Biggest carbon credit certifier to replace its rainforest offsets scheme

Verra will phase out programme by mid-2025 after Guardian investigation found it was flawed

• As carbon offsetting faces credibility revolution', shoppers should be wary

The world's leading carbon credit certifier - used by Disney, Shell, Gucci and other big corporations for climate claims - has said it will phase out and replace its rainforest offsets programme by mid-2025 after a Guardian investigation found it was flawed.

Verra, the main guarantee of credibility for the rapidly growing $2bn (1.6bn) voluntary offsets market, has committed to scrapping its rainforest protection programme by July 2025 and introducing new rules, which it is developing. A senior Verra figure said this week it was time to move on from the current system.