Carbon Direct Appoints Rory Jacobson as Head of Policy, Drawing on Distinguished Service at the U.S. Department of Energy
Carbon Direct, a global leader in carbon management solutions, has announced the appointment of Rory Jacobson as its new Head of Policy. This strategic move brings back a widely respected expert in carbon removal policy who most recently led major initiatives at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), particularly within the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. Jacobson’s return marks a significant development for Carbon Direct as it strengthens its position at the intersection of science-based carbon solutions and pragmatic policy implementation.
Jacobson’s professional journey has consistently reflected a deep commitment to advancing climate solutions through rigorous science and policy. At the DOE, Jacobson held a pivotal leadership role, serving as the director of the Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) program. In that capacity, he launched and oversaw groundbreaking federal programs that are reshaping how the United States approaches carbon removal and climate action.
Among his most significant accomplishments at the DOE was the establishment of the United States’ first-ever carbon dioxide removal credit purchasing initiative. This program aimed to incentivize innovation and market development by directly purchasing high-integrity carbon removal credits. His work also laid the groundwork for the $1.2 billion Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Program—a major federal investment in direct air capture (DAC) infrastructure designed to help the U.S. meet its climate goals. These programs collectively signify a fundamental shift toward institutionalizing carbon removal as a central pillar of national climate policy.
In addition to launching these major programs, Jacobson was instrumental in developing the quality and verification standards that now underpin the U.S. federal government’s approach to carbon credit markets. These standards are essential in ensuring that carbon removal efforts deliver measurable, verifiable, and permanent climate benefits. His contributions in these areas have set the stage for the emergence of a more credible and robust carbon removal ecosystem.
Jonathan Goldberg, founder and CEO of Carbon Direct, underscored the significance of Jacobson’s return to the company. “The complexity of today’s carbon management landscape demands both scientific rigor and policy expertise,” Goldberg said. “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.”
This appointment signals Carbon Direct’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between emerging carbon removal technologies and the evolving regulatory frameworks that govern them. With companies, governments, and investors increasingly focused on achieving net-zero targets, the need for expert guidance on carbon policy has never been greater.
For Jacobson, the decision to return to Carbon Direct was both professional and personal. “Coming back to Carbon Direct feels like coming home,” he said. “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 career has long been defined by a blend of policy insight and technical expertise. Prior to his role at the DOE, he served as Deputy Director of Policy at Carbon180, a nonprofit focused on advancing policies that support carbon removal technologies. There, he led the organization’s federal policy strategy, working closely with lawmakers, agencies, and stakeholders to advance engineered carbon removal solutions.
His earlier experience includes a tenure as a Science Advisor with Carbon Direct from 2019 to 2022, during which he provided technical and policy guidance to a range of clients, including corporate sustainability teams, project developers, and investors. In that role, he played a critical part in assessing and vetting carbon removal projects, helping to ensure that the solutions met the highest environmental and scientific standards.
Jacobson also brings academic and research credentials that reinforce his qualifications. He holds a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment, where he was a Kerry Fellow and conducted research on international climate policy and carbon markets. He also earned dual undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on environmental science and policy. His early research positions with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) further solidified his foundation in sustainable development and environmental governance.
According to Zara Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer at Carbon Direct, Jacobson’s return comes at a time when clients are navigating increasingly complex climate commitments and reporting obligations. “Rory brings an exceptional combination of policy expertise and practical implementation experience,” Ahmed said. “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.”
In his new role as Head of Policy, Jacobson will be responsible for guiding Carbon Direct’s policy engagement strategy, advising clients on regulatory developments, and collaborating with stakeholders across industry, government, and academia to ensure that carbon removal efforts align with the latest science and policy. His focus will be on enabling real-world outcomes through well-informed climate strategies, especially as global attention intensifies around the credibility and scalability of carbon markets.
Carbon Direct, founded in 2019, has quickly become a key player in the carbon management space. The company offers a combination of scientific consulting and software services designed to help businesses and governments decarbonize their operations, invest in high-quality carbon removal, and navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging startups, Carbon Direct’s work spans carbon accounting, offset procurement, project due diligence, and market analysis.
The addition of Jacobson to the leadership team underscores the company’s broader vision: to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future through transparency, integrity, and science. As the voluntary carbon market grows and government-backed programs expand, Carbon Direct is positioning itself as a trusted advisor at the intersection of policy, science, and innovation.
In the years ahead, carbon management will play a pivotal role in global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals and avert the most severe impacts of climate change. Effective policy, rooted in sound science and capable implementation, will be essential. With Rory Jacobson’s leadership, Carbon Direct is poised to play a central role in shaping and supporting the strategies that will define this next phase of climate action.
For Jacobson, the opportunity to help guide this transition from both a policy and practice perspective is a powerful motivator. “We’re at a crucial juncture where we need to scale what works, identify what doesn’t, and bring clarity to a space that’s moving faster than ever before,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of a team that’s not just following the conversation on carbon management but actively shaping it.”
As more governments, corporations, and institutions embrace climate targets that include carbon removal, the demand for credible, science-based guidance will only increase. With Jacobson at the helm of its policy work, Carbon Direct is well-equipped to meet this moment and help drive meaningful, measurable progress on the path to net zero.
