We sat down with Jason Dodier, a sustainability advocate with expertise in energy and carbon removal, to discuss his mission to accelerate nature-based solutions for a sustainable future.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on energy, data, and sustainability. Currently, I co-founded GRAIN Ecosystem, a platform revolutionizing global carbon removal projects through digitization, transparency, and capital accessibility. My aim is to empower developers worldwide in achieving ambitious carbon sequestration targets. Based in NYC, I played a key role in advancing Energy as a Service microgrids, notably at JFK’s New Terminal One, demonstrating a strong commitment to digital transformation and sustainability. With extensive experience in operations, business development, and marketing spanning over a decade at Schneider Electric, SE, I’ve gained deep expertise in energy management and sustainability. As a sustainability ambassador, I advocate for IT integration and educational reform, delivering impactful speeches and fostering connections with industry leaders. Additionally, I take pride in co-founding Fountainhead Rhode Island, highlighting my dual commitment to sustainable energy and transformative non-profits for a progressive future.
What would you do with $1 billion dollars?
I’d utilize those funds to expedite nature-based technologies and projects, enabling scalable carbon removal with significant benefits for communities worldwide. My goal is to prevent the potential tragedy of the commons we face during the energy transition.
Why do you think sustainability is such an important topic today?
As our natural resources dwindle, and emissions like methane and carbon escalate, we hurtle towards uncontrollable climate change. My aim is to infuse innovation, expertise, and a fresh perspective to take decisive, economically mindful action.
What do you envision your industry looking like in ten years?
Currently, companies have acquired carbon removals totaling just over 4 million tons of CO2. However, only 2.6% of these credits have been delivered. The majority have been pre-purchased by corporations, with an anticipated five-year waiting period before they become available. When combined, these sales represent less than 0.05% of the progress required to meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s target of 10 gigatons of carbon removal by 2050. In the next decade, it’s imperative to establish a robust framework, focusing on advancing technologies, forming strategic partnerships, and ultimately, creating coalitions of willing and virtuous partners capable of delivering the necessary results for our planet. I intend to be at the center, working hard to make this happen!