Insetting: structuring products to unlock value and drive growth in low carbon markets

In this episode of the Decarb Connect podcast, Alex Cameron speaks with ClimeCo’s Emily Damon (Chief Growth Officer) and David Prieto (VP of Sustainability Advisory) to explore the rise of insetting as a tool for accelerating corporate decarbonization—especially across complex value chains. Unlike carbon offsets, which involve emission reductions outside a company’s operations, insetting delivers reductions within a company’s value chain, enabling both Scope 1 and Scope 3 progress.

You’ll hear how insetting fits into existing GHG accounting frameworks, why market-based accounting is gaining traction, and how buyers and sellers are structuring deals today—from bundled agreements to complex multilateral transactions. With rising consumer willingness to pay and emerging buyer alliances, insetting is positioned to become a core pillar of corporate climate strategies—if companies can navigate risk, tracking, and stakeholder scrutiny effectively.

Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode

1. Insetting = Value Chain Decarbonization
   Find out how insetting directs investment to emissions reductions within a company’s own supply chain. Create aligned incentives and quantifiable Scope 3 benefits (unlike offsets).
2. Accounting and Claims Require Rigor
   GHG Protocol allows for double counting by design (e.g. supplier Scope 1 = buyer Scope 3), but firms must avoid double claiming. Listen in to ensure that emissions reductions are traceable, additional, and not sold twice!
3. Markets Are Emerging but Still Immature
   Most current insetting deals are bespoke or bilateral. Find out how buyer alliances (e.g., SABA for aviation fuel, Clean Energy Buyers Alliance for electricity, and others forming for steel, cement, plastics) are lowering transaction costs and setting informal norms.
4. Registries and Standards Are Still Catching Up
   Find out what needs to happen next – from standardizing insetting certificates to infrastructure. A call to action to share lessons learned and scale pilot transactions to full-fledged programs.
5. Consumer and Corporate Demand Are Creating Tailwinds
   Studies show growing consumer willingness to pay a premium for sustainable goods (especially among Gen Z and millennials). Find out how corporate Scope 3 targets and supply chain emissions visibility are creating growing demand for low-carbon inputs.

Useful Links

• Learn more about the ClimeCo team here
• Read more in their blog post on Insetting here
• Connect with Emily Damon
• Connect with David Prieto
• Follow Alex Cameron on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect
• Join Alex and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025)

Want to learn more about Decarb Connect?

We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.

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