TCC #51: Show your work! s/o Frontier
Transparency can indeed spark transformation
In the world of climate action, there’s a trust gap. We’ve seen bold pledges. We’ve seen glossy sustainability reports. We’ve seen press releases brimming with optimism.
Yet, skepticism lingers. Commitments feel like empty promises, unsupported by concrete action. And today, in the tides of political transition, we’re seeing headline after headline of high-profile companies dropping the same pledges they proudly broadcasted to the world only years prior.
But this week, I learned of Frontier’s published offtake agreement template. After *checks calendar* ugh, apparently, not even a week (!!) of political theatre and its ensuing heartbreak, this discovery felt like a breath of fresh air.
Dramatic? Sure! But I’ll take my wins where I can find them.
(Frontier published this in August. I’m late to the party. We’re rolling with it!)
One current project of The Climate Hub’s is a whitepaper about carbon removal offtake agreements. (Hence my stumble-upon.) For those who might not know, an offtake agreement is a purchase agreement where a buyer commits to buying a set volume or percentage of a supplier’s output of carbon credits over a defined timeframe. Suppliers benefit because they can use the agreement to secure financing, build facilities, and scale operations. Buyers benefit because they secure a future supply of carbon credits at a competitive price.
What I love about this move from Frontier is that it’s not a flashy campaign or a vague declaration of intent. It’s a detailed, practical resource showing exactly how the business is doing its part to scale carbon removal technologies.
This is the kind of transparency we need. By making its process public, Frontier is showcasing its ambition, sure — and creating trust. They’re inviting scrutiny, collaboration, and, most importantly, replication. They’re empowering others to act.
Transparency like this has the power to reshape how climate action is perceived. It’s an antidote to skepticism. Because when companies show their work, it signals that they’re serious. They’re building solutions, and they want others to join in on the fun.
The power of public playbooks
Frontier’s decision to publish its offtake agreement template is a masterclass in how to catalyze an industry.
The key lies in the details. Their template is a roadmap. It reflects lessons learned from negotiating $300M+ in deals across seven projects. It’s been rewritten to be streamlined, plain-spoken, and adaptable for others to use. It’s the kind of resource that takes something complex and intimidating — like, say, scaling the nascent carbon removal market — and makes it achievable.
Why it’s awesome:
Sharing lessons learned — Frontier’s openness about what worked (and what didn’t) reduces friction for other players entering the carbon removal space.
Creating clarity — the annotated template explains everything from fixed pricing structures to delivery milestones, effectively removing the guesswork for buyers, suppliers, and financiers alike.
Empowering stakeholders — by designing contracts that are ‘bankable’ for project financiers, flexible for early-stage suppliers, and fair for buyers, Frontier addresses the real-world needs of everyone involved.
The impact of this transparency can’t be overstated. Industries scale when they share. Renewable energy took off when standardized power purchase agreements became widely available. This document will help do the same for carbon removal.
Catalyzing climate action
In sharing the details of how to structure a carbon removal offtake agreement, Frontier has outlined a replicable model for others to follow.
It’s specific. They define clear terms and timelines, tied directly to the reality of getting first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects off the ground. From project commencement to delivery milestones, the agreement maps out how to turn ambition into action.
It’s actionable. This isn’t a conceptual framework or a set of high-level principles. It’s a working document that companies, financiers, and developers can adapt and use today. It’s a ‘how-to,’ not a ‘should-do.’
It’s collaborative. Frontier didn’t create this in a vacuum. Their process included input from lawyers, suppliers, and project financiers — ensuring the agreement meets the needs of all stakeholders. By publishing it, they’re extending that collaboration even further, inviting feedback and adoption from across the industry.
By making their contract public, Frontier is creating a foundation from which a nascent market can grow. That’s the kind of leadership climate action needs: bold, practical, and open to the world.
What sustainability communicators can learn
This move from Frontier offers a lesson that sustainability communicators should take to heart: transparency builds trust, and specifics create impact.
For years, climate communications have relied heavily on aspirational, feel-good messaging — the kind that sounds nice in a press release but leaves audiences wondering, what does this actually mean? Now, clearly, an offtake agreement is highly specific to a particular use case. But Frontier’s presentation of the template delivers exactly what sustainability communicators should be striving to replicate: clarity, practicality, and actionable details.
So, some takeaways:
Get specific. This document explains how the process works, down to the timelines, terms, and triggers that make projects bankable. You might be thinking, of course it does, Meg, it’s a contract! But the lesson stands — if your audience can’t see how your efforts translate into real-world outcomes, they won’t trust your message.
Show your work. Frontier didn’t just publish a summary of their approach; they shared the entire playbook, complete with lessons learned. This kind of openness not only builds credibility but also invites collaboration and innovation. What if more companies shared the details of their sustainability strategies? What ripple effects could that transparency create?
Move beyond PR spin. Sustainability communications should be about doing good and proving it. Frontier’s move is a reminder that meaningful action always speaks louder than polished messaging.
Transparency is tablestakes for communication strategies. (Or at least, it should be!) It’s also a competitive advantage. In a world where skepticism around corporate climate action is at an all-time high, the companies that earn trust will be the ones that are honest, detailed, and willing to share.
So let’s take a page from Frontier’s playbook. No more relying on vague narratives. Let’s start showing exactly how sustainability can be done.