Community Benefit Funds can be used by technology companies and data center operators to advance place-based, equitable decarbonization goals, but many stakeholders still grapple with how to deploy these funds effectively, particularly in low-income and frontline communities near major load centers. At the same time, traditional building retrofit and energy efficiency programs have struggled to quantify carbon reductions with the rigor and geographic detail needed for ESG reporting, attribution, and voluntary carbon frameworks.

Drawing on lessons from the field, Elevate will share practical examples and explore how new platforms and methodologies are enabling more accurate measurement, verification, and communication of carbon, grid, and community benefits, helping companies better align local investments with clean energy and decarbonization strategies.