When it comes to carbon credits, the concept of "quality" takes on a unique meaning, distinct from that of physical products. In the context of carbon credits, quality refers to the level of confidence one can have that a credit truly represents the effective offsetting of one ton of carbon dioxide. In other words, it addresses whether greenhouse gases are genuinely being sequestered or avoided as claimed by the credit.
Given that carbon credits are intangible and rely on calculations, verifications, methodologies, and predictions, it is essential to establish certainty in a phenomenon that remains invisible. Evaluating the quality of carbon credits involves assessing various variables that determine their effectiveness in mitigating climate change.
1. Additionality
One of the critical components of carbon credits is additionality. It indicates that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would not have occurred without the existence of the carbon market. In other words, the carbon is being sequestered solely due to the availability of carbon credits. This feature is crucial because if GHG reductions are not additional and would have happened anyway, purchasing carbon credits for emission reduction would be baseless and could worsen climate change.
2. Credible baseline and no double counting
Every carbon offsetting project must calculate the amount of carbon it will sequester or avoid. Errors and omissions during project development can lead to overestimating the amount of carbon captured, resulting in void credits. For instance, if a project issues 100 credits but can only absorb 50 tonnes of CO2e, half of the credits will have no genuine impact on reducing greenhouse gases. To avoid overestimation, carbon offset standards employ exhaustive methodologies. Solid accounting mechanisms ensure that each credit corresponds to the sequestration or reduction of one physical tonne of carbon. Independent third-party verifications further enhance the certainty of the credits' mitigating action.
3. Permanence
Permanence addresses how long and effectively carbon is stored by an offsetting project. However, some nature-based solutions may face risks like fires or logging, which can release the sequestered carbon back into the atmosphere. These risks are mitigated by carbon credit project developers as they should have buffer reserves and implement other risk-reducing measures, such as legally binding land-use restrictions and community-based efforts.
4. No Collateral Harms
Carbon offsetting projects can inadvertently result in unintended social and environmental harm. To ensure quality, high-quality projects extensively verify legal frameworks, consult with local communities, and evaluate ecological effects. Community engagement mechanisms and adherence to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can further promote co-benefits for people and nature.
5. Transparency
High-quality carbon credits maintain transparency throughout their life cycle, from project planning to retirement. Rigorous protocols, independent verifiers, and meticulous reporting ensure that all involved parties can access transparent and verifiable information about the credits they are purchasing.
Does It Impact Carbon Credit Prices?
The quality of carbon credits can significantly influence their prices. Factors such as the costs of launching the project, its location, the volume of credits issued, and the project type play a role in determining prices. Credits from renewable energy schemes are often cheaper than nature-based offsets. Additionally, projects offering co-benefits like wildlife protection or sustainable development opportunities may command higher prices due to their positive impact.
Furthermore, carbon removal credits, which involve actions to actively remove carbon from the atmosphere, tend to be more expensive than carbon avoidance credits, as carbon removal is considered more urgent in achieving net-zero emissions. Ensuring the quality of carbon credits is essential to maintain their credibility and effectiveness as tools in mitigating climate change.
Should you invest in high-quality carbon credits?
The answer is yes, obviously. Simply put, high-quality carbon credits guarantee effective emission reduction as quality is synonymous with confidence. The question is, why invest in low-certainty credits at all?
Join us on our mission to mitigate climate change, restore degraded lands in Africa and buy high-quality nature-based carbon removal credits here.