New platform opens access to the same rigorous project evaluations trusted by the world's leading carbon removal procurement programs

Today, Relae (formerly Carbon Direct) launched The Diligence Collection, a subscription-based platform that gives discerning carbon dioxide removal (CDR) buyers and investors self-service access to expert-curated desk reviews and deep diligence reports. For the first time, organizations of all sizes can access the same project assessments that have underpinned the world's leading CDR procurement programs. Each included project has already been vetted against Relae's globally recognized Criteria for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal, written in collaboration with Microsoft, a bar cleared by fewer than 10% of the 900+ projects Relae has reviewed.

Without rigorous diligence, CDR buyers risk delivery shortfalls, financial losses, reputational damage, and losing access to scarce high-quality supply. For many organizations, project evaluation has become the financial and logistical bottleneck to meaningful engagement with carbon markets, as it traditionally requires buyers to engage in lengthy, bespoke diligence processes. The Diligence Collection offers an alternative route: a deliberately curated set of exceptional projects, lowering the barrier to credible, science-backed project discovery.

“The Diligence Collection is a game changer. It gives CDR buyers and investors access to the highest-quality project reviews in the market without having to commission bespoke reviews each time they want to learn more,” said Dr. Julio Friedmann, Carbon Wrangler and Chief Scientist at Relae. “The Diligence Collection maintains the strict quality standard Relae is known for and lowers the barrier to entry by sharing the same diligence the world's leading CDR procurement programs trust. We created this platform to help more buyers and investors confidently move off the sidelines. More engaged buyers and investors means more capital flowing to high-quality projects, which is critical for scaling this industry.”

Relae has diligenced more than half of all announced high-quality tonnes contracted through CDR offtake agreements worldwide, including diligence for the majority of tonnes from Microsoft’s announced offtakes. The team has completed over 900 project reviews across the world covering a range of carbon removal approaches, including direct air capture, BECCS, biochar, enhanced rock weathering, and nature-based pathways. The Diligence Collection will include a subset of the high-quality projects identified over the last several years, hand-picked by the team that has set the bar for quality in the voluntary carbon market.

“At Microsoft, due diligence is a critical part of our process in assessing whether projects will meet quality thresholds,” said Phillip Goodman, Director, Carbon Removal Portfolio at Microsoft. “By accessing thorough reports off-the-shelf, new buyers and procurement teams with limited resources can make informed CDR sourcing decisions in less time.”

Subscribers gain immediate access to executive summaries and project overviews across the curated portfolio, with the option to purchase desk reviews or deep diligence reports on projects of particular interest. Those who are interested in gaining access to the full library of reports can also purchase an all-access subscription. Additional bespoke diligence on specific projects remains available for buyers with distinct procurement or investment priorities.

The Diligence Collection will expand as additional projects are approved for inclusion or complete review, and evaluations can be updated as projects advance and market conditions evolve.

Learn more about The Diligence Collection.

About Relae

Relae is the trusted energy and climate advisor, delivering scientifically rigorous, technically advanced, and commercially grounded solutions. Our scientists, engineers, and policy experts pair systems-level knowledge with project-level understanding to help clients achieve their energy and climate goals. Founded in 2020 as Carbon Direct, Relae has supported over 150 companies, including Microsoft, Mitsubishi, and JPMorgan Chase, in navigating today's most pressing challenges across energy systems, greenhouse gas emissions accounting, carbon markets, climate policy, natural capital, environmental markets, and emerging technologies. To learn more, visit www.relae.co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261022091669/en/

"We created this platform to help more buyers and investors confidently move off the sidelines. More engaged buyers and investors means more capital flowing to high-quality projects, which is critical for scaling this industry."