FAQs

Introduction

As the environmental and social markets continue to expand rapidly, the demand for transparent information has become increasingly important. We have provided answers to some introductory questions regarding carbon markets below. We intend to broaden this page in the future by incorporating information about other environmental and social markets.

Q. What is a carbon offset?

A carbon offset is a unit that represents a reduction or removal of one metric tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Carbon offsets are used to counterbalance emissions that occur elsewhere and cannot be directly reduced, removed, or avoided.

Q. What gases can be reduced or removed to generate carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets can be generated by the reduction or removal of any greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to climate change. However, carbon dioxide is commonly used as the point of reference as it is the most prevalent GHG in the atmosphere and remains in the climate system for a long time.

Q. How do carbon offsets help organizations and individuals minimize their carbon footprint?

Carbon offsets play an important role in reducing the carbon footprint of organizations and individuals. By investing in carbon offsets, emissions that cannot be directly reduced or avoided can be offset by an equivalent amount of carbon reduction or removal activity elsewhere.

Q. What is the process for generating a carbon offset?

The first step towards generating a carbon offset is to produce an emission reduction or removal (ERR). Once an ERR has been certified under a reputable standard, it can be issued as a tradable unit known as a "carbon credit". When a carbon credit is used to compensate for emissions elsewhere, it is "retired", i.e., taken out of circulation and can no longer be sold. At this point, a carbon credit becomes a carbon offset.

Q. Why are carbon offsets necessary?

Addressing the current climate crisis demands urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which must drop by around 50% from 2010 levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, organizations and individuals should follow a hierarchy of climate actions: Measure: The first step in managing one's carbon footprint is to measure it. Reduce: Companies and individuals should minimize their carbon footprint wherever possible, for example, by investing in energy efficiency measures, purchasing renewable energy, minimizing air travel, and reducing meat consumption.

Offset: To counterbalance emissions that cannot currently be directly reduced, removed, or avoided, organizations and individuals can purchase carbon offsets to further mitigate their climate impacts. For instance, until the aviation industry can feasibly decarbonize, airlines should minimize emissions as much as possible (e.g., by purchasing sustainable biofuels) and then further reduce their footprint by purchasing carbon offsets. Offsetting carbon is not a long-term solution to the climate crisis, but it is one of the few invaluable tools available right now to drive real GHG emission reductions and removals as soon as possible. Research has shown that companies that buy offsets are generally more likely to make internal reductions as well. This suggests that companies using offsets tend to do the most overall to reduce emissions.

Q. What is the process for generating carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets can be generated through various activities that reduce or eliminate emissions. These activities may include tree planting, forest preservation, modified agricultural practices, distribution of fuel-efficient cookstoves, landfill gas capture and destruction, and other initiatives. To ensure the credibility and accuracy of the emission reductions or removals, they must be certified under a reputable greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program. The certification process involves a set of best practices that are embraced by all reputable GHG crediting programs. For more information on the components of this certification process, please refer to the Planetary Carbon Standard (PCS) Program.

Q. What is a carbon offset project?

A carbon offset project is an initiative that involves undertaking activities aimed at reducing or eliminating emissions from the atmosphere. Such activities may include the planting of trees, adopting eco-friendly agricultural practices, distributing fuel-efficient cookstoves, and other measures. The ultimate goal is to offset carbon emissions and contribute to the mitigation of climate change.

Q. What are Nature-based Solutions (NBS) and Natural Climate Solutions (NCS)?

Nature-based Solutions (NBS) are a set of actions that aim to protect, manage sustainably, and restore natural or modified ecosystems. These actions address societal challenges effectively and adaptively while providing benefits to human well-being and biodiversity, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) is a subcategory of NBS that focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing carbon storage in landscapes, particularly by using climate or carbon finance. NCS have the potential to deliver a third of the necessary emissions reductions by 2030 to keep global warming below 2 degrees at a relatively low cost. They also conserve biodiversity, sustain water supplies, enhance agricultural productivity, and provide livelihood opportunities. Currently, Natural Climate Solutions receive only 3% of total climate investment globally, which has hindered these solutions from achieving their full potential. To bridge this gap, Planetary Carbon Standard (PCS) is identifying and prioritizing approaches to scale up financing for such solutions by developing new frameworks and tools and evolving existing standards.

Q. What are AFOLU Projects?

AFOLU projects refer to projects related to Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use. The AFOLU sector provides land-based solutions to combat climate change. The PCS Program caters to AFOLU-based activities in carbon markets. Common AFOLU project types include REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation), ALM (Agricultural Land Management), Improved Forest Management (IFM), and blue carbon.

Q. What are REDD+ projects?

REDD+ projects are initiatives aimed at conserving forests that are at risk of deforestation. These projects prevent the release of carbon into the atmosphere that would otherwise occur from burning trees. The carbon credits generated from these projects represent the amount of carbon prevented from being emitted. What is REDD+? REDD+ combines REDD with afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation (ARR) to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and promote conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The concept was formalized under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change as a means of identifying pathways for financing forest conservation and restoration. How does REDD+ work? In practice, REDD+ attaches a financial value to carbon stored in forests, incentivizing investors and governments to pay to protect and restore forests. REDD+ projects implement site-specific activities that are highly effective at stopping deforestation and forest degradation, along with direct community engagement and the establishment of clear carbon rights which help to maximize a country’s climate and sustainable development outcomes robustly and credibly. What is the role of PCS in certifying REDD+ projects? The PCS Program is used to certify REDD+ projects worldwide. Our certification standard helps ensure that projects meet the requirements for reducing emissions and promoting sustainable forest management. By certifying REDD+ projects under PCS, investors and governments can be confident that they are supporting high-quality initiatives that deliver real benefits for the environment and local communities.

Q. What is Nesting?

The process of "nesting" aligns project-level emissions accounting and social and environmental safeguards with jurisdictional ones to protect forests at scale. It empowers local communities and drives private sector finance towards high-impact mitigation efforts beyond government policies. Additionally, it supports the development and implementation of government-led REDD+ programs and helps countries meet their climate goals.

Q. What is a “Carbon standard”?

A Carbon Standard is a set of criteria used to measure, report and verify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions or removals. It establishes a transparent and consistent methodology for tracking and accounting for carbon credits, which can be traded on carbon markets. Carbon Standards are essential for ensuring the credibility and integrity of carbon offset projects and schemes, which aim to mitigate climate change by reducing or removing GHG emissions. They provide a reliable framework for businesses, governments, and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their emissions reduction targets. Carbon Standards can also encourage the adoption of sustainable practices, promote innovation and investment in low-carbon technologies, and support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Q. What is “Additionality”?

Additionality is a key concept in carbon project development and refers to the extent to which a carbon project would not have been implemented in the absence of the carbon finance incentive. In other words, it is the difference between what would have happened without the project and what happens with it. To be eligible for carbon credits, a project must demonstrate that it meets the additionality criteria set by the relevant carbon standard or methodology. This involves showing that the project is not business-as-usual and that it goes beyond what would have happened in the absence of the carbon finance incentive. Additionality is important for ensuring that carbon credits are only awarded for genuine emissions reductions and that they are not simply funding activities that would have happened anyway. In addition, additionality helps to drive the development of new, innovative, and more sustainable projects that might not have been possible without carbon finance. In summary, additionality is a fundamental concept in carbon project development and assures that carbon credits are only awarded for projects that deliver real, additional emissions reductions. By ensuring that carbon finance incentivizes new and innovative projects, additionality helps to drive the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Q. What is Baseline Methodology?

Baseline methodology is a fundamental concept in carbon project development and refers to the reference point against which emissions reductions are measured. In other words, it is the level of emissions that would have occurred in the absence of the project. The baseline methodology is used to establish a baseline scenario, which represents what would have happened if the project had not been implemented. This scenario is then compared to the actual scenario, which represents the emissions reductions achieved by the project. The difference between the two scenarios is the emissions reductions that can be claimed as carbon credits. Developing an accurate and credible baseline methodology is critical to the success of a carbon project. It must take into account all relevant factors that could affect emissions, such as changes in the production process, fuel use, or land-use patterns. It must also be consistent with the requirements of the relevant carbon standard or methodology and be supported by robust data and analysis. In addition to establishing a baseline scenario, the baseline methodology is also used to establish a monitoring plan, which outlines how emissions reductions will be measured over the lifetime of the project. This plan must also be consistent with the requirements of the relevant carbon standard or methodology and be supported by reliable data and monitoring procedures. Overall, the baseline methodology is a critical component of a carbon project and provides assurance that emissions reductions are accurately measured and verified. It ensures that carbon credits are only awarded for genuine emissions reductions and that the project is delivering the intended environmental benefits. By establishing a credible and robust baseline methodology, carbon projects can help drive the transition towards a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.

Q. What is “leakage” in a carbon project?

Leakage in a carbon project occurs when the implementation of carbon reduction activities within the project boundary leads to an unintentional increase in greenhouse gas emissions outside the project boundary. This can happen if the project activities cause individuals or organizations outside the project boundary to change their behaviour, resulting in increased emissions elsewhere. Leakage can be mitigated by carefully designing and implementing project activities, considering potential spillover effects, expanding the project boundary, or implementing complementary policies to address behaviour change. Carbon credits generated by the project must also account for leakage to accurately measure the project's net impact on emissions. PCS is responsible for ensuring the integrity of carbon projects, including addressing potential leakage. Leakage occurs when a carbon project inadvertently causes emissions to shift to another location or sector. To address leakage, PCS requires a comprehensive assessment of the project's potential impact and the development of a mitigation plan. The plan may include additional monitoring and reporting, baseline adjustments, or complementary measures to reduce emissions in impacted sectors. The project developer is required to publish a comprehensive report on the leakage assessment and mitigation plan on their website to ensure transparency and accountability. Addressing leakage is critical to achieving meaningful emissions reductions and maintaining the integrity of carbon markets, with PCS providing guidance and oversight to ensure responsible and sustainable carbon projects.