Carbon Direct has named Rory Jacobson as its new Head of Policy, marking his return to the firm after serving in a senior role at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Jacobson most recently led the Carbon Dioxide Removal programme at the DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.
During his tenure in government, Jacobson oversaw major initiatives, including the United States’ first carbon dioxide removal credit purchasing scheme and the $1.2 billion Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Programme. He played a key role in shaping quality standards for carbon credits and in developing robust measurement and verification frameworks, contributing to greater integrity in emerging carbon markets.
Jonathan Goldberg, founder and CEO of Carbon Direct, commented: “The complexity of today’s carbon management landscape demands both scientific rigour and policy expertise. 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 previously worked with Carbon Direct between 2019 and 2022 as a Science Advisor, providing policy insight and technical assessments for carbon removal projects. His earlier experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Policy at Carbon180 and holding research roles at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the World Resources Institute.
On his return, Jacobson said: “Coming back to Carbon Direct feels like coming home. 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 organisations develop climate strategies that are not just compliant but truly impactful.”
Zara Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer at Carbon Direct, added: “Rory brings an exceptional combination of policy expertise and practical implementation experience. 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 holds a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University, where he was a Kerry Fellow, and undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.
