We make it possible for businesses and their customers to take urgent action on climate change.

Our Story

For over 15 years, our renewable energy, transportation decarbonization, and climate solutions have made it possible for businesses and utilities to answer the call for immediate and meaningful climate action.

PIONEERS IN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Supported the launch of the first voluntary community solar programs in the U.S.

Led negotiations to create the first
utility green tariff in the U.S.

Executed the first voluntary Renewable Energy Certificate option trade in the U.S.

Facilitated the largest aggregated renewable energy transaction
to date

Initiated some of the earliest Renewable Natural Gas transactions
in the U.S.

Driven by Purpose

Steve McDougal and Dan Kalafatas founded 3Degrees on the belief that business must serve in the interest of all stakeholders and play a central role in solving the global climate crisis. Our name was inspired by global warming targets that were emerging at the time to prevent catastrophic climate change. While the targets have evolved since our founding, we remain committed to pursuing the greatest possible climate impact. After 3Degrees emerged as a key player in REC and carbon offset markets and an innovator of utility green power programs, Dan and Steve recognized the need to evolve our services to meet the growing demand for more comprehensive energy and climate consulting solutions.

I am humbled to work at 3Degrees. The depth of expertise and talent around the company is amazing... I am honored to be a part of this.”

— DAN KALAFATAS, CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

UNITED FOR CLIMATE ACTION

In 2017, 3Degrees merged with Origin Climate — a prime mover in carbon project development and trusted consultant for corporate renewable energy strategy and procurement — whose shared B Corp certification and aligned values presented the ideal partnership and opportunity to achieve greater impact with our clients.

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS

Today, 3Degrees helps our growing roster of clients achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals. We are proud to partner with these industry leaders to address the urgent challenge of climate change and create a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Our Values

Above all, 3Degrees owes its endurance, growth, and success to upholding our core values. Each 3Degrees employee shares in the responsibility to know and live out these principles.

Select a value below to learn more.

  • Passion
    for taking urgent action on climate change.
  • RESPECT
    for all people.
  • COMMITMENT
    to achieving impact through ground-breaking work.
  • INTEGRITY
    guides our actions. Always.
  • DIVERSITY
    inspires new approaches for how we do business.

Passion

for taking urgent action on climate change.

Now more than ever, the world needs business and community leaders to take action on climate change. We are proud to take action within our own operations and deliver exceptional service to our clients to address this challenge.

RESPECT

for all people.

We strive to infuse equity and justice within our daily practices and to create a company culture imbued with the respect and inclusion of all people — where voices of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are heard and valued at every level of our organization.

COMMITMENT

to achieving impact through ground-breaking work.

For us, the bottom line is progressing meaningful climate action as urgently and effectively as possible. We don’t shy away from difficult assignments or first-of-a-kind work. Our service offerings and employee engagements continually evolve as we seek to affect the greatest impact across our communities and the environment.

INTEGRITY

guides our actions. Always.

It’s not only about what you do, but how you do it. We endeavour to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Our operations are guided by the input from all stakeholders of our business and we hold each other accountable for our candor, devotion to our mission, and the integrity of our work.

Read more about our commitment to responsible procurement:3Degrees Procurement Policy

DIVERSITY

inspires new approaches for how we do business.

Climate action must acknowledge, explore, and advance equity and inclusion in marginalized communities. 3Degrees seeks to identify and eradicate the barriers and behaviors that prevent organizations, including our own, from representing and advancing these communities throughout all levels of an organization. We recognize that we have much work to do, and it requires ongoing attention and care.

Read more about our DEI and anti-racism commitments here.

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

CERTIFIED B CORPORATION

A Certified B Corporation is part of a movement of businesses that balance purpose with profit. We are proud to be a part of a community of business leaders redefining what success means — where the goal is not just to be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world by using business as a force for good.

The B Corp certification demands rigorous standards of social and environmental performance and represents the commitment we’ve made to our employees and communities.

Read our annual B Corp Report to learn more.

B Corp group

VALUES-DRIVEN CULTURE

BRG team photos

Our employee-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are instrumental in supporting culture, policy, and innovation at 3Degrees. Each group is championed by an executive sponsor from our leadership team, ensuring influence in decision making and development of business strategy.

Business Resource Groups include 3D Gives, B Corp, Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Staff Growth, and Ideation & Innovation.

I'm passionate about our environment, and at 3Degrees I can directly tie what I'm doing to what I love.

— KARLINA WU, CONSULTANT, ENERGY & CLIMATE PRACTICE

Interested in a career with 3Degrees?

Learn more about working at 3Degrees and review current job openings.

Work With Us

In Our Communities

VOLUNTEERING

Employees are encouraged to use paid volunteer hours to contribute their time and talents to organizations in their local communities.

  • Serving on nonprofit boards
  • Restoring local parks and habitats
  • Removing plastic debris from beaches
  • Tending community gardens
  • Assembling energy-efficient home technology

CHARITABLE GIVING

In addition, our 3DGives program provides donations and gift-matching to eligible nonprofit organizations nominated by our employees based on their impact in the community and alignment with 3Degrees’ mission. 3Degrees has supported a wide variety of projects including:

  • Conserving wetlands and waterways
  • Protecting wildlife and biodiversity
  • Improving access to low-carbon commuting
  • Funding sustainability education in K-12 schools
  • Supporting local energy conservation and food projects
  • Bringing solar to developing communities

Sustainability

3Degrees’ commitment to climate action starts close to home.

   WE MEASURE AND REPORT OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

In fact, we’ve been doing so since 2010.  See details of our 2022 footprint below, and visit The Climate Registry to see our historic reports.
 


 WE TAKE PROGRAMMATIC ACTIONS TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT

Each year, we implement new programs, policies, or practices as they benefit our business focus at the time. For example: 

  • We stopped most air travel associated with job candidate interviews well before the pandemic;
  • In 2021, we collected sustainability information from a selection of our suppliers to inform action opportunities and our sustainable procurement policy;
  • In 2023, we implemented an internal carbon tax valued at $100 per employee, and used the funds to purchase carbon credits from projects that avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.

 


  WE SET LONG-TERM TARGETS

We recently updated our net zero commitment to align with the Science Based Targets Initiative’s program for small and medium enterprises (publication on their website is pending).
 


  WE ENGAGE OUR EMPLOYEES

Through volunteerism, guest speakers, knowledge sharing about sustainability at home, and more, we encourage and enable our employees to act on sustainability at home and at work.
 


3DEGREES’ 2022 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

  • The emissions shown in the graph are those determined to be relevant for further action. Not shown:
    • After screening all value chain (scope 3) emissions and honing our data collection, most scope 3 emission categories were set aside.
    • Scope 1 emissions are 0. Scope 2 market-based emissions are 0 after we retire renewable energy certificates (RECs) for our annual electricity use. Scope 2 location-based emissions are 25mT.
  • Emissions are calculated according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol using an operational control boundary.

Recognition & Associations

Awards & Accolades

We are honored to be recognized for our team’s exceptional work.

Environmental Finance Top REC Trading Company in N. America 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014-2019
Climate Action Reserve - Carbon Offset Project Developer of the Year 2016
EPA Green Supplier of the Year 8 TIME WINNER - 2007 - 2011, 2013 - 2015*
THE CLIMATE REGISTRY CLIMATE REGISTERED PLATINUM (SAN FRANCISCO) 2014 - 2016
B Lab Best for the World 2013, 2016, 2017, 2022
NATIONAL BEST AND BRIGHTEST SUSTAINABLE COMPANY 2014
CLIMATE ACTION RESERVE LEADERSHIP AWARD 2010, 2016
EKOenergy's Oak and Bamboo Award 2023

*discontinued in 2016

LEADERSHIP

3Degrees is led by a team of seasoned industry experts with deep experience in climate action. Read more about our Board of Directors and Leadership team.

LOCATIONS

3Degrees works around the world to support our global clients’ climate action. Find out where we’re located.