Carbon Market Access Platform for Developing Nations
Climate 6
CLIENT
Climate 6
UX Research, Brand Development
ROLE
Climate 6 Business and Development
TEAM
6 months
TIMELINE
OBJECTIVE
CLIMATE 6, conceptualized by a collaborative team between Jakarta, Indonesia and Maputo, Mozambique was an early-stage startup focused on assisting organizations and individuals in accessing and implementing NBS (nature based solutions) projects within the voluntary carbon market.
The platform aimed to facilitate the involvement of the Global South in the climate crisis movement, driving toward exponential scalability. Key challenges identified included:
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Verification costs and complexity exclude smaller projects
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Data from research shows limited participation from developing nations
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we create a credible platform that empowers those in developing nations to initiate and implement carbon market projects?
PROJECT SCOPE
Project scope included UX research on competitive platforms and the voluntary carbon market landscape with regard to verification bodies such as Gold Standard and Verra as well as comprehensive brand development including naming, visual identity, and communication framework.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
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Spearheaded UX research for carbon credit platforms and audited key verification bodies (Gold Standard, Verra) to shape platform strategy and market positioning
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Architected complete brand identity from ground up, including company name, visual language, and strategic messaging framework
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Designed UI components and mockups to convey the platform's vision and user experience
Project Process
RESEARCH
Platform Analysis
Platform Assessment
BRAND
DEVELOPMENT
Brand Identity Creation
Logo Design Process
Brand Guidelines
Visual Presentation
Icon Design System
RESEARCH
Comparison of Available Technology Platforms
Our analysis encompassed 3 major US-based platforms and 5 international platforms. We examined multiple operational models while evaluating various technology approaches across these platforms.
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Indigo AG - US based: Large, advanced infrastructure, established, but with a high barrier to entry for small projects.
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Nori - US and Internationally based: Nimble, technologically forward, simplified verification models
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Kheyti - Internationally based (India): local infrastructure for better accessibility and community engagement
We narrowed down to 3 platforms to best exemplify the range of possible approaches:
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BACKGROUND:
Founded in 2014 in Boston, Indigo Ag began as a microbial technology company before expanding into carbon credits. They launched their carbon program in 2019, becoming one of the first major agricultural carbon programs. The company has raised over $1.2B in funding and has established itself as the largest agricultural carbon credit program in the US.
STRENGTHS:
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Market Leadership:
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First-mover advantage in ag carbon space
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Largest network of enrolled acres
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Strong corporate partnerships
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Established methodology developer
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Infrastructure:
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Sophisticated remote sensing capabilities
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Advanced data analytics platform
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Integrated farm management tools
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Comprehensive MRV system
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WEAKNESSES:
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High Barriers to Entry:
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Minimum acreage requirements
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Complex data requirements
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Long commitment periods
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Significant practice changes needed
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Market Perception:
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Viewed as corporate/industrial
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Less community-focused
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Limited international presence
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Complex for smaller farms
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BACKGROUND:
Founded in 2017 in Seattle, Nori created the first blockchain-based carbon removal marketplace. They focus exclusively on carbon removal (not emissions reduction) and use a unique token-based system. Their platform is designed to be more transparent and accessible than traditional carbon markets, with a focus on direct farmer-buyer connections.
STRENGTHS:
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Technology Innovation:
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Blockchain-based platform
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Transparent pricing
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Direct marketplace
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Simplified verification
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User Experience:
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Simple interface
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Clear pricing
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Direct transactions
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Educational content
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WEAKNESSES:
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Market Limitations:
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Smaller market size
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Limited buyer pool
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Cryptocurrency volatility
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New market approach
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Scale Challenges:
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Limited track record
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Smaller project portfolio
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Geographic restrictions
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BACKGROUND:
Founded as Kheyti in 2015 in Hyderabad, India, focusing initially on "Greenhouse-in-a-Box" for small farmers. Expanded into carbon credits by leveraging their extensive small-holder farmer network
STRENGTHS:
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Small farmer accessibility
- Local adaptation
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​Technology innovation​
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Community engagement​
WEAKNESSES:
- Limited scale
- Early stage
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Resource constraints​
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Verification challenges​
RESEARCH
Evaluation of Platform Capabilities, Limitations,
and Suitability for the Project
After evaluating carbon credit platforms, I found distinct advantages in both large U.S.-based platforms like Indigo AG and international ones.
While Indigo AG offered robust infrastructure and streamlined verification processes, international platforms provided better community access and stronger connections with local farmers. Our approach needed to incorporate the strongest elements from both models
Key Takeaways
KEY STEPS
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Extract key success elements from enterprise platforms
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Adapt them for resource-constrained environments
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Integrate local market requirements
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Create a scalable solution for emerging markets
HYBRID MODEL POTENTIAL
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Indigo AG's operational efficiencies and proven methodologies
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Local platforms' community engagement and accessibility
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Innovative approaches to overcome resource constraints
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Appropriate technology solutions for developing markets
BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Exploring Name Options and Developing a Cohesive Color Palette
My color exploration evolved through three distinct themes
Starting with scientific origins, I drew inspiration from carbon-related imagery through vibrant yellows, ice blues, and subdued grays. I then shifted to the natural world, incorporating various greens to reflect agriculture and environmental harmony. Finally, I examined global development by focusing on earth tones that represent sustainability through the lens of developing nations, combining economic growth with ecological stewardship.
CONCEPT 1: CARBON STRUCTURES
Drawing from scientific visualizations of carbon structures, this initial color palette harmonizes vibrant yellows, crystalline blues, and refined grays.
CREDIT 6
C OFFSET
OFFSET 6
DROP 6
CC TOOL
ASSIGNMENT 6
TEMPLATE 6
GROUP 14
CHANGE SIX
CC TRANSFER
BALANCE 6
CONCEPT 2: GREEN SUSTAINABILITY
A range of green hues to evoke associations with forestry, sustainability and the natural world. The varying shades of green were selected to instill a sense of harmony with nature and organic sensibilities
WILLOW CREDIT
GREEN VAULT
GREEN PLEDGE
VERDANT
CANOPY CREDITS
RAIN FORWARD
CONCEPT 3: AGRICULTURAL EARTH
Earth tones that represent sustainability through the lens of the Global South, combining economic growth with ecological stewardship.
TERRA TRUST
ROOTED CARBON
EARTH EQUITY
ECO WAVE
EARTH TOOLED
TERRA TRADE
BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Creating and Refining Logo Concepts
My design process drew inspiration from the molecular architecture of carbon.
By exploring the circular forms in the letter "C" and numeral "6", we developed options of a mark speaking to both structure and sophistication.
FINAL LOGO & COLOR
Our final palette merged the grays from carbon structures, greens representing natural environments, and rich earth tones symbolizing agriculture.
Our final palette merged the grays from carbon structures, greens representing natural environments, and rich earth tones symbolizing agriculture. This synthesis created a cohesive visual language that communicated the interconnection between scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, and agricultural development.
High-quality Mockups to Demonstrate Brand Application
The design went through key refinements to better serve our users from a clarity and scannability standpoint.
My initial mockups relied heavily on photography and layered shades from our color palette to create visual interest. Based on internal feedback, I shifted to a cleaner approach in the final version:
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Switched from photos to clear, purposeful icons
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Opened up layout with more white space
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Simplified backgrounds to help content stand out
Revised Mockups
Initial Mockups
Cross-Cultural Mobile Interface Design
Working closely with Development, I designed a simple, universal icon system for a mobile data collection app that works across language barriers.
Using clear shapes and intuitive symbols, the interface allows users to navigate mapping and data tasks after basic training, regardless of English literacy level.
CONCLUSION
Carbon Crossroads
While our hybrid platform framework demonstrated promising potential for bridging the gap between enterprise and local solutions, market timing proved crucial.
Successes:
The combination of carbon market volatility and rapid shift toward tokenization created an unsustainable environment for platform launch.
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Completed Brand Visual Identity
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UX Research and mobile-first design concepts
Challenges:
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Launch planned during a significant market correction
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Insufficient initial capital to fully execute platform
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