Jason Switzer
CEO
Equitable Origin
Jason Switzer is CEO of Equitable Origin, advancing market-based ESG leadership and Indigenous accountability through digital assurance tools. He previously led carbonNEXT - Canada's leading CCUS accelerator, and co-founded Alberta CleanTech Industry Alliance, which he merged with Foresight. Jason led the consulting practice at the Pembina Institute, and held GHG roles at Cenovus and Shell. He holds a master’s degree from MIT, is a Harvard-trained mediator, World Commission on Dams fellow, and serves on the CSA Committee on Sustainable Finance.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Leadership
ESG and Governance
Forum 28 | Digital Poster Plaza 5
29
April
11:30
13:30
UTC+3
The International Energy Agency’s Global Energy Review 2025 highlights a critical dynamic: while demand for natural gas remains robust, scrutiny of its environmental and social credentials is intensifying. Responding to this, the voluntary certification of natural gas has matured into a credible ESG tool.
Originating in 2012 as a remedy for extractive conflicts with Indigenous communities in the Amazon, Equitable Origin’s EO100™ Standard has since become a leading certification system. In North America, more than one-third of natural gas is now voluntarily certified under one of three major frameworks. EO100™ stands out by addressing ESG holistically—encompassing Indigenous rights, community consent, climate impact, and workplace safety—through independent site-level assessments that counter rising concerns over greenwashing and regulatory pressures.
The certification supports market access for major producers like EQT, Shell Canada, and PETRONAS Canada, differentiating their supply for ESG-conscious buyers. A unique feature is its dual-certification with the MiQ methane standard, enabling paired performance assurance. This approach facilitates credible low-carbon credits via registries (e.g., Xpansiv) and delivers Scope 3 emissions abatement at just $1.60/tonne CO₂e—a cost-effective alternative to traditional offsets.
Beyond market mechanisms, EO100™ fosters stakeholder engagement, Indigenous consent, and transparent governance, helping companies embed social license into operations. In an environment where investors and consumers demand more than carbon disclosures, this certification signals genuine leadership in energy justice and long-term resilience.
This presentation will provide updated data on certified gas volumes, insights from early adopters, and action-oriented guidance for operators, buyers, and policymakers. Attendees will learn how independent certification can accelerate authentic decarbonization, manage ESG risks, and give suppliers a competitive edge. The session will also explore the geopolitical implications of certified gas: as the world approaches peak gas demand, structured ESG assurance can offer a transparent, equitable pathway to a cleaner energy transition.
Originating in 2012 as a remedy for extractive conflicts with Indigenous communities in the Amazon, Equitable Origin’s EO100™ Standard has since become a leading certification system. In North America, more than one-third of natural gas is now voluntarily certified under one of three major frameworks. EO100™ stands out by addressing ESG holistically—encompassing Indigenous rights, community consent, climate impact, and workplace safety—through independent site-level assessments that counter rising concerns over greenwashing and regulatory pressures.
The certification supports market access for major producers like EQT, Shell Canada, and PETRONAS Canada, differentiating their supply for ESG-conscious buyers. A unique feature is its dual-certification with the MiQ methane standard, enabling paired performance assurance. This approach facilitates credible low-carbon credits via registries (e.g., Xpansiv) and delivers Scope 3 emissions abatement at just $1.60/tonne CO₂e—a cost-effective alternative to traditional offsets.
Beyond market mechanisms, EO100™ fosters stakeholder engagement, Indigenous consent, and transparent governance, helping companies embed social license into operations. In an environment where investors and consumers demand more than carbon disclosures, this certification signals genuine leadership in energy justice and long-term resilience.
This presentation will provide updated data on certified gas volumes, insights from early adopters, and action-oriented guidance for operators, buyers, and policymakers. Attendees will learn how independent certification can accelerate authentic decarbonization, manage ESG risks, and give suppliers a competitive edge. The session will also explore the geopolitical implications of certified gas: as the world approaches peak gas demand, structured ESG assurance can offer a transparent, equitable pathway to a cleaner energy transition.
