Lauren Mechak of ClimeCo Demystifies the Carbon Offsets Market

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Amanda Hsieh talks with Lauren Mechak, ClimeCo’s Director of Program Development. Lauren leads ClimeCo’s efforts to evaluate new ideas for carbon offsets and other environmental commodities through technical, scientific, and financial feasibility. Lauren and the Program Development Team work through all aspects of early project development, including quantitative carbon offset methodology drafting with major registries, like the Climate Action Reserve and Verra. She has worked on projects ranging from industrial nitrous oxide abatement to nature-based solutions, such as reforestation. While Lauren’s work is primarily in the voluntary carbon offset space, she also has expertise in compliance markets, including California’s Cap-and-Trade and Low Carbon Fuel Standard. She received her Master of Environmental Management in Economics and Policy at Duke University. During her time at Duke, she worked with the university’s Carbon Offsets Initiative to help Duke achieve carbon neutrality and served as an Article Editor for Duke’s Environmental Law and Policy Forum. Before Duke, Lauren earned her B.Sc. from McGill University in Biology in 2013. Listen as Amanda and Lauren define carbon offsets, and discuss their purpose. This is an interesting time for the carbon offset market. There are many new investors in this arena, which is complex and confusing to some. Learn more through Lauren’s recent article, Are we missing the point of offsets? Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Interested in being a guest on the podcast? For consideration and scheduling, please fill out this form.