Drop carbon offsetting-based environmental claims, companies urged

New guidance says carbon credits should only be used to contribute to climate mitigation

Companies should drop offsetting-based environmental claims and adopt a climate contribution" model instead, according to a new quality standard.

In a new code of practice, the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) has published guidance on how companies should use carbon credits as part of high-quality corporate action. It recommends that firms should disclose their emissions every year, show they are successfully meeting a science-based target aligned with the Paris agreement, and only use carbon credits to contribute to climate mitigation, moving away from claims that they have cancelled out" their emissions by purchasing offsets.