NEW YORK – October 25, 2022 – Carbon Direct, a company built to help enterprises drive climate action, today announced that Dr. Christian Braneon has joined the company as Head of Climate Justice, focused on integrating climate justice into Carbon Direct’s culture, operations, and services across the carbon management industry.
“Carbon Direct understands that climate action needs to be underpinned by the best science and an unwavering commitment to environmental and climate justice, which is why I am excited to join the team,” said Dr. Braneon. “It is our combined responsibility to ensure that the actions we take to manage carbon and decarbonize society benefit the communities and countries who have suffered the most – and benefited the least – from the world’s dependence on both fossil fuels and natural resource extraction. We see a tremendous opportunity for climate action to be restorative and advance equity. As we take action to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, it is critical that we center the voices of the marginalized communities that rarely have a seat at the table, and stay focused on achieving equitable outcomes.”
Dr. Braneon is a climate justice thought leader who brings a broad range of experience in climate science and civil engineering as well as environmental and climate justice to Carbon Direct. He co-leads the Environmental Justice and Climate Just Cities Network at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, serves as Co-Chair of the New York City Panel on Climate Change, and sits on the newly formed Center for Climate Solutions’ Advisory Committee, which was established to further New York City’s efforts to respond to the climate crisis. Prior to joining Carbon Direct, Dr. Braneon served as a climate scientist in the Climate Impacts Group of NASA GISS and as Co-Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Environmental Justice Academy for community leaders.
Dr. Braneon will lead efforts to sharpen guidance for project developers on elements of project quality intersecting with environmental and climate justice, advance internal anti-greenwashing client screening, integrate environmental justice metrics into Carbon Direct's end-to-end software platform, and strengthen and deepen environmental and climate justice training for clients.
“Climate justice must go hand-in-hand with climate action,” said Jonathan Goldberg, Founder and CEO of Carbon Direct. “I am thrilled to have Dr. Braneon join our multidisciplinary team of scientists and market experts, as he understands the importance of bringing together data-driven, science-based strategies with meaningful community engagement. His multifaceted climate science and climate justice expertise will be invaluable as we work to further embed equity into all of our company’s end-to-end carbon management solutions.”
About Carbon Direct
Carbon Direct helps organizations go from climate goal to climate action. We combine technology with deep expertise in climate science, policy, and carbon markets to deliver carbon emission footprints, actionable reduction strategies, and high-quality carbon dioxide removal. With Carbon Direct, clients can set and equitably deliver on their climate commitments, streamline compliance, and manage risk through transparency and scientific credibility.
Our expertise is trusted by global climate leaders including Microsoft, American Express, and Alaska Airlines, as well as by the World Economic Forum, which selected Carbon Direct as an Implementation Partner for the First Movers Coalition. To learn more, visit www.carbon-direct.com.