Carbon Direct is a leading carbon management firm offering science-based solutions for organizations aiming to reduce and remove their carbon emissions. The company combines deep climate science expertise with technology and investment services to support businesses, governments, and institutions in meeting their net-zero and sustainability goals.
Carbon Direct operates in three main areas: enterprise carbon management, a marketplace for high-quality carbon removals, and investment in carbon removal technologies. Founded in 2019, the company has grown to become a key player in helping organizations understand their carbon impact and implement effective, high-integrity climate action strategies.
Features
Carbon Management Advisory
Carbon Direct provides tailored advisory services grounded in climate science. The advisory team includes over 40 world-renowned climate scientists, carbon removal experts, and policy advisors. Services include:
Carbon footprint analysis
Decarbonization roadmaps
Net-zero strategy development
Climate risk assessment
Policy and compliance support
Carbon Removal Marketplace
Through its online marketplace, Carbon Direct connects buyers to high-quality, verifiable carbon removal credits. These include nature-based solutions like reforestation, as well as frontier technologies like direct air capture (DAC), biochar, and enhanced weathering. The marketplace ensures:
Full scientific due diligence on each supplier
Transparent credit pricing and verification
Alignment with industry standards like the ICVCM and SBTi
Investment in Carbon Tech
Carbon Direct Capital, the company’s investment arm, funds and supports the growth of carbon removal and climate technology companies. It focuses on scaling solutions that can durably remove CO₂ at gigaton-scale over the coming decades.
Science-Based Evaluation Framework
The company employs a proprietary evaluation process to assess carbon removal projects based on six key criteria: additionality, permanence, leakage, verification, quantification, and co-benefits.
Enterprise Platform Access
Corporate clients receive access to Carbon Direct’s digital platform for tracking emissions, carbon purchases, and climate performance over time.
How It Works
Step 1: Carbon Management Assessment
Carbon Direct begins with a detailed analysis of an organization’s current emissions profile. This includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions based on international standards like the GHG Protocol.
Step 2: Strategy Development
Using insights from the assessment, Carbon Direct’s scientists and consultants work with clients to design a decarbonization strategy that fits their industry, regulatory environment, and climate targets.
Step 3: High-Integrity Carbon Removals
Once an emissions reduction roadmap is established, the client can purchase carbon removal credits via the Carbon Direct Marketplace. Each project is evaluated and vetted by Carbon Direct’s science team.
Step 4: Measurement & Reporting
Clients can monitor their progress on a secure platform, enabling transparent climate reporting and ESG disclosures. Carbon Direct also helps organizations report in line with voluntary frameworks such as CDP, SBTi, and TCFD.
Step 5: Scaling Investment (Optional)
For institutional partners and climate investors, Carbon Direct offers access to climate tech startups and large-scale carbon removal projects through its capital investment arm.
Use Cases
Corporate Net-Zero Programs
Large corporations use Carbon Direct to design and implement science-based net-zero strategies, including carbon accounting, procurement of removal credits, and performance tracking.
Financial Institutions
Banks and investors rely on Carbon Direct to assess climate risk, integrate ESG into portfolios, and support emerging climate technologies.
Government & Policy Advisory
Carbon Direct advises public sector entities on carbon policy design, procurement strategies, and climate compliance.
Supply Chain Emissions Reduction
Companies use the platform to measure and reduce emissions across global supply chains, especially Scope 3.
Climate Technology Startups
Through Carbon Direct Capital, startups working on CO₂ removal can secure investment, technical support, and commercialization pathways.
Pricing
Carbon Direct does not list fixed pricing on its website, as costs vary depending on the services and size of the organization.
Advisory Services are priced based on project scope and duration.
Carbon Removal Credits vary by project type, supplier, and volume purchased. For example:
Nature-based credits (e.g., afforestation) are generally lower-cost
Engineered solutions (e.g., DAC, bio-oil sequestration) are higher-cost due to technological complexity
To receive a quote or demo, organizations can contact Carbon Direct directly through their website to discuss tailored carbon management solutions.
Strengths
Science-Based Approach: Led by one of the largest teams of climate scientists in the industry.
High-Quality Carbon Removals: Rigorous due diligence ensures only effective, credible credits are offered.
End-to-End Services: Combines strategy, execution, reporting, and investment under one platform.
Trusted by Global Brands: Works with Microsoft, Shopify, Alaska Airlines, and others.
Support for Frontier Technologies: Actively helps scale next-gen carbon removal innovations.
Alignment with Global Standards: Supports best practices in carbon accounting and ESG compliance.
Drawbacks
No Self-Service Pricing: Lack of upfront pricing may deter smaller organizations or startups.
Enterprise-Focused: Primarily designed for medium to large enterprises, less suited to individuals or small NGOs.
Carbon Market Complexity: Even with guidance, navigating removal markets can be challenging for non-experts.
Technology Access: While the platform supports digital reporting, it may require onboarding and integration.
Comparison with Other Tools
Compared to Watershed
Watershed focuses heavily on real-time emissions tracking and in-house dashboards. Carbon Direct differentiates with its deep science team and exclusive focus on high-quality carbon removal, not just reduction.
Compared to Patch or Cloverly
Patch and Cloverly offer marketplaces for carbon credits, but Carbon Direct emphasizes science-led project vetting, making it a more curated, premium offering for buyers concerned about quality and permanence.
Compared to Microsoft’s internal tools
While Microsoft built its own carbon accounting system, it also uses Carbon Direct for carbon removal procurement—highlighting the firm’s credibility and niche expertise.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Carbon Direct has partnered with globally recognized organizations, including:
Microsoft – for carbon removal procurement
Shopify – to help scale high-quality removal suppliers
Alaska Airlines – for hard-to-abate emissions offsetting
Frontier (Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, McKinsey) – as part of large-scale carbon removal initiatives
These partners highlight Carbon Direct’s strength in rigorous evaluation, transparency, and scientific integrity in selecting carbon credits.
The company has been featured in major publications like Bloomberg, The New York Times, CNBC, and Fast Company, reinforcing its role as a trusted authority in the carbon market.
Conclusion
Carbon Direct delivers a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technology, and market access to help organizations navigate the complexities of carbon management and carbon removal. With its advisory services, vetted marketplace, and investment capabilities, Carbon Direct is well-positioned to accelerate meaningful climate action and support the transition to a net-zero economy.
Whether you’re a corporate sustainability officer, policymaker, or climate investor, Carbon Direct provides the tools and knowledge to act with impact—and confidence.
