allen’s LinkedIn
• Net Zero Climate

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Oksana Davis, Senior Sustainability Analyst of Pure Data Centres Group

Pure is an innovation driven digital infrastructure organisation of industry leading experts in intelligent design, engineering, security, science, research, and sustainability. They develop and operate sustainable data centres for some of the world’s largest technology companies, across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

As Senior Sustainability Analyst at Pure DC, Oksana leads carbon offsetting, mitigation, and renewable energy projects, optimizing the carbon credit portfolio and ESG reporting. Oksana has worked with organizations like the UN and World Bank on climate resilience and sustainability policies, including large-scale adaptation and sustainable agriculture. She holds a PhD in Finance, specializing in natural resources, with certifications in CO2 accounting and sustainable investment.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• Pure Data Center Group's approach to achieving net-zero carbon commitments.
• Challenges in adopting strategies quickly due to regulatory pressures and regional operational differences.
• Building a robust carbon removal strategy through investment in high-quality projects with thorough verification processes.
• Why strong partnerships with project developers are essential for success.
• Complexities of the carbon credit market and integrating carbon pricing into business models.
• The need for constant adaptation in response to evolving regulations and market conditions.
• Internal challenges of gaining stakeholder support for carbon initiatives.
• Strategic approach to carbon accounting and mitigation within the company.

-Relevant Links-

• Oksana Davis’s LinkedIn
• Pure Data Center Group Website

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Richard Templer Co-Founder of Undaunted (formerly the Centre for Climate Change Innovation)

Undaunted is a partnership between Imperial College London and the Royal Institution. It is fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem that aims to make London and the UK a great place to start and scale intelligent, sustainable solutions to the climate challenge at pace.

Richard Templer is Emeritus Professor of Climate Innovation and a Senior Research Investigator. He has been a Commissioner at the London Sustainable Development Commission, and advisory body to the Mayor of London, since 2015 and was awarded an OBE for his contributions to climate innovation in 2024.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• The importance of carbon removals in the bigger picture, cutting through the noise.
• How buyers should evaluate different methods based on their durability, reliability, and scalability.
• Opportunities for value chain integration for emitters.
• The need for public understanding and enthusiastic support for removals to drive action at scale.
• The role of buyers in shaping the narrative around removals by integrating CSOs within businesses and their value chains.
• How early investment and advocacy by buyers can build markets and reduce solution costs.

-Relevant Links-

• Richard Templer’s LinkedIn
• Undaunted website

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In this episode of the CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Antoine Poulallion, Senior Director the sustainability team at Boston Consulting Group.

BCG is a renowned global consulting firm that advises clients across various industries on strategy, technology, and innovation, with significant expertise in business transformation and digital advancement.

Antoine Poulallion is a Senior Director on BCG’s sustainability team, where he focuses on the firm's sustainability strategy. Since joining the team in 2020 from BCG’s consulting side, his work has spanned a variety of initiatives, from developing BCG’s net-zero plan to setting ambitious reduction targets and leading on carbon removal and sustainable aviation fuel partnerships. In addition to his internal work, Antoine also advises BCG clients globally on building their own net-zero strategies. His work centers on launching high-impact projects and ensuring their successful implementation across the organization.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• BCG’s strategy for achieving net zero through carbon removal.
• The importance of internal carbon pricing and leadership support.
• Balancing short- and long-term procurement strategies for carbon removal.
• Developing internal expertise and securing organisational buy-in.
• Managing risks in carbon removal initiatives.
• Practical advice for making an impact, whether starting or refining your carbon removal strategy.

-Relevant Links-

• Antoine’s LinkedIn
• Boston Consulting Group website
• BCG Privacy Policy

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Co-Authors Jennifer Geary and Anna Krotova who recently authored the book “How to be a Chief Sustainability Officer”.

“How to be a Chief Sustainability Officer” is a hands-on and comprehensive book that condenses over 20 years of sustainability theory and collective management experience into a solid guide for sustainability leaders. It is also an important reference for Boards, Committees, and executives who want to embrace the sustainability transition and position their organisations for long-term, ethically driven success.

Anna Krotova is a sustainability leader who has spent her entire career and working life in sustainability. Over the last 15 years, she has held sustainability roles across various sectors, from non-profits and international development organisations to consulting and private sector companies.

Jennifer Geary is a COO with over 25 years of experience in Finance, Technology, Risk and Legal, across diverse industries from financial services to not-for-profit.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• Jennifer's journey of writing books on C-suite roles and the challenges faced.
• Anna's motivation for collaborating on the CSO book and the regulatory pressures in sustainability.
• The importance of internal carbon pricing and accurate emissions inventory.
• Procurement strategies and due diligence for carbon removal technologies.
• Legal risks and the reality of greenwashing in sustainability efforts.
• The necessity of building a supportive community around CSOs for better decision-making and knowledge sharing.

-Relevant Links-

• Jennifer Geary’s website
• Jennifer Geary LinkedIn
• Anna Krotova website
• Anna Krotova LinkedIn
• Click to buy the “How to be a Chief Sustainability Officer” book

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Christopher Neidl, Co-Founder of The OpenAir Collective.

OpenAir is a global volunteer collective advancing carbon dioxide removal solutions to the climate crisis through collaborative research & development, advocacy, and pilot-based missions.

Chris Neidl has helped lead advocacy efforts at the state level related to low-carbon concrete procurement policy, including the Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (LECCLA), as well as carbon removal procurement and incentives, such as the New York Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act, the NY Carbon City Property Tax Abatement Act, and the Luxembourg Negative Emissions Tariff.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• The importance of a multi-layered approach to net zero, combining emissions reduction, resilience, and carbon removal.
• How non-profit organisations like OpenAir Collective educate, organise, and drive citizen-led policy change at the local level.
• Empowering citizens with AI tools to spread effective CDR policies and create a ‘wildfire’ of advocacy.
• The need for early engagement in CDR, with early adopters setting the standard for future practices.
• How organisations can learn from established role models instead of reinventing the wheel.
• The critical role of rigorous standards and MRV in ensuring trust and accountability in the carbon market.
• Preparing for the inevitable development of carbon markets and recognising the essential role of government involvement.

-Relevant Links-

• Chris's LinkedIn
• The OpenAir Collective's website

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Jason Grillo CEO and co-founder of AirMiners

Jason Grillo is the Director of Partnerships and Operations for AirMiners - a worldwide community of innovators dedicated to advancing the practice of removing carbon dioxide and its equivalent greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, across all methods. His experience in AirMiners spans leading the biweekly virtual event series, managing the community of over 2,300 people, and co-leading the Launchpad accelerator program for early stage startups which has graduated 95 teams since 2021.

AirMiners gathers people who want to build something in carbon removal and brings them into community with others who can create with them.

AirMiners started in 2017 by Tito Jankowski and Matthew Eshed, as a project to help kick start the carbon removal industry. Since then, AirMiners has grown to accelerate entrepreneurs and innovators building solutions for carbon removal.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• The correct positive positive framing of carbon removal to create a narrative of agency
• How buyers can leverage resources of AirMiners and be part of forthcoming buyer education programme, designed for CSOs (supported by TCDRPG)
• How to make carbon removal and co-benefits relevant to organisation stakeholders
• The case and necessity for early engagement in CDR to support 2030 net zero milestones.
• The value of buyer groups and communities beyond sharing individual experience.
• The importance of trust in the early market and the role of MRV/due diligence in procurement process
• Thinking of carbon removal as a strategic enabler and a brand enhancer and having the confidence to talk about contributions to market and industry building without fear of greenwashing.
• The three buyer archetypes that buyers should consider

-Relevant Links-

• Jason Grillo’s LinkedIn
• AirMiner’s website
• AirMiner’s LinkedIn
• Boot Up Programme Registration Link 
• Buyers Academy Registration Link

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Benjamin Schulz, formerly Founding Partner of Carbon Removal Partners and now Founder of X-SAF Technology.

Carbon Removal Partners is a venture that partners with the most ambitious entrepreneurs in the formative stage of their companies to support them and transform them into global winners - by investing into technologies to withdraw carbon from the atmosphere in a permanent manner, as well as into companies along the CarbonRemoval value chain.

Benjamin Schulz shares responsibilities on investing and portfolio success, and leading the firms activities in the US. He studied Mathematics at Imperial College, London. Prior to Carbon Removal Partners, Benjamin was involved in founding and building tech companies. He's been an active climate advocate through his work at CleanTechnica (worlds #1 cleantech site) and creation of the The Solar Panel Art Series (an internationally recognised art project).

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• The importance of developing specific communication and education strategies for different audiences using simple, easily to understand concepts - thinking about carbon removal as necessary waste management, where you have to remove what you emit.
• The necessity for novice buyers to be able to learn from pioneer buyers - industry and market peers need to help each other.
• The importance of establishing a price for carbon to drive the right organisation behaviours and fund transition activity and compensation of residual/historic emissions. 
• Funding the first feature length CDR documentary through the Legion44 initiative to bring CDR to the wider public - launching at Venice Film Festival.
• The importance of public long term multi-year CDR procurement commitments for both sides of the market.
• The policy environment that is emerging is creating greater certainty for organisations with net zero claims about the action they will need to take.
• Call To Action: Lobby for a price to be put on carbon by society and within organisations to fund carbon waste management.

-Relevant Links-

• Benjamin Schulz’s LinkedIn
• Carbon Removal Partners website
• WEF Reports
• SwissRe industry report
• SwissRe Institute
• Legion44 launch and programme

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In this episode of CDR Procurement Guide, Eli spoke with Ben Rubin Executive Director of Carbon Business Council

Carbon Business Council is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 100 carbon management companies working together to responsibly restore the climate and make a gigaton-scale climate impact.

Ben is regularly featured in National Media Outlets, including Bloomberg, Axios, Politico and the Hill. He speaks on national and international stages about responsibly scaling the carbon removal market.

Some of the highlights from this episode:

• Buyer resources through Carbon Business Council and The Carbon Herald partnership
• Importance of science-based communication: 3 ‘R’s of climate: remove, reduce, resilience
• The need for better education of critical stakeholders on risks and benefits of CDR
• Unique buyer journeys and resources (CBC/BMWF paper on buyer experience)
• Concept Of ‘Twin Targets’ For Net Zero Pledge: reduction and removal (joint letter and OpEd)
• Critical Need For Demand-Side Support: public-led procurement (CDC paper this autumn)
• Scaling to gigaton levels: increasing demand and supply
• Communities for learning about CDR

-Relevant Links-

• Ben Rubin’s LinkedIn
• Carbon Business Council