- Federal Carbon Expertise: Jacobson led major U.S. Department of Energy initiatives, including the $1.2B Direct Air Capture Hubs and the first federal carbon credit purchasing program.
- Strategic Return to Carbon Direct: With prior roles at Carbon Direct and Carbon180, Jacobson brings deep, practical knowledge of both public and private carbon policy landscapes.
- Executive-Level Guidance: His appointment strengthens Carbon Direct’s ability to navigate regulatory complexities and guide climate strategy for corporate clients.
Carbon Direct has appointed Rory Jacobson as Head of Policy, reinforcing its leadership in carbon management with one of the most experienced voices in U.S. carbon removal policy.
Jacobson most recently led the Carbon Dioxide Removal program at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. There, he spearheaded the nation’s first carbon credit purchasing initiative and oversaw the $1.2 billion Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Program, establishing quality standards and measurement frameworks that have become benchmarks for the sector.
“The complexity of today’s carbon management landscape demands both scientific rigor and policy expertise,” said Jonathan Goldberg, founder and CEO of Carbon Direct. “Having Rory rejoin our team brings invaluable perspective from his government service that will help our clients navigate regulatory frameworks while maintaining the highest standards for climate action.”
Jacobson is no stranger to Carbon Direct. He served as a Science Advisor from 2019 to 2022, performing due diligence on carbon removal projects and offering policy guidance. His earlier leadership as Deputy Director of Policy at Carbon180 further sharpened his ability to operationalize federal carbon strategies for private sector implementation.
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“Coming back to Carbon Direct feels like coming home,” said Jacobson. “During my time in government, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges of implementing carbon management policy at scale. I’m eager to apply these lessons to help organizations develop climate strategies that are not just compliant but truly impactful.”
Jacobson’s academic pedigree includes a Master of Environmental Management from Yale, where he was a Kerry Fellow, and undergraduate degrees from UC Berkeley. His early career included policy and research roles at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the World Resources Institute.
“Rory brings an exceptional combination of policy expertise and practical implementation experience,” said Zara Ahmed, COO at Carbon Direct. “His ability to translate complex legislative and regulatory developments into actionable strategies will be crucial as our clients seek to meet increasingly ambitious climate commitments.”
Jacobson’s return positions Carbon Direct to better support corporations and investors navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, with tailored strategies grounded in federal experience and scientific precision.
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