Carbon Negative Markets

Building Policy Legitimacy for Carbon-Negative Innovation

Challenge

As a fast-growing climate tech start-up, Newlight Technologies faced the challenge of transforming its carbon-negative biomaterial innovation into a recognized policy and market opportunity. Without a government affairs function or clear regulatory framework, the company needed legitimacy and visibility to attract investors and expand operations.

Approach

Erin founded and led Newlight’s government affairs and policy practice from the ground up, managing a $1M+ budget. She developed a strategy to align Newlight’s product story—turning captured greenhouse gases into consumer materials—with emerging climate, plastics, and procurement policies. Her team conducted over 60 policymaker meetings and site tours, translating technology into tangible solutions for regulators, investors, and customers.

Impact

Within a year, Newlight gained recognition as a credible policy voice in the carbon-negative materials sector in the critical Sacramento policy making arena. As goes California, so goes many other clean energy markets. Erin’s work opened doors to trillion-dollar market opportunities, strengthening investor confidence and positioning the company as a thought leader at the intersection of sustainability, manufacturing, and climate policy.

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