ADC x Klimate: building carbon removal into how decisions get made
ADC is a Data & AI consultancy helping organisations make confident decisions in complex environments. Together with Klimate, ADC has developed a carbon removal strategy that integrates climate action into everyday business operations. In their own words, their goal is to help leaders have increased confidence in the actions they take especially when stakes are high and the world is perceived as uncertain. Spanning their offices in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Utrecht, ADC applies that same mindset internally: their field comes at an environmental cost—and it’s not enough to just maximise positive outcomes for clients without addressing their own impact too.
Employees
200
Originated in:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Industry
Professional Services
climate Strategy
Reduce & Remove
Why carbon removal
What does “high-stakes decision-making” look like when the stakes are climate too?
ADC’s formal sustainability strategy began with a simple question during a team strategy day: how do we actually address our impact? That question led to the creation of a climate committee to oversee internal climate work, and a new view of sustainability as part of value creation—integrating their long-term sustainability view into the day-to-day operations of the business and its stakeholders.
Their approach is also shaped by a belief in individual responsibility alongside shared responsibility. ADC sees sustainability as something they can influence beyond their own operations—informing and encouraging clients to reduce and make optimal decisions in their data architecture and AI initiatives, even when that influence comes through indirect control.
On the operational side, ADC focuses on deliberate reduction choices, such as domestic travel by train, and removing the rest of their operational emissions that they can’t yet reduce. This carbon removal strategy, and the partner, needed to align in key areas:
- High quality and integrity project portfolios,
- Access to ex-post credits that can align with given emission periods,
- Embedding CDR in the overall business operations to ensure long-term success.
"What stands out about the collaboration with Klimate is truly working together as a partner with shared values. The quality offering of trustworthy credits, and flexibility to build a portfolio that defines our goals, makes it possible to meet these goals in the long term."
—Emilie Colker, CEO of ADC
Carbon removal strategy
Embedding carbon removal with the right partnership
Over the three years of ADC’s carbon removal investment, the work alongside Klimate has functioned as a partnership. Together, Klimate and ADC have co-created portfolio criteria from their first investment focusing on ex-post, or already delivered credits, aligned with the emissions period. And, developing a blended portfolio that included more engineered and nature-based projects, with a clear interest in supporting solutions that are in need of scaling as a form of market signalling.
These core elements remain as the strategy has developed. Over time, they reworked the strategy to match business reality—so carbon removal can remain a year-on-year priority despite what else is going on in the company.
Key results:
ADC’s carbon removal strategy today is a flexible contracting model that actually follows the day-to-day reality of the company while ensuring CDR is non-negotiable. ADC works with a minimum portfolio price, reflecting their view of a CDR strategy as a core strategic element. When the company has a strong financial year, they can shift portfolio composition and increase their price per tonne, actually linking the CDR investment to their employee bonus pay-outs.
ADC’s latest portfolio continues this diverse mix of methods, with projects they believe in supporting. This includes pathways such as direct air capture, enhanced weathering, soil sequestration, reforestation, and biochar, blending climate impacts with important co-benefits. Their yearly investment allows for a shift between projects, or changing the portfolio proportions.
Looking ahead
Bridging a long-term carbon removal strategy with everyday operations
ADC’s view is clear: carbon removal is not a nice-to-have. It is built into the business, and it isn’t going anywhere. Through their collaboration with Klimate, the resulting investment strategy allows ADC the flexibility to define their own goals in a way that would hold up over time. Their thinking reflects how carbon removal is both a practical and values-based decision for the company.
"We can’t get to zero today. Carbon removal remains core to our strategy while bridging our day-to-day reality with long-term goals."
—Emilie Colker, CEO
Ultimately, ADC’s approach to carbon removal allows them to align business and climate realities with their long term goals—ensuring a sustainable road ahead.
About
ADC is a Data & AI Consultancy helping organisations achieve their goals by identifying, co-creating, and implementing impactful data-driven solutions. Originating in Amsterdam, their work now spans across Northern Europe, including offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Utrecht.
If you’d like to learn more about ADC’s carbon removal strategy, or hear updates to their efforts, contact the climate committee at clico@adc-consulting.com.
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