Meet Laura, Climate Services Business Development Analyst
As an expert analyst, Laura helps businesses achieve their sustainability goals.
Laura Salazar, based in our Medellín, Colombia, office, is a Business Development Analyst on CarbonBetter’s Climate Services team. She is a professional environmental engineer from University EIA, Colombia, and holds a technical degree in Biotechnology from UCO University. Before joining CarbonBetter, she worked as a Procurement Carbon Analyst and Latin America Manager at South Pole, where she sourced, optimized, and managed carbon credits across the region, ensuring quality, compliance, and impact. An early riser, Laura is most productive in the mornings, dedicating time to project work before shifting to client and partner meetings in the afternoons. When she’s not at work, she enjoys reading, oil painting, and exploring her interest in audiovisual storytelling. Learn more about Laura’s work at CarbonBetter, her sustainability habits, and the advice that guides her approach to life and work below.
Laura, what do you love about working at CarbonBetter?
What I love about working at CarbonBetter is the opportunity to learn and grow in sustainability consulting. I’ve gained experience in materiality assessments, climate scenario analysis, GHG accounting, and carbon markets. Being part of a small team allows me to work on diverse and impactful projects, making every day exciting and meaningful.
What does your day-to-day look like at CarbonBetter?
My day at CarbonBetter starts with focused work on projects and responding to emails and messages—mornings are my most productive time as an early bird. We have a daily team check-in to align on progress and plan the next steps for the day and week. After midday, I attend various meetings with team members to clarify project details or project developers, traders, and clients to strengthen relationships. I also carve out time to advance my tasks and prepare for the next day. At the end of the day, I share updates on my progress to keep everything on track.
Can you share a client project that was particularly impactful or challenging? What was your role, and what were the key takeaways from the experience?
One particularly impactful and challenging project was a Climate Scenario Analysis (CSA) we conducted for PortsToronto, which manages airports, ports, and marinas. The project focused on assessing climate-related risks, under various climate scenarios. My role involved identifying key vulnerabilities and quantifying risks to ensure readiness for climate resilience. This experience highlighted the importance of integrating scenario-based thinking and climate resilience into strategic planning, ultimately helping PortsToronto prioritize investments and enhance its long-term sustainability strategy.
How do you help clients navigate complex sustainability challenges, and what’s a common misconception you often address?
I help clients navigate sustainability challenges through consultancy work—such as Climate Scenario Analyses (CSA), materiality assessments, and carbon markets advisory—and through expertise in carbon credits. A common misconception I often address is the belief that carbon markets are ineffective or allow companies to continue polluting unchecked. In reality, when done correctly, carbon projects can deliver significant benefits for both the planet and local communities by supporting emission reductions and funding vital conservation efforts. While every industry has an unavoidable impact, carbon credits provide a practical way to compensate for emissions that cannot yet be eliminated, enabling companies to balance their footprint while working toward long-term sustainability goals.
“Make smart choices. Life is about the choices we make, not about what we think we deserve.”
Laura Salazar on the best advice she’s ever received
Do you have any personal or professional goals that you'd like to share?
I aspire to become a highly competitive professional in my field, using my skills to contribute to the protection of our planet. I hope to inspire others through my work and be a driving force for positive change.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Make smart choices. Life is about the choices we make, not about what we think we deserve."
Do you have any personal sustainability habits that are important to you?
Yes. I make an effort to use public transportation whenever I can, and I'm really careful about recycling and composting. I also try to be mindful of my water and energy consumption, and I do my best to reduce food waste.
Where did you grow up? What's something interesting about your hometown?
I was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, a city known as the "city of eternal spring" since we do not have seasons. Instead, we have sunny and rainy days, but the temperature remains consistently pleasant throughout the year. Located in the middle of the tropical forests of the Andes Mountains, Medellín is a vibrant city where you can see beautiful macaws crossing the sky in the afternoons.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!
Yes, I adopted a street dog 15 years ago. She is very shy but playful and sweet whenever she feels safe and loved.
What is something that people are usually surprised to learn about you?
People are usually surprised to learn how much I love spicy food! I once had a habanero pepper-eating contest with a friend from Mexico, and we both lost.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to read and create oil paintings.
What's something you've learned recently, or something you want to learn?
I'm really into audiovisual communication, and I'd love to become a pro at making videos and taking high-quality photos.
What are 5 things on your bucket list?
- Visit Japan
- Vacation in Italy
- Learn French
- Live abroad in a country with seasons for a year
- Start a Master's Degree in Sustainability
Thanks for sharing, Laura! We are so lucky to work alongside you every day. Stay tuned for the next team feature in our Life @ CarbonBetter series.