Carbon credits are confusing until you anchor them in data.

Most portfolios juggle policy, paperwork, and risk while hoping the math adds up. Ashley Sarauer breaks it down. She explains how to turn real building upgrades into verified, bankable carbon credits that buyers trust and owners can model into cash flow.

In this episode of The Down Low with Joe, Ashley shares what makes a carbon credit high-quality, why building data beats guesswork, and how a platform approach can transition projects from pilot to portfolio.

We discuss:

• The simple definition of a carbon credit and why title and transfer matter
• Turning building projects into verified credits using utility data and third party checks
• Additionality, permanence, leakage, and double counting explained in plain English
• Why buyers want local, tangible credits and how portfolios can keep a portion in house
• Ex post issuance, pre purchase contracts, and where banks fit in
• How credits change underwriting, ROI, and cash flow for deep retrofits

About Ashley Sarauer:

Ashley is the founder of Ontoly and a veteran of the carbon markets. She studied climate econometrics and worked on climate legislation in Alberta and British Columbia, then led initiatives at Verra in the voluntary market. At Ontoly, she focuses on certifying financial-grade, data-backed credits for real estate decarbonization.

Subscribe for weekly conversations at the intersection of data, buildings, and climate.

The Climate Gap is powered by Element Six.

Element Six specializes in addressing talent challenges across the built environment and climate technology sectors. Partnering with technology vendors and solutions providers delivering decarbonization solutions, helping them find the leaders and teams they need to scale.

Decarbonizing the built environment takes bold ideas and brilliant people. Element Six brings them together.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.