In a significant stride towards bolstering the global transition to net-zero, SC Ventures, the innovation and fintech investment arm of Standard Chartered, has teamed up with ENGIE Factory, the start-up studio of French utility giant ENGIE Group, to launch Qatalyst—an innovative platform aims to streamline and enhance due diligence processes in carbon finance markets, facilitating more efficient, transparent, and impactful investment in carbon abatement projects.
Qatalyst emerges at a crucial time when the demand for credible carbon credits and sustainable investment projects is soaring.
The platform’s primary goal is to address pain points in carbon project assessments by simplifying the identification, due diligence, and oversight of these initiatives. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, including AI-driven tools, Qatalyst offers a solution that promises to accelerate the deployment of capital into verified carbon abatement projects, thus supporting global climate goals.
“We are partnering with SC Ventures to combine our capabilities and support Qatalyst’s vision of accelerating carbon abatement projects,” said Caroline Guyot, head of ENGIE Factory and a board member of Qatalyst. “This transforms the way data is saved and analysed by ensuring it is of high quality, such as recorded consent from indigenous community members for the project to proceed.”
The inception of Qatalyst stems from the collaborative efforts of carbon teams at both ENGIE and Standard Chartered.
According to Poyan Rajamand, founder of Qatalyst, the platform addresses multiple layers of due diligence, providing an enterprise-grade solution that expedites carbon credit project assessments.
“We have an enterprise-grade solution that expedites carbon project assessments to support objectives, transparent data-driven decisions,” he said, underscoring the platform’s potential to revolutionise how carbon projects are evaluated.
The platform’s functionality extends beyond mere documentation management. By improving investment workflows, streamlining information exchanges, and enhancing decision-making processes, Qatalyst empowers investment teams to evaluate more projects efficiently. This increased efficiency could lead to more capital being funneled into credible carbon abatement initiatives, accelerating the journey towards achieving net-zero emissions.
Harald Eltvedt, a member of SC Ventures and a director at Qatalyst, highlighted the platform’s role in ensuring the credibility of carbon abatement projects. “Qatalyst is working to ensure the credibility of carbon abatement projects by leveraging new technology such as AI-enabled tools, to help investors understand whether a project is a sound investment, whilst providing the carbon impact promised,” he explained.
The collaboration between SC Ventures and ENGIE Factory has been instrumental in shaping Qatalyst’s capabilities. The partnership allowed the team to gain firsthand insights from both companies’ carbon experts, enabling them to identify critical pain points in the investment process and implement effective solutions. This hands-on approach has ensured that Qatalyst addresses real-world challenges faced by investors and project developers alike.
Qatalyst’s launch is particularly timely, given the growing scrutiny around carbon credits and the need for more transparency in the carbon finance market.
The platform aims to tackle issues such as double-counting, lack of transparency, and insufficient community consent—challenges that have historically hindered the credibility of carbon projects. By providing a robust due diligence framework, Qatalyst seeks to build investor confidence and drive greater participation in carbon markets.
Looking ahead, Qatalyst’s impact could be profound. As more financial institutions and corporations prioritise sustainability, the demand for credible carbon credits will continue to rise. Platforms like Qatalyst will play a crucial role in ensuring that investments in carbon abatement projects are not only impactful but also meet stringent quality and transparency standards.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, the platform’s mission to streamline carbon project assessments and enhance transparency is a critical step towards building a sustainable future.
