What are the emerging trends and innovations in carbon neutral certification and verification?

1 Standards and frameworks

One of the challenges of carbon neutral certification and verification is the lack of a universally accepted definition and methodology for carbon neutrality. Different standards and frameworks may have different scopes, boundaries, baselines, and offsetting requirements, which can affect the credibility and comparability of carbon neutral claims. Some of the most widely used standards and frameworks include the GHG Protocol, the ISO 14064 series, the PAS 2060, and the CarbonNeutral Protocol. These standards and frameworks provide guidance and best practices for measuring, reducing, and offsetting GHG emissions, as well as for communicating and verifying carbon neutral claims.

3 Sector-specific approaches

A third trend in carbon neutral certification and verification is the development of sector-specific approaches that can address the unique challenges and opportunities of different industries and activities. For example, the aviation sector has adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which aims to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards by requiring airlines to offset their emissions above a baseline level. Similarly, the tourism sector has developed the Travelife Certification, which recognizes hotels and tour operators that have achieved carbon neutrality through a combination of emission reduction measures and offsetting projects. These sector-specific approaches can help you to align your carbon neutral strategy with the specific standards and expectations of your industry and customers.

4 Social and environmental impacts

A fourth trend in carbon neutral certification and verification is the increasing attention to the social and environmental impacts of carbon offsetting projects. Carbon offsetting projects are designed to reduce or avoid GHG emissions in one location or activity, in order to compensate for emissions in another location or activity. However, these projects can also have positive or negative effects on the local communities and ecosystems where they are implemented. Therefore, it is important to choose carbon offsetting projects that not only meet the quality criteria for additionality, permanence, leakage, and transparency, but also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and respect the rights and interests of the stakeholders involved. Some examples of carbon offsetting projects that have positive social and environmental impacts include the Kariba REDD+ Project in Zimbabwe, the Darfur Low Smoke Stoves Project in Sudan, and the Paradigm Project in Kenya. These projects can help you to enhance your carbon neutral reputation and create shared value for your business and society.

5 Innovation and collaboration

A fifth trend in carbon neutral certification and verification is the innovation and collaboration that are driving new solutions and opportunities for achieving carbon neutrality. For example, some companies are experimenting with new technologies and practices that can reduce or capture their GHG emissions, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, or biofuels. Other companies are collaborating with their suppliers, customers, competitors, or partners to create low-carbon value chains, products, or services, such as green procurement, circular economy, or shared mobility. These innovations and collaborations can help you to overcome the barriers and challenges of achieving carbon neutrality, and to create competitive advantages and new markets for your business.

6 Future outlook

A sixth trend in carbon neutral certification and verification is the future outlook that is shaping the expectations and demands of various stakeholders, such as regulators, investors, consumers, or employees. As the global community strives to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, carbon neutrality is becoming a more prominent and urgent objective for many sectors and regions. For example, the European Union has set a target of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, while China has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. These ambitious targets will require more rigorous and robust carbon neutral certification and verification systems, as well as more innovative and collaborative solutions. Therefore, it is important to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the future scenarios and opportunities that carbon neutrality will bring.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?